NHRA Tech says to DSR Top Fuelers "Take It Off"!

[clwill]

All I'm going to say is, reading comprehension is not your strongest point.

Pot, meet kettle.

 

[twostep]

That "pinhead" was asked to analyze the shroud and that "pinhead" stated it could be dangerous.

This for-real pinhead could have told you that, Paul...any part on that car has the potential to be dangerous. An engineer could just as easily deemed the shroud dangerous because it could fly off at speed and strike the driver in the other lane in the head...in which case his own shroud would give him a measure of protection. See where I'm going?

Way too many if's here. Come back when it's PROVEN the shroud is a safety hazard.

 

[FC138fan]

THIS WASN'T PRESENTED AS A SAFETY PROBLEM.

It was presented as a safety solution. And was proven to be ineffective as a safety solution. So they were asked to take it off to eliminate the perception of a performance advantage.

Agree though that probably could have waited till the end of the season.

 

[Treeshaker]

A lot of discussion here on an issue that very few know what is really going on. Many different takes on the stories being printed. No one, not even Don, is telling the whole story, from either side. And I am not implying that I know anything more than what is being printed or said publicly.

When a team submits for a change and is given permission to make the change, usually no other team can do the same until a rule change is put into place. The wide body was mentioned, several teams asked to modify their bodies to incorporate some of the aerodynamic features and were denied by NHRA.

In my opinion, the windshield is the more important aerodynamic piece of the DSR setup. The shrouds looked neat and could be a benefit in a normal fire situation. I don't think they were made in a strong enough configuration to stop heavy debris. But they were another layer added to what is already there and surely couldn't hurt the stoppage. The removal didn't seem to hurt the performance of the cars at Phoenix. And any engineer that states they might be dangerous is full of poppycock, IMO.

I think the question should be "Why is any car/team allowed to use anything in competition that all cars/teams are not allowed to use at the same time?".

You are not going to get straight answers on who has been caught outside the rules and what the true penalties are/were. The nitro deal was to make a public statement to all race teams because DSR's nitro sales for testing purposes was cutting deeply into NHRA's royalties for the sale of VP nitro for use on their tracks.

And no one is going to give you the skinny on items they are using that are in the "grey" area as far as the rules go, but you can be assured that at least 75% of the cars in competition are stretching rules beyond their limits.

 

[Rat]

at least 75% of the cars in competition are stretching rules beyond their limits.

That is probably in direct relation to why the classes got so expensive in the last decade.

 

[TR]

Good post Virgil, it is a black hole, and only a few know what is going on. I am pretty sure everyone knew the fuel deal was a money issue for NHRA, to show how greedy they really are. Too many people in the higher ranks making too much money if you ask me.

Rick

 

[JB3]

If your referring to the Monster Truck show they call Monster Jam then the following paragraph applies:

I can't stand watching those Monster Jams. I used to love watching the "classical" monster trucks put on a show - that is when they were actually trucks and the drivers were just showing off. Nowadays they are not trucks in the least... in fact they don't even resemble trucks, they are shaped like bugs and animals and superheros... and to me that's TOTALLY RIDICULOUS!

That being said... I caught a glimpse of one of those on speed the other day, and I have never seen a venue so jam packed for a motor sports event. It was like the Queen concert at Wembley Field. I would imagine whoever runs Monster Jam's is making serious cash.

From a business standpoint, it makes sense that the IHRA is doing everything it can to mirror the Monster Jam series.

If the monster jam your talking about refers to something else, ignore this post.

IHRA won't go anywhere further without today's TF and Nitro Funny Cars. And since they just announced that they won't have TF anymore, how well attended does anyone think thier events will be for Nostalgia FC, glorified Top Alcohol dragsters, and the same fill-in sportsman show that NHRA uses? I vote for very poor.

 

[FC138fan]

IHRA won't go anywhere further without today's TF and Nitro Funny Cars. And since they just announced that they won't have TF anymore, how well attended does anyone think thier events will be for Nostalgia FC, glorified Top Alcohol dragsters, and the same fill-in sportsman show that NHRA uses? I vote for very poor.

I personally agree that you wouldn't see me travel any distance to see an IHRA event anymore, and if it turned into the monster jam circus I wouldn't go if it were in my back yard.

But I wouldn't have a desire to go to the monster truck monster jam circus either... but I bet when my kid gets old enough he will want to go, so I can see myself going in the future too.

They're going for a different type of fan - not necessarily the classic drag racing fan. If they choose to make it WWF on wheels - as stupid as that sounds - it would probably bring in WWF and monster jam fans... and there's probably a heck of alot more of them then there are of fans like you and me.

 

[Rat]

IHRA won't go anywhere further without today's TF and Nitro Funny Cars. And since they just announced that they won't have TF anymore, how well attended does anyone think thier events will be for Nostalgia FC, glorified Top Alcohol dragsters, and the same fill-in sportsman show that NHRA uses? I vote for very poor.

IHRA GOT RID OF TOP FUEL? &@*#&$* are they nuts. 2012 will be there last year. They will bring it back in 2013, question is how much damage will 2012 bring and will it provide a 2013. This is a death move.

 

[ANDY]

Nitromaters Have Real Angst???

Never Has Reasonable Answer

 

[TR]

I personally agree that you wouldn't see me travel any distance to see an IHRA event anymore, and if it turned into the monster jam circus I wouldn't go if it were in my back yard.

But I wouldn't have a desire to go to the monster truck monster jam circus either... but I bet when my kid gets old enough he will want to go, so I can see myself going in the future too.

They're going for a different type of fan - not necessarily the classic drag racing fan. If they choose to make it WWF on wheels - as stupid as that sounds - it would probably bring in WWF and monster jam fans... and there's probably a heck of alot more of them then there are of fans like you and me.

Business is business, and if NHRA or other organizations don't realize the different customer, then they will be doomed when all us old dudes are gone. Like someone says on here, an empty seat doesn't buy a hot dog.

Rick

 

[Dragracer]

One of the things that has been mentioned here is the higher windshield and the shroud produced a "positive" pressure in the cockpit.
I was a licensed/certified Fire Marshall in California and as any fire expert will tell you you "do not" want a positive pressure area in a fire. Fire lives on one thing and one thing only "OXYGEN" take away the oxygen and nothing will burn. You do this by putting water or some other fire extinguishing agent on the fire, or let the source burn out, removing the oxygen and the fire goes out. If as stated the changes created positive air in the cockpit that wasn't the right way to go.
A enclosed cockpit is legal in NHRA. But if you have one you must also have a 5# fire bottle in the cockpit.
Take away the oxygen, don't add to it - you will only make the fire worse.

 

[mike]

I mean no disrespect to Force, A.J., or Kenny, they have done nothing wrong and just because I feel NHRA treats DSR different I spoke their names in frustration. I hope everyone understands FEELINGS.

Thanks Don, that does help me anyway...

 

[Rajunz]

It's a BIG DEAL because the NHRA did not have a problem with it and OK'd it for all the races until Arizona. The BIG DEAL is the incompentence of an Organization to understand the decisions they make, and when repealed 3/4 of year later, it means they have egg on the their face.

The issue isn't competitive or not competitive advantage. It's the d*mn sanctioning body's decision making process.

Great post, that to is my biggest issue, their decision making process is rediculous.

 

[Rajunz]

IHRA won't go anywhere further without today's TF and Nitro Funny Cars. And since they just announced that they won't have TF anymore, how well attended does anyone think thier events will be for Nostalgia FC, glorified Top Alcohol dragsters, and the same fill-in sportsman show that NHRA uses? I vote for very poor.

I went to their show in San Antonio this year and it was a packed house. It was more like going to the old match races, lots of good close races with lots of nitro cars. TF, FC, Pro Fuel, Fuel Altereds, Jets, etc. For $25 it was well worth the price of admission. They made the decision a few years ago to turn it into a night of entertainment and not compete against NHRA's National Championship. I think that they succeeded in doing so.

 

[Buns]

All I can say is that the NHRA is walking a fine line.

It wouldn't have hurt them to allow DSR to continue running the shroud for the remainder of the countdown and reevaluate the situation after the season concluded.

Running off Don and his whole operation would be a monstrous blow to the NHRA and the competition we all see every race day.

If you told the team they could run the shroud, let them run it and reevaluate after the season.

 

[MHayes]

Running off Don and his whole operation would be a monstrous blow to the NHRA and the competition we all see every race day.

Seriously? Don isn't going anywhere....why? Here's 3 reasons and I'm sure there are many, many more:

1) There is no other organization that puts on events consistent with the level of those put on by the NHRA. You say IHRA, you've got to be kidding! When is the last time that you saw IHRA get the coverage that NHRA does? Add to that, they've already announced that they're doing away with TF next year. Don would have to start his own organization and hope that other NHRA teams would join.
2) Don has way too much money invested in his race teams to walk away (see point #1 for why this would be the only other option). If he did, he would take a huge loss liquidating. On top of that, who would he find to purchase all of the race cars, haulers, machine equipment, etc.? If he did, it would take a long time to liquidate everything because it would be piece by piece. There's no one out there that could absorb his entire racing operation and wants to be racing in the NHRA.
3) I'm not sure about all of the sponsors, but I would be willing to guess that Don has some long term committments in place that require a certain amount of TV and fan exposure.....(see IHRA comment above that would no way satisfy his sponsors).

So all this talk about Don leaving.....I say BS! The above points are common sense, especially from a business perspective. If anyone doesn't think that's the case, I'd love to hear it.

 

[TR]

Great post, that to is my biggest issue, their decision making process is rediculous.

So we are assuming they have a decision making "process"? It is more like management by crisis, or throwing darts at a board or flipping a coin. Come on man, these guys are overpaid for what they do period.

Rick

 

[Mike]

One of the things that has been mentioned here is the higher windshield and the shroud produced a "positive" pressure in the cockpit.
I was a licensed/certified Fire Marshall in California and as any fire expert will tell you you "do not" want a positive pressure area in a fire. Fire lives on one thing and one thing only "OXYGEN" take away the oxygen and nothing will burn. You do this by putting water or some other fire extinguishing agent on the fire, or let the source burn out, removing the oxygen and the fire goes out. If as stated the changes created positive air in the cockpit that wasn't the right way to go.
A enclosed cockpit is legal in NHRA. But if you have one you must also have a 5# fire bottle in the cockpit.
Take away the oxygen, don't add to it - you will only make the fire worse.

Actually terry, as a career firfighter/paramedic...we DO use positive pressure to keep fire and smoke away...consider the Positive Pressure on our Self Contained Breathing Apparatus(SCBA)...the positive pressure within the mask keeps fire and toxic gases OUT of the mask...seems like the positive pressure in the shrouded cockpit does the same thing...WHEN fuel, at pressure, isnt blowing into the space...just my 2 cents cheers

 

[George.]

Seriously? Don isn't going anywhere....why? Here's 3 reasons and I'm sure there are many, many more:

1) There is no other organization that puts on events consistent with the level of those put on by the NHRA. You say IHRA, you've got to be kidding! When is the last time that you saw IHRA get the coverage that NHRA does? Add to that, they've already announced that they're doing away with TF next year. Don would have to start his own organization and hope that other NHRA teams would join.
2) Don has way too much money invested in his race teams to walk away (see point #1 for why this would be the only other option). If he did, he would take a huge loss liquidating. On top of that, who would he find to purchase all of the race cars, haulers, machine equipment, etc.? If he did, it would take a long time to liquidate everything because it would be piece by piece. There's no one out there that could absorb his entire racing operation and wants to be racing in the NHRA.
3) I'm not sure about all of the sponsors, but I would be willing to guess that Don has some long term committments in place that require a certain amount of TV and fan exposure.....(see IHRA comment above that would no way satisfy his sponsors).

So all this talk about Don leaving.....I say BS! The above points are common sense, especially from a business perspective. If anyone doesn't think that's the case, I'd love to hear it.

I never met the man, but I can tell you this:
If Don Schumacher is pissed off enough to walk away, he will. To think that "money" is what a man in his position covets is a little off base.
It's about plain old, common respect that each of us deserve.
Nobody in his position wants to have the NHRA's cigar snuffed out on his forehead like that. Some have to take it, and some don't.

I am sure he will eat his fair share of crap from the egotisticals that run the NHRA so his employees have a job, but I can tell you that there is a point of no return, and if the NHRA crosses it, he will take the best of the NHRA's entrants and major sponsors, and leave. There by gutting what was the fuel field of the NHRA.
At some point, the NHRA will pull some crap with the wrong person...