Tim and the List,
With so many mailings and a few 'offshoot' topics I thought I should try to
summarise to date what I understand the aim/desire/wish/dream of all this
chat was about. I present my summary on the basis of a few statements of
'fact' (well they may just have been said long enough so as to be accepted
as ...)
* The FIA as a Governing Body is considered by the majority of land speed
racers to be unable to meet the needs of racers who wish to claim Worlds
Best Speeds or 'World Records'. The FIA rules do not embrace all types of
race vehicles.
* The FIM as a Governing body is only slightly better at meeting two/three
wheel racers needs, but they demand a high $ price for sanctioning attempts
and approving records.
* The FIA and FIM Land Speed Records are (after 100 years) seen to remain
reputable record achievements accepted world wide, because of these
organisations regulations for making an attempt.
* The SCTA/BNI has had to run most events at Bonneville to meet racers
needs and to fit with the salt conditions and these do not accord with any
other groups 'standards'. The speeds are accurate but are not comparable
with FIA/FIM or, to some extent, even Bonneville's own past rules records.
* The SCTA/BNI is a National American group that for 60 years has organised
Land Speed Racing Events and Land Speed Record Attempts.
* The USFRA organises a US racing event on the salt flats and their
records, classes etc are attuned with the SCTA.
* The ECTA is a more recent group that organises Land Speed Racing events
at Maxton in the USA (on the east coast) to rules that are appropriate for
that airfield location and to suit US National Car and bike classifications
(SCTA).
* The Motor Sport Association of the UK governs British National attempts
(and International FIA attempts) to the operating standards of the FIA, but
nationally over shorter timed distances ie Less than a mile or kilo). Most
UK racers are used to organising private record attempts for single
vehicles with all that is entailed and the big # sterling bills.
* The DLRA in Australia organises an event for Land Speed Racers at Lake
Gairdner using regulations based on SCTA/BNI rules and standards.
* In the recent past, the Land Speed Authority (LSA) was created in the USA
to be an International accrediting body for Land Speed Attempts (2 or more
wheels). This body was not accepted by the FIA and did not gain much racer
support and exists in name only today. Its influence and recognition did
not spread beyond the USA.
As we are just entering the 21st Century, the idea was suggested that 'open
minds' on the LSR LIst could arrive at a Land Speed Attempt STANDARD that
could be used anywhere in the world. Any record set anywhere to this
standard, if it was the fastest, would be accepted by racers as a 'World
Record'.
The minds of the LSR List have put forward many comments on the topic. The
chat has reached the stage (my assessment) when if there is ever going to
be a Unified Speed Record community then Standards have to be developed,
put in print, discussed and accepted. This will take time and much effort.
Any new single worldwide body ( a streamlined group with little bureaucracy
and minimal overheads) would not take over from any existing group or
organisation and NONE of the records set under conditions used in the past
years - 8, 60 or 100 - would be thrown out or dismissed in any way. Indeed
the current bodies may continue their historical methods for ever more. As
long as racers want to run to them they will continue.
IF a new body is formed that meets the wishes of speed racers around the
World, then in years to come it will maintain a full list of World Record
Speeds relevant to this century and accepted by the racers themselves.
As any organisation will be faced with costs ($s or #s or Lira etc..) then
fees (dues) will have to be paid (unless an overall commercial sponsor is
acceptable). Even with a great volunteer effort nothing can be free.
However the amounts should be low as it will be a STANDARDS Authority not a
club and organisers of events/attempts anywhere across the world will be
asked to contribute something (pay!!).
Tim wanted to know the benefits and to know specific answers - here are
mine:
Benefit: - Car Speed Racers anywhere in the world running cars of a type
that are not streamliners (say 97%+) would be able to set World Records to
an Internationally accepted Standard. (Bikers would gain less as FIM
recognise many types of machine).
Who will lose? Only those who do not wish to recognise that the World
extends beyond their own country when their claims to being the Worlds
fastest are no longer accepted.
Will ECTA/SCTA/USFRA accept a new standard? I cannot answer that as I am
not a member of any of these organisations or the clubs within them. If
they do not embrace the new Standards then that is their committees choice.
Nothing will be forced on them.
Do racers want this? I do not know - we have not voted (another poll for
landracing.com, Jonathan). I would think that 21st century racers would
like to run to 21st century standards. If we do not set something down in
print now, no one will ever know. I would have thought that many people
would like to have their efforts recognised worldwide.
More Rules? & Higher Costs? Perhaps different rules for some already
racing but not more. I would favour less rules than any group before, but
that may not be possible. Higher costs? There will be a cost to run any
organising group (unless it takes on commercial sponsorship) and those
competing to its rules will foot the bill. However, these costs may be
instead of paying money to others, it will depend on the circumstances
around the World. If an event can operate to 'all' standards then the
racers costs will not increase.
Malcolm Pittwood, Derby, England.
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