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RACE ON SUNDAY, BUY ON MONDAY. . .NOT ANYMORE
Why would (Honda and Toyota) want to race in NHRA? They're into selling cars, which means you want people to see them. Looks like the GM/Dodge cookie cutter rich guys playground Pro Stocks are not (seeing as the stands empty out when they run side by side by side...etc., etc.) helping promote the Pontiacs and Chevies. Plus you have to do 5 hours of homework to find the NHRA on ESPN.
Keep up the good work,
Rick Rzepka
Clinton Township, MI
P.S. U.S.131 Dragway is beautiful....
OF THIS AND THAT
I have a couple comments on unleaded racing fuels and Honda and Toyota.
First off I doubt there's a reasonable scientific basis to claim the leaded racing fuel used by the race cars is the reason for elevated lead levels in a small test sample of people involved in NASCAR racing. The switch to unleaded fuels may have no effect one way or the other based on the volume of fuel consumed. Despite that unleaded fuel can be produced with sufficient octane to meet the demands of auto racing. One key ingredient to achieve higher octane is alcohol, typically methanol or ethanol. There are many other chemical additives that can be used to raise octane and along with alcohol will raise costs to everyone involved as fuel systems will need to be changed accordingly. So maybe unleaded is good or maybe it ain't, who knows? It's politically popular so what the Hell...
As far as Honda and Toyota in P/S and NASCAR, I don't have a problem with that as long as 55% of the annual sales volume (not revenue) that Honda and Toyota generate from auto sales come from cars and trucks produced in whole or - at least 55% - in the U.S.A. Much of the reason for Honda and Toyota's financial success comes from producing parts and vehicles in Asia with labor and benefit costs running about 35% of what U.S. and EU companies must pay. Any company who desires to sell their products in the U.S. should produce them here and pay the same labor rates and benefits as other companies must pay. Until Toyota and Honda meet the 55% requirements I say - Sorry!
Randy Hubbard
MAYBE TOYOTA, BUT NOT HONDA
Good column, Jeff. Yes, NHRA should change the Pro Stock rules so that
Toyota and Honda can come play. However, as far as speculation that Honda may follow Toyota into NASCAR, that's not likely to happen anytime soon. But, never say never.
I hope all is well in your world. Good job with DRO. Maybe I'll come to a drag race again some day.
Take care,
Chuck Schifsky
Manager, Regional Public Relations Operations
American Honda
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TIRED
OK, is the NHRA and nitro racing in general just not a big enough market for Goodyear. I know there aren’t millions of the Top Fuel spec tires rolling out the door, but why the heck can’t Goodyear make a tire that will hold up? Every six months they are releasing a new tire that is just as crappy as the first, and then there aren’t even enough to use them. Every time a team gets a handle, the cars start to run good again, they crap another spec tire out and it’s another smoke-fest.
NHRA needs to take that Goodyear you-know-what out of their you-know-where and get someone that wants to cater to the NHRA racers and put a good tire out. Last year TOYO was wanting some action, before them Hoosier. . .what the heck, let them do it, maybe Goodyear will start working a bit harder.
I think they would be better off letting the fuel teams run traction control, let them monitor wheel speed and retard ignition, or decrease fuel when needed by computer, no more tire smoking (at least a lot less), more side by side racing, and less tire spin destroying tires. What they are doing now isn’t working!
Keith Niemann