TIRE LETTER #4

I have been an avid fan for more than 30 years now and I am very concerned about the tire issue. If the wheel speed is a factor in the tires coming apart, why don't they try changing to a lower rear gear ratio? It seems to me that this would cut down on the tire speed and help solve at least some of the problem without taking away from the fans' experience.

Regards

Robbie Gaines

TIRE LETTER #5

I still see speeds over 320 mph and tire technology not keeping up. The

NHRA needs to reduce the nitro loads down to 50% and keep on Goodyear to produce a tire that will last. The 50% loads will slow the cars down to a safer range and allow Goodyear some time to catch up.

Kurt Carlson

TIRE LETTER #6

Thanks for the article. As with most all of life, there are no easy answers  and this subject has so many elements that are classic to the human drama. Money, ego and love to name the big three. Forrest Lucas and Wayne Dupay, for me, have the voices worth considering here. Lucas has put up his money, his son, and his reputation to voice his love for the sport. Wayne Dupay has given his life for the love of the sport and the loss of his friend is keeping him some unbearable tension. Both men have much courage to pursue their passion while balancing their love for family and friends. Maybe we might want to give some pause in our own hearts and minds to consider where each one of us might find our own heart in this. Then act accordingly.

Regards,

Brett Porter

TIRE LETTER #7

I have several comments/observations after reading the story about continued tire problems in the fuel cars:

 1) I don't care that Goodyear makes no profit from making drag racing slicks and tires.

2) I do care that the tires are still chunking after so-called improvements have been made.

3) Like Mr. Lucas, I find it unbelievable that the old formula for making slicks that did not chunk when 100% nitro was used is "lost" or no longer available!  Where did it go?

4) I think this unreliable/unsafe tire issue threatens the future of NHRA nitro drag racing, and must be resolved.

5) I have been a fan for about 40 years, and I would rather see all Top Fuel cars run 4.60 flat at 315.00 with no more tire chunking, less explosions and less oil downs, no more drivers injured or killed because of tire failures.

6) Let's face it, Doug Kalitta's 4.420 is enough! Further attempts to exceed that ET are going to put the NHRA out of business financially.

James F. Williams
Memphis, TN

TIRE LETTER #8

This tire-chunking story is a much bigger issue than the average fan could even know. Then again, it's not the average fan's fault for not knowing; it's obvious that NHRA and its reporting agencies are protecting Goodyear. As a racer myself I cannot believe that this problem is allowed to exist after someone has died. I never thought I would say this but NHRA needs to take a page out of NASCAR's book and make sweeping changes to better safety. For years NASCAR was somewhat lax in the safety department. When Dale Earnhardt was killed they began looking at it closely and have made huge advancements to keep their drivers safe. NHRA needs to do something immediately before we lose another life. Even if it means skipping some events. I love racing, but sometimes its just not that important.

Derick Turner