Matt-
Driving on the Salt; not what you might think. At speed the salt surface and
even the black lines on each side of the course are almost featureless
continuums. You know you're going fast by the mile markers and accelerating
through the gears. But much of the time it's like being in an airplane. You
sense you're going fast only as you pass a nearby cloud.
Of course there's the sound and vibration. Any car with much over 150 mph
capability will let you know it doesn't like a less than perfect salt surface
way too quickly for you as a driver to consciously react. If the rear wheels
get loose it's more like being on an icy road than the controlled situation
you have in a well tuned road chassis on dry pavement. This some practice and
a cool head. A big reason for the progressive licensing procedure that
SCTA/BNI requires.
But there's more to it than that. Imagine for a moment that you would do
something illegal, risky and deeply frowned upon in the LSR subculture. Take
your high speed road machine out for a run on the Salt when no one else was
around. Nothing there but distant mountains and black lines on the dragged
courses. The biggest sensation of speed between 50 and 100 and 150 will be
car noise, vibrations and the tach. You'd be disappointed. Not to mention
the pain of explaining your actions to local law enforcement.
The point here is that much of the thrill of driving on the Salt is in your
own head driven by the environment and culture of the land speed racing event
and your anticipation of the run in the days, hours, and minutes preceding
your wave off by the starter and the excitement afterward.
Try it. Yes, I'm suggesting a bit of a commitment on your part, however you
might choose to participate. But it's an experience of a lifetime you'll never
forget. And it can be the beginning of a great association with a grownup
sport and a really cool bunch of people.
Ed Weldon
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