This was my third time to have the honor to photograph the SCTA Land Speed Races (LSR) at El Mirage Dry Lake near Adelanto, California (links to past coverage follow the gallery below). Each time, I learn more about the races, the vehicles, and SCTA – Southern California Timing Association. Together with Bonneville Nationals, Inc. (BNI), they sanction official races, keep the records and maintain safety standards at both El Mirage and the Bonneville Salt Flats. (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.)
Entrance to El Mirage Dry Lake for the SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s 2017 Landspeed Races Season Opener.
The big realization this year? There’s no money in it!
Literally, no purse, no prizes, and few sponsors. Just the glory of going fast and holding a record, regardless of how brief that record might exist. The next vehicle down the track in your class just might better your record, but your’s remains in the books, certificates are issued, and for those who qualify, induction into the 200 mph and 300 mph clubs with nice red caps. Drivers frequently talk of “borrowing” a record after having had theirs exceeded by someone else. It’s all in good friendly fun with lots of smiles and congratulations each and every time!
Driver Brian Dean of Thomas & Deans Thundersalt on his 212.903 mph run.
There is also a 400 mph club which, due to the many challenges required to overcome in order to attain that speed, tends to be a bit exclusive. The track at El Mirage is 1.3 miles long, so it doesn’t allow enough distance for racers to reach speeds of 400 mph. But a few, a very few, have managed to break 300 mph here. There are three tracks at Bonneville Salt Flats, the longest stretching 5 miles. That’s where world records are made.
Driver Cal Rothe of Aardema Braun Lattin on his 222.464 mph run.
Racing on a dry lake bed is always a dusty affair. This day, dust was a factor for the early morning racers, often causing delays while awaiting visibility to improve after a previous racer.
Driver Robert Sights of Udder De Lite on his 136.156 mph run.
Motorcycles are also part of land speed racing fun, with a few breaking 200 mph at El Mirage.
Rider John Noonan of Wossner Pistons Noonan on his 225.325 mph run.
The oldest operating racing organization in the United States, SCTA got its start way back in 1937 when a bunch of young adults in their 20’s formed the association to encourage camaraderie, establish safety standards and keep records. There are four classes of vehicles in land speed racing; Special Construction, Vintage, Modified and Production. The classes are explained well at BonnevilleRacing.Com.
Driver Burl Brown of Texas Justice VII on his 165.707 mph run.
Geared for high-speed, many of the vehicles do not have a first gear, so they need a push off the starting line to get going. I’ve seen everything from RV’s to Semi-trucks used as push vehicles. But this ATV drew a giggle from onlookers.
Driver Harold Hanneman of Harold H Hannemann on his 106.471 mph run.
Land speed racing tends to be a family affair, often with two or three generations of racing families present in the pit area. Marking the 50th anniversary of legendary Burt Munro’s record at Bonneville, his great nephew Lee Munro, riding the “Spirit of Munro”, carries on the family tradition.
Rider Lee Munro of Munro Scout on his 161.336 mph run.
In 1967, at the age of 68, riding a 47-year old 1920 modified Indian motorcycle, Burt set an under 1,000 cc world record at Bonneville that still holds today. Burt’s story was immortalized in the film “The World’s Fastest Indian” starring Anthony Hopkins as the legendary rider (rent the DVD from Netflix). You may follow Lee on Instagram @lee_munro_racing.
Rider Lee Munro of Munro Scout on his 161.336 mph run.
Drivers get very focused right before their runs, as evidenced by the intense looks of concentration in their eyes right before starting off the line.
Driver Dan Chilson of Chilson Racing prepares for his 135.009 mph run.
Having already mentioned the dust in the morning (above), visibility improved somewhat in the afternoon, giving spectacular views of the San Gabriel Mountains (and snow!) to the south.
Snowcapped Mount San Antonio in the San Gabriel Mountain Range as seen from the race course
Yet driver Fred Dannenfelzer had problems with visibility on his run.
Driver Fred Dannenfelzer of DRM Racing did not finish his run.
He was unable to see towards the end of the course and turned out before the finish line.
Driver Fred Dannenfelzer of DRM Racing did not finish his run.
With wind a constant factor throughout the day, dust devils whipped through race camp and the pit area several times during the afternoon. This one went right next to the starting line.
Dust Devils blow through the pit area of race camp.
The racers persisted though, including Doug Chase in this 1946 or ’47 (“Which part?!”) Hudson.
Driver Doug Chase of Chase Race on his 111.147 mph run.
And Wendy St. John in a turbo charged, diesel fueled Studebaker.
Driver Wendy St.John of Zonker on her 103.228 mph run.
As the afternoon progressed, the course began to degrade, resulting in the need to move the track and shutting down the races early in order to make the move for Sunday’s races. While disappointing, it did make some time for a bit of scenic shooting of the surrounding Mojave desert terrain before heading to race camp for a few cold ones with friends.
Views of Joshua Trees and the San Gabriel Mountains.
A great way to end a day at the races, in race camp with friends! 😉
Race camp atmosphere.
Click the thumbnails below to view full-size photos
Entrance to El Mirage Dry Lake for the SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s 2017 Landspeed Races Season Opener.
Entrance to El Mirage Dry Lake for the SCTA – Southern California Timing Association’s 2017 Landspeed Races Season Opener.
Valley Fever in the pit area.
SHP Racing’s entry in the pit area.
The entry from Eric Hansson in the starting line up.
The starter’s trailer.
Driver Check In.
Pit area atmosphere.
Driver Ruth Lundring for Erik Hansson on her 167.224 mph run.
Driver Cal Rothe of Aardema Braun Lattin on his 222.464 mph run.
Rider Randy Speranza of Speranza Brant Robinson on his 34.950 mph run.
Rider John Noonan of Wossner Pistons Noonan on his 225.325 mph run.
Driver David Kennedy of Kennedy Racing on his 134.066 mph run.
Driver David Kennedy of Kennedy Racing on his 134.066 mph run.
Driver Mark Vigeant of Rice Vigeant Racing starts his 186.556 mph run.
Rider Tim Cunha of Costella / Cunha / Bassano starts his 174.815 mph run.
Lakester entry from Old Crow H&H Freewheelers in the starting line up.
Rider Nick Gee of Running Naked Laughing prepares for his 175.965 mph run.
Driver Chet Thomas of Thomas & Augusta Racing prepares for his 191.101 mph run.
Driver Valerie Fenn of Ed N Val Fenn on her 111.580 mph run.
Rider Steve “Papi” Chappell of Shooting Star on his 192.935 mph run.
Driver Chet Thomas of Thomas & Augusta Racing on his 191.101 mph run.
Driver Mike Kilger of Deeds Meyer Kilger on his 165.851 mph run.
Starting official Ken Carlson with rider Nick Gee of Running Naked Laughing on his 175.965 mph run.
Rider Mark Summitt of Woody’s Aermacchi on his 111.376 mph run.
Driver David Davidson of Cummins Beck Davidson Thor on his 241.528 mph run.
Driver David Boultwood of Stuhaan-Rogers-Kipe on his 130.042 mph run.
Driver Hakan Karlen of Hakan Karlen on his 162.226 mph run.
Driver Brian Dean of Thomas & Deans Thundersalt on his 212.903 mph run.
Driver Jeremy Teepen of H&H Motorsports on his 179.023 mph run.
Driver Robert Sights of Udder De Lite on his 136.156 mph run.
Driver Greg Waters of Waters / Manghelli / Romero did not finish his run.
Driver Bobby Green of Old Crow H&H Freewheelers on his 86.033 mph run.
Driver Billy Lattin of Lattin & Stevens on his 91.059 mph run.
Driver Kelsey Griffin of Griffin Racing on his 128.292 mph run.
Rider Ralph Hudson of Ralph Hudson Racing prepares for his 238.367 mph run.
Starting official Ken Carlson with driver Willie Martin of San Berdoo Roadsters who did not finish his run.
Rider Tom Foley of Foley Racing did not finish his run.
Driver Ron Kisinger of Kisinger Racing on his 168.344 mph run.
Driver Ron Kisinger of Kisinger Racing on his 168.344 mph run.
Driver Russ Eyres of Eyres and Son on his 147.134 mph run
Driver Harold Hanneman of Harold H Hannemann on his 106.471 mph run.
Rider Bill Chambers of Bill Chambers Racing on his 166.904 mph run.
Driver Justin Coe of Coe Family Racing on his 92.249 mph run.
Driver Justin Coe of Coe Family Racing on his 92.249 mph run .
Driver Justin Coe of Coe Family Racing on his 92.249 mph run.
Driver Joel Wirth of Empire Special on his 183.013 mph run.
Rider Ken Canaga of Left Coast Racing on his 111.488 mph run.
Rider Johnny McClure of McClure Special on his 144.196 mph run.
Rider Shinya Kimura of Shinya Kimura Racing on his 100.767 mph run.
Driver Brandon Leggitt of Arnold Hoddinott Leggitt Salki on his 227.197 mph run.
Starting official Jill Shannon on the starting line.
Rider Lee Munro of Munro Scout (great nephew of legendary Burt Munro, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Burt’s Bonneville record) on his 161.336 mph run.
Rider Lee Munro of Munro Scout (great nephew of legendary Burt Munro, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Burt’s Bonneville record) on his 161.336 mph run.
Rider RT Williams of Half Tank on his 123.508 mph run.
Rider RT Williams of Half Tank on his 123.508 mph run.
Driver Wayne Yeats of ELMO Rodge Racing did not finish his run.
Driver Rob Brissette of Brissette Racing prepares for his 193.487 mph run.
Driver Rob Brissette of Brissette Racing prepares for his 193.487 mph run.
Rider Tim Lewis of Team Bucket 372 on his 65.583 mph run.
Rider Cayla Rivas of Cayla Rivas Racing on her 133.073 mph run.
Driver Fred Dannenfelzer of DRM Racing did not finish his run.
Driver Fred Dannenfelzer of DRM Racing did not finish his run.
Driver Fred Dannenfelzer of DRM Racing did not finish his run.
Rider Trev Richter of Race For Relief on his 135.125 mph run.
Driver Bob Jucewic of Cohn Jucewic Monza did not finish his run.
Rider Ken Keller of Ken Keller Racing on his 171.827 mph run.
Driver Tony Dincau of Dincau & Dincau on his 156.420 mph run.
Driver Tony Dincau of Dincau & Dincau on his 156.420 mph run.
Driver Tony Dincau of Dincau & Dincau on his 156.420 mph run.
Rider Billy Jahn of Lost Boys Racing on his 163.283 mph run.
Driver Gerard Collier of KKM Racing on his 185.523 mph run.
Snowcapped Mount San Antonio in the San Gabriel Mountain Range as seen from the race course
Driver David Slater of SHP Racing on his 127.207 mph run.
Rider Steve Bilock of Steve Bilock Racing on his 155.503 mph run.
Driver Larry Lancaster of Lil Bit O Racing on his 138.614 mph run.
Driver Eduardo Martez of Roland Percey Racing on his 153.129 mph run.
Driver Doug Chase of Chase Race on his 111.147 mph run.
Rider Michael Hanrahanof The Green Fiend on his 90.392 mph run.
Dust Devils blow through the pit area of race camp .
Rider John Lizarraga AKA J of El Duderino on his 151.001 mph run.
Dust Devils blow through the pit area of race camp.
Dust Devils blow through the pit area of race camp.
Dust Devils blow through the pit area of race camp.
Driver Al Eshenbaugh of S E & O Racing on his 159.304 mph run.
Roth Stock Pictures: Event Photography for the Entertainment Industry 