They're in use on nitro-twins and nitro-I4s in Australia and here in Europe. Pretty much pilot chutes.
Angie Smith (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Dragracer
- Start date
TooTall999
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2006
- Messages
- 1,403
- Age
- 67
- Location
- Wisconsin
The ones on the nitro harleys looked pretty small, but if you've got no brakes, that little bit of drag would sure help.
Nick Name
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2006
- Messages
- 2,110
- Age
- 80
- Location
- Willow Springs Raceway
The nitro Harleys are running chutes. Many of the European Top Fuel bikes are also using them.
.
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2006
- Messages
- 3,885
- Age
- 53
- Location
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
dboxell
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2012
- Messages
- 156
- Age
- 69
Korrys bike does/did have a chute, and I'm sure his new one will have one also.
There are other Top fuel Import teams considering them,
I am actually glad in this instance that there was no net at the end of the track, it would have wadded both Angie and the bike.
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2008
- Messages
- 1,147
- Age
- 55
- Location
- Roswell, GA
This comparison is so outdated, it's rediculous.....many tracks have been updated since then. FYI, I recreated part of the comparison using Google Earth not too long ago and many of the the numbers were different.
Nick Name
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2006
- Messages
- 2,110
- Age
- 80
- Location
- Willow Springs Raceway
Several years ago, Karen Stoffer went off the end at Pomona. She did a perfect job of laying the bike down in the sand, and she slid under the net.
There was a video of it at the time.
Have to say, Angie did a remarkable job riding it as far as she could and laying it down as easy as she could.
There was a video of it at the time.
Have to say, Angie did a remarkable job riding it as far as she could and laying it down as easy as she could.
NYNitro86
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2008
- Messages
- 1,252
- Age
- 38
- Location
- Hopewell JCT, New York
Connie Cohen at Englishtown 2007.
indidad- The Guy- Uncle Steve
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2007
- Messages
- 283
- Age
- 56
OMG! Angie Smith's brakes failed and she went off end of track! She's ok, no injuries. But, just in case, we should increase runoff area at all tracks, shorten PSB runs to 1/8th mile, put parachutes on all PSB and only let PSB compete at 6 national events. Furthermore, all riders will be wrapped in bubble packing and be required to test their brakes right after the 60 foot mark of every run. All, of course, just to be safer. 
On a serious note. Angie, as expected, handled the situation like a pro and I'm glad she's ok.
On a serious note. Angie, as expected, handled the situation like a pro and I'm glad she's ok.
TooTall999
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2006
- Messages
- 1,403
- Age
- 67
- Location
- Wisconsin
OMG! Angie Smith's brakes failed and she went off end of track! She's ok, no injuries. But, just in case, we should increase runoff area at all tracks, shorten PSB runs to 1/8th mile, put parachutes on all PSB and only let PSB compete at 6 national events. Furthermore, all riders will be wrapped in bubble packing and be required to test their brakes right after the 60 foot mark of every run. All, of course, just to be safer.
On a serious note. Angie, as expected, handled the situation like a pro and I'm glad she's ok.
I don't think requiring chutes on an almost 200mph bike is uncalled for..bubble wrap is a little over the top though
sdwarf36
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2007
- Messages
- 796
- Age
- 63
- Location
- Moodus, Ct.
Remember when crewchiefs used to wiggle the calipers before a run to push the pads back from the rotors?
Nick Name
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2006
- Messages
- 2,110
- Age
- 80
- Location
- Willow Springs Raceway
I don't think requiring chutes on an almost 200mph bike is uncalled for..bubble wrap is a little over the top though
He didn't say the bubble wrap should go over the top, just around them.
kegs
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2006
- Messages
- 281
- Age
- 64
- Location
- Bakersfield, CA.
At an IHRA event this year one of the nitro bike racers told us the chute was used more to stabilize the bike in the shut down than slow it down.
Toejam
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2006
- Messages
- 9,757
- Age
- 64
- Location
- Albuquerque, NM
Korry Hogan:
Brent, I have seen Larry McBride make 3 runs in the 5's at over 235 MPH, not one time did I see a Chute! Jay, did Elmer ever use a chute???
Nick Name
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2006
- Messages
- 2,110
- Age
- 80
- Location
- Willow Springs Raceway
Elmer was a hold out. He said stopping the bike at that time was not the problem. Stopping the rider was. He could get on the brakes so hard that he would start sliding forward on the bike. He said he could let off the brakes a second and push himself back in the seat.
He used to work out with weights to keep his arms strong enough to keep him on the bike when it was stopping. He used to also hook his feet behind the pegs in the lights to help hold him on. I still think that worked against him at Indy when he started coming off.
He said a chute would be a commitment. Once it was out there it was out.
That is why when Sam Wills first started experimenting with a chute on a TF bike, they started with very small ones and worked their way up in size.
He used to work out with weights to keep his arms strong enough to keep him on the bike when it was stopping. He used to also hook his feet behind the pegs in the lights to help hold him on. I still think that worked against him at Indy when he started coming off.
He said a chute would be a commitment. Once it was out there it was out.
That is why when Sam Wills first started experimenting with a chute on a TF bike, they started with very small ones and worked their way up in size.
Bobby Bennett
Nitro Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2006
- Messages
- 1,805
- Age
- 57
- Location
- Spartanburg, SC
The reason they cannot put a catch net or improve safety system at finish line is because Airport property, which this is, will not allow it.
Last edited:
really nothing wrong with what they have. Seems like a couple of cars ran off in the corn patch a few years ago and damage was minimal compared to hitting a net. I rode a Honda into a corn field once not much fun but really didn't hurt me.
