Nitromater
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1000' before 1000' ?
- Thread starter James
- Start date
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Nitro Member
I seem to remember switching to 1000' was an idea that Jim Head was talking about before Scott's death. Not that he was talking about it publicly, but when it was implemented after Scott's accident, we were told it was originally Jim Head's idea that he had talking about for a while. It was his "quick fix" that would allow the nitro cars to safely return to racing until a better solution came along. It didn't require a different tune-up or different parts so it was basically an easy, safe and affordable solution for all nitro teams.
I could be completely wrong, but that's what my memory is telling me.
ZWeinstein
Nitro Member
Years and year ago I remember reading an article about 1000' being discussed as early as the 80s. After some digging, I found this.
Butch
Nitro Member
The 1000' was the most logical (cheapest) idea being tossed around prior to Scott's accident. NHRA had asked for input as to how to slow the cars down. People like Coil, Big, Armstrong to name but a few proposed a single mag/plug, single fuel pump, reduction in blower overdrive/blower size, lowering compression ratio to name but a few suggestions. NHRA in their "wisdom" decided that reducing the track length was the fastest, easiest to police and least expensive for all involved. As we have seen in recent years technology has blown that idea away. IMO NHRA needs to revisit the situation before there are more serious accidents! Force's career ending crash wasn't enough to motivate NHRA what will it take?
ch streetcars
Nitro Member
Yes , you are right . Jim builds landing strips for the military , so he knows a thing or two about stopping distances for high speed vehicles. I would prefer quarter mile, but that's not going to happen, the drivers and team owners won't go back, which I understand. I think the high speeds we are seeing right now are going to bite us in the a$$ in the future. Rising costs to make that kind of horsepower, and spectacular accidents happening all the time now. Fans will come to see close racing at 300 mph. Full passes and pedalfests bring the fans to their feet ! They won't get excited at 12 car fields. Tony Smith , you are an expert, what Could NHRA do to improve TF And FC ?Could throttle wacks in the pits ever be implemented in the tune up again , Even if it affected ETs ? I lost guys coming to National events with me when those went away.
none
Nitro Member
We have talked about this before, slowing them down to a place that it will make a difference would be very difficult. And anything you do better not cost a fortune, because as we all know, it would put many out of business.
Every Crew Chief that ever offered a solution was proposing something they thought they could over come. And as Dick LaHaie proved many years ago, you can make a car run 4.80 305 ish (Quarter mile) and not put much wear and tear on the parts. But that's not racing. Because as soon as you put a car in the other lane, nobody is thinking about making a conservative run, they are thinking about winning. And that's a whole different deal.
Alan
Every Crew Chief that ever offered a solution was proposing something they thought they could over come. And as Dick LaHaie proved many years ago, you can make a car run 4.80 305 ish (Quarter mile) and not put much wear and tear on the parts. But that's not racing. Because as soon as you put a car in the other lane, nobody is thinking about making a conservative run, they are thinking about winning. And that's a whole different deal.
Alan
In reality probably no one can tell the difference
Harry, those were The Times when you could start hearing a definite sound in the tune. cars really started thundering.
Amazing this was discussed and held water in 1984. It took 24 years and a whole lot of technology and unfortunate incidents for them to do it.
T.Smith
Nitro Member
I am no expert, and my opinion is just one of a million others. I'm certain NHRA has heard most of them.
I'm blessed to have been a big fan of the sport first and lucky enough to be involved in it to have a behind the scenes perspective. I've never had a casual fan's perspective. Yeah great, from my fan's perspective, throttle whacks are cool, but on the other hand, I spent countless hours making our clutch program as exact and predictable as possible, but let's hold the brake and bang on the throttle? Does it help performance?...no. No thanks then from a racer's perspective. Somebody should convince Alan or Gubby to do it, then I'm sure we will all follow suit...lol.
5150 mechanic
Nitro Member
I remember in the back of a late 80's, early 90's hotrod, Pats something something (?) Rumors and news, there was nhra discussion on going to a 1,000ft. I was 17-18 and thought the world was doomed!
ironpony
Nitro Member
The top MPH is a calculation of RPM, Axle ratio, tire circumference and traction, 340ish is about it. You can go to 1/8 mile and the tuners will figure out how to get there as quick as possible and continue to blow them up. Right now 300ish is it for the 1/8 because they need to run out to 1000 ft.
If you change the RPM limit you hit the limiter too early and boom, change the gear ratio, hit the limiter and boom. They are probably running the best combo of all 3 parameters right now.
It has been several years with no tire change and I doubt Goodyear wants them to go faster. Also it seems like we have had more tire failures this year than there are normally, everything being pushed to the limit.
If you change the RPM limit you hit the limiter too early and boom, change the gear ratio, hit the limiter and boom. They are probably running the best combo of all 3 parameters right now.
It has been several years with no tire change and I doubt Goodyear wants them to go faster. Also it seems like we have had more tire failures this year than there are normally, everything being pushed to the limit.
5150 mechanic
Nitro Member
It's always about a shorter wick. You don't have to mansplain to this group. Goodyear is confident with their tires going 340. I'm guessing they have a little buffer in there.
Rajunz
Nitro Member
....and you nailed it Mike. As long as there is Drag Racing! ....at any length! ...at any rule base! ...it WILL always be about the shorter wick!
