National/International Governing Body for Mile & Kilo Venues?

[Moxnix]

Oh, I don't necessarily foresee see the SCTA getting involved as a governing body, though some of their members might want to race on pavement once in awhile.  ECTA rules are pretty close.  Hope to find out what the Brits use for rules and those people on the Continent.  The (in)famous FIM rep comes from the French speaking area of Switzerland.  Out at the timing tower during Shootout, an FIA board member from the same area, but a Swiss-German speaker met him for the first time, though they've both dealt with communication between their respective organizations over the years and live about ten miles apart.

Perhaps this is all a few years too soon to discuss. 

[Glen]

When we ran the LSA in the early 90s we used the current FIA records, had FIA reps on board and they issued their cert and LSA provided a cert. of performance with the header                               
                                           Bonneville International
                                          Certificate of Performance

The same timing information as the FIA Certs. was provided to the entrant after certification.

[Peter Jack]

What was the advantage to having a duplication of effort from two different organizations?

Pete

[Glen]

Only that it was a LSA event as well, This was done at at a world finals meet and we had to shuffle the course for two way runs as well to do it.

[Malcolm UK]

If we all take a deep breath ....... the topic is about a new World Record format and some form of International Organisation.  There is no need to involve the FIA or the FIM.  If track elevation differences are a worry then perhaps this programme would not be for you. Certification would need to be standardised, but if 'trusted' tech inspectors from all countries involved are trained by the acknowledged time served experts (SCTA), then there should not be arguments over eligibility of the US style of classes.   

The SCTA has used El Mirage, which is the 1.3 mile dirt example of the type of event that Max and I got into discussion about.  The aim would be to have events that could be run in most countries of the world, so that this form of speed record breaking becomes an inclusive International sport with a true World Record list.  The late John Beckett and I kicked some ideas around, but we never got to a stage of going public. 

Some may want to be involved and others may say ..... this is 'not for me' I just like to race at the current venue(s) for local speed records.

The ECTA led the way on concrete with a one mile distance and others have followed the format maximising what distance they have on asphalt or concrete - hence Texas, Loring and Mojave in the USA. Here in the UK we have the UK Land Speed Racing Association who have run their 'Suffolk' mile event for bikes.  I would not know if these existing organisations would facilitate classes for machinery that could be created anywhere in the world, they just happen to have events that exist at the time the idea was floated.

Imagine an event, being held in Russia on one of their bomber airfields, and a European built street roadster sets the fastest speed ever in B/BSTR and another racer from Croatia on a French built bike sets their record in APS-BF-1350.  Thousands of racers around the World can applaud these World Records and a few can then attempt to raise them higher on a track of their choosing in their own country.

Malcolm 

[maj]

I believe the Russians do have a mile event already ,
biggest advantage i see of a fully international standards is being able to travel and be involved, and have a better chance of sponsership to help , can you picture a tri nation or multi national  series with containers of bikes/cars  shipping from one point to the next   

[sabat]

Interesting idea, but to play devil's advocate, there will inevitably be one or a few 1-mile venues that offer the best conditions. Over a long period, most of the records would be set at that location. What if Texas ran in the opposite direction in May? Consistent 15-20 mph tailwinds would undercut any consistency in rules and officiating.

One of the nice things about Bonneville is that everyone deals with the same environment, good or bad. To standardize across tracks or differing smoothness, flatness, air density, prevailing winds, etc, would be a difficult task.

Then there's the displacement and fuel check...

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Dean, isn't the word "best" a superlative (in this instance)?  That is, there is only one (anything) that is best.  In that case -- how could there be "...one or a few..."?

Sorry, but I, the comma cop, have been out of the office recently and didn't have much time for being pernickety.  Thanks for offering me the opportunity to be so.

Yes, we do intend to go to Maxton at the end of this month, for, if nothing else, the socializing and good-bye-ness of it all.  C U there?

[sabat]

To split hairs, I guess I'm using 'best' in a loose way, considering the variability of conditions from day to day. The best venue in March may not be the best venue in October.  So maybe 2 venues would tie, and thus neither would be 'best'.

See you at Maxton, you grammar Nazi 

[sabat]

By the way, you do not own a ZX14R, so change your profile description, you imprecise bastage!!!!      

[Glen]

Seems there are only about 4 areas in the world that are suitable for all out LSR speeds. Bonneville, Australia, Blackrock and the place that the Noble gang want to run in Africa or where ever it is.The two salt flats are the best we have for wheel driven vehicles the others OK for thrust vehicles.

[55chevr]

Glen --- dont forget there is a salt flat in South America too ...

[Glen]

would you tow to it. It's high and crappy access roads.

[Moxnix]

Thanks for your post, Malcom.  Certainly the FIA-FIM need not be involved.  An "international land speed racing authority" needs only an agreed "template" for vehicles and racers to adhere to, with scrutiny before and after a run, much like the FIA/FIM duties at the Shootout, but possibly like the busy tech line  and/or impound on the salt.  I'll note (that) the Speed Record Club in the UK has an international membership with interest in air, land, water speed record factions.  Certainly there is a lot of overlap in NA regarding interest across speed records venues. 

As to the "why do this," I'll argue that it becomes somewhat of a world competition, a la the Olympics.  Top speed in a class is a gold medal.    Who's the gold medal holder for the world? . . . .   It's hard to beat Bonneville as an event.  But as the economy shifts, the cost and difficulty of travel increases, inflation with effective loss of purchasing power, well, it appears a world wide activity, that's happening anyway, would allow kilo/mile/1.5 mile participants to play at the big casino table with racers on the other side of the world. 

[Malcolm UK]

Max it was good that you found time from the audio duties at WoS to chat about this topic.

Elevation of courses will always be a problem but just looking at outright records they went from sea level (Pendine & Daytona/Ormond) to Bonneville, Black Rock and soon perhaps South Africa and no one used the height of each as an excuse, even in the piston engined days.

The International cycling and motorcycling record rules have a tail wind maximum speed to remove the prevailing wind advantage - although most airfield are aligned to avoid cross winds I believe (comments from those who fly?).

Some will always want to attend different tracks (collecting hats as they progress) but not having to travel across continents can lead to greater participation.

Any information on the Russian event, anyone?  And we could accept Ice courses for those who play on that surface.

Malcolm