I think that for Bonneville (and similar venues) where a maximum speed (40 mph?)
is allowed by the pushing vehicle while pushing the race vehicle, the following ideas
could be helpful.
1. Use a very high-powered push vehicle.
2. Make sure it has enough traction to push itself and the race vehicle without
wheelspin.
Of course, there are many ways to approach this. One way would be for the push
vehicle to be heavily weighted on its drive tires. It could also help if the push vehicle
is quite light in other areas, i.e., that don't much help its traction -- such as around
the front of the vehicle. This would help provide overall acceleration for the "total
package" that consists of both vehicles. At the low speeds used, using any kind of
spoiler may not help much. But it could, as long as there is plenty of horsepower
available.
I don't know whether thrust (from a fan, jet engine, or rocket engine) is permissible
for propelling the push vehicle. I also don't know whether any kind of "spring-loaded
launcher" is allowable to give the race vehicle an additional "kick". I don't suggest
violating any rules, but I think it's generally known or believed that if something is
not prohibited, it may be permissible. One of the things that frequently helps racers
succeed is out-of-the box thinking.
