Hight Makes Fifth Test; Drivers Cry Foul

[.]

Brian you lucky Dog! You owe me a Beer so get your ass to a West coast race ok?

Why do I owe you a beer?

I was at the 2007 Winternationals and met you in the beer line on Sunday!

 

[johnny]

Force was given the green light from Light. You can't penalize him after the fact.
RG

Randy, we agree, the mistake, NHRA's, has been made.

Considering the gravity of the decision and, it's potential effect on the personal economies of dozens of people, a correction is in order. Is it OK to penalize Hagan and Cruz? The test session, in this case, was in the least relative to Robert's success and comfort in the car. It's not a stretch that potentially using two or three passes at Reading, to get acclimated, could be the difference in qualifying, or not. The rules, before Sunday, didn't provide the opportunity afforded.

I don't believe that, in any way. JFR is responsible for the circumstances. I will offer that NHRA owns the obligation to, analyze John's motivation for asking the question and, subsequently proceed in a more judicially transparent manner. However unfortunate, it is reasonable to culminate, that JFR has been offered a potential advantage. Something has to alter that potential, along with it's perception, and restore equality. Maybe sitting out Q-1 is a solution. Bottom line , to ignore the situation is to compound the problem. A comprehensive review and discussion would appear to be in order.

At the end of the day the Countdown is a wonderful example of Glendora, in all it's glory, thinking with it's dipstick.

 

[johnny]

As with everything in life, all you have to do is follow the money. Ford is now the official vehicle of NHRA. It is AutoClub Raceway at Pomona. NHRA is in a tough spot, JFR is their biggest draw and he was asking for a clarification for a big time sponsor. I am not saying it is right or wrong, just that I understand why it was done. One can only hope that if the Snake, the Don or the Kalittas need the same type of clarification somewhere down the line, they will get the same considerations.

Clarifications? The rule was clear. Robert understood going into the weekend he was out of tests. It's in print. The unfortunate reality is, Team AAA has underperformed and as a result, Robert is being rewarded with a revision.

I would hope the competitors would understand that considerations, regardless of sponsor obligations, are not the responsibility of the sanctioning body. I would expect the same understanding from sponsors.

'The Team', is obligated to the terms and provisions of it's contractual agreements. As in most business agreements, a failure to perform to said terms, comes with a cost.

Hypothetically, who would be more deserving, Hight with considerations or, Cruz or Hagan without. If Cruz, in this hypothesis, were to lose his funding based on countdown participation and, Robert is in, one could perceive NHRA partially assumed responsibility. The cause and effect of this responsibility is economically immense. Cruz's ability to employ, pay his debts, fulfill his lease etc. is compromised, if not eliminated, because it's more to the advantage of the sanctioning body to have AAA as opposed to Advance Auto Parts in the countdown. This perception is dangerous for the continued success of sponsor acquisition as well as that of the sport. We won't begin to explore the very real economic impact as it spreads throughout communities in addition to, the industry.

If a team were to lose it's deal, I'll roll with the ethics synonymous with performance not those of "considerations".

NHRA can ill afford thoughtless, reckless decision making.

 

[Bullard Anderson]

If it weren't written in black and white I wouldn't have a problem with it.

The press release written wrong after 7 months?? That just sticks to high heaven!

 

[BlueStangGT]

If NHRA OKed this is all this discussion really necessary? If they told Don he could now bring his own nitro to the track - would he be getting bashed when he did it because of the rule books verbiage?

My point is the sanctioning body writes and enforces the rules. If they waive them - it's THEIR fault for inconsistency not the recipient. On the other hand I can also see, that with very few exceptions, most posting remarks here are showing their feelings about JFR and I completely understand page after page of negative discussion. Sorry for the interruption. We now return you back to your regularly scheduled session of Force bashing!

Bingo.

what a crock of $hit....you think they woulda went through with the test if Light had told them Robert was not allowed to test in an FC for the rest of the year? They asked NHRA for an interpretation of the rule and it was laid down before them and they acted within the boundries of the rules as they were explained to them....how is that their fault?

Double Bingo.

 

[MichaelD]

NHRA Story » Force, Hight swapping seats for next two events

I think that seat swap should be for the rest of the season.

Mike

 

[Rajunz]

On the sponsorship front that seems to be plaguing the Pedregons and JFR in a very public manner, it was the first thing I told everyone when NHRA switched to the countdown format. I am sure many (if not all) of the front running teams sponsorship deals were written with language that includes additional funding if a team makes the countdown -or- a reduction in funding if a team does not. Almost all NASCAR contracts are written that way, why wouldn't they do the same in NHRA?...........................

I highly doubt that this is an issue with the Pedregons, otherwise Tony would have surely laid down and let Cruz advanced into the semi's in Brainard.

 

[none]

I hope this wasn't addressed already but with this "TEAM" testing concept, does Grubnic coming out give the "TEAM" 4 more test days?? If Hillary runs a race, is that 8 more "TEAM" test dates??? You see where I am heading.......

 

[Rajunz]

I hope this wasn't addressed already but with this "TEAM" testing concept, does Grubnic coming out give the "TEAM" 4 more test days?? If Hillary runs a race, is that 8 more "TEAM" test dates??? You see where I am heading.......

If they run their separate cars with separate teams like they ran last year, yes that would open up 8 more test days for the "Kalitta Umbrella"

 

[qtermile14]

maximum of four one-day test sessions. This policy applies to both the team and driver.”


If Robert Hight has been in a seat for more than 4 days testing in a Nitro FUNNY CAR he is in violation.

This may be one of the most clear cut, easiest decisions to make. Robert Hight must forfeit points in Reading.

WHEN I READ THE RULE BACK IN THE WINTER, I FELT I KNEW WHAT IT MEANT. MANY OF YOU MAY HAVE AS WELL. IT ONLY TOOK SOMEONE TO CHALLENGE THE RULE TO OPEN IT UP TO INTERPRETATION.

#1. John first confirmed if it was ok with Light.

#2. Graham Light confirmed the test was within the rules per Austin Coil's statement in the Comp Plus Article, “The test goes with the car and the crew chief. We confirmed that with Graham Light on Sunday.”

#3. If it is later determined Light is wrong, Robert should not be penalized because Light screwed up. Light should be put on an unpaid leave of absence for the rest of the season.

 

[qtermile14]

Then you either cancel or change the sponsor meeting or cancel or change the testing day. I am afraid this will open up a huge can of worms for both NHRA and JFR. As was stated in other posts, at this point in the season no other multi-car team has been given this 'interpretation' and thus the priveledge. It is unfortunate that credibility on behalf of both these parties is now in question. But, they asked for it. Hope they find it worth it.

Maybe the only reason other teams were not given this clarification was because they did not ask.

Don, have you asked for a clarification of this rule?

 

[Paul]

Maybe the only reason other teams were not given this clarification was because they did not ask.

Don, have you asked for a clarification of this rule?

Mike, Why would anyone need clarification if the rule clearly stated the CAR AND DRIVER are allowed 4 tests. This means the car has 4 tests and each driver can test 4 times. Seems really clear to me. The NHRA could have avoided this mess by telling John exactly what the press release stated earlier in the year and John would have done the entire test. Hell, there was even a press release last week saying Robert used his last test.

 

[clwill]

The NHRA could have avoided this mess by telling John exactly what the press release stated earlier in the year and John would have done the entire test.

I think not, because the point was to get Robert seat time in John's car, since that's the one that's supposed to launch him into the clowndown.

 

[TooTall999]

This would have been a sneaky and underhanded deal if John had said he was testing his #7 car and then had substituted Robert without discussing it with Graham Light first.He didn't do that...he went to Graham Light and asked clarification of the rule,and got a response that doesn't just favor him,but all multi car teams.We all know that the drivers on these teams don't need to practice...or test their skills...obviously the original rule was yet another example of Glendora issuing a rule without much thought beforehand.It is now clarified,and any car with remaining test days can be driven by any driver regardless of the number of test days the driver has driven.I don't understand the huge controversy here.It's not like they issued Force some sort of special pass and only his teams can take advantage of the rule clarification....Geesh...everyone just step back and calm down...there's a lot of bigger problems out there.

 

[Lori]

Maybe the only reason other teams were not given this clarification was because they did not ask.


seriously???

 

[clwill]

This would have been a sneaky and underhanded deal if John had said he was testing his #7 car and then had substituted Robert without discussing it with Graham Light first.He didn't do that...he went to Graham Light and asked clarification of the rule,and got a response that doesn't just favor him,but all multi car teams.We all know that the drivers on these teams don't need to practice...or test their skills...obviously the original rule was yet another example of Glendora issuing a rule without much thought beforehand.It is now clarified,and any car with remaining test days can be driven by any driver regardless of the number of test days the driver has driven.I don't understand the huge controversy here.It's not like they issued Force some sort of special pass and only his teams can take advantage of the rule clarification....Geesh...everyone just step back and calm down...there's a lot of bigger problems out there.

This is just SO wrong.

1) It's NOT clear that's what the rule now says, since Glendora has been mute on the subject.
2) All the other teams KNEW what the rule said and DIDN'T test because it was against the rules.
3) If it'd been DSR and not JFR, you can be sure the answer would be the other way around.
4) Two races away from the clowndown, some key teams with shaky sponsor deals are teetering on the edge of being out of it for the rest of the year -- it's not clear to me there IS a bigger problem out there.

 

[twok4hd]

I may of missed it along the way in all this, but isn't possible that the car tested was Hight's except it had Force's body making every one think it was Force's car. Does NHRA have any way to keep track of what chassis is used? I would think that all of Force's cars have interchangeable bodies.

 

[.]

I may of missed it along the way in all this, but isn't possible that the car tested was Hight's except it had Force's body making every one think it was Force's car.

Shouldn't matter, Hight had already tested 4 times this year. According to the rule he was out of test sessions.

Does NHRA have any way to keep track of what chassis is used? I would think that all of Force's cars have interchangeable bodies.

Wouldn't the chasis cert. tags have serial numbers?

 

[clwill]

Wouldn't the chasis cert. tags have serial numbers?

They are serialized.

 

[You!]

The really sad part of all this for Robert, whom I consider a friend, is that he's screwed either way now.

Let's say he wins enough rounds to get into the grounddown, and then goes on to win the championship, it's now tainted because of all this crap.

Conversely, if he doesn't make it in, he obviously then can't win the championship thus disappointing himself and his sponsor.

I just find it really silly that we're even discussing a car (as much as I like the C team) struggling to make into the top 10 this late in the year. If NHRA wants to really make it exciting, put everyone who has entered an event this season run for the championship. Even them all up! That would make just as much sense...