Author Topic: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949  (Read 5045 times)

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The California Kid

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SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« on: April 08, 2019, 10:43:32 PM »

Hey.It's new to me.

It is in front of Tex Smith's How To Build A Hot Rod.

Something about it was Wally Park's idea.He was secretary of SCTA at the time.

SCTA went up to get permission to use Bonneville salt flats.

Looks like now SCTA runs Bonneville 'races'.

Pretty interesting.

Offline RidgeRunner

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2019, 10:51:09 PM »
     Don't forget the USFRA......and BUB......and Mike Cook......

              Ed

Offline Jack Gifford

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2019, 01:07:31 AM »
Parks' primary objective was a national landspeed venue, thus the name "Bonneville Nationals". Back then dry lakes events were pretty much a SoCal deal- mainly for the benefit of car club members in the southwest U.S.
I think Ak Miller was SCTA president at the time?
To nitpick- '49 wasn't the first "running" on the salt; it was the first "event" there that was open to public entries.
« Last Edit: April 09, 2019, 01:15:41 AM by Jack Gifford »
M/T Pontiac hemi guru
F/BFL 1-mile Loring record 2020

The California Kid

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2019, 03:05:27 PM »

' Don't forget the USFRA......and BUB......and Mike Cook......'

Go ahead.What are those and who is/was he?

Thanks.

The California Kid

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2019, 03:15:17 PM »

'Back then dry lakes events were pretty much a SoCal deal-'

Pretty much I am wondering why in the 80's when I was ready to jump to fabrication

I was totally unaware of any dry lakes flying mile racing.

We could here Ascot from my buddy's house in Torrance on Fri and Sat nights.

Nope.Never heard a word in the South Bay about any dry lakes.

I did sort of have blinders on about 'Mopar or no car.' Even more close minded was

440 only.No small blocks and no expensive hemi's.

Knew you could redrill block and put Hemi heads on but just was not interested.

Was ready ready to move to a 440 econo rail and then disaster struck.

A story nobody wants to hear and I don't want to tell.

Safe to say I am getting back into now.

Nice flying mile car sounds real good to me.

Nice white 555 Imron paint job.Nice tube frame.

Big old big block.Yeah baby!

Show these winky doos how it is done right!

Offline 4-barrel Mike

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2019, 03:16:21 PM »

It is in front of Tex Smith's How To Build A Hot Rod


You mean "How to Build Real Hot Rods" ??

Accuracy is sometimes important.

Miie
Mike Kelly - PROUD owner of the V4F that powered the #1931 VGC to a 82.803 mph record in 2008!

The California Kid

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2019, 03:41:49 PM »

It's 'Make Your Own Hot Rod' Tex Smith probably '69


The California Kid

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2019, 03:49:46 PM »
'Back then dry lakes events were pretty much a SoCal deal'

Found out what happened to that pre-war and post-war Ford jalopy car club to dry lakes crowd.

They moved on to the OHV cars.WHEN they dropped in price.So mid 50's to early 60's.

'Ended up in the junkyards.' we used to say.Became hot rod material so to speak.

Right in Hot Rod History Book 1 a Dick Martin who had a couple bucks moved on to a

'50 Olds.88 model That's what all that Olds 88 stuff is about.The small ones.With a OHV V8.

He did good at race tracks.Left the old flatheads in the dust.Set course records.

Then blew his leg off somehow.That put him back on racing.Too bad.He was into it.

So.Figuring out this 'Why no dry lakes talk in the South Bay in the 80's' thing.

Talk about Drag Racing getting started next.By guess who? More of Tex Smith's buddies.

Of course he wrote the books but is sounds believable to me.

I ain't going to over analyze it.
« Last Edit: April 09, 2019, 05:49:39 PM by The California Kid »

The California Kid

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2019, 01:41:46 AM »

Here's how drag racing came about according to Tex Smiths Build Your Own Hot Rod page 8

Wally Parks becomes first President of NHRA .Then in '54 the first Drag Safari tours the country.

They meet up with car clubs and timing associations around the country and show them how to

organize and run drag races.Second year it is called Safety Safari.

Okay.They set up drag racing in Detroit and that makes car makers build cars for the youth market.

Special models to run at the drags too.Big engines and light weight body parts.

So.80's come along and I'm going at and drag racing is big where I am in South Bay LA area.

I am ready to build tube frame car and don't know nothing about any land speed racing at local dry lakes.

So.Now I do.So we will build one like that.Flying mile keeps the drivetrain nicey nice instead of breaking stuff

dragging it.

SCTA continues on from '49 through the 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mph barriers.

Believe the faster cars only run at Bonneville.Do remember Mickey Thompson and Craig Breedlove thogh.

There is the story of why dry lakes racing wasn't talked about in my circles in the 80's.



Offline RidgeRunner

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #9 on: April 10, 2019, 08:36:01 AM »

' Don't forget the USFRA......and BUB......and Mike Cook......'

Go ahead.What are those and who is/was he?

Thanks.

Tip - expand your library for free and check the home page of this site.   :wink:

On left side click on USFRA (World of Speed along with test and tune meets) and Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials (all motorcycles which have evolved from the Bub meets).  Keep an eye out for news when Mike Cook organizes special "Shootout meets" for serious players (2,3, or 4 wheeled) when the necessary entries and weather can coincide.

             Ed
 

The California Kid

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2019, 11:00:04 PM »
Thanks Ed

One thing for sure.I'm giving the dry lakes reading a break for awhile.

That would be getting Hot Rod History Book 2.Definitely putting that off for a little bit.

Have enough to digest from book 1 for now.

Where does this Mike Cook run these races?

Have a good one

Bob
« Last Edit: April 12, 2019, 01:16:35 AM by The California Kid »

Offline RichFox

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2019, 09:39:45 AM »
Try Google

The California Kid

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #12 on: April 12, 2019, 01:25:49 AM »

Okay.Looked up Mike Cook's shootout.

I was expecting some good ole boy racing on the cheap thing.That's just 'Bonneville' stuff.

Okay.Let me say it this way.

Our approach is at the Bird Engineering Bucket T kit level.

We just use different parts.

Think 60s/70s sprint car level.It steers and stops.

Offline Peter Jack

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #13 on: April 12, 2019, 01:48:34 AM »
A lot of us raced back then and when we look back now it scares the s**t out of us with what we used to do for safety. We sure wouldn't dream of racing that way now. We just didn't know better and the equipment and knowledge wasn't available. Anyone who's going fast that way now should think deeply about their approach. Mishaps result in a black eye for all types of racing and the perpetrators show a lack of responsibility towards racing in general.

Rant over. Think about it!

Pete

The California Kid

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Re: SCTA Organizes First Running at Bonneville 1949
« Reply #14 on: April 12, 2019, 02:49:33 AM »
'Think about it! '

We think all the time.Thank you!

I think there is a big communication problem here.

They have vintage sports cars running at tracks today.

So what is the difference between that and our planned race cars running down an air strip?

Would you let a restored 60s car run at one of your races?

If no.What updates would you require? Fuel cell instead of a fuel tank?

That should clear things up.