There is also the avenue of "informal" records. For our diesel racing, we claim to have the "fastest production diesel truck". There is no sanction by any organization for that class. We hit a higher clocked speed than the Dodge Cummins production truck that was run under ECTA clocking for an ECTA AA/DT record, but I would never say I broke their record. Different track, different rules. Their record stands unless I pack up the kids and head to Maxton. When the Dodge guys run faster than me, I will no longer claim the informal title. In a similiar light, Bill Heath claims to have the "fastest 6.5 GM diesel truck" which again, there is no formal record for, and such records are just for fun, and mark the racer's accomplishments. Due to the limitations of the 6.5 engine design, it would be difficult compete in a class that is an engine-swap class. But for the thousands of 6.5 owners out there, 155mph is a stunning top speed for one of their trucks, and is a serious accomplishment.
Personally, that is the path I'd take if I were running a car that did not have a class. "Jesse James and his team ran their hydrogen piston engine car to a recorded top speed 199.xxx mph at El Mirage Dry Lake making it the fastest piston engine car running hydrogen as a fuel that we know of."
