[Land-speed] JCB Corporate bid

[M Pittwood]

Having enjoyed the hospitality of those in Pahrump I would not wish to
upset friends there but I have to say that DrMayf's reaction to the return
of JCB Dieselmax is an aggresive stance to another LSR contender.  A stance
that I would not agree with.  Do not dislike a team just because of the
money pot available and the people involved (numbers and skills).

JCB and Andy hold the SCTA-BNI diesel streamliner class record at over 300
mph and if they return to Speedweek '08 then they will run against their
own record having gone faster on private time in '06.  Are there any 'hot
rod' AA Diesel streamlined cars being assembled to SCTA rules any way?

As far as the outright record speed for wheeldriven speed (458 mph) I am
not sure where the JCB Dieselmax will pick up 100 mph - even with another
gear and two longer runs.  Indeed, only three months ago I was informed
that the car, as designed, would only just reach speeds higher than Al
Teague and Bob Summers and would probably not get near the Tom Burkland
SCTA speed.

Even if the JCB team were to get over 458 mph the Dieselmax, being in a
different category and class, would not 'take away' the FIA record set by
Don Vesco (or its SCTA).  The JCB team may just get the bragging rights to
"the world's fastest wheeldriven vehicle".  It is worth reading Ugo
Fadini's web pages on the wheeldriven (or Automobile) 'World' records.

Many have noted how cubic money and corporate support does not always prove
succesful.  Great Britain was behind the Bluebird CN7 project in 1960 to
1964 and the history books tell us that one car was totalled at Bonneville
before reaching record speeds and then bad track conditions in Australia
limited the final FIA record to "just" 403 mph.  There are many examples of
cubic money that this list has recorded that have not made their goals.
Just remember that this time it is a return visit to the salt - they are
not just coming as a 'one hit wonder' either.  Certainly for many records
the 'hot rodder' can still compete and whatever speed the JCB Dieselmax
reaches then that record, along with Don's 458 mph, can be broken with
persistence and the LSR mentality of most who compete in this field.

JCB team did look good at Bonneville '06 (I read the book but did not
attend) and the results were as they expected.  I am not sure that speeds
in the 450 plus bracket will appear so easy to attain.  But please Mayf
respect what they will try to achieve and look beyond the $millions or
#millions.

Malcolm Pittwood, Derby, England