THE GOOD NEWS & THE BAD NEWS

Slowing down the breed for safety's sake is the talk at most every race I go to. NHRA regular or one of the nostalgia events. However, I do not agree with the ways you have noted in (Dave Wallace's) editorial of September 7, 2004.

Reducing the wings and tire size without reducing horsepower will create more unsafe conditions. When they figure out how to launch these ground-bound rockets, and they will, control at speed will be the issue.

Shucking the blower will reduce power, but will also increase parts

breakage. Here we go again adding time to the show for clean-up. Just ask the CIFCA funny car guys about that. Once an injected funny car association, their members fought the move to blowers. Once they made the transition a bonus of less parts breakage materialized. Stress on the drivetrain was reduced as shock loads and technology change lowered their racing costs.

In the world of road racing they have slowed exceptional cars down by

awarding the prestigious lead trophy. The simple act of adding weight will slow a vehicle without compromising safety. Ya just gotta add enough to make a difference.

Now if we reduce and limit engine size, boost pressure and bulk up the cars there will be no visual or audible indication to the spectators and the goal of slower cars can also be achieved without ill effects on safety.

Bob Beck
Announcer
Goodguys Rod & Custom Assoc/VRA.
NHRA Announcers Guild Member

JUST CHOKE 'EM DOWN

In relation to the boss's drastic solution (no-blow), I'm thinking a bit less severe; how about cutting back to smaller blowers, regulated overdrive, and less air in-let, sorta like NASCAR - with restrictor plates - but just smaller injector hats?

As well, I still don't hear anybody suggesting smaller displacements, either. C'mon, folks, let's hear some more thoughts.     

Steve Swaja

WATCHING THE TELLY

As a twenty year participant in Drag Racing in Australia as a track steward, ANDRA official, crew guy, crew chief and an owner driver, I watch (and being a shift worker) tape all ESPN coverage of US Drag Racing. It has become sanitised, corporate CRAP!

I have always admired Mike Dunn as a driver and the others for their historic references, etc. BUT every event is like a duplicate of the last (apart from qualifiers & winners) the broadcast is the SAME!

And ESPN (or FOX in OZ) for every 2 hrs of drag racing there is one hour of ads for other sports (mainly golf) they advertise.

To my comment above, apart from Indy, you can watch one race then another the next week and apart from the winners, losers, etc. the commentary is the same! Apart from the commentary, is drag racing turning into F1, i.e, Schumacker/Ferrari always winning, same top 5 in order at every race?

Lance Ginbey

WHERE THE ACTION IS

I wrote the NHRA and asked why they don't get more of the Friday night Q-sessions on, after all - the night time sessions most always has the fastest and quickest runs and the flames. But no, they like to show the cars running on a hot slick track going up in tire smoke. I just don't get it!!

Bruce Conradson

NO BLOW HARD

Jeff, I your "Burk's Blasts" of 9/10 and I had a couple of thoughts.

First, concerning having the suits buy a ticket, food, beverages, etc.  After working national events since 1970, I have the feeling that the new breed of managers really don't know too much about the races. Degrees in Marketing, Finance and the like have become more important than a "Masters in Drag Racing"—you know, the kind of degree that folks like Steve Gibbs and Lynwood Dupuy have.

Anyway, I can't imagine these suits going to a drag race if it wasn't part of their job requirement. Too bad.

The other item I want to respond to is your musing about being willing to pay for a printed version (of DRO). I wouldn't. Not so much for the cost. It's just that your current format is so timely. I can't imagine that you would be able to keep that aspect of this "E-publication", if it were a "hard copy" item.

Just an old fart's thoughts.

Fred Brown
Columbus, Ga.