Landracing Forum

Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => SCTA Rule Questions => Topic started by: twinspin327 on November 07, 2009, 12:51:50 AM

Title: Racing backwards?
Post by: twinspin327 on November 07, 2009, 12:51:50 AM
I'm new to land racing. I'm still selecting a class to compete in. I am reading the 2009 rule book. I see the SCTA rule book say in the 5.B Vintage class that "Bodies shall be mounted in a conventional manner..." However, it doesn't say that in the 5.C Classic class. Can I race the car in reverse, not reverse in the transmission, but race backwards? I am serious about this question. In addition, I haven't located any information in Section 4 Definitions explaining "forward movement?"
I think I have an idea for a good shot at a LSR record. I have always been told that I think and color outside of the lines. I'd need to confirm this info before I start one of my projects.
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: Nortonist 592 on November 07, 2009, 01:21:17 AM
I think if you start at the lights and run to the start line it will be OK.
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: McRat on November 07, 2009, 01:26:23 AM
Great question.  Since next year HANS devices will be required, call HANS and ask about their Linda Blair collection.
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: SPARKY on November 07, 2009, 03:56:04 AM
NO---I don't think so--that been tried before and hence the RULE
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: Stainless1 on November 07, 2009, 09:11:20 AM
sounds like you are going for Freuds record.  I believe he has the fastest reverse record on the salt and the freeway.  The trick to that record is you have to be in reverse.
If you read the rules better, you  will see that classic is just older cars and the regular rules also apply.  :|
 :cheers:
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: mkilger on November 07, 2009, 11:22:41 AM
build a roadster you should go backwards at some point :roll:
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: pookie on November 07, 2009, 01:23:06 PM
Twinspin327..... Back in the 1940's  there was a guy who mounted his roadster body on backwards and ran El Mirage...  Recall is a little fuzzy, I was too busy laughing as I kicked the slats out of my cradle..  No, Just kidding about the cradle. But you know what I think he either had top speed or set a record.. Better submit that question to the racing organization you plan to race with..to check on the legality.. But as Kilgore said , WHEN you spin, hell , you will look OK to the course workers and can keep going,but don't forget the rear view mirror.. Mike R.
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: 55chevr on November 07, 2009, 04:15:38 PM
According to common folklore, the VW Beetle is more aerodynamic in reverse ... CD is beter ...
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: Nortonist 592 on November 07, 2009, 04:23:11 PM
According to common folklore, the VW Beetle is more aerodynamic in reverse ... CD is beter ...

With the HP a beetle makes does it matter?
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: Dr Goggles on November 07, 2009, 05:02:11 PM
Twinspin327..... Back in the 1940's  there was a guy who mounted his roadster body on backwards and ran El Mirage...  Recall is a little fuzzy, I was too busy laughing as I kicked the slats out of my cradle..  No, Just kidding about the cradle. But you know what I think he either had top speed or set a record.. Better submit that question to the racing organization you plan to race with..to check on the legality.. But as Kilgore said , WHEN you spin, hell , you will look OK to the course workers and can keep going,but don't forget the rear view mirror.. Mike R.

Manuel Butkie turned the body on his '27T around after Dean Batchelor suggested it would probably have a better aero shape that way,Batchelor drove it to a 148mph record at an SCTA meet at Elmo. There is a pic of Butkie at a Rusetta meet on page 60 of Batchelor's book " Dry Lakes and Drag Strips-The Story of the American Hot Rod" . A great book.

here's more on Manuel....

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=aYB_fHyg-V8C&pg=PA25&lpg=PA25&dq=MAnuel+Butkie&source=bl&ots=A9_MVeirKx&sig=xVsaoU35VQq423PKQclwaHiPVos&hl=en&ei=Gu71Sqv0NYbUtgOalOC0CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=MAnuel%20Butkie&f=false

Dr G
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: jimmy six on November 07, 2009, 07:21:38 PM
Going to build a Pinto?
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: Jonny Hotnuts on November 08, 2009, 12:55:43 PM
many cars have better aeros backwards (big in small out). I have learned that just because it doesnt say it in the book wont make it OK.

There is the unwritten rule of "spirit of the class" meaning that the vehicle should conform to the standards of what the class and vehicle is. Building a body backwards on a chassis IMO will not conform to the spirit of the class.


I am not a rules official but I would say if you build it....you will be wasting your time 'cause it wont be allowed.

Good luck with it.

~JH
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: McRat on November 08, 2009, 01:38:09 PM
Pass, Class, Mass, Password, Bass.
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: McRat on November 08, 2009, 01:38:58 PM
Admin should remove "azz" from the cussword list, as it is used in too many words.
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on November 08, 2009, 02:28:28 PM
Well, yes, maybe -- but I've got the system set to modify words in which the combination of letters appears.  Maybe I'll get around to changing that setting.
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: McRat on November 08, 2009, 02:56:05 PM
DOH!!  It's fixed now.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on November 08, 2009, 02:58:29 PM
Popular persuasion at me did the trick.  I'm not planning on removing the pasty photos, though.
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: NathanStewart on November 20, 2009, 11:50:27 AM
You can run whatever you want.... in Time Only.  :wink:
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: Freud on November 20, 2009, 12:00:56 PM
Not necessarily......

FREUD
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: Dean Los Angeles on November 20, 2009, 01:49:17 PM
ass or ass
damn or damn
shit or . . . heck, even I don't use that!
If you really mean it, it can be done.

speaking of politically correct, is is helicopter or heckticopter?
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: McRat on November 20, 2009, 02:10:40 PM

Hmmm...  Is the mailman now a personperson?

Anyhow, yes, even for time only you need permission to run certain configurations.  If I understand it right, we have provisional permission to run 4wd for Time Only now.  But if we want to run in a class with the OEM 4wd system, we need to swap in a gasoline engine. 
Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: McRat on November 20, 2009, 02:16:08 PM
BTW - Was one of the spins at Elmo in Nov an AWD car?

Title: Re: Racing backwards?
Post by: Bville701 on November 20, 2009, 11:07:35 PM
Pat,

I think one of the spins was AWD, but I can't remember for sure.  :cheers: