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Looking Back Ahead

Looking Back Ahead
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The more aheader we go the more behinder we get!

Like, how come what was once new and somehow got lost in the shuffle is all of a sudden the new NEW?

Take Land Speed Racing, fer instance.
   
Now, you know all about El Mirage and Bonneville, but have you heard of Pendine Sands, or that straight stretch of highway over in Belgium (I think it is there), or even the sandy beach at Daytona? Or how about the Cal-Neva races up in central-west Nevada? Or the Lake Eyre salt in Australia? There are probably half a dozen more I haven’t heard about, and they all have to do with Land Speed Racing.
   
But not in the last fifty or so years. Mostly, it has to do with space, which is what we have in spades at Bonneville and Lake Gairdner. But not on lonely beaches. Especially to the kinds of top speeds we now generate.

Back in the early parts of last century, just getting to l00 mph was a major feat, indeed. So no wonder that isolated and remote sand beaches were appealing. But, here is the real kicker for us, the contemporary hot rod enthusiast, we can dial back to that long-ago time simply by dialing back our rides!

And, it is being done. You want to feel like it was when hot rodding a four banger in l930s southern California? Build a time warp Model A chassis and screw together a four cylinder Ford, then flat tow it out to Antelope Valley and do a modern lakes meet. Same dirt, same sun burns, same effort to top that magic l00. Or, just a few weeks ago, you build the same kind of car and go over to the Pendine Sands beach in western England (Wales). Wait for the tide to go out, and blast away with the ghosts of Malcolm Campbell and the ilk. Maybe look for that isolated straight piece of pavement in Holland, or figure how to get on the beaches of Daytona.

It can be done, it doesn’t cost significant money, and the thrill is still there for the adventurous. In fact, there are several venues for any car nut who wants to experience what is use to be like. Model T and A club hill climbs come to mind. It is all in your imagination, but you gotta be willing to lay aside all the speed parts catalogues and get on with doing your work with hand files and elbow grease.

And if you hear about the Pendine Sands, or maybe something in South America, you gotta book your flight. Or air up the tires in your l936 Ford pick-up tow truck. Be there, do that, get the T-shirt!

Just get out of that lounge chair and do something with your hot rod!