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.