We had heard about the Dry Lake Racing when we visited Mt Ive's Station back in 2007. Now we had an opportunity to visit over the speed week, as my brother Neil and his soon to be wife Teresa is related to the station owners, and were going up to help with the catering.
Yeah! count us in!
Introduction
Land Speed Racing is one of the earliest and purest forms of motorsport. It has a long and very illustrious history, with many famous and decorated people recognized for their association and endeavors to go faster than any man has before. The rules have basically remained unchanged since the very first event. As a sport, in the main, it does not attract a lot of corporate sponsorship, due in the main to the lack of recognition and coverage by the general media.
Many of the vehicles are specifically designed and constructed for Land Speed Racing. All vehicles undergo detailed scruiteneering prior to an event to ensure they comply with the class rules and have all the required safety equipment installed. Competitors are attempting to achieve the highest possible speed with their particular class of vehicle over the measured mile. They are attempting to better the speed attained by a previous competitor and to have it recognized as a record.
The enormous salt lakes found in the outback of Australia have produced the ideal surface for land speed racing and are unquestionably the best in the world and there have been many World records set by special attempts by individuals. However it is only in the relatively recent past that regular organised meeting have been held for clubs to participate in Land Speed Racing. This is similar to the events held at Bonneville, El Mirage and Muroc in the US.
The Dry Lakes Racers Australia held it's first Speed Trials in the March of 1990 and has been doing so (weather permitting) ever since. It has attracted competitors from all over Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand and the UK.
Where is this place?
Mt. Ive Homestead - South Australia
Mt. Ive Homestead is located approximately 34 kilometers from the edge of the second largest salt lake in Australia, Lake Gairdner and about 2 hours from Port Augusta. The Lake is part of a National Park and access to the lake is restricted by South Australian Government, Department of Environment and Heritage. Mt. Ive provides the only point of public access to the lake. It is also the closest point of accommodation for the many visitors, film crews and competitors to the lake.
Your hosts at Mt. Ive homestead are are Joy and Len Newton, The homestead has various accommodation offerings including the Stone Rooms (made up with sheets, quilts etc) and Shearers Quarters which are located next to the Communal Kitchen, Dining/Recreation room and BBQ area and our camping areas which has powered and un-powered sites with gazebo for shade and shelter (firewood available in season). At the homestead, there is a basic kiosk, liquor store and fuel supply. EFTPOS is available.
During Raceweek ONLY, there is a canteen open at the edge of the lake which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a small kiosk with bottled water, soft drinks and more importantly holds a liquor licence.
ALL OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR please bring your own food to Mt Ive or organise to have food supplied ahead of time which can be done by contacting our staff at least a week before arrival.
For booking and further information contact the homestead. Phone 08-8648-1817 or Fax 08-86481811.
Lake Gairdner (31°34′S 136°00′E / 31.567°S 136°E / -31.567; 136) is a large endorheic lake in central South Australia, and is considered the fourth largest salt lake in Australia when it is flooded.
Lake Gairdner was named by the Governor of South Australia, Richard MacDonnell in October 1857 after Gordon Gairdner, a Chief Clerk of the Australian Department in the Colonial Office.
It has been a site for various land speed record attempts on its salt flats.
Race Track layout
Departing early from my brother's place in Port Lincoln, we headed up the Tod Hwy, B90 via Lock
Great mural on the Lock IGA wall
No choice but to 'DETOUR' around this guy!
A truck for a TRUCK!
343 - 1950 International Truck, sporting twin turbo's this year. Alas they blew up on the 1st run! Previous speed clocked at 104.45 MPH = 168.096 KPH
Check out the boy's toy's inside the Int'l truck!
Get em! there any way you can!
# 258 - 1953 Studebaker - 190.79mph = 307.061kph
# 689 - 1968 Holden Monaro - 130.50mph = 210.019kph
# 879 - 1960 Norton Feather Bed - 162.55mph = 261.61KPH
# 878 - 1959 Norton Feather Bed - 104mph = 167.373kph
Fuel tank in front of radiator, helps to fuel feed at high speed!
# 2 - LAKESTER - 85MPH = 136.794KPH
5 of these Pioneer Clippers rolled into the camp site mid week
Now this is not what you want to see for
DRY LAKE RACING!
Yep, it rained heavy Saturday night.
Perfect size for roasting, and you have only just started!
'CHOOK' waiting for customers
Teresa and Ben standing by! Menu for the evening meal 'Roast Chook' with all the trimmings for $15!
Happy customers - steak sanga!
KFChuck, eat you heart out! We have Mt Ive's special herbs and spices, being tenderly applied by John
Keeping up the supply chain!
#712 - 1997 Suzuli GSXR - Side Car, with not so plush seating! 120.27 = 193.556kph
You could say a bit muddy on the way in!
Monday and it's still damp on the Lake, thus every one's hanging out at ______!
The canteen!
John's on the steak, i'm keeping up with the burger supply!
Joy Newton our station Host
To wet on the lake, thus in order to get ahead scruiteneering of the motor bikes was done at the canteen.
Side Car tourist on their way to W.A. dropped in for a few days to checkout the action!
How's does the saying go? 'CLEANLINESS' is next to Godliness These guy's were taking it to heart and well prepared!
Breakfast crowd!
Yep! the Pie cart was kept busy on the lake. Check out the pricing - very resonable considering the location
Full load 48 x 5 = a lot of BURGERS! We managed to keep up with demand!
Who need's wheels to have fun!
# 780 - 2003 BA Ford ute - 175.080MPH = 281.764KPH
# 739 - 1977 Suzuki GT 750B
135.013MPH = 217.282KPH.
# 280 - 1950 Vincent - 74.40MPH = 119.735KPH
# 871 - 1954 - Austin Healey 180mph = 289.682
# 587 - Special Construction Bike - 71.93mph = 115.76kph
# 667 - 1986 Harley Davidson
- 147.73MPH = 237.748KPH
# 414 - 1999 Ford Truck - 155.74MPH = 250.63KPH
No #. Great paint job!
No # fitted! Look's like a go fast machine!
# 423 1950 Lakester Belly Tank -
234.94MPH = 387.099KPH that's movin'!
# 150 - 1953 Triumph Thunderbird
- 116.0MPH = 186.684KPH
# 878 1959 Norton Featherbed - 104MPH = 167.372KPH
#296 1993 Ford Nascar - 207.672MPH= 334.216KPH
1950 Int'l truck out for a run!
The 'COWLEY's'
Waiting all week for a sunset!
The station hands getting supplies for the PIE CART!
Chook's looking the part!
Last tourist flight for the week, we managed a discount.
Hands up!Who's not keen on flying in SMALL PLANE's - Sue's face tells the story no hand required!
The PIT'S
Canteen
Good deal! Shower's and toilets provided. Water trucks kept the tanks full
Packed and on the road after breakfast and Cheeroi's to all!
Sure some work put into this water tanks, in a by'gone era!
Bush camp in the Gawler Ranges
We heading to Coffin Bay
Oyster Farming part 2.
