2011 36 Hp Challenge - A GREAT SEASON

[rtroy]

Hi Folks,

Credit Britt Grannis for getting me started in this Land Speed Record stuff. He not only informed me about it, but also helped me get my '59 KG coupe ready for the September '09 events at Bonniville. That year was almost a bust, but in 2010, I finally got into the swing of things.

Also credit Burly for his encouragement - and pretty much all the VW folks who've attended the 2009 and 2010 Bonneville World Of Speed events; you've all been great to me, very helpful in every way, and fun to be around.

(You can read up on my team's 2009 efforts here: http://ghiacoachworks.com/share/denzel_lsr.html)

This year I hope to cure a basic problem: Gearing. Back in '09, I was still very unsure what my engine would do and what the CD of the KG was, etc, however, best back-of-the-envelope calculations said "the lines cross" at not less than 112, and more like 118 mph. Now, having not only run with two seasons behind me and having put the engine on a dyno in Salt Lake City, those numbers seem very realistic, if not even a bit modest. If I could only get up there, mid 120s seem plausible.

The challenge for me this year is to solve the gearing issue. In short, the first year I had engine issues mostly due to running out of time before race-day - and I nearly didn't make it racing at all! I got the engine issues behind me during the off season last year and proved it out on the salt - not to mention the dynamometer readings! ...I won't give specifics, but lets say that this engine puts out more HP than any published Porsche 356 specification short of the 4 cam series, and substantially (over 10%) more torque. As a practical matter, the engine was still pulling _very_ strongly through the traps, but not increasing in speed enough.

"I hit a wall."

I probably added 18 miles per hour in fourth - not enough for my taste, but it was enough to get to 105.777 and that was enough to win the year's"36 Hp Challenge Top Speed 2010" award. Still, it's frustrating to look at the tach and see the engine below peak HP and just _know_ it's got a lot more in it.

I'll probably want to get into a discussion about gearing ideas at some point but for now, my question is simply:

Well, folks, what are _your_ challenges for this season?

Best wishes for a great 2011,

Richard

"Remember, keep the shiny side up, rubber side down, and your foot in it."
_________________
Richard

Karmann Ghia and Porsche 356 enthusiast
Founder, The Karmann Ghia Club of N. America

[slalombuggy]

I had the same problem, engine on cam, in the power but no acceleration. HP met wind resistance. I even tried running it out in 3rd gear to only run the same speed withing .300 mph but an rpm difference of almost 2500rpm.

I'm planning for 2012, another motor with hopefully 50hp more and a box of jets to tune when I'm at B-ville, the motor was a bit on the rich side, not much but could have been better.

I will also be doing some gearing changes.

brad

[36hplandspeedracer]

Friends of the Challenge



Three 'big deals' have recently occurred regarding this years racing in the 36hp Challenge that I will list below:



1st---RK Smith from HOT VW's has just announced in the April issue of the magazine that he has scheduled a visit to Bonneville this year to cover the 36hp Challenge and other VW's racing at the World of Speed event in September. Be sure to have your VW's looking great as they may get caught on film(O.K., on a digital card, but you know what I mean). In the past I have provided Bonneville coverage to HOT VW's and the 2010 year event's story should soon be included in a summer issue of the magazine. Having HVW's on site in 2011will mean better photography and more timely publication of your efforts and their interest is truly appreciated.

2nd---Weber 48 IDA(and IDM) Carburetors are now legal in the DSS36 categories of the 36hp Challenge. We have recently received confirmation by way of published reports showing these carburetors were available in 1964 on Shelby Cobra's making them pre-65 and legal to run in DSS. This should open up more carburetor possibilities for many DSS Challenge participants that have been unable to locate good performing components in the used market.



3rd--- Wolfsburg West has offered a $1000.00 contingency award to 36hp Challengers racing in the Bug, Ghia and Bus DSS (pre 65 dual carb) categories. To win this award, it is not necessary to use the complete Okrasa replica kit they now manufacture. You only have to run the WW dual port heads supplied in the kits and also sold separately. These heads can be modified and used with the aforementioned Weber 48 IDA carbs if you choose. Details on this generous offer from Wolfsburg West has been sent to you in a separate specific email earlier today.



4th---The Australian version of Bonneville kicks off this years 36hp Challenge with as many as five or six 36hp entries participating. The DLRA Speedweek starts later this month with Steve Muller and his Team Ratmuller Racing leading the charge with both big block and 36hp racers being assembled as we speak. In addition, Mark Holyoak will again return with his big block Super Beetle to make their Speedweek the biggest down under VW land speed event ever and coverage will be provided by VolksWagen Magazine Australia (VWMA). These mates from OZ will be great competitors to us above the equator folks so do not be surprised if some 36hp Challenge records get bumped up before the Maxton, Mojave, Texas, Maine and Bonneville events.

This year is already shaping up to be even better than 2010 when we had over 13 36hp Challengers on the salt along with another 11 VW air and water cooled racers. If you think you will be racing your 36hp Challenger at Bonneville in September or at any other venue around the world this year, please get in contact with me and supply both photos and details of your effort. As you know, I maintain a history of VW land speed racers and want to make sure your efforts are included.



I would like to take this moment to personally thank both HOT VW's and Wolfsburg West for their support and encouragement in our 36hp efforts. Be sure we return the support to their repective efforts.



Take care till next visit and may the Speed be with you.....................



Burly

[36hplandspeedracer]

I just got word from Colton at BC Autoworks that the 2010 World of Speed story in the May 2011 issue of Hot VW's magazine is just hitting the newstands now. Lots of land speed racing VW's, both 36hp and big block plus watercooled are featured.

Plus HVW's will be at Bonneville this September to cover the Volkswagen racers at the 2011 World of Speed. You are right, the salt is going to be a hot(VW's) spot this year.

Gonna be fun ! ! ! !

Burly

[splitpile]

So now that IDA's are allowed would you be more specific. Do that have to be Italian only, because that would of been on a Shelby, can they be Spanish ones, can you use EMPI ones. Can you use 52's ?
_________________
Stocking distributor of "The Funky Green Panels"
www.BUSTORATION.com metal and more for your bus
"no more hacking my sig line"

[36hplandspeedracer]

Ronnie, like the Wolfsburg West heads, definite replicas of the Weber 48 IDA (regardless the country of manufacture!)are acceptable. And like the WW heads, you can modify them. So lets say if you can use the Weber gasket kit, jets, venturi's, etc. in the EMPI copies, then yes, the are legitimate copies. If those items don't interchange, then no, they would not be elligible.

If the 52's are built from identifiable 48's(say 48 on the bodies!) then this is just a modified 48 and since we don't like lot's of 'rules', they are kool.
If they are built as 52's and are NOT made out of 48's, then no, they don't pass the test.

The beautiful part is having these carbs available gives the 36hp Challengers a relatively reasonable cost alternative to the more rare pre-65 carbs and opens the Challenge up to even more racers. Win, win!

Have fun!

Burly

[splitpile]

[36hplandspeedracer]

Fastest 'RECORD' of the three categories! ! !

An 87 plus mile per hour stock bodied pre-67 DSS Type 2(any production version body style) would be the recipient if no records are broken in the DSS Bug or Ghia categories. And the T2 bar has been set respectably low.

Your odds are as good as the other two body styles!

Burly

[splitpile]

[splitpile]

[36hplandspeedracer]

I just got word the the 2010 World of Speed story on VW racers is in the May issue of Hot VW's magazine hitting the stands now.

It includes lots of photos of the racers should you like to see the Ghias, Bugs and other VW participating.

Burly

[slalombuggy]

Mine just arrived yesterday.....COOOOLLLLLL. Nice write up Burly Thanks for all your work both in doing the article, promoting LSR VeeDubs and keeping all the records. Good write up by Dave too.



brad

[36hplandspeedracer]

Thanx Brad. You and all of the VW racers earned it!

Burly

[splitpile]

Today the Havasu Land Speed Contignent started to make group plans for the trip to the salt come September. Really looking forward to my first time to the flats (of course baring any un foreseen complications). Don't know yet hoe big of a group we'll have but so far at least 5 of us, 2 VW's and a spare engine or 2
_________________
Stocking distributor of "The Funky Green Panels"
www.BUSTORATION.com metal and more for your bus
"no more hacking my sig line"

[36hplandspeedracer]

Ronnie, this is sounding better and better. As soon as you can, get me some details on both cars and their drivers for the land speed history files.

Todd Penns Canadian Stone Stock T2

Gonna be fun...............

Burly

[The Cheetle]

I'm in for September!! Bought Jerry Avis's car this winter. Talked with Ronnie the other day, hope he gets his together so we can have a Havasu Team show up!! Tom Bruch offered up a "special" carb for me to use and we might be putting in one of his turbo motors in my car to run..

Gonna be some fun!!!

See ya there !!!
_________________
Save the Salt!!

[Mr. Motorhead]

Another engine ready to rock and roll! Smooth running, very throttle responsive. Hopefully the owner gets it installed in the next couple weeks so I can do the drive testing. With any luck this one may run this year also.

_________________
30 years experience in the sales of new and used auto parts!
36 horsepower parts for sale at http://www.aircooledresearch.com/
Or the new site at http://www.bugparts.com
Check out the Bonneville project:
http://aircooledresearch.com/docs/thebonnevilleproject.html#

"All limitations are self imposed."
Some Chinese guy

[splitpile]

Some serious stuff showing up this year

_________________
Stocking distributor of "The Funky Green Panels"
www.BUSTORATION.com metal and more for your bus
"no more hacking my sig line"

[grueni]

[slalombuggy]

Good luck y'all. Looking forward to see what records are broken this year.

brad