Hi Stu,
it may be give you a idea whe you read some of this books, but each racer was designed in a different way and to a different base concept by the designer.
When you start to design a racer you have know how you like to reach the goal.
As a example - Craig Breedlove's Spirit of America Sonic Arrow (later called 2000) and the Thrust SSC - I was "involed" in both - was two totally different concept.
Craig worked with a minimum on drag and a single engine to go thru the barrier - Bowsher and Ayers from the Thrust went on to use a heavy car to keep the car on the ground, but therefore it was necessary to use two engines.
Both teams done mistakes in design and concept. When I talked to Bowsher and explained him (to my opinion) some mistakes on the car concept and the effects, he was very surprised - in his own words "damn this explaines some of our problems".
The SoA got at first the parachute box on the wrong place which caught the SoA to his famous u-turn - the car was due to the position to sensitive against crosswind. A year later (1997) the modified not only the position of the parachute, they also redesigned the outrigger - the wrong way.
This just as a example.
So check the way how you like to reach the goal, than start to design.
You can contact me off list if you like - use my e-mail address with the describtion "Record Racer".
Thing fast.....always