Jim O- Fix the Traps

[mick]

..... I could see adding weights to the cables so that if the net starts moving the 1st set of weights, then the 2nd set would start adding gradual resistance. And even if the car drags the nets with it, it will also be dragging the weight(s) and dissipating energy slowly and evenly....

and to apply this logic to the simple system in place in sydney........
first tire drags 10'.....first tire cabled to 2nd tire which moves with 1st tire
for 10' thru 20'.......2nd tire cabled to 3rd tire, tires 1,2 & 3 move 20 thru 30'
........and so on.

 

[FC138fan]

Yes, that's what I was thinking too - it's a GOOD thing that the weights will move with a really fast car entering the net. I'm thinking of the way the weight box in tractor pulling works - becomes heavier and heavier as the run goes on. Same thing but in reverse. I could see adding weights to the cables so that if the net starts moving the 1st set of weights, then the 2nd set would start adding gradual resistance. And even if the car drags the nets with it, it will also be dragging the weight(s) and dissipating energy slowly and evenly.

So who wants to test this system...?

Someone else mentioned the weights should be a container of water. Then you can quickly add or release water for each class of cars. More water for stock cars, then open a plug and release water for dragsters, etc.

 

[flapjack]

So who wants to test this system...?

I have another idea. There is software that automobile companies use to test a car's crash worthiness. I don't see why this same software couldn't be used to test the system that has been proposed. Wouldn't have to put parts or humans in harm's way. I can talk to some of my colleagues about the feasibility of the system and how they would go about modeling it.

 

[racer83]

Nets have always been a problem. Check out this from 1984. Watch all the way through especially at about the 2:06 mark

YouTube - Doug Kerhulas' last drag race-National Trail 1984

TK

 

[Paul]

Todd, thanks for posting that video. Its a strong example of how the fixed net systems decelerate the cars over much too short of a distance, the car went from full speed to a stop in only around 10'.

I'm not saying the Read net design is perfect, but it definitely appears better than what is in use now and it has the strong advantage of being pretty economical to put in place.

I'd hope that the NHRA would get some more background information on that Read net design to find out if its been "tested" in any real life scenerios and then find a sharp mechanical engineer to take a shot at optimizing its design and then take a hard look at putting it into usage.

The current design that Graham Light thinks is fine because "it has been in use for many, many years" is just another injury waiting to happen.

 

[d'kid]

They only built 2 XB-70's, one of them is at Wright-Patterson AFB. I talked to one older gentleman there who said that was the Loudest plane he ever heard!

The second one, A/V-2 was lost due to a midair during a photo shoot, 8 June 1966, Al White was Pilot, He survived, Carl Cross was lost in the accident. A/V-2 flew straight and level about 16 seconds after the impact sheared off both vertical stabilizers. Crashsite was about 5 miles northwest of Barstow, Al's escape capsule ended up about 5 miles due north of Lane Mountain.

Like I said, saw A/V-1 at Edwards late 1966.

d'kid

 

[mick]

Todd, thanks for posting that video. Its a strong example of how the fixed net systems decelerate the cars over much too short of a distance, the car went from full speed to a stop in only around 10'.

I'm not saying the Read net design is perfect, but it definitely appears better than what is in use now and it has the strong advantage of being pretty economical to put in place.

I'd hope that the NHRA would get some more background information on that Read net design to find out if its been "tested" in any real life scenerios and then find a sharp mechanical engineer to take a shot at optimizing its design and then take a hard look at putting it into usage.

The current design that Graham Light thinks is fine because "it has been in use for many, many years" is just another injury waiting to happen.

paul - your comments IMO are very accurate; all four paragraphs.

 

[racer83]

Todd, thanks for posting that video. Its a strong example of how the fixed net systems decelerate the cars over much too short of a distance, the car went from full speed to a stop in only around 10'.

I'm not saying the Read net design is perfect, but it definitely appears better than what is in use now and it has the strong advantage of being pretty economical to put in place.

I'd hope that the NHRA would get some more background information on that Read net design to find out if its been "tested" in any real life scenerios and then find a sharp mechanical engineer to take a shot at optimizing its design and then take a hard look at putting it into usage.

The current design that Graham Light thinks is fine because "it has been in use for many, many years" is just another injury waiting to happen.

If I remember correctly the next year at National Trail they paved through to Hwy 30 and had the Highway Patrol block it off every time the quick cars run. Seems someone there in 1985 figured out the net wasnt the answer.

I see on the Google Maps view, what appears to be a net and then bales (?) followed by pavement then a fairly long sand/gravel pit. Is that all they use now? Or do they open it up when the quicker cars run ?

Just because it has been in use for many years does not mean its worked well for many years.


TK

 

[Lori]

Just because it has been in use for many years does not mean its worked well for many years.


TK

It also does not mean it can't be improved and/or upgraded. A very arrogant comment following 'another' tragedy.

 

[Super Mod]

Here's another Youtube clip of Jeg Sr. Getting tangled up in the infamous National Trails barrier. I think this is late seventies.

YouTube - JEG, SR. -- THE CLASSICS

 

[Rajunz]

There was not even a sand pit back then.

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

Lets get rid of the track side cement barriers too. Another idea that looked better on paper than it turned out to be.

 

[PiPPi]

Apologies if it's a repost, but more on the subject at YouTube - Doug Kerhulas' last drag race-National Trail 1984

Regards
PiPPi

 

[Toejam]

Lets get rid of the track side cement barriers too. Another idea that looked better on paper than it turned out to be.

That was Alan Johnson's demand after Blaine was killed, his car hit the opening in the guardrail breaking the car in Half!

 

[Paul]

Here's another Youtube clip of Jeg Sr. Getting tangled up in the infamous National Trails barrier. I think this is late seventies.

YouTube - JEG, SR. -- THE CLASSICS

What's striking about both this video and the Kerhulas one is that the nets are so tight and unforgiving that they actually throw the cars backwards.

Hopefully something will be done, but I think it could take the racers banding together on this issue to force the NHRA to take some steps, in particular given Graham Light's comments regarding nets after the Niver accident.

He apparently just wants to put his head in the "sand pit" and pretend everything is ok.

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

That was Alan Johnson's demand after Blaine was killed, his car hit the opening in the guardrail breaking the car in Half!

Yeah. I don't know where the idea got started that we HAVE to keep the car ON the racing surface. Most tracks have triple the width, why not use it.??

 

[Jenn]

Lets get rid of the track side cement barriers too. Another idea that looked better on paper than it turned out to be.

and replace them with what?

 

[Jenn]

I think Lance's idea looks very interesting. But holy cow, enclosing this from the top would be a nightmare for the safety teams to try to get in there. What if there's a fire, or a near-death medical situation. Maybe higher walls, but please, don't enclose the whole thing...

Not to mention the potential bouncing from wall to wall factor...

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

and replace them with what?

I think you missunderstand. Keep the walls but put them where the car has to be stopped. Before grandstands or return roads. Not track side.

Why do we restrict them to 20' wide when theres 150' or more to be used.??

Other forms of racing doesn't keep cars on the racing surface. All we are doing is hurting drivers & wrecking cars needless. Let them slide on the grass to a stop. No harm.

Seems to work for nascar & Indy 500...

 

[BaldyLochs]

Look what happens at the salt flats when something goes awry; and look at how long airport runways are