DOUBLE CHECKING THE TIRES
Well-written blast, Jeff. Why do we have only one tire allowed to provide tires for fuel cars? Maybe I am misinformed and Firestone or Hoosier would not invest, but Goodyear seems to be the only show in town and their tires are chunking, blowing out, etc. How about the little spill that Hillary Will had in Las Vegas at the beginning of the year. She could also be in the hospital or dead. Eric's death might have been sort of a quirk; one in x chances of him suffering the same injuries if it happened again, but who knows, maybe not.
In the Nostalgia TF class, they basically limit those cars by the tire they are allow to run. I think that even though the cars look sort of stupid with those little MH Racemaster tires, could you guess what they would be doing with a bigger tire on them? And why did Garlits develop the RED?
I am rambling. Be well and I appreciate your directness and quality of this site.
Peter Kumble
Logan, UT
MAKE THE DATA LOGGER A ‘BLACK BOX’
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Well thought out column. I love both 1/4 and 1/8 mile racing and have done both. But I think we might lose a few fans if we shortened all of the tracks. But it sure wouldn't hurt to try some "short track" racing. I've been saying for a while that NHRA should run Columbus on the 1/8 mile. It's been too short for way too many years!
Surely Ohio can stand two national events. I just think it makes sense, and since NHRA owns the place, why not?
I'm like you though, we gotta do something. But we need to make sure it's the right something.
I've seen a ton of runs, from the starting line, the stands, and of course the tower. If I didn't see the number come up, I wouldn't have known any difference. I guess since MPH was how drag racing was originally measured, and all other motorsports are still measured, the big MPH has just stuck out as a selling point.
Back to the 1/8 mile, if you are in the stands at the finish line, you're gonna see some neat stuff for sure! We hung around the finish line at the Houston ADRL race. Lot of action there, and we could still see the starting line. Try that at a 1/4-mile track!
But what about this. Maybe a smaller motor. 400-450 cid. Smaller blower, maybe only one mag. Nitro can be whatever. Restrict wing size. Maybe make the F/C bodies more resemble the real car, thus taking some aero out.
I'm not an engineer, but what I've read and heard is Eric's car experienced a vibration more violent than has ever been experienced. I guess until we actually know what caused this, it's all just speculation anyway.
One last thing, why don't we have a "black box" on these things like the Indy cars do? The data could be invaluable.
Regards
Gary P Jackson
Temple, Texas
KEEPING SAFE
Thank you for your influential columns concerning driver and fan safety. I am updating my safety equipment as quickly as time and money permit. This is my second year racing. I drive a Super Gas Nova and dial 6.40’s for the 1/8. (can’t go faster without more safety improvements).
I have begun using my window safety net on every pass now, and I plan on buying one of the HANS-type devices ASAP. No one (that I have observed) bracket racing at Atlanta Dragway is currently using HANS.
I hope to see that change this year. {someone wrote that it’s cheaper than a converter}.
Thanks again for the wisdom and encouragement.
George Mitchell
Flight Test Analyst Engineer
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company – Marietta
1/8TH MILE IS THE ANSWER
I am for shortening the racing to 1/8 mile. There will be more hole-shots, better view for the fans, less oil downs, less cost for the racers, no other need to cap performance at this time, and it will be safer for everyone.
Steve Hennessee
Oklahoma City, OK