It looks like Jim "Jake" Jacobs...
It looks like Jim "Jake" Jacobs is giving Jim Jard some driving tips, and it must have worked. The Rocket Science '34 was able to set a 115.116-mph record on an old 99.671-mph mark in the Vintage fourcylinder Flathead Street Roadster class.
For almost every year since the Southern California Timing Association's inception in 1937, racers have come to the desert's dry lakes to race against the clock and perhaps capture a bit of glory in owning a land speed record. That is until another guy with the same dream comes along and takes it from you by running a tenth of a second faster!
Well, that's the way it goes on the lakebed, and that's the way it will always go when the SCTA gathers at El Mirage Dry Lake just west of Adelanto, California, six times a year. The SCTA, along with Bonneville Nationals, also runs the time trails on the Great Salt Lake twice a year, but records set on the dry lakes are different than those set on the salt. For one, it's a lot dirtier at the dry lakes, and that's why the Dirty Two club (for folks who break speed records over 200 mph) has that name.
Wind and rain are the usual enemies of the racers, and this was not an exception at the last event of the season. Though the rain had come and gone before the event without doing too much damage to the racing surface, the wind cut the two-day gathering to only one. Still, 137 entries (91 vehicles and 46 motorcycles) were all able to make at least one run down the lakebed and, in the process, break 18 records.
Race day started early (to take advantage of the cool, still air), with 50-degree temperatures and a 14-mph tailwind at the top of the course. All kinds of contraptions can be found at the races, both in competition and just hanging out. It is not uncommon to find a personal helicopter or experimental aircraft land and check out the races, as well as all sorts of two-, three-, and four-wheeled vehicles.
The racers themselves are quite interesting, too. Never ones to tell someone to get out of their pits, you can usually walk right up and ask questions and get a straight answer (just don't ask them why they missed that shift when starting down the 1.3-mile course!). One of the motorcycle racers, Connie Beavers, ran 204.655 mph on a 223 record, which is impressive in itself, but it is even more impressive when you learn she is 70 years old and is a great-grandmother!
To see more on the races, to view the 2008 racing schedule, or to check out what the records are in the specific classes, visit the SCTA Web site at www.scta-bni.org.
Now that's a push start! How...
Now that's a push start! How fast can you get a 50cc engine to go? In the Sidecar Streamliner Fuel class, the Buddfab Streamliner (with John Buddenbaum driving) was able to clock a 93.159 run on 108.342 record.
You never know what you'll...
You never know what you'll come across out at the lakes. The One Six-Pack To Go entry, driven by Jerime Cope, was able to hurl down the course at 142.350 mph on an existing 155.592-mph record in the Vintage Gas Competition Coupe class with an XO motor (basically a '59-or-earlier, 325-inch-or-less motor, usually an inline).
Bill Lattin, from the Sidewinders...
Bill Lattin, from the Sidewinders Club, drove his roadster to a new 135.903-mph record in the Vintage four-cylinder Flathead, Blown Gas Roadster class on an old 115.000 record.
That's Gene "Windy" Winfield...
That's Gene "Windy" Winfield breaking in a new race car at the last event of the season. With a cool blue fade paint job, the roadster turned a 150.558-mph run on a 214.608 record, but we expect more miles per hour from Gene at the next event.
Some of the most interesting...
Some of the most interesting cars on the lakes aren't competing- they're just driving around in the pit area checking out the racers. Some folks just drive their rides out to make the scene and then drive home a few hours later.
In the Blown Street Roadster...
In the Blown Street Roadster class for the F engine division (123-183.99 cid), Glenn Chambers squeezed out a 166.355 run on a 174.177 record.
Race starter Wes Hutchens...
Race starter Wes Hutchens is always asking us what it takes to get his picture in the magazine.
Chandler Young was within...
Chandler Young was within 1 mph from getting a record in the Vintage Gas Competition Coupe class, XO engine division when he ran 154.253 mph on a 155.952 record. So close they could taste it, we know the Young Brothers Special entry will be back again.
Chauvin Emmons is one of the...
Chauvin Emmons is one of the biggest names in dry lakes racing, and his Blown Fuel Rear-Engine Modified Roadster entry ran a respectable 214.375 mph on a 230-mph record. This was done with a C engine; from 306 to 372.99 cid.
Not a racer (would that roof...
Not a racer (would that roof line constitute an airfoil or streamlining?) but rather a unique push vehicle from one team to help some of the racers get off the starting line (due to the top-end gearing). There really is something for everyone out at the lakes!