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SAFETY IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS
I just read Simpson's innerview, and I remember the time Lee Shepard was killed in the "new" Alston pro stock car in testing. NHRA said in National Dragster, they would investigate the cause of death, and let all of us know. Guess what, like NASCAR, NHRA never said another word. I always thought it was because at that time, Alston was the biggest advertiser they had, but that is just my opinion. I know Simpson cares about racers, and Jim Diest cares too. I suppose all the safety companies have commitments to their products, but these two guys I have met, and know their quality. Its just too bad the bad mouthing can cause a man to walk away from his life's work in a company. Some people are so petty.

The majority of us know Earnhart was killed by a basal skull fracture. These are caused by the head being pulled too far forward, and stretching the neck to the point of failure. The belts had to hold well enough for this to have happened. Of course, the answer for this kind of injury is a HANS device, and lots of racers are now using them.

Richard Burbick

JETS ARE A GREAT SHOW
Finally! I'll say it, again: FINALLY, someone else who recognizes that Bob's KW is THE VERY BEST show in drag racing, bar none.

Thanks for not forgetting a great showman.

Camp Stanley

LIKES BRACKETS, BUT NOT JETS
Jeff Burk,

When Martin went west did he leave you his stash and have you been smoking it every day? Bracket racing is not drag racing? Today bracket racing is drag racing. Most tracks run nothing but bracket racing. The super classes, comp, the IHRA rod classes, stock and super stock are all a form of bracket racing. If bracket racing had not been started there probably would be no drag racing of any kind today. Over 90% of active racers today bracket race exclusively.

By the way you should try running any quick car down a track that a jet anything has just gone down. Unless the track is thoroughly cleaned for about 15-20 minutes, everyone after the jet just slips and slides on the ash which spewed out the tail pipe. Moats is even worse since he has multiple motors. I agree he puts on a great show but the show screws up the track surface.

Ron Burke

Reply: As you can see from the 2 errors in Chris Martin's article, pointed out by the following letters, he probably left nothing behind when he went back to L.A.

YEP, YOU'RE RIGHT; WE WERE WRONG
Pointing out a possible mistake, I believe the 1969 Super Stock Nationals were held at York US 30.

Mark Bruederle

MARTIN WRONG, AGAIN
Your editorial refers to Schultz Bike win.... NOT at the Motorplex.. It was Houston.

David Graves

THINK ON THESE THINGS
Just some ideas.

The television package is for the most part very good. But we still have problems.

Watching pro drivers take off their safety equipment and helmets is not what I want to see when I can hear either top fuel of funny cars burning out down at the starting line. The burnout is the second best feature of "every" drag race second only to the actual run. If NHRA wants to project driver personality, identification, or celebrity into their public image they need to show the whole race. In NASCAR driver ID comes directly from the way the guy or gal "drives the car". Someone needs to gain consciousness!

Why are we still watching funny cars and top fuelers backing up from burnouts? Backing up is not interesting. Is this not the time to show the top end interviews?

The deal about Shirley and Don being at Indy is WILD. Its great the way people have jumped onboard to help BIG. How long has it been since Garlits has made a pass? Are they testing anywhere before Indy. Shirley is good to go and her husband will definitely put it on kill. I regained a lot of respect for Shirley after reading here comments about the nickname Cha Cha. I wish Don Garlits the best of luck. If anyone can make a one weekend comeback attempt of this scope, it should be BIG.

I'm still totally amused that NHRA republished the photograph of "Don and Shirley's Kiss".

Randy Watkins
Bristol USA

THAT LITTLE OL' MATCH-MAKER, DRO
Hi. Just discovered your website from Scott Settlemire. Awesome! I and my car club (Camaros Unlimited Washington) will be following Susan's trek daily. WOW! She's into drag racing, drives a cool car, is from Seattle (Rockstad stunk), and is attractive! Is she married?

Real men go straight.

Wayne Dirks

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