amcn.com.au 61
Wanna race?
1
Go to http://www.dlra.org.au, which
contains the DLRA Rule
Book. Motorcycles are covered
in Section 7, with Section 8 listing
the classes and records. It won’t
be hard to work out where your
bike fits.
2
Only DLRA members can
compete, so join up.3
Safety is paramount, which
means fitting a steering
damper, kill switch lanyard,
metal chain-guard and safety-
wired axle retaining nuts.
Minimum speed rating of tyres is
determined by the class record.
4
Appendix B2 on page 122 of
the Rule Book is the actual
form the scrutineers will use, so
study it!5
The DLRA holds pre-
inspection days in most
Australian states, and there are
also experienced members who
can advise first-timers ahead
of the event. Almost everyone
is helpful and easy to get along
with, and most issues can be
overcome.6
Quality protective gear
is compulsory, including
helmets, leathers, gloves, bootsand body armour. Triple-check
that your gear meets the specific
requirements of Section 7
because it would be a long way
to go and not race due to your
helmet being out of date.7
Scrutineering at Speed
Week starts on the Friday
afternoon preceding the event.
Don’t expect to turn up on Sunday
afternoon and race on Monday.8
You’ll need to set up your
own pit garage with
tarpaulin floor on the salt. Shade
is the biggie, and it can get windy,
especially at night. Tent pegs areas useful as nipples on a bull; self-
tapping screws and an electric
screwdriver are the answer.9
There is a strict ‘no dickhead’
policy. If you are especially
important, do everyone a favour
and don’t come.10
Transport your bike in a
van or ute if possible. A
trailer cops all the red dust from
the tow vehicle. And when you
get home, pull the bike apart
and use a low-pressure wash to
remove the salt; high-pressure
sprays will only blast it into
inaccessible places.Australia each March, weather permitting.
Amazingly, the event has been washed out six
times since the first was held in 1990, and there are
no rain dates. So it pays to be patient. Even more
amazing is that it happens at all, w ith access to
Lake Gairdner – a National Park and significant
indigenous place – strictly prohibited for the rest of
the year. Everyone is required to give up half a day
to the cause in allocated roles, from latrine duty to
manning the start line or timing van. Those who
don’t front on schedule risk having their speeds
withheld from publication, a tough sanction that
ensures compliance and contributes to one of the
smoothest running meetings ever in 2018.
“The overwhelming comments from our
international competitors was that our event
was world class and that, given the opportunity,
they would be back again,” DLR A president Greg
Wapling says.
“They were very impressed with the competency
and diligence of our medical and rescue teams,
and were amazed by the professionalism of the
organisation and our volunteers.
“There was a real vibe this year and we – the
collective, inclusive ‘we’ – have put the world of
land speed racing on notice. We can put on a world
standard event and have fun doing it.”
Bravo!- Corinna Steeb and
the Salt Monkeys Royal
Enfield Continental GT on
which she immediately
went faster than the bike
managed last year - Ken Robinson is a DLRA
legend and was fastest of
the ‘normal bikes’, going
222mph on his turbo ’Busa - Evelyne Scholtz, here
getting some attention
from the media, was one
of a number of successful
women this year - Newly inducted
200MPH Club member
Andy Freeman and his
212mph H2 - Jim Goulter and
daughter Katherine
shared their diminutive
two-stroke 50cc Honda
14523SPEED WEEK