DANGER IS THEIR BUSINESS?
Just wondering--If a driver or crew chief really believes that a
Top Fuel dragster is dangerous, isn't it hypocritical and/or foolish to drive one or send one down the 1/4 mile at over 300 mph risking your own or another's life and limbs?
James Williams
Memphis, TN
ANOTHER WALLACE FAN
I read Dave Wallace's last column and I must say that I agree with him in every respect. I attended my first drag race at Atco Dragway in New Jersey in 1963 (as luck would have it the feature car was Don Garlits) and it was love at first sight. I remember the mid ‘60s as the true golden age of drag racing with the beautiful hand-built bodies on the Top Fuel cars, the variety of engines in use and the innovative designs. No two cars were ever the same and no two drivers were ever the same (to say the least!). Later on we got the altered wheelbase funny cars which provided some great entertainment.
I miss the originality of the cars from that time, the workmanship, push starts, smoky runs. . .just about everything. I know that you cannot live in the past but compared to today’s cookie cutter cars, scripted interviews, etc., I feel lucky to have experienced our sport when I did.
Thanks,
Bruce Abbott
TV TIMES
Darr, Great column with interesting stats. It is pretty obvious what the problem is. When I or my friends turn on the TV at the time the show is supposed to air and it has been delayed because of poker or whatever, we turn it off and go to bed. We work on Monday. I wish they would find a channel that thinks more of drag racing than curling and give us a decent time slot.
Thanks,
Mark Case
KEEPING RESOLUTE
Jeff: I hope that you are serious about your resolutions. You have some very good articles.
For the past several weeks it appears that there is a vicious atmosphere of "Keyboard Racer Venom." It appears that all that has been printed or stated on forums are words of discontent with racing associations, racers or whatever. There is more to this life than racing. Yes, racing can bring out the passion within us during the heat of competition and most of the passionate racers like myself go through withdrawals during the off-season
missing the sweet smell of burning rubber from the water box and the burning of high octane fuel.
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But you know, Jeff, all of this means nothing in the scheme of life when I hear my grandkids yelling my name as they leap from the car for a visit or my wife telling me she loves me or a friend contacting me just to say Hello. I love the sport of drag racing and have enjoyed it for 30 years. However, it is placed further down on my list of priorities.
So, what do I do when I don't like something that a racing association implemented? I contact the association in writing stating the issue and then offer a recommendation. Then I move on with life. I learned that from my 30-year military experience. That doesn't mean that I don't rant too, but I do less now because I do not want ulcers or anything that will hinder the good times with family and friends.
Sincerely,
Dennis Roberts
Camby, IN
