Jim Head @ Comp Plus

[Nunz]

Here's a thought. Jim Head stated that the energy of a car moving at 330 is way way more than one going 300. If we shorten the tracks to 1000 feet, and change nothing else, we still have 330 mph cars shutting off sooner, and that's before the tuners start adjusting to 1000 ft. Wouldn't it be more violent and destructive to have cars accelerating to over 300 at 1000 ft. instead of having a car need the quarter to get to that speed? I hope I'm explaining this right. Like I posted before, I'd rather have cars on the track a little longer, and have the "thunder" last a little longer. Does everyone remember how many fans attended the March Meet this year? Nitro cars do not need rocket-car-like acceleration to be crowd-pleasing.

 

[Fuel FC Fan]

It would be more destructive, imo. The tuners would just twist everything up a bit harder knowing the track is shorter. Most of the high dollar big boy's know their going to trash everything on most runs anyway, what would the shorter track at a 1000' change as far as cost when 16 Teams are going for the Bronze Statue?

After the 1/8th mile when everything on the car is nice and hooked up real good.....Guy's like Johnson know they would only need a few hundred more feet to wrap up the pass and keep it all together long enough to push the envelope on the tune-up....my guess they may land up go even faster if everything holds on just long enough. Back to problem #1 again.

I ran a 1 time deal on the 1/8th after playing 9 years on the full 1/4.
We made 5 passes and tore everything up on 2 motors. The problem was about the point we needed to make the shift, the end of the track was already there staring at you so we had to decide to swap the shift transition by hitting the shift point and scrubbing a bit of ET, or run it through without shifting with R's singing a unreconizable note. Problem is, your racing against guy's that will do whatever it takes to win on Sunday. Whatever.

Right now...I think Parachute technology needs to be looked at real hard.
Maybe add a third Chute on the Car...a driver knows full well if he yanked the chutes and things are'nt slowing down right away or like the should be...maybe a lever for a third chute for a "just in case" scenario might due the trick.

Bottom line....keep the 1/4 mile. JMHO. The Top Brass needs to look at all the scenario's for safety first. Somebody will figure this out.

Here's a thought. Jim Head stated that the energy of a car moving at 330 is way way more than one going 300. If we shorten the tracks to 1000 feet, and change nothing else, we still have 330 mph cars shutting off sooner, and that's before the tuners start adjusting to 1000 ft. Wouldn't it be more violent and destructive to have cars accelerating to over 300 at 1000 ft. instead of having a car need the quarter to get to that speed? I hope I'm explaining this right. Like I posted before, I'd rather have cars on the track a little longer, and have the "thunder" last a little longer. Does everyone remember how many fans attended the March Meet this year? Nitro cars do not need rocket-car-like acceleration to be crowd-pleasing.

 

[Draw 3D]

Every time I hear that theory I think about the arresting cable itself being a major problem. Keep in mind when an airplane lands on the deck of a carrier it's wheels FLY OVER the cable. The first part of that plane to hit the deck is the tail hook and thats at the very back of the plane. If you strung out a 1.5 inch diameter cable across a drag strip, all four wheels of a FC/TF car would drive over it first before the tail hook could grab onto it. I highly doubt the wheels or tires could handle hitting that cable at those speeds!

And I posted this:

A couple of points, first the tail hook is not an answer. On fighter aircraft, the actual hook is connected to the main beams of the aircraft and is hydraulically actuated. Connecting a hook to the wheelie bars would just tear off the wheelie bar and possibly areas of the chassis. How would the hook be lowered, you don't want it dragging on the ground do you?

Second, the wires on an aircraft carrier, and there is usually 3 wires, are not just anchored down, they are on hydraulic take-ups that take the shock of the aircraft. Also, the aircraft land at much slower speeds than a FC or TF.

When I was in the military, I worked on the F4 which had a tail hook system and the design is that after the hook is lowered and engages the wires, the load of the connection is transferred to the large and HEAVY main beams.

This initial load transfer would rip a FC or TF chassis apart, they are not designed for that type of load.

Also, to pack a fully nomex covered chute would be damn near impossible, they're pretty difficult to pack now without all of the covering.

 

[sdwarf36]

There was an about 10 year gap between national events I attended. One thing noticible that amazed me was how hard the nitro cars pull in the 2nd 1/2 of a run now. If they killed some top end power, the car wouldnt be accelerating right to the 1320 ft mark. I like the "1 mag 1 pump" suggestion. I dont know if i'm ready to have to explain to everyone that now hears "John Force ran a 3.86"--and I dont know if track owners are ready to try to sell tickets in bleachers that are now in the shutdown area if it goes to 1000ft. And how about tuning the cars to 1000'? 1/2 the battle is keeping cylinders lite to 1320--how aggressive could you be if you only had to keep it alive to 1000?

 

[magnethead794]

howbout simply cut the main fuel line from 2" or whatever they are, to 1"? That's 4 times less fuel volume. less fuel = slower S/C = less power = less speed.

 

[Rexfiles]

Here goes.

The tracks are too short, except for a few.

I know that everyone does not WANT to be shortchanged any precious entertainment for heavens sake

I suggest some here that have not given it a try, go to one of the schools out there and try a super class car out, heck, Hawley gives rides in that tandem two seater he's got.

Bet'cha you never had any experience like it before???

Yer knees would be a knockin' when you climbed out.

Now add almost 180mph on one of these sh!thole old tracks and see how you feel about it.

There is so many answers that everyone has, except for the ones that it seems a lot of the racers themselves endorse, and what would they know, I mean, multiple world champions and event wins by the scores. Just a bunch of dummies.................

Yeah, you guys got the answers instead of them.

Cripe

Whatever happens happens, and my life is not the one that is risked.

Explaining something to someone?????????

Who cares.

How do you explain someone is dead. Eh?????

I really cannot and will not understand the selfishness I see on display here.

Ya' know what, I'd like to see 1320 racin' too. Yup.

But times have changed.

I wonder what NHRA's insurance carrier is telling them right now????

And all these........"Simple changes?"........you guys gonna' give the racers the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to implement this stuff?????????? The cost of testing new changes, even the reduction of fuel line diameter?

That will affect EVERYTHING on the car. Front to back. Think it'll be free?????

I really don't think so.

As far as these things becoming MORE explosive?? How in the heck can a rational, unblinded individual come up with that. I'll never figure that out. Keep the rules the same, no changes to the combos allowed, and the engine does not run against the limiter for another 320'.

With the logic I read here you guys would argue that if you shortened the track to 100', the "cars would still do 330. and blow up before they got there."

DOUBLE cripes.

REX

 

[Rexfiles]

I'm following this discussion with interest here and I am seeing lots of good approaches to more safety. I'm guessing that the right solution may not be one or other of the suggestions but rather a blending of several approaches to reach a common goal.
The idea of shortening the racing distance does not trouble me much--I have done quite a bit of 1/8 racing, and it is a ball, and watching pro mods run 1/8 is still a good show. However, if we went to 1/8 or 1000, do you envision it being only for the fuel cars, or would pro stock run to the 1/8 also, and a step further--how about the sportsman cars? With alcohol and a/f cars running at 260 or so, would they also go to 1/8 and the rest of the sportsman cars run 1/4 or would it be a wholesale change?
Not picking on anyone's ideas here, just kinda wondering what we would do with PS and the sportsman classes. Any thoughts, fellow maters?

Just Nitro, the racers want it, I know a alky car can run off the track too, but unlikely It'll happen at the speed Scott was at.

And as far as E-Town, I would say no more fuel until that track gets fixed.

That is my........... .02

REX

 

[Bobby]

selfish? well ya. we pay to watch drag racing. anyone that is a consumer is by definition selfish. If we don't like the show, we won't watch. Simple.


There are other ways than shortening the track. I 'd be happy going to a nostalgia race. I wish we had some of that here in Florida.

 

[Rexfiles]

selfish? well ya. we pay to watch drag racing. anyone that is a consumer is by definition selfish. If we don't like the show, we won't watch. Simple.


There are other ways than shortening the track. I 'd be happy going to a nostalgia race. I wish we had some of that here in Florida.

What if?

Atlas shrugged.

What if? the RACERS don't show.

What if you only wind up w/8-10 car fields due to the carnage and cost.

I will abdicate some entertainment value if it will save lives.

Why are the racers asking for this then???

and the ones on the couch or bleachers resisting?

Pretty clear.

REX

 

[Rexfiles]

The argument is now moot.

REX

 

[magnethead794]

Does anyone here really think they need to race to 1000' at denver to be safe?
How about sonoma?
How about vegas?

I don't.

They need to fix the problem permanently not take a quick fix.

Look what was done in indycars. In 1996 the Arie Luyendyk qualified at 236 mph at the 500. His fastest practice lap was 239. The fastest race lap was eddie cheever at 236. I repeat , 236 in the race!

The next year the cars were completely redesigned. They took away the turbos and made the cars bigger and safter. The cars make 650 hp now instead of 8 or 900. Pole speeds now are 225 and fastest race laps are in the 215 area. Accidents like the one that took Scott Brayton from us in 1996, and took Stan Fox's career in 1995, are a thing of the past. The drivers crash spectacularly now and are enclosed an a tub that protects them. Look at Ryan Briscoe's crash a couple of years ago. 10 years ago I doubt he'd have survived. Today he races again.

Things have improved significantly , by lowering speeds, making the cars safer, and installing soft walls. They addressed the speeds, the cars and the facilities.
That is what NHRA needs to do.

If they need to run 1000' at some tracks until they do, I can understand it , but I don't think it's enough. Scott blew up before the finish line. Tony P blew up before the finish line. They could still blow up at 1000' doing 300 mph and if the speeds, cars, and sand traps / catch fences( the equivalent of the soft walls on ovals) aren't addressed, it's not going to be enough.

The cars are too fast and the facilities can be safer. There are a lot of things that could be done to slow down the cars. It will take a drastic change like taking about the turbos from indycars, but it has to be done.
I've heard a lot of suggestions over the years but I'm not smart enough to talk about them here.

The bodies - they look like spaceships, not cars. Widen the greenhouse.

Take away the bed of the dump truck thing they got going on. Take away a mag. Restrict the fuel flow. Nitro funny cars were fun 30 years ago going much slower and they can be fun today going much slower.

Drag racing is a 1/4 mile. Shorten the track and you reduce the drivers role even further.

Well that's about all I can say about it . Whatever happens happens. That's my .03.

Kenny Brack: TMS (high speeds)
Micheal McDowell: TMS (CoT)
NASCAR's nationwide series is starting to have lap speeds the same as the CoT. Boxier car = more drag

 

[Fuel FC Fan]

Hey Rex, are you O.K.?
People just working some idea's around and want to express some thoughts on a message board. Never drove a comp. dragster before in my life.
But I can tell you I have an Alcohol Funny Car, Alcohol Dragster License and even a Top Fuel Hydro License for the Liquid Quarter Mile among other misc. drag boat stuff. Never drove anything I have'nt had to pull the chute's in yet. Pulling the chutes on the water is LOTS OF FUN with a Top Fueler. lol!!
Try that one day....you'll see what I mean, freaking thing HATES IT! BTW,back when L.A.C.R. was open in LA county, Blumgrin let me play with his AFC for seat time.....talk about a short shut off.....your hands are on the levers about 100' before you go through the lights and you still watch the turn out's fly by ya.....usually had take the last one.
I'll stop now.....can we all be friends?....or is this turning out to be...you know......another major pissing contest?

Here goes.
The tracks are too short, except for a few.

I know that everyone does not WANT to be shortchanged any precious entertainment for heavens sake

I suggest some here that have not given it a try, go to one of the schools out there and try a super class car out, heck, Hawley gives rides in that tandem two seater he's got.

Bet'cha you never had any experience like it before???

Yer knees would be a knockin' when you climbed out.

Now add almost 180mph on one of these sh!thole old tracks and see how you feel about it.

There is so many answers that everyone has, except for the ones that it seems a lot of the racers themselves endorse, and what would they know, I mean, multiple world champions and event wins by the scores. Just a bunch of dummies.................

Yeah, you guys got the answers instead of them.

Cripe

Whatever happens happens, and my life is not the one that is risked.

Explaining something to someone?????????

Who cares.

How do you explain someone is dead. Eh?????

I really cannot and will not understand the selfishness I see on display here.

Ya' know what, I'd like to see 1320 racin' too. Yup.

But times have changed.

I wonder what NHRA's insurance carrier is telling them right now????

And all these........"Simple changes?"........you guys gonna' give the racers the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to implement this stuff?????????? The cost of testing new changes, even the reduction of fuel line diameter?

That will affect EVERYTHING on the car. Front to back. Think it'll be free?????

I really don't think so.

As far as these things becoming MORE explosive?? How in the heck can a rational, unblinded individual come up with that. I'll never figure that out. Keep the rules the same, no changes to the combos allowed, and the engine does not run against the limiter for another 320'.

With the logic I read here you guys would argue that if you shortened the track to 100', the "cars would still do 330. and blow up before they got there."

DOUBLE cripes.

REX

 

[Rexfiles]

Hey Rex, are you O.K.?
People just working some idea's around and want to express some thoughts on a message board. Never drove a comp. dragster before in my life.
But I can tell you I have an Alcohol Funny Car, Alcohol Dragster License and even a Top Fuel Hydro License for the Liquid Quarter Mile among other misc. drag boat stuff. Never drove anything I have'nt had to pull the chute's in yet. Pulling the chutes on the water is LOTS OF FUN with a Top Fueler. lol!!
Try that one day....you'll see what I mean, freaking thing HATES IT! BTW,back when L.A.C.R. was open in LA county, Blumgrin let me play with his AFC for seat time.....talk about a short shut off.....your hands are on the levers about 100' before you go through the lights and you still watch the turn out's fly by ya.....usually had take the last one.
I'll stop now.....can we all be friends?....or is this turning out to be...you know......another major pissing contest?

Huh?

I did not realize I had directed this toward you.

You have the goods.

I had referred to people with no experience telling people WITH experience, what is good for them.

I have also driven TAFC and TAD, aggregate bests of 6.86/194, different cars on different passes.

that was long time ago..........but I ain't dead yet (buyin' a Boss Hoss to play with this summer, dealer from Florida went out of buisness and brought 5 up here,,,,,,,,I dunnno' 502........355........502........355)

Daily rider a blown 100'" big twin, street rod, blown '68 Camaro.

And I have other plans.

It's all good my man, all goood, and thank you for your concern, but I'm quite fine

REX

 

[Fuel FC Fan]

Hey Rex, that's Cool! Sometimes things come across in a wierd way on the web with some conversations. I can see that your really passionate about this sport and I think it's great!!! I'm not so sure the 1000' track is the answer for the long run, but I appreciate what their trying to do to remedy the problem. I guess it's better than doing nothing at all.

Personally, I hope during the off-season, NHRA will go in and improve some of the problem tracks and stay with the 1320. I'd like to see safety improvment upgrades rather than new VIP box suites atop the east-side grandstands like the ones I see over at Pomona.

Have a Happy 4th!!!!!!!!!!!!