Compare today to yesteryear. 200 MPH, with or without the 2 Club, was a real challenge. Membership in some car clubs required a car that would exceed 100 MPH... (example) In 1950 the Century Toppers. Now a pro football player, without a motorcycle endorcement on his license, can go purchase a motorcycle that will exceed 190 MPH on the salt and be running under warranty.
With that in mind.........how much of a challenge is it to just exceed 200 MPH? In some instances it is difficult depending on the chosen machine. European sport models exceed 200 MPH on the autobahn. They may have a little traction problem on the salt but they will haul it there also. NASCAR builds cars that can easily exceed 200 MPH and for long periods of time. Plate races keep those speeds down to a lower level.
It's easy enough for many people to bankroll these machines. All that's needed is cubic money.
Technology has raised the bar to levels never dreamed of in 1950. Speeds have elevated and respect is achieved when we exceed the accomplishment of someone who has established a record performance using similiar equipment. Art Christman would stand no change with his coupe if he is compared to Lindsley and Leggitt. So a 200 MPH speed may fulfill a dream but it may have little importance when compared to 275 MPH by a car in the same class. A 200 Club membership in 1955 was considerably different than a 200 Club entry in 2006. Just accomplishing 200 MPH in 1955 was staggering and in 2006 exceeding 200 MPH and a prior record, well above that number, is also difficult. Having to exceed that record makes the Red Hat valid. Minimums in newly established classes are necessary to maintain credibility in the 2 Club. When a crate motor in a slippery chassis can exceed 200 MPH, some respect must be shown for the efforts of our earlier speed champions. The minimums may be challenged but the officials that established them were only protecting the integrity of the 2 Club.
Quoting Michael LeFevers:
"The other part of the problem is the salt condition & the number of participants. In the past you had to qualify for a record, then the next morning you had to two way it to get the record, quite a bit tougher than the way we do it today, but that's a whole 'nuther can of worms. We make more classes so we won't lose participants and now we have people not coming because it's to crowded...."
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So there have been changes in record establishing requirement. We accept the new parameters. The speeds are elevated but the conditions under which they must be met have been changed to accomodate the masses. Two passes will now set a record. The pressure of a qualifying pass above the record and then a down and back the next morning has been reduced. That may allow some people to set a record that would not have achieved it in the past but it's still not easy.
Now growth is beginning to be a problem. We still have the same number of hours to race but an additional 20% in the entrees will stress this event to be the most organized and efficient in it's history. Mother Nature with wind and rain can upset the entire program and there's nothing the officials can do about it. Ask our LSR friends from Australia about course conditions. She dumped on them earlier this year. The number of spectators is increasing many fold. BNI/SCTA will be hard pressed to satisfy the racers as they have in past years. Some of the racers that have enjoyed prior events may shake their heads and just toss in the towel. This is not an attitude of superiority but more one of resignation.
Enjoy what we have under the conditions that are available. It's still one of the most challenging speed events on planet earth. It's enjoyed by a family of racers with the most heart and enthusiasm of any motor sport. Respect your fellow racer because he probably has brought his best effort even if it's many levels below yours.
Last of all, respect the officials and volunteers that make this event happen. They too get frustrated. They would earn more money by working at Wal-Mart and they wouldn't have to roll out of bed at 4:00AM.
FREUD
