Keith, Dave and List
Yes we have arrived back where the discussions of this group were some
years ago. What is different is that the SCTA/BNI does appear now, with
LAN's 'Fuel for Thought' as the only announcement with quotes from
officers, to want to take on the mantle of "World Authority" for its racers
and other LSR competitors.
However my impression - and no one has yet told me otherwise - is that they
are only interested in the mile and perhaps kilo, flying start records and
that these have to be set on the Bonneville salt flats, during just one of
the two events that they organise. If you race at Bonneville you construct
your vehicle to the SCTA rule book, adopted in just two countries of the
world at this time. These rules are therefore not yet worldwide. The
result is a very limited selection of records as against the many
International / World Speed Records offered by the other organisation. A
small start perhaps but not a complete answer.
Just looking at the edited list Jonathan has assembled on landracing.com of
mile and kilo records with flying start and you will see that probably (I
have not counted each group) some 60% were set at Bonneville. The other
40% had a choice of venues and some even selected the two runways in the
UK, that are similar to Maxton &/or Goliad - Elvington and Bruntingthorpe.
To be a "World Authority", SCTA officials would need to be present at
venues in the UK, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Italy ........ and SCTA/BNI
rules for vehicle construction would need to be in place in these and many
other countries.
The one thing that the SCTA/BNI according to Louise will do is sanction
only two way, one hour turnaround records as being their 'World Records".
Dave, the FIA have always sold record certificates as an 'extra' to the
ratification fee and no record is published by them until after their
(sometimes long winded) records commission ratification process - a
committe with worldwide representation has had to meet to do this.
But if you have gone faster than the existing record under their
supervision you can claim (or exclaim) your new record, "subject to FIA
ratification" and most car manufacturers and individuals do this within
hours of setting any record. [The Brits knew of Al Teague's and Don
Vesco's record details through the media within a day or so of the two
runs].
What would be useful here in the UK is sight of any statement from
SCTA/BNI.
Malcolm Pittwood, Derby, England
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