TRACTION

You are right on the money -- traction control shouldn't be allowed, IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY. The only other change I would make is shitcan Top Fuel and Funny Car as we know it. Make Top Fuel and Funny Car injected nitro with no restrictions and then, as you and I remember, we could, excuse me, they could qualify 64 cars in each field. . .just like the old days, and guys like me could afford to race.

Mike Dakin

TRACK PREP CONCERNS

I am a sportsman racer, and have had to go down a national event track that was less than stellar, primarily at night and it had gotten slick (dew). Most of us aborted the run as the car got loose. Ennis has had a couple of races where the Super class winner was the one who could go the farthest before having to lift (just like fuel cars) and remember, we lift a lot sooner because a) it is our wallet, not Budweiser's and b) it is index racing; if you are loose, you are slow and will lose anyway.

The last race I am thinking of (and old age has set in, I cannot remember the year) had six Super Gas cars sustain damage or get totaled. Finally all the racers gathered around Rick Stewart, and to his credit, he pulled the plug.

We followed the alcohol class and this was a national event "prepped" track. What NHRA failed to realize was that we sportsmen do not have the downforce of the alcohol and pro cars. We are much, much closer to a Pro Stock car. Starting line was not the issue, coming off the stop was. And of course, all of us sportsmen are "overtired" on our car for consistency reasons.

Your idea has merit. I am just concerned (via experience) it will go too far. I do not mind having to judge the track a little harder (remember, some of us sportsmen are approaching Pro HP levels, especially with the power adders).

William D. (Dee) Kruse

THAT '70S SHOW?

Jeff, one thing I have noticed is that including yourself, just about every drag racing columnist is over 50. I don't have a problem with that, I'm 46, but it does seem like there's a hell-bent attitude to keep it like it was in 1970! When I say that I'm referring to the attitude by the old school racers/fans that NHRA, and IHRA for that matter, owe the racers something. The only thing they owe is a show that fans like me pay to see. I had a car at one time ('71 Mustang) that ran 13's. No biggie, I admit.

But are racers entitled to race? I'm probably the only person who doesn't think Tom Compton sits on his butt doing nothing but collecting a paycheck. Race fans have a choice, NHRA. IHRA, Nostagia racing or circle track racing. If you don't like what NHRA's doing there are plenty of other entertainment options out there.

Joe Sherwood

WORK FOR THE WIN

As a part of one of the lesser-funded teams that has done a lot of match racing over the last 32 years I believe that (Burk's) solution has merit. I routinely race at Spokane Raceway Park in Washington for their one and only AHRA World Finals. The track has no concrete at all, is marginal in bite, and gets little if any prep between rounds. The best racers used to come there -- Force, Prudhomme, Hoover, Densham, etc, but were challenged to stay ahead of the budget guys. Yes, they almost always won, but not without a fight.

Gary Densham had a practice of holding the brakes the entire length of the track just to keep the tires from spinning. His rotors were glowing when he came through the lights. Racing under these conditions made better racers out of the big guys and gave the smaller teams a square shot at winning. It definitely reduces the cost of racing as the fuel pumps size is drastically reduced and there are fewer oildowns.

I believe that IHRA is closer to what you are asking for as they do not do as much preparation as NHRA does. Do you think the Gods from Glendora will listen?

Dave Benjamin