Hi Everybody,

Can anybody provide me with a clear set of rules of what you can and cant do to a car and motor for the 36 hp challenge here in Australia, it seems we have some different standards to meet compared to the US guys, particularly on the safety side of things. I want to start building now for next year, and i am struggling to get clear answers.

so if anybody can help... that would be great.

Finn,

Being involved with last years Speedweek event and again for 2011 I can tell you there are definitive rules available for any competitors wanting to build a vehicle for the 2011 event.
In principle there are two overarching "rulebooks" , the first - 36HP Challenge rules as defined by Burly B
http://www.saltflats.com/36_HP.html 

The second rulebook is from the actual organisation who run Speedweek here in Australia and for 2011 their rulebook is available at;
http://www.dlra.org.au/index.htm 

Now when you put these together there are a few differences as you correctly point out with the primary one being that in the US you do not need to run the vehicle with a roll cage whereas in Australia the roll cage is a must and you will not be allowed to run. Given the extra weight carried by a rollcage ( up to 50 kgs) there needs to be some allowance and Burly B will usually authorise a reduction in weight in Australia by removing things like rear trim, door trim and rear seat squab. Oz rules also require steel valve stems and caps for each wheel whereas in the US this is only required if the vehicle top speed exceeds 100 mph.

Now a word of caution. In 2012 the DLRA have indicated they will be adopting the rulebook from the USFRA which is different again to the current DLRA rules so if anyone is building a 2012 vehicle I would recommend they liase with the DLRA to ensure they are working with the correct rulebook. I dont believe the 36HP Challenge Rules will be amaned but Burly B may be able to confirm.

Its all clear as mud,
Countrybuggybill

Thanks 58camper,
It amazes me why in this country we need to muck things up with so many bloody rules.... the US has it right, as long as the car is 36hp, then bring it along and have a go... here they make you jump through 50 different hoops... it should be about having some fun, not having to build a special car just to have a go.... but build the car i shall because i want to have a go.

Yes the Aussies like to make things difficult with respect to things like the 36 hp challenge.One would think that some common sense would prevail.Being that Aussie speedweek is only once a year with a chance of a rain out a huge amount of effort and cash need to be even present on the salt to potentially just break the 110kph speed limit!Also to then put a rollcage in the car that then is not legal for the road the drags and I'm assuming cams.And being that I like to do things diffrently and since I have a full licence and haven't have a speeding ticket in 10 years my idea is build a 36hp challenge car no rollcage and get busted speeding!What a diffrence in cost/effort build the car at home get the ticket/camera photo what's that gonna cost $300 and
a couple of points.It's a 2400km round trip and at $1.50 p/lt petrol that's a lot of cash.I know the it's the adventure/etc but you have to question the rules re roll cages when the same fully insured vehical can be deemed safe by the dept transport but to do the same speed at the salt with all the safety personel I would think the guy at the salt would be safer than driving down the hiway unless you get an ambulance to follow you.Ok there's my rant c I on the street!

there is a lot of water heading that way from all the cyclones over the last few month you might need a 36hp boat

Planning for this year included some suggestion that the Ratmuller Racing Team prepare a Schwimmwagen for the event but they only ran 25hp motors as standard so you would never break a land speed or waterspeed record at the maximum 8 knots they would do.
The salt pan at Lake Gairdner is different as it is at some 400 metres above sea level and has a very small catchment area which precludes gathering of run off from floods, cyclones and other storms. It is the rain that falls directly onto the plain that can cause flooding there. There was an inspection of the salt lake only last weekend which indicated there was no surface water there at the moment that would prevent racing from the 21st to 25th March.
Watch this post early next week for a relevant media release about this year's Speedweek at Lake Gairdner.

Bring it on.
countrybuggybill

Ye Ha Bill, finished working on the transporter tonight for the trip, Cant wait for the action and catch up with all you boys again, cant believe a year has passed already mate

I hope you guys have a great time it looks like fun
might have to get going on my 36 hp project

What happened to the 36hp challange at the Portland Drags ????

warb, how many times have you been warned about making RASH statements?

sorry mate, was just ITCHING to say it.

Been SCRATCHING myself trying to come up with a good reply to your comments, but I didn't want to BLEMISH your comments already made.

maybe this should have come up before they made a special class at Portland Drags for them
Anyway what's 4 little hole in the floor.

I dunno about that i used to win a few times but mind you in wasnt very fast