This would have two effects. 1. It would straighten the car thus helping regain directional control (or at least arrest the directional divergence) and 2. It would slow the car and reduce the impact forces in the event of a collision.
The entire device doesn't need to be expensive or very complicated. The software would probably be one of the bigger challenges but certainly won't be a huge deal to develop.
All Pro category cars should have this. I can think of a few Funny Car races where this would have been of use.
Eric Flavin
Texas
THANKS. WE THINK
Another great ish, babe. You are continuing to give us a healthy, broad view of the sport -- including those time-wasting stories on the commercial circuits who don't even want journalism cluttering up their PR machines. Bret's coverage of ADRA Houston included some of the best night racing photos I've seen since OCIR.
I'm grateful to be still walkin' and able to enjoy an internet mag not 'written' by corporate flaks. Even when you tork me off, I still admire your integrity.
Philip Bradford
Tacoma
SPORTSMAN CLASSES IN ADRL?
The NHRA goes beyond the limits trying to fine a sportsman racer $250.00 for an oil down. . .but you know what these NHRA sportsman racers, many who have gone broke over the years, just show up for more. The ADRL is the freshest new game I have seen. Would the ADRL want maybe 3 heads up sportsman racing brackets? I had hoped Jim Tice Jr. may want to give it a try, but I guess not...I just am blessed to have raced for Jim Tice Sr. from 1970 to the end in 1984.
No NHRA for me...I am still living on the cash made in those years. NHRA? IT IS FOR LOSERS!
Don Spencer
Houston, TX
THEY KNOW THE OIL BIDNESS IN HOUSTON
Will, as someone who does track prep for many different tracks throughout the country, no one hates oil-downs more than me. I am/was a big fan of the diapers. I have made an
observation after having worked the ADRL race in Houston. With the diapers, oil-downs are much harder to detect. The plume of smoke that used to be the mark of an oil-down is pretty much gone. Also gone is the big splash of oil on the track. Now you get a very fine mist of oil that is hard to detect by the spotters.
In Houston, most of the oil-downs were detected by the track personnel at the end of the track. These types of oil-downs can be very hard to clean. It's not enough oil for absorbent, but any oil on the racing surface is too much.
We were lucky in that Houston Motorsports Park has one of the Track Scrubbers made by Steve Garrett. The longest oil-down we had in Houston lasted about 14 minutes. So, as a warning to track personnel everywhere, check the track after the slightest puff of smoke. And check it with your hand, as a dragging of the foot may not detect it.
David Buyalos
Virginia
Recent Stories
