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A BIT LATE
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Glad to see the Force group get their heads out of their butts with THEIR? NEW? driver containment cocoon. If they would come out of their Technology trailer once in a while, and open their eyes and ears, they would have realized that:
1. This technology has been around for about 20 years over in the Indy car, and Grand Prix cars.
2. Several years ago Larry Dixon had them install this carbon fiber cocoon in his car because Dick La Haie INSISTED on it.
3. Where the hell is NHRA on all of this, aren’t they still dedicated to safety. (I THINK NOT)
‘NUFF said.
Gene Wagner
Boca Raton, Florida
MAKE THE RIGHT CHANGES
If the speed needs to change, it should be done. We don't need to lose anymore drivers. Heat treating tubular frames will only increase the problem.
John Wilhelm
Kernersville, North Carolina
A WHOLE LOT OF SHAKIN’ GOING ON
Another factor, one we seemingly dismiss often, but a very real Chassis Killer is Tire Shake. Back during my tenure as a Crew Chief on a very competitive Alky Dragster operation, we began to experience tire shake so violent that it led to literally rebuilding the Chassis to the rear of the motorplate on our RED after every race. After repairing it three times and stubbing it twice, the chassis was junked.
I relate this only because that was waaay back in the mid 70’s, and tire shake hasn’t gotten any better. Actually, it’s far more violent, and the drivers tolerate it and try to drive through it, and often do.
My guess is it’s not doing that chassis any good, and if the truth was really provable, it’s probably harder on the Nitro Cars than even rough tracks. And while the engineering Moments are difficult to estimate or calculate for straight line acceleration, throw in Tire Shake and everything goes out the window.
Toss in Chunking and Full Track Traction that is available at Ennis, and you’ve got a tire designer’s nightmare as well as a scenario that might make poor ole Murf (and several others) think about Retirement. Not that I would blame them.
John “Large” Largent
Pueblo, Colorado
CREATING MORE PROBLEMS
Jeff, I believe they are creating a shear factor by the heating process.
Dave Workman
Middleburg, Florida