Re: silver state classic - a challenge to members of this group

In a message dated 4/29/05 10:14:04, calvins@highrpm.net writes:

<< These are great events, but let i tbe known that they can be very very
dangerous.

>>>Althought certainly safer by orders of magnitude than simply driving out
into the desert on your own and flooring it.

>In the early years of these events they had some really bad
accidents, far worse than one typically sees on race tracks. I think the
first person killed in the Silver State was driving a Pantera, and after
his wreck the car was so destroyed that in the pictures I couldn't see
anything resembling the unibody of the car.

>>>That was actually a Ferrari Testerossa. The owner was an arrogant type
who showed up at the starting line with badly worn Goodyear V-rated tires. The
organizers told him they were unsafe and wouldn't let him run; he kicked up a
huge fuss and after much shouting and waving of arms, they relented and let
him go. Halfway down the course, a rear tire blew, flinging the car off the
road, killing his navigator (his wife) and leaving him paralyzed.

Of course, this jerk then sued Ferrari, Goodyear, the event organizers and
the state of Nevada and God knows who else, and received large settlements.
Since then, the organizers have become VERY gun-shy and the tech requirements
have tightened up considerably.

Another fellow was killed last year I think, when his Porsche went off the
road at 200 mph or so and barrel-rolled through the desert.

Having said that, most people choose to run the event in the lower speed
classes, which start off as low as 85 mph I think. For not a lot of money you can
go out and have a great time with your buddies. It's really more of a
time-speed-distance challenge than an ultimate speed contest, and the serious
participants are extremely serious about it. Show up at the finish line a tenth of
a second off your target time and you will be lucky if you achieve fifth in
class!

>All I am saying is take what
you are doing very seriously, and prepare everything to those levels. Get
as much advice as possible from people with experience at making cars go
150-200mph.

>>>If you're going to do that, you really need to know your stuff. The smart
thing is to start off slowly in the lower speed classes and spend a few years
working your way up.

>These events while great fun, are serious business and should be treated
as such. >>

>>>Absolutely!

Mike

 

Thanks for the response, Mike. Driving 100 mph is risky, driving 200 mph
is dangerous. Laws of physics as you and your car know them change at
those speeds.How many of you drive your cars at 85? Want to do it for
100 miles?

The Silver State Classic is a timed event, participants dial in the
speed they expect to average over the "course". If you choose 85 mph,
and I think newbies have to choose a lowest speed, your objective is not
to out run the other participants. It is to average "85 mph" when you
hit the end of the course. These events work just like any rally running
against a clock. He who averages the closest to the time/average speed
you choose wins that class. There also is a maximum speed per class.

So Shelby Mustang Owners out there, is anyone interested in
participating next year. We need five minimum to have a Shelby Mustang
Team. This will be great fun especially as a team event. There are some
details and requirements you would have to work on for your car like new
and proper tires and wheels, brakes, etc. It has to be save and able to
do the 100+ miles above highway speeds. And you have to get your car to
the event. Your entry would not have to be a Shelby Mustang, rules allow
mixed entries on a team, but it should be a Ford powered car.

Any questions? Need more information?

Dennis



MikeLDrew@aol.com wrote:

>In a message dated 4/29/05 10:14:04, calvins@highrpm.net writes:
>
><< These are great events, but let i tbe known that they can be very very
>dangerous.
>
>
>
>>>>Althought certainly safer by orders of magnitude than simply driving out
>>>>
>>>>
>into the desert on your own and flooring it.
>
>
>
>>In the early years of these events they had some really bad
>>
>>
>accidents, far worse than one typically sees on race tracks. I think the
>first person killed in the Silver State was driving a Pantera, and after
>his wreck the car was so destroyed that in the pictures I couldn't see
>anything resembling the unibody of the car.
>
>
>
>>>>That was actually a Ferrari Testerossa. The owner was an arrogant type
>>>>
>>>>
>who showed up at the starting line with badly worn Goodyear V-rated tires. The
>organizers told him they were unsafe and wouldn't let him run; he kicked up a
>huge fuss and after much shouting and waving of arms, they relented and let
>him go. Halfway down the course, a rear tire blew, flinging the car off the
>road, killing his navigator (his wife) and leaving him paralyzed.
>
>Of course, this jerk then sued Ferrari, Goodyear, the event organizers and
>the state of Nevada and God knows who else, and received large settlements.
>Since then, the organizers have become VERY gun-shy and the tech requirements
>have tightened up considerably.
>
>Another fellow was killed last year I think, when his Porsche went off the
>road at 200 mph or so and barrel-rolled through the desert.
>
>Having said that, most people choose to run the event in the lower speed
>classes, which start off as low as 85 mph I think. For not a lot of money you can
>go out and have a great time with your buddies. It's really more of a
>time-speed-distance challenge than an ultimate speed contest, and the serious
>participants are extremely serious about it. Show up at the finish line a tenth of
>a second off your target time and you will be lucky if you achieve fifth in
>class!
>
>
>
>>All I am saying is take what
>>
>>
>you are doing very seriously, and prepare everything to those levels. Get
>as much advice as possible from people with experience at making cars go
>150-200mph.
>
>
>
>>>>If you're going to do that, you really need to know your stuff. The smart
>>>>
>>>>
>thing is to start off slowly in the lower speed classes and spend a few years
>working your way up.
>
>
>
>>These events while great fun, are serious business and should be treated
>>
>>
>as such. >>
>
>
>
>>>>Absolutely!
>>>>
>>>>
>
>Mike
>
>
>
>