A day at the Land Speed Races is just like any other race day. And yet, it is also unlike any other race day, except that it is held in a remote area of the Mojave Desert at El Mirage Dry Lake, California! (NOTE: We used the Official Results posted in the SCTA site for driver and team names, and all timing results you see in this article.)
Rider Randy Speranza of Speranza Brant Robinson on his 80.96 mph run
SCTA is the Southern California Timing Association who, along with Bonneville Nationals, Inc. (BNI), sanction the races and and maintain the rules and records for events at El Mirage Dry Lake in Southern California, and at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The volunteer organization dates back to 1937 and is, “considered the oldest operating racing organization in the United States” (Facebook). The driver and team names as well as the speeds posted in this blog are from the official results in the SCTA website.
The day begins early with drivers checking in at the SCTA trailer.
Driver Registration Area
Starting officials Ken Carlson and Jim Jenson are among the staff that operate the races and maintain the safety procedures during the events.
Starting officials (L-R) Ken Carlson and Jim Jensen on the starting line
In many of the vehicles, there is very little room for “driver comfort” as demonstrated by rider Derek McLeish of Team McLeish Bros. while preparing for his 172.374 mph run.
Rider Derek McLeish of Team McLeish Bros. prepares for his 172.374mph run
Brian Dean’s intense gaze at the starting line gives an idea of just how focused the racers are before their runs. Brian, of Thomas & Deans Thundersalt 2, is seen here just before his 217.857 mph run.
Driver Brian Dean of Thomas & Deans Thundersalt 2 prepares for his 217.857 mph run
With the race track running 1.3 miles, race camp gets rather large, spread out along both sides of the track, making dirt bikes a popular method of getting around to view the action and visit friends.
Race camp atmosphere at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races
Winged transportation is another popular pastime at El Mirage as evidenced by these ultralights that dropped in for a quick hello.
Ultralights contribute to race camp atmosphere
There are four car classes for Land Speed Racing (LSR); Special Construction, Vintage, Modified and Production. The classes are explained well at BonnevilleRacing.Com.
Typically one of the fastest cars at the track in its class, this Vintage roadster driven by David Davidson of Cummins Beck Davidson Thorns racing team demonstrates just what a classic beauty is capable of during his 255.963 mph run.
Driver Dave Davidson of Cummins Beck Davidson Thorns on his 255.963 mph run
Not old enough to be a Vintage entry (before the 1948 model year), this 1968 Mustang driven by Gary Hahn of The California Special on his 177.657 mph run, is a beautiful example of a Modified race car.
Driver Gary Hahn of The California Special on his 177.657 mph
Making their debut shortly after WWII, Lakesters were first built from military aircraft drop tanks that were originally designed to hold fuel. Due to their great aerodynamics, the tanks also make exceptional land speed race cars!
Driver Mike Latus of Lefty’s Speed Shop on his 155.476 mph run
Running at nearly 200 mph, this Special Construction entry driven by Al Eshenbaugh for Steinegger & Eshenbaugh is a stunning example of the Special Construction class of race cars.
Driver Al Eshenbaugh of Steinegger & Eshenbaugh on his 198.012 mph run
Motorcycles of all types are also well-represented at the Land Speed Races. This classic Indian Motorcycle, ridden by Johnny McClure of McClure Special, topped 153 mph this weekend.
Rider Johnny McClure of McClure Special on his 153.563 mph run
At 228.264 mph, rider Chris Rivas of Chris Rivas V-Twin invited onlookers to simply, “eat my dust!”
Rider Chris Rivas of Chris Rivas V-Twin on his 228.264 mph run
There were also some, let’s say, less than conventional set ups, like this one ridden by Tim Lewis of Bucket 372 on his 70.438 mph run.
Rider Tim Lewis of Bucket 372 on his 70.438 mph run
As the day progressed into the afternoon, the wind became a factor as it kicked up a lot of sand and dust. A number of dust devils whirled their way through race camp, fortunately without causing any damage.
Dust devil in race camp at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
No filters were used on any of the photos in this blog, including this one of Pat Blevins of Pat Blevins Racing during his 178.883 mph run. As you can see, visibility was a challenge for some of the afternoon racers. Because it was an intermittent tail wind, not a cross wind, racing was allowed to continue while weather developments were being carefully monitored by race officials.
Driver Pat Blevins of Pat Blevins Racing on his 178.883 mph run
This photo of rider Martin Sechrist of All Hat No Cattle on his 150.117 mph run was taken just one minute later, showing how variable the conditions were.
Rider Martin Sechrist of All Hat No Cattle on his 150.117 mph run
A big part of the fun of race day is the people you meet on the track and in race camp, like starting official Jill Shannon.
Starting line official Jill Shannon at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
However, as warnings came in of an approaching sand storm, it became necessary to make a quick exit and forgo the evening festivities. Those who left shortly after we did found themselves in zero visibility for a multi-hour ordeal of trying to cross the lake bed and find their way to the exit of the recreation area.
Desert atmosphere at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Click the thumbnails below to view full-size photos
Entrance to El Mirage Dry Lake
Entrance to El Mirage Dry Lake
Driver Registration Area
(L-R) JoAnn Carlson, media relations, and Bill Lattin, vice president of SCTA – Southern California Timing Association
Chief Timer Ruth MacLean
Team McLeish Bros. Prepare for Their Run
Team McLeish Bros. Prepare for Their Run
Rider Derek McLeish (R) of Team McLeish Bros. prepares for his 172.374mph run
Rider Derek McLeish of Team McLeish Bros. prepares for his 172.374mph run
Rider Derek McLeish of Team McLeish Bros. prepares for his 172.374mph run
Rider Derek McLeish of Team McLeish Bros. prepares for his 172.374mph run
Lattin & Stevens’ “White Lightning” at the starting line
The race course at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
The race course at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Starting officials (L-R) Ken Carlson and Jim Jensen on the starting line
Chief timer Ruth MacLean (C) and starting official Jim Jensen (R)
Driver Dave Brant of Brant Speranza-McLeish prepares for his 170.467 mph run
Driver Dave Brant of Brant Speranza-McLeish prepares for his 170.467 mph run
Rider Derek McLeish of Team McLeish Bros. on his 172.374 mph run
Rider Derek McLeish of Team McLeish Bros. on his 172.374 mph run
Rider Derek McLeish of Team McLeish Bros. on his 172.374 mph run
Driver Bill Lattin of Lattin & Stevens on his 173.253 mph run
Driver Bill Lattin of Lattin & Stevens on his 173.253 mph run
Driver Don Ferguson III of Ferguson – Macmillan on his 250.698 mph run
Driver Alan Fogliadini of BMR Racing on his 241.732 mph run
Rider Billy Jahn of Jahn Bros. Racing on his 98.673 mph run
Driver Dean Kennedy of Kennedy Racing on his 212.144 mph run
Driver Willie Martin of San Bardoo Roadsters on his 191.91 mph run
Rider Mark Summitt of Woody’s Aermacchi on his 119.203 mph run
Driver Dave Davidson of Cummins Beck Davidson Thorns on his 255.963 mph run
Driver Dave Davidson of Cummins Beck Davidson Thorns on his 255.963 mph run
Driver Dave Davidson of Cummins Beck Davidson Thorns on his 255.963 mph run
Driver Brian Dean of Thomas & Deans Thundersalt 2 prepares for his 217.857 mph run
Driver David Isley of Isley Racing prepares for his 223.381 mph run
Rider Steve “Papi” Chappell of Shooting Star prepares for his 196.238 mph run
Driver Valerie Fenn of Salted Peanut prepares for her 105.411 mph run
Driver Valerie Fenn of Salted Peanut prepares for her 105.411 mph run
Driver Craig Black of Black Racing did not finish his run
An emergency response at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
(L-R) Jamie Steinegger, Ted Olsen, driver Albert Echenbaugh and Jim Dunn of Steinegger & Eshenbaugh prepare for their 198.012 mph run
Rider Pat Womack of Womack LSR prepares for his 180.829 mph run
Driver Fred Dannenfelzer of DMP Racing prepares for his run
Driver Fred Dannenfelzer of DMP Racing prepares for his run
Driver David Gomer of David Gomer Racing on his 196.618 mph run
Race camp atmosphere at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races
Driver Neil McAlister of BMR Ferguson Racing on his 188.517 mph run
Ultralights contribute to race camp atmosphere
Driver Greg Waters of Waters / Manghelli / Romero on his 214.484 mph run
Rider Pat Womack of Womack LSR on his 180.829 mph run
Driver Rich Thomas of Thomas & Augusta Racing on his 58.273 mph run
Driver Ron Delcourt of Brick Racing on his 185.134 mph run
Driver Al Eshenbaugh of Steinegger & Eshenbaugh on his 198.012 mph run
Driver Al Eshenbaugh of Steinegger & Eshenbaugh on his 198.012 mph run
Driver Frank Liautaud of Belalpine on his 148.085 mph run
Driver Tom Hanley of White Goose Bar Racing on his 131.352 mph run
Driver Kelsey Griffin of Griffin Racing on his 132.84 mph run
(L-R) JoAnn Carlson, media relations, and official photographer Zane McNary at SCTA
Driver Nathan Stewart of Skip Pipes Racing on his 190.152 mph run
Driver Nathan Stewart of Skip Pipes Racing on his 190.152 mph run
Driver John Lemanski of Hand D Motorsports on his 168.906 mph run
Driver Donnie Hicks of Zoom Zoom Racing on his 190.74 mph run
Rider Steve Bilock of Steve Bilock Racing on his 165.392 mph run
Driver Mike Ferguson of Ferguson & Carr on his 183.729 mph run
Driver Sam Buck of Creel – Buck – Kendall on his 123.341 mph run
Driver Sam Buck of Creel – Buck – Kendall on his 123.341 mph run
Driver Jeremy Teepen of H&H Motorsports on his 184.075 mph run
Driver Paul Kelly of Kelly & Hall on his 212.323 mph
Driver Gary Hahn of The California Special on his 177.657 mph
Rider Tim Cunha of Costella / Cunha / Bassano on his 184.273 run
Rider Lou Adams of Route 66 II on his 108.196 mph run
Driver Mark Van Buskirk of Burns Callaway Warnock on his 145.777 mph
Driver Rob Brissette of Brissette Racing on his 218.545 mph run
Rider Robert Smith of The Baron Rteam prepares for his 119.166 mph run
Driver Mark Johnson of Frontuto Bros. prepares for his 225.480 mph run
Driver Mark Johnson of Frontuto Bros. prepares for his 225.480 mph run
Driver Danny Rue of Leftys Autopower prepares for his 242.152 mph run
Starting official Ken Carlson signs off on Martin Enyart Huntley’s entry at the starting line
Martin Enyart Huntley’s entry at the starting line before their run of 179.195 mph
Rider Chris Rivas of Chris Rivas V-Twin prepares for his 228.264 mph run
Rider Chris Rivas of Chris Rivas V-Twin on his 228.264 mph run
Rider Chris Rivas of Chris Rivas V-Twin on his 228.264 mph run
Rider Chris Rivas of Chris Rivas V-Twin on his 228.264 mph run
Driver Mike Latus of Lefty’s Speed Shop on his 155.476 mph run
Rider Johnny McClure of McClure Special on his 153.563 mph run
Driver Burl Brown of Texas Justice VII on his 181.765 mph run
Driver Burl Brown of Texas Justice VII on his 181.765 mph run
The race course at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Rider Tim Lewis of Bucket 372 on his 70.438 mph run
Rider Tim Lewis of Bucket 372 on his 70.438 mph run
Driver Steve Moody of Mariani Farms on his 241.467 mph run
Driver John Neilson of Neilson Racing on his 90.265 mph run
Driver John Neilson of Neilson Racing on his 90.265 mph run
Rider Cayla Rivas of Cayla Rivas Racing on her 126.938 mph run
Rider Cayla Rivas of Cayla Rivas Racing on her 126.938 mph run
Driver Tim Confal of Noice & Confal on his run
Drver Mark Vigeant of Rice Vigeant Racing on his 168.079 mph run
Driver William Freudiger of Hall Clark on his 253.558 mph run
Driver William Freudiger of Hall Clark on his 253.558 mph run
Driver Wayne Yeats of ELMO Rodge Racing on his 134.851 mph run
Rider Shinya Kimura of Shinya Kimura Racing on his 123.124 mph run
Driver Bill Timmings of Bill Timmings Racing on his 151.044 mph run
Driver Pat Blevins of Pat Blevins Racing on his 178.883 mph run
Rider Martin Sechrist of All Hat No Cattle on his 150.117 mph run
Driver Erik Hansson on his 171.215 mph run
Driver Chris Mursick of The Doris Elliott on his 150.783 mph run
Driver Chris Mursick of The Doris Elliott on his 150.783 mph run
Driver Chris Mursick of The Doris Elliott on his 150.783 mph run
Rider Lance Laverty of Lance Speed Racing on his 101.663 mph run
Driver Rey Solis of Harold Johansen did not finish his run
A close up of the race track at El Mirage Dry Lake
Driver Monty Kontz of Ms LiBerty on his 171.132 mph run
Starting line atmosphere at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Starting line official Jill Shannon at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Rider Nick Gomez of Nick Gomez Racing on his 203.464 mph run
Rider Nick Gomez of Nick Gomez Racing on his 203.464 mph run
Rider Chet Michaelson of Geranimo Dark Horse on his 146.556 mph run
Dust devil in race camp at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Dust devil in race camp at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Rider Kristine Peach of Kristine Peach Racing did not finish her run
Dust devil in race camp at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Dust devil in race camp at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Driver Chris Hart of Shields Racing on his 211.106 mph run
Driver Chris Hart of Shields Racing on his 211.106 mph run
Rider Wes White of Wes White Racing on his 125.240 mph run
Driver David Boultwood of Stuhaan-Rogers-Kipe on his 113.096 mph run
Driver David Boultwood of Stuhaan-Rogers-Kipe on his 113.096 mph run
Driver Terry Coe of Coe Family Racing on his 181.466 mph run
Driver Terry Coe of Coe Family Racing on his 181.466 mph run
Rider Chris Bridgewater of Bridge LSD on his 157.168 mph run
Rider Randy Speranza of Speranza Brant Robinson on his 80.96 mph run
Driver Alan Taylor of Taylor and Watson on his 120.138 mph run
Driver C. Greenlaw of XETEX Racing on his 167.628 mph run
Rider Jim Higgins of Black Art Racing on his 139.253 mph run
Rider Bill Chambers of Bill Chambers Racing did not finish his run
Rider Justin Minahan of Justin Minahan Racing on his 122.560 mph run
Rider Patrick Dolan of Sportsman Flyer on his 82.074 mph run
Rider Micheal Schunk of Mike Schunk Racing did not finish his run
Rider Micheal Schunk of Mike Schunk Racing did not finish his run
Driver Dave Bloomberg of Avanti Kid Dave Bloomberg prepares for his run of 166.836 mph
Driver Chick Huntimer of Salt Circus on his run of 130.743 mph
Land sailing near race camp
A close up of the race track at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Driver Randall Foehner of EightinaRowRacing on his 158.627 mph run
Driver Tim McMaster of Y-Block Guy Racing on his 142.869 mph run
Desert atmosphere at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Desert atmosphere at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
Desert atmosphere at SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s Land Speed Races at El Mirage Dry Lake
A dust storm blows in while racers scurry to depart
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