TAKEN TO TASK
After reading Susan Wade’s article
on the NHRA task force formed after Darrell
Russell’s untimely death, I felt I
needed to respond. I don’t recall which
members of the task force were quoted, but
they seemed to be lamenting the fact that
NHRA had taken steps to slow the fuelers
down (the wing, the pressure and the 85%
rules). One was quoted as saying the cars
now sounded anemic. “That’s racing” was
another quote.
I believe they are completely missing the
point. NHRA believes that the current downforces
and speeds are approaching or have reached
unsafe levels for the tires that are available
at present. NHRA took a commendable, responsible,
PROACTIVE step before more tragedy occurred.
Their aim was to keep Nitro racing as safe
as it can be. The tire problem may be partly
NHRA’s fault because of the racer must
use Goodyear tires. Who knows if someone
else might have had a tire that could handle
the speed and downforce currently placed
on the tires. But perhaps not.
The fact remains that the tires were failing
on a fairly routine basis, although not catastrophically
until Darrell Russell’s accident. Chunking
of the tires had happened to many teams and
they were often changing tires after every
run to avoid problems. These tires are very
expensive and the added cost could have caused
some of the smaller teams to fold. Instead,
NHRA took quick action and has hopefully
made things safer for the person strapped
into the car.
I applaud NHRA’s action. I hope it
is enough but if it isn’t, I hope that
they will do whatever is necessary to safeguard
the lives of the drivers.
Steve Graham
Duluth, GA
GEORGIA ON MY MIND
I just completed reading (Dale Wilson’s)
latest article online.... always relaxing
to read.
Maybe you can answer a question for me.
Why in the bleep does the Atlanta Dragway
run 1/8 mile for Super Pro, but 1/4 mile
for everyone else? Do they expect fans to
actually come pay money watch that? Let’s
face it, 1/8 mile is boring to watch. We
need to see SPEED!!
Pardon the rant..... and good luck
at the races with the slingshot. Those things
are cool!!
Thanks,
Stephen Lamphier
PRO MOD PARITY
In answer to your question about Pro Mod
fan apathy, IMO it’s because now they
are just slow Alcohol Funny cars (which in
turn are slow fuel funny cars). When they
first appeared they were like 60’s
and 70’s Funny cars: Nobody knew what
would happen when they hit the loud pedal.
There’s no excitement left.
John Mason
NHRA SS
AND FROM A HOOSIER YET
Compared to other national sporting events-there
is nothing special when you enter IRP. I
feel they (U.S. Nationals) should be moved
to Joliet - ROUTE 66 dragstrip - at least
that’s a state of the art facility.
“Nitro-Bobby” Plonski
Mishawaka,
IN
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
Great job on the Indy article. I have
thought many of the same things myself. One
other thought - “Let’s
give the NHRA back to the Racers.”
Scott Cowern
Milford, PA
