1 - Indeed, a good percentage of older car folks, bike folks tend to be younger, but not all.
2 - Way.
3 - "Long Course"; 2 miles to get up to speed, then they time you over miles 3, 4, and 5.
"Short Course"; 2 miles to get up to speed, then they time you over mile 3 only.
A 200mph capable bike doesn't even need 2 miles to get up to top speed, assuming that there's enough traction available.
Traction isn't usually a problem until ~190mph or so for a typical bike.
4 - A production engine might fade a little, they may have scuffed a piston or had some valve sealing issues.
They ran fast off the trailer, but couldn't get the speed back until they unhooked the O2 sensors.
5 - Not sure of the current status of the rules, as the SCTA didn't have the rulebook online last time I looked.
Also, they were going for FIM records, so the rules may be different from back in the days I was running.
At that time, "Production" meant it externally *looks* stock, other than you can change the pipe.
IIRC, nearly any modifications were allowed inside the engine, except you had to use OEM carbs or TBs, and stock airbox.
6 - The course is very smooth, generally.
They grade it and drag it.
The high HP cars can dig ruts with wheelspin, so that can be a problem for the bikes.
If the salt is damp, it can be pretty slick.
If it's dry, it can take rubber just like asphalt, so traction will be good.
7 - You could run a Sedici, not sure if it would qualify for Production, again, not sure of FIM rules vs. SCTA rules.
Relating to that...
At Bonneville and El Mirage, weight is not your enemy for ~180mph and over.
So a Sedici would likely do better with ballast.
I did a rather sophisticated simulation program to see what things affected top speed capability.
If you had enough power to spin the tire in top gear, or even one gear down, adding weight would help.
I did check the effects of a wing that I thought would have a remote chance of passing tech on my bike, it was so inefficient that it wasn't worth it.
I never understood the car guys that had wings complaining about wheelspin.
"Well, *duh*, crank some wing into it."
A decent car wing is very efficient.
