OK list, let me try to answer a couple of things. First the oil used to mark
the black lines dissipates when it rains, We over the years have worked on
the problem. I think there is now a dye used and vegetable oil to assure
there is no damage or residue left after the events. There is no sign of
past lines anywhere on the salt. The survey stakes are there from last year.
As far as the center line going away it was when the salt was so bad we had
to move the courses 2 or 3 times during the event.
It was the only way we could protect the surface for everyone to run on. In
the old days with fewer vehicles and a very hard surface everyone could run
right by the line. It's something everyone has to adjust to. However at 470
mph Don stays between them. A rider that wears his helmet loose to provide
visibility better think of his safety and work on the wind screen, bubble or
whatever is in front of him.
As far as noise from a genset you could have come to a SCTA board member
and it would have been handled. Most racers will cooperate on these issues.
We, the two associations do our very best with all of our volunteer help and
try to provide the racers with the best and safest conditions to run. Any
issue that comes up is addressed at our monthly meetings and we try to
adjust around them. I know the answers are not going to please everyone, but
we try and ask that you all work with us on solving these matters. Have a
idea, write us a letter so we have a document to read and share.
Yours for fast and safe racing
Glen Barrett
Chief Timer
----- Original Message -----
From: "john robinson" <john@engr.wisc.edu>
To: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 10:27 AM
Subject: Speed Week concerns
> Howdy,
> I have a couple of concerns about running at Speedweek this year. I ran
> a motorcycle, did OK with it (actually set a record but it lasted only one
> day), but did have a problem with running on the Salt that other
motorcycle
> riders also have.
> There is no center line to run on.
> My bike is a vintage racer, and when I drop behind the fairing, I am not
> able to see forward. As this is the first time I ran a bike at the Salt,
I
> asked other bikers how they did it, including the guys in Tech. Mostly,
the
> answer was to have a slightly loose helmet that you shove up on your
> forehead, and try to look at the line on the side of the track and follow
> it. Some of the other riders remember when they had a center line to run
> on, and commented that it felt safer running with it.
> I don't know when the centerline was removed, but for the safety of the
> riders, feel that it should be brought back.
> One of the reasons I heard (that the center line was removed) was that the
> environmental (I did have a comment here, but deleted it ) concern was of
> putting used oil into the environment at the Salt. I do understand this,
> but feel that the safety of the riders would be a higher concern than the
> amount of used motor oil poured on the salt. ( I >think< you are still
> using used motor oil, please correct me if I am wrong), and if the marker
> is a benign coloring agent, what is the reason for not having a center
line?
> Another concern I had was the running of generators. I was in an area that
> had a guy running his generator, ( an older B&S engined genset, one of
> those with a louder muffler and the usual B&S rattle) about 70% of the
day.
> It was irritating, and even though several of the surrounding pits asked
> for a reduction of run time, the gentleman in question said, in effect, I
> can run this if I want to.
> I did not bring my genset to the salt this year, but have in other years,
> and attempt to run it only as little as I can, mostly for charging the
> racecar battery, and so do understand his position. Maybe gensets could be
> relegated to the perimeter of the pits, at least those that have longer
> runtimes? I'll bet I am not the first with this concern, and would also
bet
> much wrangling has gone on about it.
> Anyway, I thought this years' SpeedWeek went very well, and wish to thank
> everyone involved in its creation. Thanks a lot, drive careful
>
> John Robinson, Mechanician
> Mechanical Engineering University of Wisconsin
> 1513 University Ave.
> Madison, Wi. 53706
> 608-262-3606
> FAX 608-265-2316
> Current World Land Speed Record Holder
> Bonneville Salt Flats
> H/GCC 92 cu.in. 1980 Dodge Colt
> 131.333 MPH set 1995
> 136.666 MPH set 1996
> 140.292 MPH set 2000
> 144.396 MPH set 2000
> MPS-PG 441 c.c. 1967 BSA Victor 441 Motorcycle
> 95.193 MPH set 2001
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