Wow! ! ! 2008 was a great year for the 36hp CHALLENGE with two 36hp land speed records broken along with the forty six year old, all time top speed for a 36hp engined Volkswagen Beetle land speed record held since 1961 by Dick Beith that was set on the SCTA's long 3 mile Bonneville course. In addition, it was announced the 36hp CHALLENGE will become “International” in stature with a crew from Europe scheduled to make a run on Bonnevilles salt in 2009. Combine this with the new Ghia and pre-67 Type 2 categories and the upcoming year looks like it will be a lot of fun. As we turn the corner to 09, the 36hp CHALLENGE celebrates it’s fifth anniversary having been conceived in 2005 as a way to test our 36hp engined Volkswagens against standards set in the late fifties and early sixties when both the cars and engines were still new. Interest in Volkswagens venerable 36hp engine has continued to grow and some difficult to source parts are now again being produced. Forums dedicated to modifying and maintaining the 36hp have found their way to the forefront on the web making modifying your 36 and participation in the 36hp CHALLENGE even easier. For those new to the 36hp CHALLENGE concept, land speed racing venues in Utah, Maine, Texas and North Carolina make racing readily accessible to participants on both coasts as well as mid-America. Essentially, you drive your 36hp bug from a standing start, accelerate full throttle for one mile ( 1 1/2 miles in Maine! ) and your top speed is recorded. Five engine categories allow you to compare your speed with others in similarly powered Volkswagens and the highest top speed each year receives an antique trophy recognizing their achievement. There is NO ENTRY FEE to participate in the 36hp CHALLENGE! The 36hp CHALLENGE is strictly for fun, “for the Spirit of the Challenge”. When you race, the sanctioning body will receive it’s entry fees from you of which nothing comes back to the Challenge. We have no sponsors or advertisers, we have nothing to sell, heck, we can’t even write off the cost of making this happen for a tax break. That is also part of “the Spirit of the Challenge”. Returning in 09 will be the SSS(Super Stock Single) category with the current record resting just north of 90 miles per hour. This class is for all the VW folks who would prefer to use their technical talents to build a motor rather than their wallets. SSS rewards ingenuity and skills, sort of an old hot rodders approach! And as for those two traditional records that initiated this quest, one still stands, untouched and unchallenged. I f you have a supercharged 36er, the 36hp CHALLENGE was designed for you. Please join us!
Below find sites to gather more information on land speed racing and the 36hp CHALLENGE. If you have any questions, please contact me at burlybug@comcast.net or call 435-752 4359 after 7pm (MST):
Vintage Speed information…………………www.TheSamba.com/forum @Vintage Speed
General Land Speed Racing Information- www.saltflats.com and ALL related links!
USFRA……………… usfra@saltflats.com West Coast
ECTA……………….. kturk@ecta-lsr.com East Coast
LTA...... loringtimingassociation@gmail.com Northeast Coast
Texas Mile…………www.texasmile.com mid America
36hp CHALLENGE..www.burlyb.com
2009 NATIONAL 36hp LANDSPEED CHALLENGE
36hp ENGINE/CAR Guidelines
BASIC ENGINE: 36hp (25hp) engine case (block) with stock 36hp cylinder head studs in stock locations(8mm studs O.K.), original VW 36hp head, Okrasa, Denzel and aftermarket 36hp heads with or without modifications (no 1200-1600cc or Porsche based heads!). All engine sheet metal, to include a “functioning generator and cooling fan” are mandatory in all engine classes along with stock 36hp or period 36hp aluminum valve covers and gaskets(replica alloy valve covers for 36hp heads are O.K.!). Transmission must be a Volkswagen 4 speed swing(non-synchro or full-synchro) or I.R.S. original or modified Bug transmission( five speed conversions and Hewland style transmissions not permissible!)( RGB or reduction gear boxes are O.K. in the pre-67 Type 2 category as are non-RGB pre-68 bus transmissions ). The front end may be lowered using commonly available VW axle beams or devices “excluding NARROWED axle beams” in ALL classes! Rear sway bars or camber compensators are acceptable and “Moon Disc” style hub cabs when securely installed following USFRA, ECTA and Texas Mile guidelines may be used in ALL classes.
NOTE: Nitrous systems are not allowed in 36hp Challenge cars or 130 Mile Per Hour Club categories ! ! !
CLASSES:
SS (Stone Stock)-Stock 36hp engine with single 28 PCI carburetor with no modifications. Must be equipped with a stock VW style exhaust system and tips, air cleaner, VW Bosch branded distributor and coil(Pertronix Ignitor, full flow oil system and engine balancing are O.K.!). Extractor exhaust systems not allowed!
SSS (Super Stock Single)-Modified singleport 36hp engine with single 28PCI carburetor. Requires any Bosch distributor and coil. No displacement, camshaft or header limitations.
DSS (Dual Super Stock)-Pre 1965 period style dual carburetor and non-28PCI single carburetor systems only, fitted to modified stock VW 36hp cylinder heads or period aftermarket 36hp dual port cylinder heads(or replicas)! Requires any Bosch distributor and coil. Dual spark plug conversions O.K.. No displacement, camshaft or header limitations.
K36 (Supercharged/Kompressor)-Any pre-1970 mechanically driven supercharger. Requires any Bosch distributor and coil. Dual spark plug conversions O.K.. No displacement, camshaft or header limitations. Dual period correct superchargers are acceptable.
NA36 (NEW AGE)-Any turbocharged or post 1971 supercharger or non-traditional external engine modifications. Nitrous not allowed! No displacement limitations within the stock cylinder head stud locations. Camshaft, exhaust and ignitions systems are open. Exhaust systems on turbocharged New Age bugs can exit through the deck lid.
BODY/VEHICLE-Any year Type 111/113/133 stock Volkswagen Beetle, Super Beetle or Cal Look sedan body with stock VW bumpers(NOTE: Convertible and sliding cloth sunroof bodies require added safety equipment-(i.e. bolt-in 4 point roll bar available from EMPI suppliers- part #3116 ). Type 1 Karmann Ghia and pre-67 Type 2 bodied cars will compete in separate categories (as described above) and will not be eligible for recognition beyond 36hp Challenge Record listings or be eligible for top speed 36hp Beetle records. All metal body and fenders with all lights, VW bumpers, and running boards in place and functioning. Wiper blades & arms, antenna, outside mirrors and license plates may be removed during competition but must be in place prior to and through technical inspection or if mandated by sanctioning body during competition. Interior must include two front seats, rear seat back(bottom portion of rear seat may be left out), headliner and door panels.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT (contact each respective sanctioning body for latest 130 MPH CLUB( or equivalent ) rules and race dates before you plan on competing!).
Basic Minimum guidelines(36hp Classes only!):
1. 2 point seat belt(USFRA only! ! !). 3 point seat belts are required for all cars exceeding 100 miles per hour!www.saltflats.com
2. 3 point seat belt(ECTA, LTA & TEXAS MILE only! ! !) www.ecta-lsr.com
3. Full face helmet(Snell 2000 or later approved with visor!).
4. Dual (2) throttle return springs.
5. Excellent condition “S” rated tires (to 112 mph!) inflated to 50 pounds with hub caps and trim rings removed(H rated tire required if speed exceeds 100 mph!). Properly fitted Moon Discs hubcaps are allowed (Plus they look great!).
6. Metal valve stem caps and "Metal valve stems" for tubeless or tubed tires are required for all cars.
7. Overall sound and safe vehicle, licensed and insured for street operation. You must present both your current state drivers license and vehicle insurance card during tech inspection ! ! !
8. Sanctioning body specific membership and entry fees.
9. “NO NITROUS” or alcohol may be used for fuel. Race gas, high octane pump gas only. E-85 pump gas is not allowed!
10. Fire extinguisher “securely” mounted inside passenger compartment.
11. “ALL” loose items inside passenger compartment and trunk must be removed (including spare tire and jack).
12. Battery must be “secured” to floor pan with permanent stock or improved fixture.
