Hi
I've been asked to complete a school project regarding land racing and the land speed record and was wondering if you could possibly answer a few questions for me as I can't find the answers anywhere on the internet!
1. What equipment is used to measure the distance and time during an attmept on the land speed record?
2. Why is it importnat that the car travels both ways along the course during a record attmept?
3. What sort of developments in vehicle design have helped increse the land speed record between 1899 and the present day?
Any information will be greatly recieved!
Many thanks
Lacey
1. Optical triggered timing lights are required by all of the recognized sanctioning bodies (FIA, SCTA, BNI, etc.) by contrast, the international aviation sanctioning body, the FAI now recognizes specific GPS data.
2. Two-way runs eliminate the effect of wind so that a record is not set with a tail wind. Secondarily, it is a major issue to turn a car around in the time allowed for a second run and prove that the first was not done at the expense of blowing up the car. For FIA records, the turn time is 60 minutes; and this is a VERY BIG DEAL for jet and rocket cars. In fact, only four cars have ever done this in the last 45 years of the absolute LSR.
3. Every bit of technology contributes to more speed from engines, to aerodynamics, to tires. The fundamental limiter of speed is power vs. drag. So the biggest speed increases come from more powerful engines in smaller and lower drag cars. Since power is also limited by the traction that we can get from the tires, aerodynamic drag eventually limits everything.
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