2011 saw record numbers of 36hp engined Volkswagens head down the track to record speeds. Tom Bruch wowed the crowds at the World of Speed with an all-time new 36hp   Bug record of 126.236 miles per hour, twenty miles per hour faster than his 2009 record speed in the NA36 category for turbocharged 36hp engined bugs. This speed was just three miles per hour shy of the all time 36hp speed record of 129.65 mph set by Dick Beith in his Pepco supercharged lakester back in 1963 and marked a breakthrough in turbo technology for the 36hp engines. In addition, we enjoyed the honor of having Hot VW’s Magazine send R.K. Smith to cover the event and his article was published in the February 2012 issue. He also did a feature on Bill Hatfields dual48 IDA, Wolfsburg West Okrasa equipped 99 Mexican Beetle which will hopefully see print in the Hot VW’s March issue and R.K. say’s he will be back for 2012. And be sure to take the time to view Duncan Charltons great video of Greg Silkensons 2012 World of Speed journey that can be found at http://tinyurl.com/d623kkw . 

The 36hp Challenge is now entering its seventh year of racing with categories covering Bugs, Ghias and pre 67 Type 2’s along witha new Lakester category that will compete for Unlimited 36hp Challenge honors. Changes to look for in the 2012 guidelines include information about legal Weber 48 IDA carburetors and early Hilborn style fuel injection, Herrods Helper style rear wings, new land speed race tracks in Ohio and Texas ( see the 2012 Schedule ), and other details. Please look them over carefully and contact me should you have any questions.

The “1” Club ‘ was added a couple of years ago and is essentially an “outlaw style” wide open challenge where the only real rules include a 36hp engine case, some wheels and a goal of exceeding 100 miles per hour. “1” Club safety regulations must meet the requirements of the sanctioning body where the car is being raced and those specific safety rules are determined by the sanctioning body for the type of racer presented for inspection. Safety regulations are not regulated or determined through 36hp Challenge guidelines, only the classification of the Volkswagen for 36hp Challenge recognition. The “1” Club is unique unto itself and allows any 36hp based car to qualify by just being fast.

The object of the 36hp Challenge is to encourage you to make your 36hp powered Volkswagen go as fast as possible over a minimum of a standing start mile. The new LTA course in Maine is one and a half miles in length and those wishing to build a car to full USFRA/SCTA/BNI racing specs have a three mile course available to them on the world famous Bonneville Salt Flats. The Australian event also has a minimum three miles of acceleration available and like the U.S. long course cars, require added safety equipment due to potentially higher speeds. Also new this year will be the Mojave Magnum one and one half mile track in Mojave, California, to be run in June that will complement their May and September Mojave Mile  events. For specific class rules and current 36hp speed records, contact Burly at burlybug@comcast.net.

Mar 19-23   Speedweek Australia (36hp Challenge). Lake Gairdner, Australia. Annual land speed event (no facilities-very isolated). Volkswagen racers and spectators welcome. For information, visit  www.dlra.org.au  www.volksculture.com/profile/36hp    

Mar  TBA  The TEXAS MILE (36hp Challenge). Beeville, TX.  For information visit www.info@nasatx.com .  

Apr 28-29  East Coast Timing Association (36hp Challenge). One mile standing start time trial, Wilmington, Ohio. All VW racers and spectators welcome. Visit www.ecta-lsr.com . 

Apr 29  Bug In 37 Car Show.  All VW Bonneville (LSR) racers, both finished and under construction are invited to be part of a special VW Land Speed Racing display to be held during the 37^th annual Bug In at the Auto Club Drag Way in Fontana, California. Additional events begin early on April 27^th. For additional information contact Rich Kimball at http://www.bugin.com/buginshow.htm or Burly at www.burlyb.com.

May 5-6  The Mojave Mile (36hp Challenge). Mojave, California. This will be their third event for the Southern California/Nevada area. All VW racers and spectators welcome. Visit http://www.mojavemile.com 

Jun 2-3  The Mojave “Magnum” Mile and a Half(36hp Challenge). Mojave, California.  This all new event will allow additional track distance adding greater opportunity for setting land speed records. All VW racers and spectators welcome. For information, visit http://www.mojavemile.com  

Jun 2-3     East Coast Timing Association (36hp Challenge). One mile standing start time trial, Wilmington, Ohio. All VW racers and spectators welcome. For information visit www.ecta-lsr.com  

Jul 13-15  Loring Timing Association (36hp Challenge). One and one half mile standing start time trial, Loring AFB, Limestone, Maine. All VW racers and spectators welcome. For information visit www.lta-lsr.com 

Jul 7-8    East Coast Timing Association (36hp Challenge). One mile standing start time trial, Wilmington, Ohio. All VW racers and spectators welcome. For information visit www.ecta-lsr.com 

Sept 8-11(Note: Change of days during week!)   World of Speed (130 MPH Club and 36hp Challenge). One mile standing start time trial (along with unlimited top speed streamliners and hot rods on the long eight mile course) at the world famous Bonneville Salt Flats, Wendover, UT. All VW racers and spectators welcome. For information visit www.saltflats.com . Pit set-up and tech inspection begins September 7th.

Sept 29-30  East Coast Timing Association (36hp Challenge). One mile standing start time trial, Wilmington, Ohio. All VW racers and spectators welcome. For information visit www.ecta-lsr.com 

Sept 29-30  The Mojave Mile (36hp Challenge). Mojave, California. This will be their fifth event for the Southern California/Nevada area. All VW racers and spectators welcome. For information, visit http://www.mojavemile.com 

Oct  TBA  The TEXAS MILE (36hp Challenge). Beeville,TX. Visit www.info@nasatx.com .   

The 36hp Challenge is "free", no charge! ! ! The only costs incurred are preparing your Volkswagen, travel expenses and the respective sanctioning bodies membership and entry fees. If you would like additional information regarding the 36hp Challenge including CLASS RULES and CURRENT RECORD SPEEDS, please contact Burly at burlybug@comcast,net or call 435-752 4359 (MST).