The SLR. Eric's potential record challenger

[ejs262]

Howdy all, I'm Eric, new to land speed racing, and in the early planning phases of a streamliner build. In the mid '90's (the 19 variety) I had 2 distinct TV memories, if I got home from school early enough, and rushed to the back of the house I could catch rerun episodes of the 1950's batman on TV, and if I missed that, there was always "Speedvision" at one point, Speedvision had a special on Bonneville, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever, and I wanted one of everything that was there. over years, the dreams of Bonneville had been replaced with less spectacular things, and for some reason, it would fade out of my mind. fast forward ~20 years, and I'm on a PCS transfer from South Carolina, to Washington State, My dad and I are cruising across the country, my truck loaded down with all sorts of junk and hot rod parts, we had a few planned stops, but otherwise, a meandering route across country on backroads. In a hotel room near the Grand Canyon, we were planning our next stop, staring at a bunch of paper road maps I see "Bonneville" and my mind went nuts! "We have to stop at Bonneville!" Dad agreed it would be an awesome stop, so we did.



That trip was the kindling for a burning desire to make another trip, but this trip, which hasn't occurred yet, will be to race. The years between that trip have been spent dreaming, thinking, and plotting, but very little work done to make the dream a reality, now, almost 10 years later, I have a rulebook, and am starting to try and make the dreams, and plans a reality.

At this point, I need to define goals, of which, I think there are only 3.

1. Don't die
2. Go 200+ MPH
3. Set a record.

Since I have the goals outlined, I think the next step is to come up with design requirements, Since this will be a purpose built car, I think the starting point will need to be the things I can't change at will.

Things I can't significantly change at will
1. Physics and the environment.
2. My physical size/shape (at least in a positive manner for land speed racing)
3. The rules/required safety equipment.

I think I now have enough data to start some quick design/rough math for the car, and I think my starting point, is going to be to get a seat, a helmet, and a full race suit. this way I can get an idea of seating position, and how much frontal area I take up, and establish a minimum cross section for the car. in an ideal world, everything else would fit into this space, however, the world isn't ideal, but it gives me a goal to shoot for from an aero standpoint.

If anyone has specific recommendations for seats, helmets, and suits, I'm all ears! As for the powerplant... I'm not ready to dive deep into the details of the powerplant yet. but details will be revealed as I get closer to starting the build.

[Stainless1]

Sounds like you are planning a streamliner... so you probably don't need a seat.... Don't know what motor size you are thinking, but a quick look at the record book and going 200 might put goal 2 and 3 in conflict....
I was suggesting the 130 Club because that is the easiest way to start racing on the salt.... requires a streetable car
Keep us informed 

[ejs262]

Sounds like you are planning a streamliner... so you probably don't need a seat....

I am planning a streamliner, but your statement confuses me, in the rulebook, section 3.D.1 states that "All vehicles shall use a seat designed for racing." which to me, implies that I am required to have a seat meeting SFI/FIA specs. If thats not the case, is there a buyout for that somewhere else in the rules?

Don't know what motor size you are thinking, but a quick look at the record book and going 200 might put goal 2 and 3 in conflict....

goal 2 states 200+ a minimum, not a limit. lets hope!

I was suggesting the 130 Club because that is the easiest way to start racing on the salt.... requires a streetable car
Keep us informed 

I'll have to look into the 130 club in more detail then, but if I do that, I might pick up a car specific for it, the Fiero has been a project of 15+ years, and is relatively rust free. it also has pretty short gears and already crests 110+ MPH in the 1/4 with an engine that needs to be rebuilt. it's probably ill suited to land speed racing. 

This thread will hopefully house a historical timeline of the car as I build it, I'll gladly keep y'all in the loop!

[SPARKY]

a lot of streamliners and lakester you are sitting or lying on hard steel of at least .120 which is the minimum thickness of the tubing that is acceptable to the rules  there are rules for padding and clearance for your helmet as well as others

The buy out is Special Construction Classes

[Stainless1]

First... Don't read things into the rules that are not there.... if you construct a seat, it is designed for racing... it may also be the floor and inside side panels... its job is to retain you via seatbelts and head restraints.  It the rules don't specify a SFI requirement then there isn't one. 
You need to attend a meet before you start to plan... look at how others are built, take ideas that fit your mold, disregard the ones that don't. This site is full of ideas and information... start reading what others have done.  Special construction has fewer rules than most of the other classes... That's a good thing... so all you have to do is decide if the wheels are going in or out, then comply with the safety rules.
Download the inspection sheet, it covers everything that is required to pass tech.
Going 200 MPH at Bonneville is easy... setting a record is the harder part...
Hope to see you at SpeedWeek

[ejs262]

Thanks guys, this is the reason I joined here, peer review is always important!

[kiwi belly tank]

 I prefer a seat that fits my body, so in the event of a crash I won't be flopping around like a cock in a sock.    I also have leg side panels to reduce injury with a retractable leg net over the top. You don't want to crash but you can't have too much safety in case you do!
Designing around the wheel & tire combo is where you need to start. If you're planning suspension you need to eliminate body roll that will induce yaw due to the narrow track.
Come out to the salt & stick you nose in every liner you can so you can see what you do & don't like. Most people are very accommodating when they're not thrashing to make a run.
  Sid.

[Stainless1]

Don't buy a helmet yet... they are dated... and expensive.... Someone on here including me has an expired one laying around... Just remember they grow a little every Snell update.  So plan that into your build... you need a little movement room, but you don't want your head to flop around.  Roll Structure is 360 degree protection for all of you... and you have to stay confined in it. 
As Sid said, you don't want to flop around... any part of you that can come out will in a crash... you wouldn't think 3 inch belts would stretch but they will.
The pictures were taken by Pork Pie from a mile away... The belts were extremely tight, but probably mounted at the low end of the spec making the belts longer than they needed to be.  That white spot is the drivers helmet,  moved about a foot forward of the spot it was when the 3 inch shoulder belts were tightened.  Lots of G's in a crash... the helmet was scuffed a little... the driver survived, black and blue all over, no broken bones, mild concussion but University Hospital in SLC wouldn't even keep him overnight for observation. 
From the point of departure to the end was 3/4 of a mile.... lots of rolls and endo's... The safety rules are there to protect the most valuable part of the car....

[manta22]

Don't buy a helmet yet... they are dated... and expensive.... Someone on here including me has an expired one laying around... Just remember they grow a little every Snell update.  So plan that into your build... you need a little movement room, but you don't want your head to flop around.  Roll Structure is 360 degree protection for all of you... and you have to stay confined in it. 
As Sid said, you don't want to flop around... any part of you that can come out will in a crash... you wouldn't think 3 inch belts would stretch but they will.
The pictures were taken by Pork Pie from a mile away... The belts were extremely tight, but probably mounted at the low end of the spec making the belts longer than they needed to be.  That white spot is the drivers helmet,  moved about a foot forward of the spot it was when the 3 inch shoulder belts were tightened.  Lots of G's in a crash... the helmet was scuffed a little... the driver survived, black and blue all over, no broken bones, mild concussion but University Hospital in SLC wouldn't even keep him overnight for observation. 
From the point of departure to the end was 3/4 of a mile.... lots of rolls and endo's... The safety rules are there to protect the most valuable part of the car....

That bottom photo "Salt Happens" is a classic! Great shot, Thomas.

[ejs262]

those are great points, and I definitely am having a real focus on safety, the rulebook is the minimum, so I see it as the starting point. I definitely don't want to be out in the wind painting the salt red.

I had a thought that I hadn't considered, I currently have a helmet, it's not compliant with the rulebook (open face) but it should be adequate for sizing myself in the future car, as long as I make some consideration for the front of the helmet being closer to my chest in a laid back driving position.

[ejs262]

this project isn't abandoned, I make progress in spurts here and there. This week, I had a buddy 3D scan me with my Einstar scanner, and I started working on the crash structure.

this is probably my 5th or 6th iteration, I'm going to do some peaking around on here to find more pictures of cages for inspiration. this is probably a rough in of what I'll end up building, but I'd like to model as much of it in CAD as possible, it's easier and cheaper to work our kinks in CAD than it is in the real world.

[aircap]

One bit of advice that hasn't been given you is this one - buy a rulebook and read it MULTIPLE times. And good luck!

[ejs262]

One bit of advice that hasn't been given you is this one - buy a rulebook and read it MULTIPLE times. And good luck!

I've read it a few times now, it has a ton of info in it.

[rockracer]

Before you start building. Have you looked at anything for sale ?
Lot's of people start builds and never finish or run only a few time's.
Projects like these take years, some decades and you may find a deal cause the owner just wants to see the car raced again.
Come out to SCTA's speedweek and then try World of Speed by the USFRA 130-150 club you may see something with a for sale sign on it and maybe cheaper than building.

[ejs262]

Before you start building. Have you looked at anything for sale ?
Lot's of people start builds and never finish or run only a few time's.
Projects like these take years, some decades and you may find a deal cause the owner just wants to see the car raced again.
Come out to SCTA's speedweek and then try World of Speed by the USFRA 130-150 club you may see something with a for sale sign on it and maybe cheaper than building.

I haven't looked for anything for sale yet, I think it's highly unlikely that I'll find something that I won't have to turn around and cut up, but that is sound advice, I'll have to keep my eyes out. I'm hoping I can take time off work for speed week next year, I'd like to get out there and see it in person.