BACK2BASICS CONDENSED
VERSION
I don't know if Jok realized it or not, but
the Back 2 Basics series/column now reads
a lot like a fast forwarded version of bracket
racing's history.
It started out being about a low budget "fun"
thing and ended with scrapping it all for
a delay box equipped dragster. The honeymoon
took less than two years to end...including
the build time! And that was because the original
$12,500 car was already too slow and didn't
generate enough income. I didn't make that
up. Here's the quote, straight from the column:
"I was not inspired to stay racing in
No Box brackets for smaller payouts and since
the Vega was not the most powerful car around,
it was pretty much basically boring."
Now, if you padlock the dragster up in the
garage and only bring it out for two big buck
bracket events a year, your story would be
JUST like the history of brackets. Or you
could just sell the dragster and quit entirely,
then you might be adding a prediction about
the ultimate future of brackets. Take care.
Tom Worthington
PRO STOCK LET-DOWN
I just got around to reading the Greg Anderson
Innerview. The only thing that really struck
me was his comment/question about the fans
leaving the stands when Pro Stock came up.
I'll give my thoughts. As a southern fan,
Pro Stock was the final recognition of a class
of racing we loved. An upgrade of "run
what ya brung" if you will. There were
dominators in those days, Sox & Martin,
Jenkins, Glidden et al. There was also the
possibility of a different winner.
Now it's the GM performance review. Yes the
Mopars are doing some damage but it's mostly
a change of paint scheme, not makes and models.
I really don't know why a Ford isn't competitive.
Maybe not enough money. But I just don't get
up for the Pro Stocks anymore.
Contrary to the "going faster"
plan of Greg, I would like to see more variety
in the show. That's all, I no longer care
too much as to who wins. So, I'll head for
the restroom line with the other folks when
the Pro Stocks come up now.
Fred Brown
Columbus, Ga.
IHRA NITROUS CHANGES
Talking about nitrous oxide & nitromethane
now legal in IHRA Top Fuel. If I remember
correctly when this combination was first
used -- what, 20 years ago? -- folks were
adding nitrous on the top end and the extra
oxygen would burn the nitro instead of having
to bypass it.
Racers were thrashing with the combination
which would either make tons of more power
but melted motors and they were coming along
with it. Didn't someone get with NHRA and
explain how difficult that it would be to
test the nitrous oxide purity and then give
the sanctioning body some ideas of what kind
of gasses are out there and what their addition
to nitromethane could do in terms of volatility!
That's the way I remember why the combination
went away in the first place. . .What's changed?
Red Roberts
