Jive-Bomber submitted a new blog post: The Sands of Speed - Part II Continue reading the Original Blog Post
Ormond/Daytona Beach was unsurpassed in LSR events in America for the first 30 years of the automobile. There were a few who lost their lives there attempting new records. But it can not be overestimated the importance of that beach and the exploding interest in speed in the early days.
I may be way out to lunch here, but IMO driver location in the vehicle has a lot to do with control of the vehicle, considering the marginal traction of tire-to-sand contact and the fact that the traction of the rear tires is what propels the car against other impeding forces. Sitting near the rear axle, the driver is more capable of reacting to slight deviations in true forward progression than if seated near the front axle. Obviously, once laws of physics are exceeded, no amount of driver correction will avert a catastrophic outcome, regardless of his seating location. The counter argument would ask:"What about Formula/Indy type, Rear engine dragsters, etc.?" Go for it! Oh! Did Sir Malcolm wear a necktie while racing? Sure looks like he did.
It became a permanent exhibit at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, England in 1972, and is still on display there.
I have posted these pictures before but they are still two of my favorites. This is Herbert Bowden's Mercedes in 1905 at Ormond Beach with 2-60hp Mercedes in tandem. This was incredible horsepower for the time. Willie K (Vanderbilt) showed up with his 90hp Mercedes during an era when 20hp on the passenger cars would be pretty decent horsepower for the day. Packard for instance in their passenger car had an incredible 24hp. Bowden on January 24 1905 set a speed record with this car of 109.75 mph but was later disqualified because he exceeded the weight limit. You would need a pretty big pair to run those speeds in that car in my opinion.
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