tuneing difference w/ canopy vers w/o canopy

[Doug in the woods]

With Alan Johnson advising two different cars I am curious about difference in tune up decisions.

 

[turbo ken]

Shouldn't be any different, the air shouldn't be too much different. The NHRA made sure the canopy didn't make a difference before DSR could run/sell them.

 

[Just Paul]

Canopy has no difference, other than weight, but driver weight offsets that pretty much. Only main difference in this case is chassis manufacturer.

 

[sdwarf36]

Speaking of canopys-There hasn't seemed to be any big rush to adopt them. There must have been a few new frames built over the last couple of years that could have been set up either way.

 

[HEMI6point1]

One thing is for sure, I'm amazed that the canopy hasn't been made mandatory yet. Which it should. It's just safer.

I know some will shout, "but costs!". Come on, if you're nickel and diming stuff maybe you shouldn't be in top fuel....

 

[Polish Hammer]

Didn't they initially require the teams using a canopy to offset the slight aerodynamic edge with a small drag on the body just to level the field?

 

[Jeff]

There is a wickerbill on the back edge of the cockpit. Think it's 3/4 inch?

 

[Draw 3D]

One thing is for sure, I'm amazed that the canopy hasn't been made mandatory yet. Which it should. It's just safer.

I know some will shout, "but costs!". Come on, if you're nickel and diming stuff maybe you shouldn't be in top fuel....

Why is it "just safer", because you say so? A lot of drivers do not feel it is safe and I agree with them, and if I remember correctly, Doug Kalitta stated that he thought it was less safe, do you know more about it than he does?

 

[Doug in the woods]

I have seen many TF cars blow up and parts flying into the opposing lane but that God no one that I have heard has been hit by debris but then its only a matter of time. Terry McMillan's blast comes to mind for massive amount of debris.
I predict the first time someone is injured that a canopy will be required. I recall Big Daddy had one years ago.

 

[Nunz]

I like that some have them and some don't. TF cars are very cookie cutter, so this gives some variety.

 

[n/a]

One thing is for sure, I'm amazed that the canopy hasn't been made mandatory yet. Which it should. It's just safer.

I know some will shout, "but costs!". Come on, if you're nickel and diming stuff maybe you shouldn't be in top fuel....

It`s not nickel and diming to the small budget teams. Look at what's making up the fields at most of the events. About 6 small budget teams.

 

[vegasnitro]

You can't just slap a canopy on an existing car. You are asking a lot of racers to throw away a lot of perfectly good pipe if the canopy is mandated. It would also basically give DSR a monopoly on chassis sales for the short-term. Lastly, Kalitta and Lucas are building chassis in house now, and they have stuck with the open cockpit design. I am sure this was not just an arbitrary decision, I am sure they ran the numbers both ways and are comfortable that the cars they are building are NOT at any disadvantage, be it performance or safety.

 

[shoe]

The canopy is only part of the safety. Titanium sides and floor pan, fire bottle and about 10 to 15 pounds. It can be don to any chassis with slight modification. Period it is SAFER.

 

[TooTall999]

The canopy is only part of the safety. Titanium sides and floor pan, fire bottle and about 10 to 15 pounds. It can be don to any chassis with slight modification. Period it is SAFER.

The Don has spoken!

 

[vegasnitro]

Thanks for the reply Don. I was under the impression that a canopy could not be placed into an existing car, but you would know MUCH better than I. Thanks again.

 

[mike]

You can't just slap a canopy on an existing car. You are asking a lot of racers to throw away a lot of perfectly good pipe if the canopy is mandated. It would also basically give DSR a monopoly on chassis sales for the short-term. Lastly, Kalitta and Lucas are building chassis in house now, and they have stuck with the open cockpit design. I am sure this was not just an arbitrary decision, I am sure they ran the numbers both ways and are comfortable that the cars they are building are NOT at any disadvantage, be it performance or safety.

MLR built a canopy car for an Australian racer. Force's canopy car is a McKinney chassis from memory, might even be an in house car.

 

[turbo ken]

Brittney's canopy car is a JFR in-house chassis. Not many T/F cars are running a McKinney chassis, most are Hadman, DSR, and MLR. Kalitta builds their chassis in-house.