Speed1288
Nitro Member
Dont know if anyone saw this, pretty interesting that they are looking at it...
NHRA crew chief John Medlen working to add wheel tethers - ESPN
NHRA crew chief John Medlen working to add wheel tethers - ESPN
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!
John Medlen and wheel tethers....
- Thread starter Speed1288
- Start date
Speed1288
Nitro Member
The wheel assemblys, this last year Fernando Alonso's tire came off after a pit stop and the team was almost suspended after a race, this was soon after the unfortunate death of henry surtees caused by an errant tire striking his head.
Just Paul
Nitro Member
The tethers are attached to the hub, not to the actual wheel. If the car hits the wall, and it rips off the suspension, the cable running from the chassis to the hub keeps the wheel/hub assembly from flying away. I don't think this type of system would have helped with Antrons terrible accident. You would almost need to have something that even if you left all the lug nuts off (same as sheared studs pretty much) that the wheel could still not travel away from the car. I have no idea if that type of thing could be done. I'm sure John Medlen will come up with something very nice that is a step in the right direction.
Last edited:
Guppy
Nitro Member
From what I have heard, that is correct. Sunday after the accident, I saw M. Oswald talking with Steve Chrisman.............
Just Paul
Nitro Member
Tasca was a problem with the actual wheel, and Wilkerson was an error with the wheel spacer Installation.
Before we start getting after a manufacturer, we would need to know a lot of other things.
jackass
Nitro Member
I agree Paul.....
on the tether side of things.. connecting to one side of a rim would make it off balance also right?.. pluss you have a cable swinging around that could effect balance also...
buddy of mine thought of an idea of the rim having tabs mfgered in the rim ot fir the hub so that some of the force of the impact on take off would not be regualted to just the studs... "kind of like a lego block"..but not as tight of a fit.. his words...lol...
but it seems like a idea to me...
Billy
on the tether side of things.. connecting to one side of a rim would make it off balance also right?.. pluss you have a cable swinging around that could effect balance also...
buddy of mine thought of an idea of the rim having tabs mfgered in the rim ot fir the hub so that some of the force of the impact on take off would not be regualted to just the studs... "kind of like a lego block"..but not as tight of a fit.. his words...lol...
but it seems like a idea to me...
Billy
Last edited:
From the sound of the article where John medlen talks about the wheel tether he talks about the axle so my guess is they are going to make one that goes straight through the center of the axle and diff assembly and connect both wheels to each other so if one goes the other one holds it on or if both go they hold onto eachother
That's not the impression I got, Sounds like Medlin is attaching it TO the Axel. And his concern is weakening an already thin Axel. The description you are giving is the one I posted yesterday and linked to that post in the post above yours. With the concept I posted you didn't have to modify the Axel tube itself at all.
Last edited:
Bross Hawg
Nitro Member
As was mentioned on another post, run the tether through the hollow axle and attach to both wheels. If one comes off, the other one holds it on. If they both shear the studs and come off, they are held by the axle.
On a different line of thought...the axle is splined to hold the spool in the diff on the Strange differentials. Why not get rid of the studs completely and spline the outer axle to the wheels. One big nut holds them on, similar to formula 1, etc. The splines would be WAY stronger than the studs ever were. Most of the time the teams are not doing NASCAR speed tire changes...the splines would probably be quicker anyway...
On a different line of thought...the axle is splined to hold the spool in the diff on the Strange differentials. Why not get rid of the studs completely and spline the outer axle to the wheels. One big nut holds them on, similar to formula 1, etc. The splines would be WAY stronger than the studs ever were. Most of the time the teams are not doing NASCAR speed tire changes...the splines would probably be quicker anyway...
Now that sounds like a great idea!
force fan
Nitro Member
NHRA is lucky to have a guy like John Medlen.................!!!!!!!!
Eracer
Nitro Member
Yes agreed! and the resources the John Force has aquired from "eating baloney sandwiches" days. Always a fan!
Horsepower & Heels
Nitro Member
I'm really glad that they are being so proactive about both driver and spectator safety. I'm certainly no engineer, but I hope that they do some simulated testing prior to a hasty install before Gainesville.
Medlen's accident was fatal from the harmonics of the tire not being able to leave. This worries me for the drivers. Allowing a 200lb jackhammer turning ungodly RPM's thether to and beat on the frame that's supporting the driver really scares me. My first concern would be to find out why the part failed and fix IT... or come up with a stronger mounting system that would reduce failure before putting the drivers at risk further.
I'm all for safety, I just hope it isn't rushed and creates another danger in the process.
Medlen's accident was fatal from the harmonics of the tire not being able to leave. This worries me for the drivers. Allowing a 200lb jackhammer turning ungodly RPM's thether to and beat on the frame that's supporting the driver really scares me. My first concern would be to find out why the part failed and fix IT... or come up with a stronger mounting system that would reduce failure before putting the drivers at risk further.
I'm all for safety, I just hope it isn't rushed and creates another danger in the process.
Randy
Nitro Member
Increase the hub diameter and add a stud/lug nut or two. Even the 3/4 ton pick up trucks have more lug nuts than a TF car. Moving the centerline of the lug bolt pattern out will strengthen the assembly 10 fold.
Not rocket science, but I guess a knee jerk response is in order.
RG
Not rocket science, but I guess a knee jerk response is in order.
RG
Last edited:
handsome
Nitro Member
i like the larger bolt circle, but why more studs? how about a 6 inch bolt circle and 3/4 inch studs?. . .also on comp plus there is an interview with Tim Gibson and here is a quote from him about tethers.....
Since 1998, Formula One cars have had to fit wheel tethers connecting the wheels to the chassis, but these tethers have not kept wheels from continuing to come off when these F1 cars crash.
“Formula One has tried that (wheel tethers) and it doesn’t work, it’s ridiculous,” Gibson said. “It doesn’t work in Formula One because the forces are so great that when the wheel comes off that it will just pull apart whatever the tether is attached to. There’s nothing strong enough on the car to attach it (the tether) to. On a Top Fuel car, the wheel is so much heavier than a Formula One car, there would not be anything to hold on to.”
the article is real good reading.
Since 1998, Formula One cars have had to fit wheel tethers connecting the wheels to the chassis, but these tethers have not kept wheels from continuing to come off when these F1 cars crash.
“Formula One has tried that (wheel tethers) and it doesn’t work, it’s ridiculous,” Gibson said. “It doesn’t work in Formula One because the forces are so great that when the wheel comes off that it will just pull apart whatever the tether is attached to. There’s nothing strong enough on the car to attach it (the tether) to. On a Top Fuel car, the wheel is so much heavier than a Formula One car, there would not be anything to hold on to.”
the article is real good reading.
