An old thread but still a valid topic.
We were at the Bar last night when this very subject came up.
The uninformed in the group thought that setting a land speed record meant getting your name in the Guiness book of world records.
FIM, FIA, SCTA, AMA (and whatever other sanctioning bodies there may be) each have their own records.
I don't know for sure, but to me, logic would dictate that:
FIM/FIA being "International" records would truly be World records.
AMA records are "National" records.
and the others (SCTA, ECTA, etc..) are "Club" records. Call them regional records if you want.
Friends keep mistaking my AMA record by calling it a "world" record, and I have to correct them.
It's kinda like Boxing or Wrestling where each sanctioning organization has their own champions.
The waters become so muddied that being a champion becomes diluted.
Ultimately, I would have to go with the FIM/FIA records as the "undisputed champs",
but what do I know ....
it could very well be the Folks listed in Guiness's book.