Try to make sense of this...
- Thread starter Rob
- Start date
Rich
Nitro Member
That's what I was thinking as well.
NHRADeuce
Nitro Member
I think some of you are over thinking the idea. Let's see if I can explain without making matters worse -
First of all, only 2 lanes are run at a time. Think of it as 2 complete tracks, side by side, because that is pretty much how it is built.
Next, everyone runs on track #1 unless there is an oil down. Should there be a problem, the whole show moves over to track #2 so that the crew can work on track #1.
There is no need for additional safety safari guys because the same number of cars are running on the same number of lanes. It really wouldn't be a big deal to be working on the other track while racing continues either. The tracks are separated a concrete wall. Not to mention the fact that the track is usually lined with NHRA employees, photographers, golf carts, pit vehicles, and safety crew already. It's nothing new to have people just on the other side of the wall as it is now. It's really not a stretch to put the cleaning crew on the other track.
Yeah, it would be a pain in the ass to have to consider 4 lanes for the tune up, but then a lane can change dramatically after a single oil down anyway. Might as well keep the action going full time.
First of all, only 2 lanes are run at a time. Think of it as 2 complete tracks, side by side, because that is pretty much how it is built.
Next, everyone runs on track #1 unless there is an oil down. Should there be a problem, the whole show moves over to track #2 so that the crew can work on track #1.
There is no need for additional safety safari guys because the same number of cars are running on the same number of lanes. It really wouldn't be a big deal to be working on the other track while racing continues either. The tracks are separated a concrete wall. Not to mention the fact that the track is usually lined with NHRA employees, photographers, golf carts, pit vehicles, and safety crew already. It's nothing new to have people just on the other side of the wall as it is now. It's really not a stretch to put the cleaning crew on the other track.
Yeah, it would be a pain in the ass to have to consider 4 lanes for the tune up, but then a lane can change dramatically after a single oil down anyway. Might as well keep the action going full time.
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magnethead794
Nitro Member
I was thinking sonoma myself.
n/a
Nitro Member
Hey there Brent. I'll support my previous post (#11) on this subject by reminding you of Brandon's one-off accident when he went over the wall. Sure it was a one-off but most catastrophic Drag Racing accidents are.
magnethead794
Nitro Member
also, how close are most of the return roads to the track, that go between the track and stand? Most of them are within a couple of paces. And they have cars/golf carts/moped/ect on the return road as the track is active...
NHRADeuce
Nitro Member
Tony Schumacher sent half his car over the wall a few years back - the engine almost took out a parked pick up truck. Yeah it happens, but it's very rare and it still doesn't change the fact that there are dozens of people and many vehicles right next to every single NHRA track at every national event. At many tracks, the return road is basically as far from the track as the far lane is at Charlotte. Anyone with a restricted access sticker can go stand right next to the wall along with dozens of photographers. Next time you watch a national event, pay attention to how many people and vehicles are just over the wall from the track. If they are going to allow people and return roads just over the wall, why not allow a clean up crew?
This would save tons of oil down time during the pro sessions. It could also save tons of time during the sportsman racing. You could feasibly alternate tracks to run sportsman racers down the track at trick the volume they are doing now. Once they got the timing and the routine down you could basically run non-stop through the sportsman ranks. This would open the door to much shorter events which is the first step to a live show.
Bob
Nitro Member
Brent,
Who do you think does oil down clean up at national events? The Safety Safari is not just there for rescue. Continuing racing on another pair of lanes would jeopardize safety unless the Safety Safari crews are expanded...just for this track and this event...crews consisting of experienced people. Where do they come from?
Who do you think does oil down clean up at national events? The Safety Safari is not just there for rescue. Continuing racing on another pair of lanes would jeopardize safety unless the Safety Safari crews are expanded...just for this track and this event...crews consisting of experienced people. Where do they come from?
headporter
Nitro Member
Pro's on 1 side, sportsman on the other track. only way it will work. Tire componds mess with the pro's.
They can run sportmas cars in between run of pro cars. it might be better then trying to catch tee shirt rags, they shoot up in the stands.
They can run sportmas cars in between run of pro cars. it might be better then trying to catch tee shirt rags, they shoot up in the stands.
Moose
Nitro Member
It makes perfect sense to me. Do you really believe that Bruton hasn't thought this thing out. He is an innovator second to none and it will be the best possible scenerio times three. Heck if you look at the pictures, a drag strip, dirt oval and Lowes Motor Speedway, but more importantly a golf course. I MAY NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE. Thats what he is thinking anyway...Get bored with one go to the next event I like it!!!!
Brent
When the crew is standing next to the track their eyes are on the track and hopefully they have time to move. If they are busy cleaning a one track, they would not have their eyes on the cars then and should anything go wrong they would have no chance for cover.
Also after Scott's deal I really don't think we need to put all the equipment to clean the track right next to people racing. Seems like one of those ideas that we would all be blasting and asking what were they thinking, after someone crosses the wall and hits something.
I can see using one side for certain classes. But like I said in an earlier post. One side of stands is going to be a long way from the track.
When the crew is standing next to the track their eyes are on the track and hopefully they have time to move. If they are busy cleaning a one track, they would not have their eyes on the cars then and should anything go wrong they would have no chance for cover.
Also after Scott's deal I really don't think we need to put all the equipment to clean the track right next to people racing. Seems like one of those ideas that we would all be blasting and asking what were they thinking, after someone crosses the wall and hits something.
I can see using one side for certain classes. But like I said in an earlier post. One side of stands is going to be a long way from the track.
Kevin, Bruton may have thought this through, but you can bet he didn't seek much imput from NHRA or the Safety safari on this! If I was on the Safety safari at Charlotte and was told to go out and clean a track while cars going 250-300 MPH are 10' away? I'd tell Bruton Smith Clean your own damn Track!
n/a
Nitro Member
You do have a point. The photographers alone populate the side of the track. BUT, that's not necessarily the smartest place to be and possibly should be considered moving forward.
- Thread starter
- #38
I think you'd have to have everyone move out of the way, or as far over as they could, when the cars are actually running, but we all know how much time it takes for all the other stuff going on...
Heck, I'm just glad to be talking/writing about something other than bad/sad news.
Reinhart, you work the mop and I'll drive the golf cart with the sprayer deal!
Thanks for the support of the site guys and girls. We have some great things coming. This is really our crawling stage.
Rob
Heck, I'm just glad to be talking/writing about something other than bad/sad news.
Reinhart, you work the mop and I'll drive the golf cart with the sprayer deal!
Thanks for the support of the site guys and girls. We have some great things coming. This is really our crawling stage.
Rob
NHRADeuce
Nitro Member
I'm pretty sure that the guys who are doing the track prep are on the safety safari, but they are not the same guys who are doing the rescuing. Even if they are the same guys, every track has their own prep guy, hire them for the weekend. It would be a small price to pay for the ability to have a live show. NHRA will never get the best time slots or stop being bumped by double dutch championships until they get a live show. They might even get paid for a live show.
It wouldn't be hard to stop for 15 seconds when they have finished backing the cars so they can pay attention to the track.
Like I said above, stop long enough to watch the cars go by. There are already tons of obstacles trackside at every track. The chances that all of that stuff will be relocated are pretty much nil. There are dozens of photographers, their equipment, their golf carts, and their scooters. That's just photogs.
There are safety safari guys all down the track. There are teams waving to the crowd up and down the return road. There are PR reps, NHRA employees, track employees, Powerade dorks, and that Powerade truck loaded with people all parked within a few feet of the wall.
Many tracks have huge speakers that I am sure weigh in at over 100 lbs lining the track. Bristol has a wooden wall they bolt a bunch of electrical stuff to. Every track I have ever been to has a chain link fence strong enough to hold back bunches of drunk and rowdy race fans back by the hundreds.
If you are going to have anything at all trackside, then it might as well be something that serves a function that is actually useful to getting the event done.
It's probably safer to be there than it is drive in LA traffic. I seriously doubt that they are going to go anywhere unless NHRA mandates that EVERYTHING be cleared out. I just don't see that happening.
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Rajunz
Nitro Member
When you look at the photos closely, the left hand lane lines up with the tower, and is close to the main grandstands. One can only assume that this will be the primary track. If one thinks about it with an open mind, this really could open up alot of possibilities, and I'm not talking about running 4 cars side by side. How many weekends come to mind where having a "Spare Drag Strip" would have been a blessing? Vegas was built exactly like this, only he didn't add the second strip.
