I don't think anyone misunderstood you. I think one of the problems with setting safety standards for someone who wants to go 200 is that there will always be someone who will build to a cl*** and then argue that the record may be 275 but his engine won't run over 205. I know I'm playing the deviil's advocate but I've been around LSR for a good few years. There are thousands of people who would love to say they went 200 at Bonneville. The problem is that 99.999% of them are too lazy to get off their ***es to build a car or bike to run at Bonneville. Sure if you could show up with a car and that 35 year old open face Bell that has been laying in the corner of the garage then yes Bonneville would be flooded with "200 mph guys". I think even if you were to create a "200 mph cl***" the minimum safety standards would be still to high for most people to get off their recliner and build a car.
Yes it is true that at least 99 out of a hundred who say they want to run on the salt never will. It's easy to want, not as easy to do it. BUT didn't I just read a post by Beefstew where he said he inspects cars to the speed he and the owner feel is possible? But even the 150mph safety rules are pretty stiff.
Funny you should mention this Sam. I shared some of my thoughts on this subject here: http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,9024.0.html
I had an injected 468 cubic inch Pontiac that had been an original '68 GTO 400. Ported #16 400 heads, John De Long roller cam which was ground for it when it was still a 400 inch drag motor in the GTO. 12.5 pistons. Accel dual point ignition. My zoom headers. Like that. Nothing like a blown motor should do. ...........The "Rolling Bones Challenge" was a suggestion about the Bones wanting to have a "Cl***ic V8' Cl*** at Bonneville and I and others suggested a separate trophy award by the Bones to qualifying cars running according to the rules of the bones but in SCTA cl***es and legal for SCTA compe***ion. I offered to spring for the trophys if they would do the rest.
Regardless of what happens with this cl***, the talk has me fired up again about Bonneville. Never want to say what if?
Sam, since you agree with the safety issues I like your idea. I can't blame anyone for wanting to run over 200 mph at the salt, it's a blast. Problem solved! Run in the cl***ic gas coupe or vintage cl***. Lots of records in the low 200 range. Come on out and run guys.
And thanks to youu vets that have already answered a ton of my PMs! For anyone else, go to www.landracing.com and start reading up. If you don't have the time to read some of the firsthand advice,input and experiences these guys and others offer, I doubt you have time to take a shot at the salt. My opinion only, I have barely taken a first step.
Stew, I did see that but when he said he didn't want any special safety rules I thought okay here ya go. If that's not the case Sam, tell us what safety gear you think should be deleted for the 2forkicks cl***?
Well we do already have 125 mph speed limit stickers so what is the absolute bare minimum that you'd need? Cage is mandatory. Could get away with less than 10 lbs of extinguishing agent. Minimum fire suit requirement is -10. You could run without a chute up to 175 mph at B-ville. It all sounds very do-able to me knowing that you actually DON'T have to build to the nines. 200 mph+ is a very different story though.
So between clothing and safety gear the average person will ADD a minimum of 3-5K to their car to be safe and legal. That is providing they can build the cage in house and not pay a ch***is guy.
The cage, seat, helmet, suit, Hans type device and fire bottles along with tires are going to be a little pricey for a 200+ car. Can't help it. I think you can pretty much buy a U-Fab cage from Jegs and others. If you are a very good welder and fitter. Might find a good used suit in the National Dragster. Used NASCAR seat might help. Some times there are good deals on a Snell SA2005 helmet. You just need to be ready to strike when the opportunity is there. Don't wait for July 4th to start shopping.
I was taught by dad from his race days. Never wear another persons helmet or gear and seatbelts got CUT OUT of a car when it sold. It was a kharma/safety deal. I plan to buy new stuff ABOVE the minimums.
I wouldn't wear another persons helmet or old seat belts. Fire suit is another deal. Real money to be saved there and they don't normally wear out. Same with the seat.
I don't think anything should be deleted. Here's an example of what I am talking about. Let's say I know how to build race cars. Let's say I have a bunch of friends that want to help me. Let's say I have this old belly tank on my side yard... and I have a little 383 Mopar with a B&M blower and it runs on alcohol... makes something like 500hp on a good day. Now... if I wanted to put all these parts together and go out there and live a life long dream of running 200 mph on the salt... under the current rules... I would have to build the car to safety specs for the current B/BFL record of 360.077mph. That rule alone ir preventing me from living a life long dream. Under the SamIyam act of 2011... I would be able to build a car using the SCTA rulebook as a guide, and Nathan Stewart would see us in the tech line, stick "Do Not Exceed 225mph" sticker on the cowl, and then we'd go out there and make our licensing runs and then try to go 200. If we went 226mph, we'd have our credentials pulled and be expected to pay another $400 entry fee and have to make all our licensing runs again. If 225 is too fast... I would be ok with making it... say.. 210, 215 or 220 mph. Basically the only thing it would really affect would be the dual parachite rule... and MAYBE the 11 pound+ fire bottle rule if the powers at be decided that 10 pounds was good enough to run 10mph faster than you currently can with 10 pounds of fire bottleness... but this rule isn't one that I would want to push... I would let the experts decide. The only reason I site this is because you can get a 10 pound kit with two or three nozzles for around $500... The fire suit rule would stay the same. The only other thing I have a question about would be the use of "front runner" tires... are they legal for 200mph cars now? Is it specified? I wouldn't want people skimping on tires... Sam
That's the exact reason I am going to the salt! To set my own personal record. I will never have the money to build anything to try for an existing record but that's not the reason that I want to run. To me just to have the privilege of running my hand built hot rod on the same salt where so many of my hero's have ran their cars is reward enough for me! If I can p*** tech and even make one run (I'd be more than happy to make a 89mph p***!) I could die a happy man! The only trophy I ever want to win with my car is a timing slip from Bonneville!
Sam, I like what you're saying BUT if the only thing stopping you is a 2nd parachute I don't see the battle. IF it's only then I'd support running 1 with a speed limit. Yes front runners are allowed however I'd recomend the LSR type frontrunner (more plys in the sidewall) that goodyear makes. Go to their website.
And I have our car all torn apart and am in the planning stages of trying to build a flathead four banger to beat a 123mph record! That's a long way and thousands of dollars away from going 200 Sam
I'd like to ask the experienced racers this... Do you think it's possible for a guy to build a car that'll go 200mph for less than 20k? Excluding the driver's suit, helmet and HANS device... If the general population thinks it's impossible... or at best, highly unlikely... I know a guy who might be up for a challenge. He's got 20k and wants to go 200... And it's not me, 'cause I'm broke!! Sam
I would think with some careful planning it should be more than possible. It all depends on how much you make and how much you have made for youl
To build a car that can go 200 yes, not counting safety gear..... To set a record, no way. But I still wonder why you'd spend 20k (what it's just sitting here) to just run 200 mph. Hell rent a ride.
Thats such a cool little car Sam, I just re-read a bunch of the build threads yesterday to refresh my memory. Can you do a new update/winter wrap up? Never saw what you did for holes in the floor?
this is a rhetorical question isnt it? why would anyone in their right mind build a flathead V8, flat 4, packard V8, or inline buick to race when there are better, more cost effective engines out there? better yet, why race anything? it makes more sense to save for an early retirement, no? i get what you are implying Dyno... but going 200 is a magic number for a lot of people.
Sam, Meant to ask. Is that 20k not counting labor @ $75 an hour? : - ) I got a little less than 2k in my sidecar and four records to show for it. But thats a labor rate of zero dollars per hour. I hate to calculate the cost if I was to even figure it at $10 and hour.
Sam and his partners are very capable craftsmen.... so yah... $20k for a car built by a group of *capable* builders and a list of friends that can help when/if the need arises.
For some retirement is nothing more than waiting for God to call. Racing is living. Everything else is waiting. We only have a certain number of years to race. But we have forever to be dead.
^^^ ...and that is the rule i follow. if i get to 80 yrs of age i dont want to sit around talking about Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda. ****, i dont want to be sitting around come Bonneville '11 just talking about it either.
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