Got something we should cover? Click here to tell us! Close this box
NHRA MAKES CHANGES FOR TF, FC SAFETY
Today NHRA announced several rule changes in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories to enhance current safety measures as a result of initial evaluations from the tragic incident involving Eric Medlen during a test session on March 19 in Gainesville.
“We’ve learned something from Eric’s incident that we’ve never witnessed before, that being an extreme oscillation or vibration,” said Graham Light, NHRA senior vice president of racing operations. “Although this is an unprecedented occurrence, we don’t want to prematurely react given the current high-level of safety measures implemented in these cars that have proven very effective. We need, however, to take what we have learned and
make appropriate changes to reduce the possibility of a similar incident in the future, both on a short- and long-term basis.”
ADVERTISEMENT
NHRA has mandated the following rule changes in the Top Fuel and/or Funny Car categories: 1) Additional padding in the driver cockpit area in both Top Fuel and Funny Car. 2) A roll cage/helmet shroud, similar to those installed on Top Fuel cars, will be mandatory in Funny Car no later than the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn. 3) A 7-point driver restraint system will replace the current 5-point systems in Funny Car no later than the O’Reilly NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tenn. and in Top Fuel by the O’Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals in Topeka, Kan. Along with the new restraints, NHRA has mandated stricter installation requirements, making sure that teams install the restraints according to manufacturer recommendations.[05/02/07]
POYNTER MOVES TO TODD TEAM, WEST
GOES TO MILLICAN
The bond between J.R. Todd and the late Eric Medlen grew a little tighter today with the announcement that Kevin Poynter is joining Todd’s SKULL Shine Top Fuel team as car chief. Poynter, who served as Medlen’s Funny Car car chief at John Force Racing, was released so he could work with Todd and Tuttle Motorsports.
Johnny West, who held the car chief position with Todd for four races, resigned and moved to Clay Millican’s Top Fuel team.
The position changes will begin this week at the O’Reilly Midwest Nationals at St. Louis.[05/02/07]
EDELBROCK COMES THROUGH!
Earlier we put out the word that Jok Nicholson was looking for one Edlebrock head for our E85 project engine. Well, ask and ye shall receive. Steve Whipple at Edelbrock got in contact with Nicholson and explained the shortage situation (see the MoparMax lead story). The Edelbrock folks have had the foundry make three “runs” of several hundred Victor heads, but Edelbrock is not satisfied with the quality of the final castings and cannot accept them.
Nicholson now has a set of heads and the project can continue. Stay tuned for updates.[05/02/07]
IT’S RAINING IN TOPEKA. . .
It’s Wednesday and so that mean (let’s all say it together, kids) the Street Legal Drags, presented by AAA Kansas and the Topeka Capital–Journal, scheduled for Wednesday, May 2, at Heartland Park Topeka has been canceled. Why don’t you guys just give in and schedule some drag boat races? [05/02/07]
