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2010 NATIONAL 36hp LANDSPEED CHALLENGE
(also called 30hp outside of U.S.)

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 new Wolfsburg West Okrasa replica aftermarket 36hp heads with or without modifications are allowed(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!). The front end may be lowered using commonly available VW axle beams, spindles 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, LTA, Texas Mile, DRLA or Verneukpan Speedweek 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 except VW venturi and jet replacements. 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, carburetor modification or header limitations.
                                                                                                 
DSS (Dual Super Stock)-Pre 1965 period style dual or single dual throat carburetors systems, using pre-1965 carburetors 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. Handcrafted intake manifolds are O.K.. Carburetor(s) must be under the deck lid without bumps or scoops.

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, carburetor systems using 1966 and newer style carburetors. 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 and carburetor can protrude through deck lid but must be exposed(no scoops or covers!).

NOTE: All 36hp engines or transmission not fitting within the described guidelines will be eligible for “1” Club recognition.
                 
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 body style only ( one Ghia, one pre-67 Type 2 ) categories 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(full width-note “ T Bar” or Cal-Look style bumpers are not allowed), 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. Interior must include two front seats, rear seat back(bottom portion of rear seat may be left out), headliner and door panels. Deck lid standoffs are not allowed!

NOTE: All VW’s not fitting within the described body and axle beam guidelines will be eligible for “1” Club recognition.

NOTE: All 36hp Lakesters, Formula Vees, Streamliners, Dragsters, Chopped or Sectioned VW’s, Buggies, Baja Bugs, Kit Cars, Trikes or other “race” cars that pass their respective sanctioning bodies safety inspection procedures will be eligible for “1” Club recognition.                                                                                                                             

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! ! !) for cars BELOW 100 M.P.H.  ( VW’s above 100 M.P.H. will be required to have 3 point seat belts( see http://www.saltflats.com/ ).
2.      3 point seat belt(ECTA, LTA & TEXAS MILE only! ! !) http://www.ecta-lsr.com/ (NOTE: Austrailian and South African sanctioning bodies require additional safety modifications-consult their inspectors and guidelines for specific information!).
3.      Full face helmet with visor/shield designated Snell 2000 or newer ( NOTE: The acceptable Snell approval date is changing to ‘Snell 2005’ beginning in 2011. If purchasing a helmet for 2010, a Snell 2005 helmet is recommended!).
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 tires 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!
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 is O.K.
      ( Revision-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.                                                   

                                       36hp Spirit of the Challenge

 

Hi Bill and thanx for your interest in the 36hp Challenge. Here in the states, our four available race tracks are spread out with at least 1000 miles, and sometimes 2000 miles, between them and this one man operation called "the 36hp Challenge" cannot hope to visit, much less oversee, each event. This is one of the reasons "the Spirit" is so critical to having good racing and that "Spirit" has been well received by almost all involved.Those who could not wrap their head around such a simple concept have gone on to put their efforts into other racing ventures.

The only incentive you might receive as a 36hp Challenger, and then only if you have the fastest 36hp Bug speed in a specific year, is a little trophy I put together out of some early sixties trophies I was once given with your name and the fastest speed engraved on the plaque. In addition, since we started the "1" Club, any and all 36hp engined racers that exceed 100 miles per hour will get a special decal showing membership in this exclusive group of racers( the "1" Club was designed specifically for those who find it hard to keep within specified rules by essentially, having no rules at all to speak of!). Other than that, if lucky, your name and hopefully photo of your car may get published in a VW magazine somewhere. Thats it! There just isn't any real reason to not follow "the Spirit" in preparing your car. If a person does choose to go beyond the guidelines, they will know it and just have to live with their conscience.

And thats the reason we do not require (or need) dedicated inspectors to monitor the racers. The photos we specify and require and time slip or event result copies we ask for are sufficient to oversee this fun Challenge without getting too serious and take away the fun and personal pride each racer receives with his or hers participation. This simple concept was designed to allow for widespread racing venues to be accepted, and weather it is a couple of thousand miles to the east coast as in the US, or 15000 miles down to Oz, it still works.

This also allows the folks racing to focus on there efforts, and not worry about those of others diluting "the Spirit of the Challenge".

I hope this concept will encourage more folks to participate in the Challenge all around the world. Recently Mick Percy has discovered a new "Speedweek" event being formed in South Africa for 2010 ( http://www.vdubber.com/groups/forums/topic/Verneukpan-SpeedWeek.htm ) that has all of the makings of being a great venue for Volkswagen racers, both 36hp and bigger late model VW's like Mark Holyoaks Super Beetle effort.

With the work you, Steve, Mick, Ash and others in Austrailia are putting into seeing that Volkswagens are welcomed in the DRLA, and with the efforts of the Vernuekpan racers in South Africa, Volkswagen racing will move forward and in particular, the 36hp Challenge will truly become an International event.

Thanx for letting me bend your ear and "May the Speed be with you!"...........

Oh, by the way, be sure to catch the latest ( Issue 24 ) of VW Magazine Austrailia, just out on the stands, for their coverage of the Challenge. VWMA has been supportive of the 36hp Challenge since the beginning and we thank Craig and his staff for their support.


Being licensed and street legal (Rego?) just means everyone is having to play on the most level field we can create. Thats why we keep the 36hp Challenge guidelines very basic and simple. We want to be able to recognize all legitimate 36hp speeds,e specially if they are record worthy, and for that, everyone needs to be onboard.

36hp motored cars that are not street legal can still run for membership in the exclusive "1" Club ( see link below )

http://www.ultimateaircooled.com/landspeed.html 1 Club introduction

but would not compete for the 36hp Challenge class records. Since some folks do not want to build a car to the Challenge guidelines, we came up with the "1" Club to give those folks a target to shoot for. One thing to remember, all recognized speeds (including "1" Club) must be set using timing lights and be issued timing slips and published in the event result sheets. The GPS system the DRLA utilizes for the slower cars is a great tuning benefit and I am glad it appears they will let cars running over or near the records use the course with the timing lights so they can be equally compared.

Have a great day..............

 

INTERNATIONAL 36hp LAND SPEED RECORD HISTORY
(as of January 10, 2010)
__________________________________________________________________
NA36 Record and TOP OVERALL 36hp  BUG SPEED
2009………106.514 mph   74BUG                Tom Bruch/Gaylen Anderson    Bonneville
                     New Age S/P Bruchrasa 1378cc   Turbo
__________________________________________________________________
SS Record

2009………73.492 mph      58 BUG             Allen Leggett                            Bonneville
                     Stone Stock 1192cc
 
Stock 36hp Volkswagen  Factory Top speed  68.00 mph  1192cc  at sea level
 _________________________________________________________________
SSS Record
2009.............90.203 mph    74 BUG             Bruch/Anderson                      Maxton,NC
                     Super Stock Single S/P 1415cc
 _________________________________________________________________
DSS Record
2009……….103.056 mph  60 BUG           Justin McAllister/Chip Birks    Bonneville
                      Dual Carb S/P 1621cc
 
1960………77.107 mph***  58 BUG             Dick Beith                                Bonneville
                     Dual Carb Homemade S/P 1192cc
----------------***the ORIGINAL Volkswagen Bug Land Speed Record-----------
_________________________________________________________________
K36 Record

1961………101.296 mph    56 BUG             Dick Beith                               Bonneville
                     Pepco Supercharged  S/P 1282cc

 
GHIA 36 Record
2009……..101.163 mph   59 GHIA              Richard Troy                        Bonneville
                   Dual Carb/Denzel   1598cc

UNLIMITED 36HP Record ( All “1” CLUB participants AND 36hp Challenge participants qualify for this category!)
1963………129.100 mph     Lakester(Pepco)Dick Beith                         Bonneville

Other Significant 36HP Speeds

1967………109.572 mph     56 Porsche(Okrasa)Tom Bruch                  Bonneville
1949………120.110 mph     39 Type 64 Berlin/Roma P.Muller               Autobahn,DE   

Note: Bonneville is located at 4210 foot altitude (Utah)
          Maxton is located at 210 foot altitude (North Carolina)
          Goliad is located at 164 foot  altitude (Texas)
          Loring is located at 743 foot altitude (Maine)
          El Mirage is located at 2840 foot altitude (California)
          Lake Gairdner is located at 397 foot altitude (Austrailia)
          Verneukpan is located at 2887 foot altitude (South Africa)