John & List
I am glad that my reference to a 1/4 mile was not mistaken too long for
that standing start 'drag' racing track distance. We do not time any
shorter distances in the UK for National records.
There has not been an organised speed record meeting for multiple entries
in the UK for a few years now. For some reason the interest shown in the
event by car owners was lost. There were 100 entries at each event in the
late 70's. Perhaps we have too much diversity of motorsport in the UK and
each is now so specialised that speed records have lost their attraction.
Hence my comment about the public interest in the US cars at Goodwood
perhaps sparking interest once more. These past events were run to the
full International rules which our National governing bodies (MSA for cars
and and ACU for bikes) use - two way runs within 1 hour; vehicles
classified only by engine displacement.
(Apart from two motorcycle outright record attempts I have been involved
with organising a dozen individual attempts in the last six years - each
driver/rider paying the full cost of organising the attempt. Expensive for
each but that has become the normal way over here. Would one driver or
rider pick up the whole bill for a Maxton event ?).
The UK National Sprint Association continued to run bike only meetings but
after a very wet meeting a few years back they stopped. This coming
weekend they are running a 'speed weekend' for people to run any bike and
get a timing slip. A blind rider (riding solo) will be trying for 100 mph.
The 200 mph cars and bikes in the UK are - Thrust 2 (jet car), Gillette
Mach 3 Challenger (rocket bike), Vampire (Jet dragster), Commuter Ford
Dragster (1970 UK top fueler - but ran a flying start kilometre!!), Ferrari
512M sports racing car (open top 'Le Mans' two seater), Norton rotary
'Penetrator' (streamlined bike), Kawasaki ZZR 1100 Turbo and Suzuki
Hayabusa Turbo (both modified production). The fastest speed for the
flying start 1/4 mile in the centre of the 1.9 mile runway is a two way
average of 269 mph by Colin Fallows with Vampire - next week it could be
300mph - watch this space.
The classes for cars are divided by capacity alone for spark ignition or
compression ignition diesel and by weight for electric and turbines the
records are held by a variety of cars representing our 'other' forms of
motorsport in the UK. From the National records list vehicle examples
include - dragsters, Le Mans two seaters, single seater race cars, diesel
trucks, road legal saloon cars, karts - as well as purpose built speed
record streamliners. Even the late great Sir Malcolm Cambell holds a
class record (over 8000cc) today - 174 mph set in 1927.
Unlike your country the regulations for running UK motorsports events is
controlled by just one overall organisation - the Motor Sports Association
(MSA) - and they require clubs who organise competitive events to be
registered. The drivers are all licensed by the MSA and can be penalised
if they enter any non sanctioned event.
Organising a speed record event has been discussed by a group within the UK
based Speed Record Club and this may happen in the future if the now
privately owned airfield at Elvington near York remains available for use.
I have always felt that we should divide vehicles by body style as well but
the speeds achieved would only be seen by the MSA as club records.
I know you will all be thinking that the Brits are a funny lot - but this
is how our motorsport has developed over many tens of years and it is not
likely to change for a few speed record events each year.
Keith - what would be the 'best car' to run in C/FALT at Muroc ? Can we
enter the rocket bike ?
Land Speed Louise - thanks for the Black Rock up date and photos.
Malcolm Pittwood, Derby, England.
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