Author Topic: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?  (Read 58984 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Eric_CA

  • New folks
  • Posts: 4
What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« on: September 19, 2016, 11:05:26 PM »
I am new to all this and was thinking about attending the World Finals...
thanks!!!

Offline Stainless1

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 8939
  • Robert W. P. "Stainless" Steele
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2016, 11:06:25 PM »
usually about 400 entries
Stainless
Red Hat 228.039, 2001, 65ci, Bockscar Lakester #1000 with a little N2O

Offline Eric_CA

  • New folks
  • Posts: 4
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #2 on: September 19, 2016, 11:12:29 PM »
is it worth the trip or should I wait until next year?

Offline Milwaukee Midget

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 6662
    • Milwaukee Midget Racing
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2016, 11:26:57 PM »
Your hotel bill will be about 25% of what you'd spend at Speedweek.

World Finals will give you a nice sampler, if it's something you're just wondering about.

A lot of folks who waited until "next year" wound up waiting two.
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline SPARKY

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 6908
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2016, 01:42:41 AM »
sometimes ist about 60-80 degs. less in temperature
Miss LIBERTY,  changing T.K.I.  to noise, dust, rust, BLUE HATS & hopefully not scrap!!

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."   Helen Keller

We are going to explore the racing N words NITROUS & NITRO!

Offline Eric_CA

  • New folks
  • Posts: 4
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2016, 01:12:22 PM »
So, with lower air temperatures you get more dense air and  as a result, higher power. 
How come more don't come to Bonneville when its cooler (and more enjoyable)?
Does the aero friction/drag caused by higher density air have more effect on speed than more engine power?

Offline trimmers

  • Jeff in Boise
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 543
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2016, 01:55:10 PM »
In the past, World Finals has been rained out frequently.  I guess that's at least part of the reason they decided to move it up one week!
------------- 1 of just 3 in all 3  -------------
USFRA 130 MPH Club 09/18/2008 136.757
USFRA 150 MPH Club 09/17/2009 152.162
Bonneville 200 MPH Club 09/15/2019 218.600
Best Run: 253.080 MPH 09/14/2019 #6556

Offline nrhs sales

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 976
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2016, 04:48:53 PM »
In the past, World Finals has been rained out frequently.  I guess that's at least part of the reason they decided to move it up one week!

Exactly! :-D

Offline desotoman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2815
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2016, 05:13:12 PM »
And we hope this does not hit the racetrack.

Tom G.

Wednesday 09/21 40% / 0.1 in
Partly cloudy early. Scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
 
Wednesday Night 09/21 80% / 0.44 in
Thunderstorms in the evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Low 54F. W winds shifting to ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
 
Thursday 09/22 90% / 0.36 in
Thunderstorms. High 59F. E winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
 
Thursday Night 09/22 80% / 0.21 in
Windy with rain showers in the evening becoming steadier overnight. Low around 45F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
 
Friday 09/23 80% / 0.14 in
Overcast with rain showers at times. High 57F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

I love the USA. How much longer will we be a free nation?

Asking questions is one's only way of getting answers.

The rational person lets verified facts form or modify his opinion.  The ideologue ignores verified facts which don't fit his preconceived opinions.

Offline Milwaukee Midget

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 6662
    • Milwaukee Midget Racing
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2016, 07:25:59 PM »
So, with lower air temperatures you get more dense air and  as a result, higher power. 
How come more don't come to Bonneville when its cooler (and more enjoyable)?
Does the aero friction/drag caused by higher density air have more effect on speed than more engine power?

That's a good question - and it depends.

If you have a car with really good aero and you're power challenged - say a normally aspirated streamliner with a small engine - the additional air density can create enough extra hp to push you faster.

But if you're running a little brick, the air density can kill you.  That was my experience in the Midget - adjusted altitude chart which roughly correlates with air density vs. speeds -



The MG - bad aero and low power - liked the thinner air, and my slowest runs were always in the heavy, cool air.  By the time it was so hot and thin you couldn't stand it, that's when I made speed.  Your results may vary . . .
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline NathanStewart

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1241
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #10 on: September 20, 2016, 08:12:47 PM »
If you're going for vacation and to spectate, Speed Week is better. If you're going to race, World Finals is better.
El Mirage 200 MPH Club Member

Offline manta22

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4135
  • What, me worry?
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #11 on: September 20, 2016, 08:18:26 PM »
Chris;

I am surprised at the excellent correlation between the density altitude and top speed that you show in your chart. Good use of data!

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline rouse

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 563
  • Impound is the place to be
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #12 on: September 21, 2016, 12:17:02 PM »
Chris,
Glad you put that chart together, it makes good sense and goes along with what I have told folks in the past.

As the air get thinner you lose HP and lose aero drag. I have found that you lose aero drag slightly more than HP, and your chart shows that.

Rouse
Johnnie Rouse
Bike 4680 P-PP2000 SCTA record 153.325    A-PF3000 182.920
                              Texas Mile 152.518 PP class  186 A-PF Class
If you love your freedom thank a vet.

Offline Milwaukee Midget

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 6662
    • Milwaukee Midget Racing
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2016, 12:31:47 AM »
Thanks - it held true for me, but I suspect with a blown motor using modern engine management, the thinner air might tip the scale even further.  It all depends on the combination, I suppose.

Either way, Eric, personally, I'd sample the smaller event first.  That way, when you do attend the big gig, you'll have a point of reference and won't be overwhelmed by Speedweek's magnitude.
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline rouse

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 563
  • Impound is the place to be
Re: What is the difference between Speed Week and the World Finals?
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2016, 08:54:06 AM »
Blown motors change the whole ball game.

The higher you go the faster you will go, as long as the boost remains constant. In other words, you have the same HP and lower drag, what more could you ask for.

NA engines are the ones I was referring to, as the altitude split being in favor of more speed, but just slightly.

Rouse
Johnnie Rouse
Bike 4680 P-PP2000 SCTA record 153.325    A-PF3000 182.920
                              Texas Mile 152.518 PP class  186 A-PF Class
If you love your freedom thank a vet.