Nitromater
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Interesting shut off area commentary
- Thread starter Cliff
- Start date
Professional Fan
Nitro Member
LVMS did what he suggested when built-to have the shutdown area an uphill grade. It's always interesting on a windy day there when the PSMs can't make it up the grade!
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
Well, it did help that the natural grade of the land was uphill to I-15. However, I was told the track was oriented in that direction because of the Sun, which is a major concern in a place where there is never a cloud in the sky. No matter the time of day, the Sun will never been in the driver's eyes.
Last edited:
z28
Nitro Member
lot's of u tube videos out there to form an opinion. biggest issue was the manlift location as far as I'm concerned.
Apples to oranges.
A rules change affects the racers.
Building a new track affects the track owners.
ironpony
Nitro Member
if the racers want to keep racing they follow the rules
if the tracks want to keep running races fix the shut down area to make it safe
not 1 track is safe as is if there is safety failure such as Scotts'
1000' is no safer than 1320' if Kallittas accident was during a 1000' event it would of been the same result.
Al
Nitro Member
Back in 1984 when the reduction in track length was discussed, I was probably one of many that wrote NHRA and complained. Back then they were going 260 MPH. Fast forward to 2008 they were going 330 MPH. I read that Scott hit a net retaining post that was INSIDE the guard wall. I knew that NHRA wasn't going to leave their 2 biggest markets at the time (New York and LA) because they had the shortest tracks on the tour. I was so happy that they went 1000' instead of 1/8 mile (which I would of hated). We attended only the 2nd 1000' event ( Seattle 2008). We went with open minds and I was very pleasantly surprised that the shorter distance wasn't bad at all (FAR better than the 1/8 mile choice). So I think NHRA made the right choice at that time. To return to 1/4 mile for the fuel cars would require such a huge reduction in power that nobody would like (including myself). So I like where we are and best to leave it alone.
Cliff, I've been binge watching older race videos from '89 - 2000 and I'm amazed at how far track safety has come from even then....seeing cars shoot past open turnoffs with knife edge guardrails or jersey barriers...immediately makes me think "how did they not see the potential risk". Again, we don't know what we don't know until something bad happens:
'89 C. Kalitta crashed at Houston into an opening in the track wall....fast forward, that opening was closed off or a deflection wall was put in place.
'89 Ormsby crashes at Brainerd, next year that wall was brought out straight
'89 Snow crashes at Sears Point, off the track into a light pole....by the 1990 race, the guard wall was extended way into the shutoff area, but I believe it was still open for a few hundred feet
No examples of safety failure are acceptable, the worst (IMO) was Blaines crash at Indy...next year, walls were closed off or deflection walls installed.
Now that we have decades of history to draw back on and software models that can predict outcomes,, I think people have more forethought on the "what ifs".
.......and then Leahs car takes flight, with the front end landing where people should have been.........and most asked "we knew this was possible, we've know thats the weak point, WHY hasn't it been addressed by anyone? Simple answer is, out of sight out of mind I guess. Hopefully the chassis builders have addressed this one too.
Sorry for the ramble all...everyone be safe!
BTW, the binge watching has reminded me of why I fell in love with the sport...If you know of anyone thats interested in the sport or has a couple hours to get re-energized, go watch NHRA 1994! Skuza's first full season, KC Spurlock causes Goodyear stock prices to soar, Al Hofmann debuts Western Auto/Havoline and I don't think anyone has tried harder to dethrone Force...Etchells first legit full season and he burned a couple....Aldermans return after being "absent" for a couple years, WJ/KJ & The Dodge Boys was like WWE
