Jim: I've participated in numerous forms of "racing": sports cars, circle track, quarter-mile...and last year I got to run the salt for the first time. I contracted Salt Fever on my first visit in 2003. I got to Speed Week for the very last day of the meet. Even though it was only record returns, I was hopelessly infected from that moment. I've only missed 2 meets since then, both due to surgeries. I only live 120 miles from the salt and I've kicked myself up one side of the block and down the other for not getting involved with LSR 35 years earlier.
I've covered most meets as a photographer, working with SSS and Nancy to provide "live and direct forumcast" coverage of all events for the last coupla years. If you'd been on the salt for last year's Shootout:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/lsr/bsf2010/shootout/Welcome.html I think you'd probably admit...or convince your friend that it was one of the most exciting events ever. Four liners over 400 and The Ack Attack bike liner out the back door at 394 and change...in sloppy salt...and not a single crash (and extending that a little, no full course cautions or yellow flags...but then they're not needed for tv commercials.)
At World Finals, listening to the #911 roadster's top fuel motor and hearing the ear-splitting sound bounce off the mountains when Dave Davidson nailed the throttle at the 2 mile (they only ran 3 miles due to the limited amount of fuel on board) had everyone's jaw dropping...from the starting line, 2 miles away...and it was still a mind-warping sound...and experience.
It was more awe inspiring than any drag racing moment I can remember.
I ran my racing partner's Chevy Colorado pickup in the 130 Club at World of Speed last year and we didn't even make 120. But we had more fun than 2 old men otta be allowed to have. I've been working on another car for this year, even in a cold garage and my body that hates cold. Yeah, I've got Salt Fever.
Even on the 130 course, when given the signal to launch, I immediately entered "the zone." Nothing existed except for the tach, the cones marking the course and the sound of my own breathing inside the helmet. A transcendental experience. I can only begin to imagine what it must have been like for Dave in the roadster running 3 times the speed I ran.
Does all of this make it racing? In my not-so-humble opinion, it certainly does. Here's a thought that might put it into perspective. In other forms of racing, all you have to do is beat the guy in 2nd place in order to win. But in the realm of LSR, you have to beat every guy who's been the fastest before you in order to set a record. That's quite a tall order when ya think about it.
The other thing is that in virtually every other form of racing, innovation is punished. In LSR, innovation sets records. And there isn't the intense competition for big-bucks sponsorship, tv interviews, public relations (for the most part) and again, IMNSHO, it's the last bastion of the TRUE racing spirit. Done for the sheer desire to do it, not for fame and fortune, but for the accomplishment alone. Compare it to mountain climbing, if you will...or perhaps spelunking. These aren't organized sports, but does that make the participants any less "sportsmen/women?" I think not.
Milwaukee Midget put it very well on the first page of this thread and his statement that "time is unrelenting" is extremely profound. Time is the ultimate competitor. It never falters. Just because you can't "trade paint" with it (I spose those who've had "incidents" might disagree) it's still there and the competitor that every LSR racer races against.
I'll also extend an invitation to ya to come visit and discuss the finer points while out on the Great White Dyno. I'm not hard to find: big red Suburban with white rat graphics on the rear side glass and me (sometimes) on top of it with a long lens and a tripod for my camera. Come on out and mingle with us. Bring your non-believer friend. But be warned: There's no cure for Salt Fever...only treatment to keep it somewhat under control.
I'll be waitin to meet ya,
