CHARTING SUCCESS

Hello DRO. A special Thanks and Kudos go to Jim Hawkins for his excellent article and graphs. My memory doesn't "serve me" as well as it used to, but seeing is believing when it comes to graphs and other visuals. It sent me scurrying back to my stack of back issues to see what was going on in the sport that caused some of the plunges in performances.

Please consider more reports such as this excellent one.

Kindest Regards,

Rik Chidester Poulsbo, WA

EIGHTY-THREE PERCENT MIGHT BE ENOUGH

This rule has already created what I have always believed in that the performance has improved. The crew chiefs and fuel management people are now required to tune the engine rather than it will go fast enough if we drop a cylinder or two. The results are obvious when we look at some of the alcohol guys like Allen Johnson and Tim Richards with the results they are getting.

Back in the '70s we ran one of the quickest and fastest AA/FC's in the nation. We never ran over 83% nitro in our car, the reason being tuning not exploding for the win.

Dave Reitz
Crew chief, engine builder
Bob Banning Dodge AA/FC

CLEAR VISION

Just finished reading Burk's Blast (1-31-05). GREAT Article! I would love to see it happen! Maybe if it were to happen it would bring the NHRA to its senses. I can dream can't I?

Dave Covey
Belton, Texas

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LOTS OF POTENTIAL

I just finished reading (Burk's) article "Is IHRA a Sleeping Giant? It is good to read that someone out there sees the potential of IHRA. One things for sure, "if" the leaders make the right decisions and continue on building on what Bill Bader has started or raise the bar as you stated, then IHRA will be around for a long time. Another item of interest, IHRA lost four tracks to the other association, but gained four more. That shows how stable IHRA is right now.

As a member since 1996, I have seen IHRA grow. However, as we all know, one wrong decision can cost them a lot. For example, doing away with Division 5. Talk about a turmoil. Honestly, I understand (to a point) why the decision was made (car counts). Sometimes I wonder if there will be enough race cars to compete at the various tracks in the future, especially when you hear about two or three new tracks being built. Some of the smaller facilities are lucky to get 60 cars for a race.

Anyway, I appreciate your articles and read them often. Take care and Keep Up the Good Work!

Dennis Roberts
Roberts' Family Motorsports
Team Members "Money Maker Racing Team"
IHRA #3004 G/Pure Stock 1980 Malibu Wagon

SOMETHING TO CHEW ON

What an outstanding article on the IHRA...great job! And much needed food for thought.

Eric C. Fleming