5/30/06
WHO'S ZOOMING WHOM?
Why aren't the Funnies having tire issues like the T/Fuelers? Could it be rear zoomie cooking the tire surface? Check out the pic in Agent 1320 of Melanie Troxel's car, "Troxel Wins Quarterly Vote."
Malcolm Dyer
Barcalona, Spain
SOME PEOPLE
Just my 2 cents but I think it would be a good idea to get all the facts straight about incidents before "some people" begin to bash companies at fault such as saying that the tire failure Brandon Bernstein had was due to tire chunking. If "some people" would wait till the facts are straight and see that it was concluded that something punctured his tire, it would stop giving people the wrong idea about a touchy subject.
Vinny Pesch
New York
Vinny, with all due respect to your opinion, every time NHRA has a tire explode -- and let me emphasize the words every time -- the official release seems to attribute the tire failure to a puncture. In the case of Bernstein's incident, DRO had people on the spot and the only part of the tire left on the wheel was what held on by the bead-lock. The fact that the tires continue to "chunk" is an absolute. Also, should we be blaming NHRA's track crew for the mysterious debris on the race track just past the lights that are puncturing these tires? As far as I'm concerned both the NHRA and Goodyear have no credibility as they continue to say on and off the record that there isn't a real problem with the tires. As the old saying goes, "Who you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes?" -- Jeff Burk
2 + 2 = ?
Jok, I read your article soon after it posted. I showed it to my wife this evening and she has informed me that I have a very bad case of it (RACER'S MATH). I am currently waiting for my new 48-foot Haulmark to arrive any day now complete with all the goodies every kid, oops, I mean RACER, could want…I mean need. She and my father both do not understand why I need this trailer, but I have assured them that I DO.
If you happen to find a cure for racers math how about send it along to me. I most likely will not use it right away as there are few more things I want I mean need before I take the cure but it would be nice to have it just in case.
Thanks and keep up the EXECELLENT work.
Rob Petrie
Woodlawn, IL
SHOULD TUNE FOR TRACK CONDITIONS
Regarding your article titled "Less clean up, more racing." Kudos to you Jeff! Being in the sportsman classes myself I can attest to the childish behavior from fellow competitors regarding track conditions and prep. Many of them run turbo(s) or spray 500 hp of nitrous and constantly moan and complain about their cars not hooking up, especially in the first
100ft or so. I ALWAYS tune for certain track conditions - to me its what makes us good racers and not just good money spenders on horsepower.
Personally I feel that those who moan and complain the loudest about their cars not 'working' at a certain track do not have the first clue about how to adjust rear suspension and motor tuning that will allow them to ADAPT to the track conditions. Some of the best racing I've ever had was at events that required CONSTANT chassis and motor adjustments to be able to stay consistent. I've ran very few tracks where I couldn't figure out how to get my car to work.
Smaller regional and local tracks cannot afford to put thousands of dollars into really serious track prep for normal weekend events. They spend their money keeping the track level, smooth and visually appealing. If the racers cannot figure out even the simplest of tasks such as chassis and engine adjustment to fit the current conditions then in my opinion they have no business racing. Anybody can get in a car and smash the throttle. What separates the real racers from the complainers is knowledge and experience.
Again, kudos to you and this article.
Dayne Jordan
