After stating my opinions below on this subject. Lets put an example at the
table. Lets look at a few examples here. If you look at the records for
motorcycles. Look at the the cc classes of 50cc. Production is Production, to
many thing can be done to this to make it a non production which defeats the
purpose of the class designated name. Ok now on to A (altered) and M (modified)
if you look these speeds in these classes are all within 3 mph of each other.
Which brings on another dilemma. Class jumping. But why not combine these
classes into one? and have MPS (modified partial streamline) into another, and
streamliner. Who cares what you use to "fuel" the beast.
Now lets look at Land Speed Racing king on class jumping (meaning no disrespect,
but facts are facts) Scott Guthrie. He starts of in a M-F class gets the record
jumps to M-G, then on to MPS-F and MPS-G and A-F and A-G and setting the record
virtually identical, with the same bike. Even into the blown categories also.
But lets face it Scott hold the most Land Speed Records than anyone else in the
sport. He does his homework. and still setting records on the East Coast.
Where this is going I dont know, but what I am saying is you go to these event
for getting a land speed record, what this sport lacks of is competitiveness. We
had around 300 entries for speedweek, but how many ran in the same classes? What
I would say is maybe combine the classes make it more competitive, and thats
what draws people back or new people in. But then again the paper that says
"Land Speed Record Holder" does to, but lets face it you explain that to your
friends and it turns to fuel for your fireplace. How many people were in your
class? Just me. What speed did you beat? Open Record. Combine the classes and
the competitiveness is there. If you are just a G racer dont be alarmed, Tom
Elrod (long time veteran) running in the 1350cc M-BG class ran 154 mph, 24 mph
less than the M-G class where Ron Cook set the record at 178 mph.
Lets look at another Scott Guthrie record in the 750cc class, running in M-G
class running 161.710 mph, in the M-F class J Long running 167 mph. That would
have made a good competition then. Combine the classes make it more competitive
and thats what would bring people back or in to the sport, or was it the piece
of paper that did?
As we have seen in the sport, alot of times the more intuitive one seems to
prevail. Money can buy knowledge, and money can run out with it would be the
knowledge. But a persons own ideas can never run out.
I also have other thoughts on this but I will keep them to myself, not stirring
up any fires within the land speed world.
Any comments on this is very welcome, and any personal comments to me for
stating this....
Jonathan Amo
www.landracing.com
John Beckett wrote:
> OK, now that's the kind of comments I was hoping to elicit.
>
> John Beckett
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jonathan Amo" <webmaster@landracing.com>
> To: ""LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth" <lanspeed@west.net>
> Cc: "John Beckett" <landspeedracer@email.msn.com>; "Ed Van Scoy"
> <edvs@uswest.net>; <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2000 3:31 PM
> Subject: Attracting new comers/ Classes
>
> > Louise and list,
> >
> > Thy new blood we seek, we want to seek safe. But the newcomers attitiude
> > can be shallowed without lightening the rules is the 130 mph club. You
> > need little to become a member, and they will have the taste of Salt Flats
> > Racing. This alone will have the effect of, would I like to go faster. 9
> > times out of 10, sure I would. Well you have these guidelines to go by. I
> > think the 130 mph and 150 mph are excellent ideas and only wish they would
> > promote more with them. Campaign them along with the World of Speed event.
> > Looking at the cover of event programs, and calanders there is nothing
> > there to promote it. Should one read into the program you will see it
> > there, along with the Bar Stool Racing.
> > What we need is a person like yourself Louise, to write an article on it
> > and see if we can get it published somewhere outside of land speed
> > racing's circle. To gather some attention. I would be glad to put it on
> > the site.
> > As many would say we need to do something for the fear of our sport may be
> > hanging on only be a few threads. All we need to do is get it out, most
> > think you need alot of money, to get something to run there. Our team Team
> > Amo proves you dont need alot of money to get there, just a damn good
> > goal, and alot of interest.
> > As I have explained our sport to many around the world, the one thing that
> > does defer them away, is they think about a Land Speed Record, and the
> > amount of classes there already are, they say there are to many.. I would
> > have to agree with them on that, and the amount of classes does seem to be
> > getting out of hand.
> > It would further say that I respect every part of the sport, but.... there
> > are to many classes. Lets say Land Speed Racing started today and I was
> > the president (yeah right), I would make engine and body classes, but no
> > seperate classes for Fuel and Gas, blown or unblown. Hey you do whatever
> > it takes to get the record for your engine and body class. Everything
> > class would be a fuel class. You would use whatever you need to get the
> > speed, dont call it unfair, you have the same rights to use whatever
> > power, fuel, injected means known to man for yourself too.
> > But then again, because the ease of creating new classes, and the break
> > down of fuel, gas, blown, unblown, is this what keeps the newcomers
> > coming.
> >
> > Jonathan Amo
> > www.landracing.com
> >
> > \"LandSpeed\" Louise Ann Noeth wrote:
> >
> > > John/list,
> > >
> > > I think we polled ourselves, you would find plenty of folks who have
> > > been approached with the ubiquitous, "I just want to see what it will
> > > do" comment. I believe this attitude is the product of a society that
> > > offers too many choices, where "a taste, or a sample" often
> > > constitutes little more than a notch in their life's experience
> > > roster. For those adventures that require time, effort, dedication and
> > > thoughtful planning, the game remains the same -- safety first.
> > >
> > > I would hope and support all actions by any sanctioning body to keep
> > > safety paramount in its operation and not succumb to the temptation of
> > > easing the rules just to gather some "new blood" which, as we all
> > > understand, can easily become "spilled" in an instant.
> > >
> > > I have witnessed the horrified reaction of some of the folks who would
> > > like to find a way to skirt the rules when a car, or worse, a bike has
> > > tumbled on the lakes or the salt. Just as it has for decades, the
> > > misfortune of others serves to teach an indelible and far-reaching
> > > lesson insofar as safety is concerned when "trying to see how fast it
> > > will go." I believe we call it, "reality" -- the possible and the
> > > probable.
> > >
> > > Speedy Regards,
> > >
> > > "LandSpeed" Louise Ann Noeth
> > >
> > > LandSpeed Productions
> > > Telling stories with words and pictures
> > > ------------------------o0o--------------------------
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "John Beckett" <landspeedracer@email.msn.com>
> > > To: "Ed Van Scoy" <edvs@uswest.net>; "Jonathan Amo"
> > > <webmaster@landracing.com>
> > > Cc: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> > > Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2000 8:17 AM
> > > Subject: 150mph club & attracting new members
> > >
> > > > List
> > > >
> > > > This is an interesting situation and needs more discussion. We (LSR)
> > > are
> > > > trying to get more (new and/or younger) people involved in the sport
> > > (with
> > > > quality equipment) and as I understand it the 130/150 Club was
> > > implemented
> > > > to attract them.
> > > >
> > > > It's absolutely amazing how many people call me at the ECTA and want
> > > to know
> > > > about running their "1999 SpeedSport Whatever" at 200 MPH without
> > > roll
> > > > cage/bars, fire system, fire suit, etc. "I just want to try it out
> > > and see
> > > > what it will do". Obviously they have the money to go fast, or they
> > > wouldn't
> > > > have the "SpeedSport Whatever", but I guess it's just a lark for
> > > them
> > > > without any serious commitment. But if they could run how many would
> > > be
> > > > hooked?? To big a risk to find out? I don't know what the answer
> > > is??? Can't
> > > > shy away from safety rules.
> > > >
> > > > The bike guys seem to be the most active new members back east. Of
> > > course
> > > > all they need is the bike, riding leathers and helmet. Much cheaper
> > > > investment than a car so more come out to give it a try. The average
> > > guy can
> > > > walk into most any Motorcycle Dealership and walk out with 200 MPH
> > > scooter
> > > > today.
> > > >
> > > > ECTA is trying a new 'Street Class' this year. Simply put it has to
> > > be
> > > > street legal, tags, insurance, mufflers etc., with proper safety
> > > equipment
> > > > for the speed levels run. Seems to have drawn interest from those
> > > who don't
> > > > fit or don't understand the /PRO, /GC or /ALT rules. Time will tell.
> > > >
> > > > John Beckett, ECTA
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "Ed Van Scoy" <edvs@uswest.net>
> > > > To: "Jonathan Amo" <webmaster@landracing.com>
> > > > Cc: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> > > > Sent: Saturday, August 26, 2000 11:21 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: WOS 150mph club
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Jon,
> > > > > I try to push this program with my road racing cronys, but they
> > > think 150
> > > > > mph is too slow! Little do they know the problems involved in
> > > going fast
> > > > on
> > > > > salt. In 1993, the first year I took my street car up there, the
> > > best I
> > > > > could get out of it was 141 mph, yet, it had run 180 mph in the
> > > Silver
> > > > State
> > > > > race 2 days before! (yes it was down hill) In 1994 (yeah, I know
> > > the
> > > > program
> > > > > says 1995, but who cares) I brought the Vette I am now racing to
> > > run the
> > > > 150
> > > > > Club. It was street-legal & licensed , and was originally built to
> > > run the
> > > > > Unlimited Class in the Silver State races. I ran 159 first pass &
> > > had so
> > > > > much fun I promptly forgot about using it for road racing & went
> > > back to a
> > > > > stock (?) ZR-1 for Silver State. I still try to promote it
> > > because I
> > > > think
> > > > > it is a great entry door to this sport. USFRA is a bit gun-shy
> > > about this
> > > > > program (and I don't blame them) as one idiot can screw up and
> > > spoil the
> > > > > whole deal for all of us. Yes, you CAN crash at 150 MPH with
> > > disasterous
> > > > > results, contrary to the thinking of those who have never driven
> > > on salt.
> > > > > If I was USFRA, I would keep the program, as I see it as a great
> > > promotion
> > > > > tool, but I would change the rules to make it mandatory to make
> > > the 130
> > > > Club
> > > > > before turning a driver loose on the salt at up to 159.999 mph,
> > > per
> > > > current
> > > > > rules. Just my .02 worth..............................
> > > > > Ed
> > > > >
> > > > > Jonathan Amo wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > List,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > For those of you who run during WOS. How come we only have 10
> > > members in
> > > > > > the 150 mph club. Seems that most of us can be in the club, why
> > > not be
> > > > > > in there. I know alot of people run faster than that, but its
> > > still in a
> > > > > > honor to be in the club.
> > > > > > If bike runs well during WOS and we make it there, I would be
> > > more than
> > > > > > happy to join the club members of Ed Van Scoy and Ron
> > > Christenson in
> > > > > > this club, and run the bike.
> > > > > > Any comments on this?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Jonathan Amo
> > > > > > www.landracing.com
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
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