What If Build Ideas...for Land Speed Racing

pittsburghracer said

I struggle with the 200mph taking such special handling. Safety I can see but drag cars go 200mph in the 1/4 every day. Heck my Daytona ran 160 and it was a super short 87 inch wheelbase car. It handled like a dream at 2500 pounds.

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Are you drag racing at 200MPH on a dirt track or sand? Also consider many of these cars get engine changes to run in another class which may provide higher speeds. Some competitors have run one engine two days in a row, aiming for a class record. Then switch the engine to try for another class record.
With LSR, if you set a record speed, you have to back it up the next day. The car is impounded overnight so you can not make changes. The scrutineers will watch as you check the plugs, change oil and maybe rejet the carb(s). BNI/SCTA have a weather station and update the atmospheric conditions so entrants can adjust their tune accordingly. Entrants that set a record speed the day prior get first shot in the morning. They want the cool air which at 0500 may be 80°F. The ice making machines in the hotels are stripped clean by 0400 as people head out to the salt for first light.