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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: Bret Kepner]
#535141
11/25/09 02:14 PM
11/25/09 02:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,147
Mesa, Arizona
dart4forte
OP
I Live Here
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OP
I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,147
Mesa, Arizona
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Quote:
Just a note here from a 24-year Bonneville veteran, (and that makes me a rookie on the salt):
DO NOT PLAN TO COMPETE AT SPEEDWEEK IN THE 130 MPH CLASS OR 150 MPH CLASS.
These categories are available only at the United Salt Flats Racers Association (USFRA) event, a much smaller program than the SCTA/BNI Speedweek event.
They are two completely different entities.
It's my understanding that BNI runs that event. In fact i've talked with several of their members and they suggest I start out there to shake out the car. I'll do some more research.
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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: 1_WILD_RT]
#535142
11/25/09 02:17 PM
11/25/09 02:17 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,147
Mesa, Arizona
dart4forte
OP
I Live Here
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OP
I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,147
Mesa, Arizona
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Quote:
I've worked on a couple of cars that ran there.. Keep in mind it is Salt.. If you don't want your car to rust expect to take it apart within a couple weeks after running it cause the salt will get everywhere...
You might consider running El Mirage or Muroc not as legendary as Bonniville but plenty of history just the same... They go really fast as well & it's sand...
Other than that Have A Blast!!!
Yes, that is a concern of mine. I've been looking at some spray on products that help to mitgate that problem.
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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: Bret Kepner]
#535143
11/25/09 02:19 PM
11/25/09 02:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,147
Mesa, Arizona
dart4forte
OP
I Live Here
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OP
I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,147
Mesa, Arizona
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Quote:
Just a note here from a 24-year Bonneville veteran, (and that makes me a rookie on the salt):
DO NOT PLAN TO COMPETE AT SPEEDWEEK IN THE 130 MPH CLASS OR 150 MPH CLASS.
These categories are available only at the United Salt Flats Racers Association (USFRA) event, a much smaller program than the SCTA/BNI Speedweek event.
They are two completely different entities.
Thanks Bret for that advice. I'm a sponge so keep the advice coming. We have a local here that raced the last two years in Prepared Truck so he's been helping me along as well.
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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: dart4forte]
#535144
11/25/09 04:00 PM
11/25/09 04:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 289
Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
Bret Kepner
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 289
Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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BNI is (technically) separate from both the SCTA and the USFRA. BNI, ( Bonneville Nationals, Inc.), is comprised of SCTA regulars but concerns itself with the running of Speedweek only. The SCTA, ( Southern California Timing Association), conducts and promotes two events at Bonneville; Speedweek, is seven days long and held in August while the World Finals is four-day meet held in October. The World Finals is a much, much smaller event than Speedweek. As an example, the 2009 Speedweek event included 3,108 runs versus 517 at the World Finals. The SCTA also conducts six events annually from May through November at El Mirage Dry lake in California. The USFRA, ( United Salt Flats Racers Association), offers one three-day event, its World of Speed, in September. The event is conducted under SCTA class rules but also offers the 130 MPH and 150 MPH classes and a variety of entertaining special categories. The World of Speed is roughly equivalent in size to the SCTA World Finals. Motorcyclists also have the four-day BUB Speed Trials in September while the invitation-only Land Speed Shootout for FIA/FIM records is held over a five-day period between the BUB event and the USFRA meet. If you're serious about competing on the salt, (and most people aren't, choosing instead to wait until they're dead to make plans to go), familiarize yourself with all the above associations and their events: SCTA/BNI: http://www.scta-bni.org/USFRA: http://www.saltflats.com/BUB: http://www.speedtrialsbybub.com/Then, join the forums at LandRacing.com to ask questions and learn: http://www.landracing.com/Be prepared. The folks at LandRacing.com do not suffer fools lightly. They will, however, offer any and all assistance to those who genuinely want to become involved. GENERAL WARNING: If you're really going to pursue land speed racing, be prepared to fail miserably for years before becoming competitive. LSR competition is unlike any other form of motorsports and most knowledge and technique from other disciplines... especially drag racing...are not applicable to racing on the salt.One of the great joys of veteran LSR competitors is to watch the disastrous results of drag racers who attend Bonneville armed with only the attitude of "How hard can it be?". Dart4forte, there is no such category of "Prepared Truck". Most likely, he's competing in the unprepared classes known as Production Truck. I'll be happy to answer general questions about Bonneville but LandRacing.com is the best source of hardcore technical information. Bottom Line: If you're serious, go to one of the events as a spectator for at least one year, (you'll be much better prepared by going for two or three), and spend the time watching and asking questions. Plenty of teams enjoy having "new blood" spend the week with them learning the basics.
Last edited by Bret Kepner; 11/25/09 04:04 PM.
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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: dart4forte]
#535146
11/25/09 07:11 PM
11/25/09 07:11 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 32
Portland, Or.
Bee4spd
member
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member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 32
Portland, Or.
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I went to the World of Speed event this last Sept. It was one of the coolest things I've ever done. From camping at the bend in the road to having beers with new friends whilst watching some great machines race. It also gave me the itch. I've been thinking, much like other posters, about doing the 130mph and then graduating up. I figure my Bee right now could do the 130(it already has for a short stint), but I really want to get the 4-speed back into it before I get it out to the salt. If you go, be prepared for, what I thought of as, a near religious experience! Walk through the pits, go to the starting line and watch the action, and best of all make new friends! Just about all of the teams are happy to talk about there combos and let you ogle over their machinery. 
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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: DartMan380]
#535148
11/25/09 07:48 PM
11/25/09 07:48 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848
Memphis
HemiRick
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848
Memphis
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I recognize the Motor Home. It's a Kings Hiway, the 1st RV built with steel frame, not wood. they were built in California and were considered the High end RV at the time, like a Prevost now. They were built on Dodge Chassis and I have a 26 ft. '75 440 powered one in my back yard.
Take care,
Rick
68 Coronet R/T 440 & 68 Charger 528 Hemi,and 5 Challengers! 6 cyl, 318, 360, 383, 451
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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: Bret Kepner]
#535149
11/25/09 11:10 PM
11/25/09 11:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,147
Mesa, Arizona
dart4forte
OP
I Live Here
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OP
I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,147
Mesa, Arizona
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Quote:
BNI is (technically) separate from both the SCTA and the USFRA. BNI, (Bonneville Nationals, Inc.), is comprised of SCTA regulars but concerns itself with the running of Speedweek only. The SCTA, (Southern California Timing Association), conducts and promotes two events at Bonneville; Speedweek, is seven days long and held in August while the World Finals is four-day meet held in October.
The World Finals is a much, much smaller event than Speedweek. As an example, the 2009 Speedweek event included 3,108 runs versus 517 at the World Finals.
The SCTA also conducts six events annually from May through November at El Mirage Dry lake in California.
The USFRA, (United Salt Flats Racers Association), offers one three-day event, its World of Speed, in September. The event is conducted under SCTA class rules but also offers the 130 MPH and 150 MPH classes and a variety of entertaining special categories. The World of Speed is roughly equivalent in size to the SCTA World Finals.
Motorcyclists also have the four-day BUB Speed Trials in September while the invitation-only Land Speed Shootout for FIA/FIM records is held over a five-day period between the BUB event and the USFRA meet.
If you're serious about competing on the salt, (and most people aren't, choosing instead to wait until they're dead to make plans to go), familiarize yourself with all the above associations and their events:
SCTA/BNI: http://www.scta-bni.org/
USFRA: http://www.saltflats.com/
BUB: http://www.speedtrialsbybub.com/
Then, join the forums at LandRacing.com to ask questions and learn:
http://www.landracing.com/
Be prepared. The folks at LandRacing.com do not suffer fools lightly. They will, however, offer any and all assistance to those who genuinely want to become involved.
GENERAL WARNING: If you're really going to pursue land speed racing, be prepared to fail miserably for years before becoming competitive. LSR competition is unlike any other form of motorsports and most knowledge and technique from other disciplines...especially drag racing...are not applicable to racing on the salt.
One of the great joys of veteran LSR competitors is to watch the disastrous results of drag racers who attend Bonneville armed with only the attitude of "How hard can it be?".
Dart4forte, there is no such category of "Prepared Truck". Most likely, he's competing in the unprepared classes known as Production Truck.
I'll be happy to answer general questions about Bonneville but LandRacing.com is the best source of hardcore technical information.
Bottom Line: If you're serious, go to one of the events as a spectator for at least one year, (you'll be much better prepared by going for two or three), and spend the time watching and asking questions. Plenty of teams enjoy having "new blood" spend the week with them learning the basics.
Thanks for the words of wisdom and I appriciate your candor. The local here ran E/PP (production P/U) year before last. I have been reading the SCTA rulebook and am on the third read. It's something you just can't glance at, you have to really read it. Yes, it's my plan to go down next year for at least one event as a spectator. I'm not planning on trying anything until 2011. I've been racing in one form or another since the late 60's and know that you can't go into anything cocky. I'll take your advice and check oit that web site. Most who I've talked with about this have been very straight forward and encouraging.
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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: Bret Kepner]
#535151
11/26/09 01:55 AM
11/26/09 01:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,918
Akron, Ohio
ProSport
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,918
Akron, Ohio
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Quote:
That would be the old "Ballpoint Banana" streamliner from up around Albany, NY. If I remember, it used a four-cylinder MerCruiser (or maybe even Evinrude) outboard motor. I know it was under 30 cubic inches, either way. The car ran from the mid-'60s through the mid-'80s.
You have to be pretty old to remember the joke behind the name, too.
There ya go Dave, it's a start. 
1970 Challenger, all aluminum 528 Hemi, HDK suspension, Tremec 5 speed manual
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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: Bret Kepner]
#535152
11/26/09 02:06 PM
11/26/09 02:06 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 540
murfreesboro, TN
Qbird
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 540
murfreesboro, TN
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One of the great joys of veteran LSR competitors is to watch the disastrous results of drag racers who attend Bonneville armed with only the attitude of "How hard can it be?".
Bret, I've heard this before, and I have no doubt that it is absolutely true...but it's really hard for me to wrap my primitive drag racer mind around this concept. LSR is something I've always wanted to try my hand at...and once my twin is finished, I'll probably start to build something along these lines.
Is this difficulty something that can be quantified? I know it's hard...but hard in what way. What are the issues, and what are the common mistakes?
Tony
Last edited by Qbird; 11/26/09 02:31 PM.
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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: Bret Kepner]
#535154
11/26/09 04:11 PM
11/26/09 04:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 282
Stockholm,SWEDEN
The Nutcracker
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 282
Stockholm,SWEDEN
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Can you name some of those reasons? Quote:
Any FEDīs running at Bonneville?
For a few thousand different reasons
-70 Cuda,-65 Valiant,-66 Valiant,-62 FED
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Re: Any Bonneville drivers here?
[Re: Bret Kepner]
#535157
11/26/09 10:58 PM
11/26/09 10:58 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 356
Akron Ohio
DartMan380
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 356
Akron Ohio
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Bret - Haven't heard the story on how the car got its name...I just recently found out that a picture of my grandma was in penthouse from the salt flats..  If you remember the girls selling t-shirts..Punky is my grandma. I have the car sitting in her garage. Its all intact and complete. From what I heard so far the never made an "official" run but made many attempts.
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