Thanks for that Chris, propane is on the list too. I think some people will be overly concerned about the perceived risk of explosions, so we should develop some rule variations to enhance spectator safety and driver safety in the cars with stronger (bulletproof or flak proof) or even double firewalls and definitely fully enclosed cockpits. The driver's area should be enclosed so that any flame that comes forward has to go a long way forward before it can get at the driver. Reduce onboard fuel to the amount needed for one run. Refuel after every run. Flak and fireproof blankets for fuel cells and propane cylinders or temperature/pressure relief valves. Bikes run tip sensors that shut off the engine at a preset lean angle so have the same fitted to thrust cars so that the thrust stops if the car gets airborne or really out of shape. I'd considered an automatic parachute release connected to it but that might not always be the best option. Better fire extinguisher systems with more capacity and extra nozzles. Fire detection systems that turn on the extinguishers in the burning area automatically, with a warning to the driver who would then pull the chute and shut off the fuel. Actually the warning light on the dashboard should automatically shut off the fuel flow. Parachutes that are designed to be downwind of a flame. And anything else that anyone can think of.
As for aerodynamic safety I think it would be sensible to copy the essence of the shape of cars we already know to be stable at high speeds. Small frontal area, very small floor pan width with minimal flat surface and rounded edges, a good weight balance front to rear, low ground clearance, low centre of gravity, thrust vectors that load the nose rather than lift it, small front winglets that can be quickly adjusted by the driver to generate more downforce and keep the nose down. They should also flip up if the nose lifts dramatically. Big four wheel disc brakes wouldn't hurt either.
Operational procedures would be barely different to the norm. I think it might be better for all their runs to be on the timed course, there is plenty of space and not many people. No spectators are allowed past the start line so the course would be safer than the short course which is closer to the pits.The most obvious difference would be that the staging lanes behind the car or bike would be cleared (or more correctly, held back and to one side) and I think starting the cars about 100m in front of the start line would eliminate any risk to spectators from initial start up and acceleration. Jets would not be allowed to use the afterburner, if fitted, until they were a reasonable distance from the start. At the start line my brother and I would warn spectators that the thrust engines were very loud, just in case they didn't know.
With tech inspection, the normal inspectors will have no trouble checking the features of thrust cars that are similar to ordinary cars. With a copy of the extra requirements to hand, they could also check those aspects of the car. Fuel tanks and lines would be identical, or very close to it. As for conventional jets we need someone with experience to check them. As I've said before, my brother Peter, the Chief Starter, is an engineer with 40 years experience at QANTAS. He could do that easily. With other propulsion systems I think other members of the thrust crews could check each other's work and educate the inspectors at the same time, although I suspect they would have been all over it as soon as it arrived on the salt. Something as simple as a pulse jet could be checked by any tech inspector. Ditto for a steam rocket. Hybrid rockets, not so much, but the soundness of a build is easy to see. If the car is shoddily made, the rocket should also be suspect. If the car is a work of art there is no reason to believe that that standard of excellence hasn't continued into the technology of the rocket. The owner / builder would be proud and happy to explain what the inspectors were looking at.
None of this amounts to a significant change in operating procedures. Speedweek runs very well with the enthusiastic cooperation of everyone there, I'm sure that would extend to thrust vehicles and their slightly different needs. And let's face it, people WOULD stop to watch them run.
Cheers
Dave
