Landracing Forum

Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => SCTA Rule Questions => Topic started by: rocket on January 09, 2007, 02:45:31 AM

Title: snowmobiles
Post by: rocket on January 09, 2007, 02:45:31 AM
Hello:
IS there a class for snowmobiles?
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: dwarner on January 09, 2007, 08:15:16 AM
No
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: rocket on January 09, 2007, 09:37:21 AM
Hello
Is there anyway to run a snowmobile?
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: John Noonan on January 09, 2007, 10:15:55 AM
Hello
Is there anyway to run a snowmobile?

Yes you can run the snowmobile engine in a motorcycle frame or install it in a rear engine modified roadster... :wink: Or look up Franklin and see if he will have you at his private meet with the Propster.

J
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on January 09, 2007, 10:20:35 AM
Wasn't there a lakester running a snowmobile engine a couple of years ago?
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: rocket on January 09, 2007, 11:23:16 AM
Hi :
I have been running snowmobiles for over thirty years .
On the lakes up here in Maine the sleid runs over 111 in 1000 feet .
It is very hard to run to the machine flat out on the ice because the lakes are not allways flat so I don't set it up for an all out speed run.
I have a buddy that runs a snow machine between 5 and 6 seconds at the one eight mile drags strip .
What I am saying is our machins are fast and it would be something new to the sport.
Thank you for replying
Johnny Rocket
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on January 09, 2007, 11:42:07 AM
Rocket:

Yep, I know that sleds can be fast.  But I betcha you'll have a difficult time getting permission to run on the Salt -- because of the fragile nature of the surface if nothing else.  Snowmobile tracks wear the surface of paved roads (where the trail crosses the highway), and the runners/skis won't help the salt stay firm and hard, either.     

I don't think you'll easily convince the "officials", including BLM, that you won't do major harm to the racing surface.

But hey, give it a try.  See what they say. . .
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: rocket on January 09, 2007, 11:47:28 AM
Hello
The machine would be set up like we do for the drags on pavement .
Wheels on the front and a track would be flat with no picks/
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: mtkawboy on January 09, 2007, 01:13:37 PM
I think you would have to cool the track rollers & track with water or some form of coolant to run them that distance which would be illegal {dumping water on track}. I remember Scott Guthrie, I believe, driving a Polaris snowmobile powered lakester or something a while back. A 1/4 mile is a long way from Bonneville distance
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: dwarner on January 09, 2007, 01:22:52 PM
The minimum track length is 3 miles. Any part of a vehicle that may caused damage to the track surface is strictly forbidden.

I have seen snowmobiles running on land, dirt/grass, surfaces and they seem to kick a lot of terrain while making a pass.

I don't see the inclusion of snowmobiles in the class mix in the near future. There is in excess of 580 car classes and over 1800 motorcycle classes available now so the events are pretty well filled with enough vehicles for the time alloted. If your desire is that sincere you may want to contact the BLM and contract private time on the salt.

There was some guy that ran a riding lawn mower early last Summer. He could give you the details on a private time deal. Kinda costly from what I understand.

Good Luck,
DW
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: rocket on January 09, 2007, 08:20:32 PM
Hi
You are right the machine does kick up the grass and snow real hard .If the salt moves a lot that is a big problem.I don't know how hard the salt is , I was thinking the salt is as hard as rock.
A mower on the salt ,was it jet power?
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: dwarner on January 09, 2007, 09:05:11 PM
The salt surface is actully rather fragile. You may be running at aprt of the course in water, then to soft salt then portions of hard salt. All of this in just one mile, you must run a minimum of three miles to set a record.

Anything that damages the surface is not allowed.

DW
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: GeneF on January 09, 2007, 09:39:28 PM
No

 NO! And I just took mine out for it's first test run.  :-D
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: JackD on January 09, 2007, 10:11:50 PM
The salt surface is actully rather fragile. You may be running at aprt of the course in water, then to soft salt then portions of hard salt. All of this in just one mile, you must run a minimum of three miles to set a record.

Anything that damages the surface is not allowed.

DW

Actually 2 runs are still required and that would be 6 miles ubder power.
You can groom a surface on a frozen lake and actually do better.
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: rocket on January 09, 2007, 10:16:22 PM
I have seen setups like yours,good job.
How fast is it?How good does it handle?
The big thing  now has been four wheel drives with tracks on all four wheels .
Even Years ago they used to take the wheels off of there model Ts and this is how they dorve down the roads .They used to pull this big roll behine to pack the snow down and drive over it till spring.
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: GeneF on January 09, 2007, 10:36:21 PM
I have seen setups like yours,good job.
How fast is it?How good does it handle?
The big thing  now has been four wheel drives with tracks on all four wheels .
Even Years ago they used to take the wheels off of there model Ts and this is how they dorve down the roads .They used to pull this big roll behine to pack the snow down and drive over it till spring.

 Not mine, just a pic I got off the web. Just for giggles.
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: jimmy six on January 10, 2007, 12:03:03 AM
I would definately look to the Bub meet. With 2 wheels on the front replacing the skiis and 1 driving apparatus at the rear it would be defined as a motorcycle. :evil:
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: jimmy six on January 10, 2007, 12:28:22 AM
I've thought about it some more. I has to be a M/C. If it were a car we would be talking about a roll cage, fire systems, speed rated tires, etc. I would  definatly say it's a M/C concern and Bub would be the best place fot it. :wink:
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: Freud on January 10, 2007, 12:43:48 AM
Jimmy 6, that is a very sly diversion. You think well in challenging situations. Besides, you may be the one that would have to tech it.

FREUD
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: dwarner on January 10, 2007, 08:32:55 AM
Even at BUB if the snowmobile causes damage to to the surface it cannot be run. BLM rule.

DW
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: JackD on January 10, 2007, 09:05:42 AM
The fastest "Snow Mobiles" are like TF dragster cars and meet all those rules with respect to operator protection.
Get with them if you want to run on a prepared surface more suited to your vehicle.
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: jimmy six on January 10, 2007, 10:20:52 AM
OK,OK, next time I'll state "My tongue is in my cheek". Sorry Glen I don't tech M/C's.....
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: bak189 on January 10, 2007, 11:01:16 AM
I believe.....if you put a snowmobiel
engine in a M/C frame.....and run SCTA/BNI....you run for time only........I believe the rule is M/C
engines only.....at least is was that way in 1980 when I tryed to run my mobiel powered bike for record
HOWEVER, you can run the FIM BUB meet as a M/C.......FIM don't care what kind of engine you use


 
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: dwarner on January 10, 2007, 01:45:09 PM
Any vehicle that causes damage to the salt surface will not be able to run, this includes BuB.

DW
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: Dean Los Angeles on January 10, 2007, 07:55:25 PM
I disagree! Let them come with their snowmobiles! As soon as we see three feet of snow on the salt, they can have it!!!!
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: dwarner on January 11, 2007, 08:30:51 AM
Al Gore will tend to disagree with you Dean. He seems to think that we are a long way from 3" of snow let alone 3'.

DW
Title: Re: snowmobiles
Post by: Glen on January 11, 2007, 12:51:22 PM
Let them run if theey have rear steer. :-o