THANK YOU, TOO
I've been a racer for a very long time, and
during that time had the opportunity to read
a lot of editorials. I've always been impressed
with the courage it takes to step out onto
unstable ground and voice a controversial
opinion knowing the flak that's about to be
headed your way. The one thing I always keep
in mind is that you guys do this for the betterment
of the sport, this isn't some personal vendetta.
For all the negative letters you do get just
remember this, there are a lot of us that
appreciate the effort you put into these articles,
we just don't always express it often enough.
I may not always agree with your position
on some of the subjects...but I always respect
your right to that opinion.
Bob Mendenhall
Lakeside, Ca.
And now for something completely
different:
BURK GOT SAFETY RIGHT
You are 100% correct. I have often wondered
why the rules in the super class brackets
and super pro are so lax. I can race my tube
chassis throttle stopped car in super street
and super pro with a single layer jacket.
The rules change with the stop turned off.
They need to look at this and also have better
requirements for local tracks to deal with
fires and crash rescue. I have seen cars burn
to the ground for lack of proper ways to extinguish
them. I hope your article reaches the proper
ears.
Thanks.
Mark
A COUPLE OF SUBJECTS
Hey guys, thanks for the trip down Ford memory
lane. As a lifelong Ford person (we all have
our crosses to bear), I appreciate it, especially
the shots of my heroes growing up (Fast Eddie,
Dyno Don, Mickey Thompson) and of course,
the long running dominance of
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Glidden.
Trying to explain to younger people about
the fact Ford used to be heavily involved
in the sport gets strange looks nowadays.
Again, thank you.
And, Jok, I do not use my parachute all the
time, but I do put my hand on the lever at
the 1,000' mark on all 1/4 mile passes. My
pet peeve is racing people who complain about
safety. They just scare the bleep out of me.
If they want to go kill themselves and/or
take chances, I do not have a problem with
that. But when they are in the other lane
from me, I do. I see no reason that I should
get hurt physically or financially because
someone just did not want to play by the rules,
and that will happen, because I have a fast
(7.40 1/4 mile) car, thus I am catching them.
I have been at bracket races where drivers
do not wear the neck brace or fire suit pants
because it restricts their view or it is hot.
If they won't do this, what corners have they
cut in the car? And tech at a bracket race
is usually not much.
Good luck with this. My comment to those
people who complain is go ask Dale Earnhardt
if he thinks seat belt installation technique
is important. Cruel, but effective.
One last comment. I have people all the time
make snide remarks about the fact I have a
$700 Bell helmet, when for $89 I can get a
"legal" one. I tell these people I have a
$700 head, not a $89 head like them. I like
racing and want to continue to do it. Safety
is just a part of the cost of going fast,
just like engine and chassis maintenance.
William D. (Dee) Kruse
WE'RE PREACHING SAFETY TOO
Jeff, Great, as always. Safety is such an
important issue. It's amazing how few guys
really take it seriously! I always feel obligated
to "preach safety", then at least I feel relieved
if something horrible happens. (I tried).
Hell, states have to mandate seat belt usage
on the highways! Well written Jeff, it reached
me.
Wally Bell
ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE
I totally agree on (Jok's) story about safety.
Last week I hit the wall when my steering
wheel came off in my hands at about 175 MPH.
Once I discovered it wasn't on all the way,
it was too late. Now my car is nearly totaled,
all because the steering wheel was not put
on correctly. I visited with a few racers
who told me this happens more often than you
think. I never take mine off for that very
reason, but a crew member did. Ultimately
it's my problem and lands in my lap.
MAKE DAMN SURE IT'S ON TIGHT BEFORE A RUN!
Rich Bailey
