WHAT A LONG, STRANGE TRIP IT WILL BE

For those of you wondering what has happened to the Strange Display/Hospitality Coach (formerly owned by Ray Charles himself), the talented leader of Strange Engineering, Bob Stange, is doing a major remodel as this picture will attest. Look for the new Strange "Tahj Ma Bus" to debut later this year. [4-6-2005]

REV LIMITERS AND TIMERS COMING TO ALKY DIVISION?

Agent 1320 has learned from one of his most reliable sources that the NHRA tech department will soon put into effect a program to require electronic rev controls as well as a engine running time controller for the Alky Funny Car and Alky/Nitro AFD classes.

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According to our source, even before the season started NHRA had been looking for a method to control the max rpm for alcohol cars in those two classes. According to the Agent's source, the supercharged alky cars are turning their engines at levels approaching 11,000 rpm. Evidently the NHRA tech department feels that high of engine rpm significantly contributes to the excess number of engine explosions and
oildowns those cars suffer, especially at national events.

Also the Agent hears that some racers who can't afford to run with the class hitters who turn the engines at very high rpms actually went to NHRA reps and asked them to take steps to limit max rpm so that they could remain competitive. Wah! Wah! Wah! A simple rpm limiter probably won't work; a spec rear gear ratio, transmission gear ratios and rear tire size will probably have to be part of the package to insure an rpm limit.

The engine running time limiter would be a direct reaction to the Shelly Howard accident. That device would limit the time an engine could run. In other words, the actual time an alky dragster's engine could run would be determined in advance. The Agent hears the device would be controlled by a wide open throttle switch and the max time any engine could run under full throttle would be 12.5 seconds.

The Agent understands this device would only be required for use on professional class cars and the alky classes. [4-6-2005]

TUNERS ONE STEP AHEAD OF TECH OFFICIALS. . .STILL!

A tuner recently showed the Agent how Top Fuel tuners were already finding ways to circumvent the rev-limiters mandated by the NHRA. (don't call DRO and ask how -- we didn't understand it anyway.) Another tuner suggested to the Agent that certain Top Fuel teams were using rear-end plates to extend the wheelbase of the race cars so that the tires wouldn't be sitting on a "bald" spot when launching.

Agent 1320 doesn't know for sure if any of the above is being done, but nitro racers and tuners are certainly at least talking about doing it. [4-6-2005]