Mustang racers are generally familiar with racing in a straight line, but what about keeping your foot in it past the 1320? Would you have the nerve to go flat-out for more than just a few short seconds, on a constantly-changing surface? No traction compound, no tractor out dragging fresh rubber to help you hook up – just horsepower and salt, an often dangerous combination.

For more photos and facts from Speed Week 2010, visit Bruce’s blog on the JBA website.

The Mecca of land speed racing is Bonneville, Utah during Speed Week; six days of flat-out racing that draws competitors from around the world. Run by the Southern California Timing Association, the event features a “short” and “long” course, with which one you run dependent on the terminal velocity of your vehicle. Like every other form of motorsports, Mustangs are popular because of the availability of rollers and speed parts.

Our buddy Bruce Tucker, General Manager of JBA Performance Center, has a long history of land speed racing (he broke the G-Production class record at 141.803 mph in a 2001 Focus wagon, of all things) and an interest in both classic and late model Mustangs. He passed along a few choice Blue Oval photos from Speed Week 201 – here’s a look:

Fox bodies are just as popular in land speed racing as they are in drag.

The D/PRO entry from Xetex Racing was running consistent 194-195mph trap speeds on the long course.

Looking like an Outlaw 10.5 car on pizza cutters all the way around, the ProCharger-equipped C/BFALT Centimark Mustang suffered an on-course fire on Monday.

Ed Voss' C/CPRO Mach 1 might not look like it goes 215 mph, but the photocells don't lie.