ABOUT THE BUDDY HULL Q4 DISQUALIFICATION

[Randy]

For us, knowing the rules were drum tight, we knew our measurements might be +/- what NHRA's were. Early on we learned that the "smidge" needed to be pointed toward the safe side rather than up against the block wall enforced by NHRA. Served us well in the long run.

 

[ZWeinstein]

For us, knowing the rules were drum tight, we knew our measurements might be +/- what NHRA's were. Early on we learned that the "smidge" needed to be pointed toward the safe side rather than up against the block wall enforced by NHRA. Served us well in the long run.

That is the question I had early on. With someone like Jim Dunn/Buddy Hull who lets be honest, are not going to contend for top half of the field, why push it and run a header that might be 40.005 degrees instead of playing it safe and running a 41 degree header angle especially with other teams being bopped earlier in the year. I do agree with their (Hull/Dunn) argument of the process for checking can be flawed and leave itself for inaccuracies however like Alan said earlier, if 20 cars were tested and 19 passed, it may not be the fault of the system used. However I feel like with all of the brilliant minds in the sports something more accurate could be developed. There is merit to both sides.

At the end of the day, they failed the check and the run was thrown out, even it was .00005 degrees (or whatever) number, it still was outside the rules. There was a Pro Stock team a few years ago that had a run thrown out because they failed fuel check. They did nothing to the fuel, poured it straight out of the can. Took the can itself down to tech and the fuel in the can failed as well, even though they did nothing wrong they still lost the run.

 

[Burnnitro1320]

I think they have to be measured on the car because of all the variables he and everyone else has mentioned. Tire pressures, driver weight, chassis differences, engine angle and on and on. A 40 degree header measured in a jig might measure 39 on one car and 41 on another depending how the motor is tilted or whatever the case is. I agree they need a solid tool and a flat place to measure each car (while theyre on the scale comes to mind) but it really can't be done off the car in my opinion.

 

[Randy]

Some of the tracks have a concrete pad poured absolutely flat that measures about 10' x 20' near the scales or tech area where body tech is done. I would assume that's where they're checking the headers as well?

 

[twostep]

I'm not onboard with the faulty measuring method theory. Those headers can and do bend as a result of heat and pressure over time and my guess is that Hull's header did exactly that - and the team just didn't catch it. I'd be surprised if his team checks the header angles after every pass. Might have been fine in Q1; not fine by the time Q3 rolled around. It wouldn't take much to push it .05% out of compliance.

Which would mean it's a no-fault situation, not a flagrant violation that would have resulted in a big fine and a possible ejection from the event had he already been qualified. Check 'em after each round, Buddy, and you should be good to go moving forward.

 

[mick]

i don't know how you buy headers? or order headers? it occurs to me that if you're a team trying to run into the high 3.90's, then
just order your headers 5 degrees away from illegal. one less thing to worry about until you find that baseline to go 3.95 or quicker consistently.

 

[Butch]

I think they have to be measured on the car because of all the variables he and everyone else has mentioned. Tire pressures, driver weight, chassis differences, engine angle and on and on. A 40 degree header measured in a jig might measure 39 on one car and 41 on another depending how the motor is tilted or whatever the case is. I agree they need a solid tool and a flat place to measure each car (while theyre on the scale comes to mind) but it really can't be done off the car in my opinion.

I believe one way to eliminate many of the variable's you mentioned is to measure using the front spindle and rear axle hub as the base line. That takes out the tire variation.