In a message dated 01/30/2001 6:07:11 PM Pacific Standard Time,
nafzger@vtc.net writes:
<< Doug,
I was mulling over your comments while eating and I must say I am somewhat
confused and humbled by you kind comments about my stature in Land Speed
Racing.
#####################
Howard,
You and Savage were among the early racers to successfully incorporate
motorcycle engines into streamliners. Your successes spawned a whole new
generation of small-displacement "liners".................Doug King
#######################
I have spent a lifetime as a "tinkerer" with cars and have never held a job
that requires me to do any more than drive one.
I do feel however that differences in the course, density altitude, etc.
are just part of the moving target that make this sport such a challenge.
#######################
I feel that changes in courses due to Mother Nature and Riley Chemical
are also part of the moving target of this sport. During the years when
"three-pass" records cannot be done, the streamliners and lakesters that
ideally need up to 11 miles of salt are penalized, while the cars that can
"do their thing" in 5-7 miles escape with two runs instead of three for a
record.
If SCTA-BNI had decided to suspend racing rather than change the rules to
accommodate the deteriorating race course we wouldn't have run for several
years. Doug
#########################
Conscious changes in the standards required to establish a record are
another thing altogether. I understand why one way runs were established at
Bonneville. No one should be asked to risk the vehicle and maybe their life
just because of a standard. I'm just saying since the records were set with
a different standard of accomplishment, that should somehow be noted. A
simple comment like " Records set after xx/xx/xxxx were two runs in the same
direction because of safety concerns based on salt condition".
#########################
That connotation would to me indicate that "classes-of-records" exist. I
totally disagree with that type of labeling. Until 2000 the few Bonneville
records that I set were all done under the "old 3 pass system", and I still
would oppose it......Doug
###########################
If that didn't happen it wouldn't upset me. I'm just venting a frustration
I have. Lot's of good points have come out in this discussion. Maybe some of
them will bear fruit.
Howard
///
/// land-speed@autox.team.net mailing list
///
|