NEW CONCEPTS FOR ADVANCED LAND SPEED RACING CAR DESIGN

Flat out land speed racing is a whole different world requiring special attention to the subject of aerodynamics to be a successful competitor in the impressive LSR (Land Speed Record or Land Speed Racing) streamliner class. This story is an overview about wheel-driven class LSR cars, where they’ve been, where they are today, and where they may be headed in the future. The concepts presented here could be the technology basis for the next generation of wheel-driven class LSR streamliners.

•Background

The exciting world of land speed racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah became popularized by the Brits in 1935 after speed-run attempts at Daytona Beach, Florida, were abandoned. At the time, there was little interest by the Americans in that form of racing until after WWII when the first 400-plus-mph run was achieved by Brit John Cobb in 1947. This remarkable feat stirred up many American “rodders,” inspired by the debut of HOT ROD magazine and the initiation of speed trials by Southern California Timing Association (SCTA). This inspired several performance notables to throw their hat in the ring, including Mickey Thompson and his four Pontiac engined Challenger I and the Summers Bros.’ four Chrysler engined Golden Rod in 1959-1965. Both cars broke 400 mph and the unlimited displacement piston-powered, wheel-driven record for international FIA “special construction” (streamlined) class cars has subsequently remained American by topping out at 417 mph by the hemi-powered blown fuel Burkland streamliner which still exists today. However, there are notable exceptions in other streamliner, wheel-driven SCTA classes that have far exceeded this speed during the 2018 Bonneville LSR season (Aug.-Oct.).

•LSR Classifications/Records

All official world land speed records for cars (four or more wheels) are sanctioned by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in Paris, France, and certified in the U.S. by USAC for those events that comply with FIA requirements. Basically, the official recorded speed