Hi Rip
First, I respect the power they are getting out of modern OHC 4 cylinder engines. The Eco-Tec is incredible, 1200 HP with less than 2 liters!!! Unbelievable by early V8 standards where 1 HP per cube was a big deal. There is no doubt the early big V8 can't hold a candle to the power numbers of the modern blown/turbo 4 banger. I'm an old school guy who was weaned on the sound of a powerful, throaty V8 and just can't seem to get turned on by the sound of a high reving 4 banger. The sound of a 16,000 rpm Formula engine is verging on fingernail scratches on the black board!!! Gives me chills thinking about it! LOL Simply a matter of choice.
Actually the Texas mile folks probably don't have to look farther than a NHRA inspector for an excellent SCTA rule inspector. The rules are different in some areas but it doesn't take an engineer to apply them to a LSR. The SCTA and USFRA ( Not the USHGA organization like I stated in my earlier response. The USHGA is the United States Hang Glider Assos. I also belong to...) both have training programs to certify inspectors. I'm sure a request to the SCTA would produce a certified SCTA inspector at the March race. It would be hove them to have 3 there so new LSR cars could get the frames certified before they tow all the way to Bonneville in August only to find their car needs major work to certify. The Texas mile could be a proving ground for all new LSR cars. The SCTA driver licensing only requires progressive runs up to 175 mph to qualify the fastest drivers. That is "easily" attained by a LSR car as I almost hit that in second gear. I admit the traction and spin possibilities are different with cement and salt but it still would be a good indicator of the cars handling and drivers capabilities. It certainly verifys the cars braking capabilities.
If the SCTA takes the Texas Mile under their wings, I would expect rules changes for the brake requirements for the Texas Mile. SCTA has special rules now for the dry lakes and I can see a section for Texas only application, as it should be. Most Bonneville LSR cars don't even use their brakes except while in line to run. Most simply coast off the course after the chutes do their job. At Texas you need all the brakes you can strap on the car. Considering the SCTA is a So Cal organization, I see more chances of a STTA, The Southern Texas Timing Assoc. coming into vogue. The ECTA is "sorta" a spimoff of the SCTA so It's appropriate the STTA be formed. Actually, it would be cool, and trendy I might add, for the SCTA to take over the nation regulation of all LSR just like the NHRA did back 50's with drag racing. Everybody uses the SCTA rules anyway and with more tracks popping up seemingly everywhere, it only makes sense to play by the same rules so racers can run inter-trackuly,(new word) and their cars would fit the tracks rules. I would think the SCTA would embrace the idea because like all organizations, they operate on membership fees along with event revenues, This would also allow the big cheezes in the ECTA to return to their love of racing their cars and not "babysitting" all the rest of the racers.
Would the SCTA have to change their name to a more "Nationally" based name like the NHRA. Such as NTA??? Sounds too much like a railroad. LSRNTA??? Say that 3 times fast! Name change, absolutely not, different circumstances. The NHRA was started by Wally and the gang to initially be a national organization. The SCTA are the forefathers of all the LSR in this country. Any hot rodder worth his torque wrench would probably tell you we were envious of all the cool and very fast cars coming out of California. Face it, all cool things originate in California and the rest of us know that. I, as many are proud to belong to the SCTA, no need to change anything.
First the Texas people have to want it and I see no reason why they shouldn't. It can only benefit them and the sport. Can't we all just get along....Group hug....
Otto
