LOTS of things that us old timers used to love have fallen by the wayside for economic and competitive reasons.
Among them:
The dry hop, and subsequently, the burnout. (Man, I miss the dry hops!)
What was the purpose of the dry hop? Was it done prior to driving through the water box?
When the nitro cloud comes my way, im out after about 10 seconds... maybe the cig smoke hardens your lungs to be able to take nitro?
Besides being fun, you could actually learn a couple things with a "dry hop".
Test the starting line IE: Leave at 6000rpm and you and blow the tires off, so you would stage and leave at 5000-5500, and hope it sticks. (no pre-set 2-steps in those days to rely on)
Test your car's position for "straight", so you could adjust your "line-up" if you were not pointing straight down track (hard to steer with front tires up).
Antagonize your opponent with a really awesome hop, hopefully breaking his routine and concentration.
Unfortunetly, it was hard on parts, and occasionally left you broken unable to stage and make the pass.
What was the purpose of the dry hop? Was it done prior to driving through the water box?
Say it isn't so! Do the Kalitta's still warm up like they did last year? (and the year before)
YouTube - NHRA Top Fuel Warmup 2007
and speaking of not wearing ear protection - I see it every year... some hardcore uhhh... person who smokes like a chimney... drinks like a fish... rittled with tats... usually no shirt on... usually has a mullet... usually wearing cutoff jeans... guy will get right up there up against the ropes, no earplugs... arms folded and think only real MEN can do this!
With the crew guys and fans looking at him like "are you serious?" That's hilarious... One year I saw a guy do it and he didn't even have shoes on.
When the nitro cloud comes my way, im out after about 10 seconds... maybe the cig smoke hardens your lungs to be able to take nitro?
Try breathing in through your mouth and out through your nose... it seems a little closed minded to judge people biased on the above mentioned hair and clothes styles.
Have you ever given thought that maybe they laugh at the guy who goes running away at there first hint of nitro fumes?
Something to think about next time you're about to judge good people.
but were enticed to smoke by the then series
sponsor winston?
style events