Know nothing newbie asks a bevy of stupid questions.

[Christopher Lang]

So, I figured I'd just ask my stupid questions, as I've been thinking on and off about them all day while working on my panel truck. 


Now, I've only been to the SaltFlats once, and it wasn't during any sort of race, but I've always been fascinated by the idea of getting to run wide open.  I'm years away from this, but I like to think about things, and start out knowing something.  I've found that the more you know before hand, the fewer the surprises later.  I also want to start off by saying that I in no way think that this is an original idea, or that its even a good idea.

I figure I'll just tell you folks what I'm thinking, and then you can say, "you can do that, but you'll need to satisfy these requirements, go buy a rule book", and I'll go buy one.  Or, maybe I can't do what I want, so I'll change my plan. 

I've always been sort of fascinated by early type race cars, you know, like from the early 20's, with the big wheels, and the slow turning engines (compared to today).

I also think wood gasifiers are kind of a funny technology.

I'd like to build a big wood gas burning street legal speedster, but I'd also like to be able to trailer it on down to the Saltflats there, and have a whale of a time driving in a straight line. 

This leads me to a couple of really basic (dumb) questions.

How would this sort of thing be classified?  A wood body, does this make it a vintage oval track car?  Does a newly built "old" car fit in there?

Am I allowed to use wooden wheels?  I don't think speed rated tires are available in the size I'd like, (23x500). 

If I'm not burning gasoline, and I'm not electric, where does that leave me? 

To burn wood gas, I need a slow turning engine and expect to loose 30% of the rated output, so I'd like to use something big, like an International Red Diamond 501.  That engine is allot newer than my new "old" car though isn't it. 

Do I need a roll cage? 

Now, I fully expect that some other fool has asked this sort of junk in the past.  There is no-way I'd even be approaching 100 mph, does this help my case for not sounding like a crack-pot, and not having speed rated tires? 


If this plan is too stupid to ever work. I'll gladly change my crack-pot scheme. 



Oh boy, I just hit preview, and I sound like some crazy kook.  Honestly, I'm not, well I don't think I am anyway. 


Blast away, I can take it. 

[Bob Drury]

  It will be welcome and make for a great weenie roast at the Salt Talks.................  call SSS for directions   
                                     Bob
   ooh, and smores, marshmallow's, etc.

[RichFox]

You would run in Omega class. No wooden wheels. Yes you need a roll cage fire bottles and all the other stuff all the other guys have to have. Buy a rule book and all these questions will be answered.

[Freud]

Since your dream car will be a difficult project, have you ever considered reproducing Mother's milk?

You would only have to deal with the FDA.

Make it easy on yourself.

At least, you enter this forum with a true premise.

FREUD

[Peter Jack]

Why don't you save that one for a street and show project and go somewhat more conventional like a "T" Speedster with a cage for a start at Bonneville. Even that may be a problem to make legal but certainly not as challenging as what you're proposing.

Good luck, whatever your project might be. Participation counts.

Pete

[Christopher Lang]

Yes, there is no point in building it the way I had thought, at least not to run on the Salt.  This may amuse you, but I didn't realize that everything needed a cage, other than the 130mph cars.

I'll figure something out.  For know I'll buy a rulebook, and stick it in the shop.

As for the mother's milk, they taught me about that in health class, hahahaha. 

I'll be out there to watch someday at least. 

[RidgeRunner]

     An additional near term option to consider might be hooking up with an entrant from your general area, helping out with a build and or prep followed by going along as a support vehicle driver, go-fer, etc.  You'll learn a lot just looking and listening as well as have a ready source of experienced brains to pick, your learning curve will be greatly accelerated.

     Just be aware that getting involved can be life changing and very addictive!

                         Ed

[dw230]

I would contact the Utah Salt Flats Assoc., USFRA, www.saltflats.com and inquire about running your project in their 130 MPH club event. The car does not have to meet any SCTA rules so you save the $10 up front.

Give up trying/asking for an SCTA legal class. Its like the jerk at El Mirage yesterday - we told him that because you have it doesn't mean you can race with us.

Good luck,
DW

[Moxnix]

Vox populi, vox Dei.  (The voice of the event organization is the voice of God, or the same as).

[dw230]

I guess the guy with the '57 Chevy has not heard of that.

DW

[Christopher Lang]

Oh, yes, I know I'm not special!  A no, is a no.  I'm not looking for drama.  That's why you have to check before you get the torch out.  Stupid questions save time. 

[Moxnix]

Chris, my quote is the result of questions answered in the past.  Always play TO the rule books and not against them.  The high priests of the organizations do not grant dispensations.

[floydjer]

Eh-Hem................Which way will the prop. face ?

[LittleLiner]

I think your initial idea is interesting but like DW said, just because you have (or might have) a special vehicle/technology does not mean it will fit in any particular existing class. 

As the rule book clearly explains, all SCTA-BNI car classes require safety equipment and safe construction.  And while the requirements are a bit less for some of the slower classes, no matter what you build you must incorporate the mandated safety equipment for that type of vehicle's class and speed record.   I've heard that some exceptions are made on a case by case basis for cars running in the "Time-Only" status but I'd bet that something with wooden wheels, no cage, etc., etc., might not make the cut.

As far as the wood gasification aspects, correct me if I am wrong here, but, I thought wood gasification is a way or creating a fuel that is then used in an engine of some type like an internal combustion engine.  Is that right?  If that is what you will be doing then the car would not fit in the OMEGA classes.  It would run in the "Fuel" classes since your fuel would not be "Event Gas."

If you want to demonstrate the wood gasification concept at Bonneville you should consider building a 100% SCTA legal car for one of the  existing classes and use fuel created through wood gasification . . .

Maybe you could get sponsorship from Viagra and run a bumper sticker that says "Got Wood?"

[RichFox]

I remember seeing pictures of German cars that used wood gasification during WW2. Looked kind of bulky. Can you genorate the gas and capture it. Then compress it and run your car in the same way as the cars that run on CNG?