3-VALVE HEAD HISTORY

The article by Simon Cope was very interesting. It showed a marked improvement in the design from earlier photos that have been published. The design is remarkedly similar to my design of the late 80's and early 90's of heads that I built for Walt Austin's Top Fuel car. A picture is enclosed.

This design was run until 1998 when NHRA decided to go to a 2-valve format only. My first 3-valve heads were built and run in 1981 for a Donovan with the 426 version being run in 1986. I hope the Sanity project continues to do well.

David Benjamin
dbindustries.com

STILL TALKING CONTINGENCY

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Maybe if the sanctioning bodies, namely the NHRA weren't so greedy and required the contingency sponsors to pay them any unclaimed money, then this would be a non-issue. But with the NHRA requiring the contingency sponsors to pay irregardless if someone has a contingency claim or not, it's a wonder these companies can afford to do this program at all. I race in the IHRA Top Sportsman class and refuse to race an NHRA event, because of the way NHRA treats its sportsman racers like dirt. NHRA is the problem here not the so called sticker slappers. Not that I approved of sticker slappers.

Tony Thoman
Louisville, KY

TALKING TOCHER

Ian, you hit the nail on the head once again. Good job!

Joe Yarini

LEARN FROM THE EUROPEANS

Absolutely correct, Burkster! NHRA/IHRA could take a page from the European motorcycle racer's playbook on payouts....something that's worked for decades over there. The bulk of the money is put on the race qualifiers and a little extra set aside for the winners. That keeps the teams coming back to try again since they have every reason to believe that they'll be making enough to stay on the road. It always made sense to me.

Keep up the fine work.

Ron Evans
Lovington, IL

'NO SOUP FOR YOU'

Burkmeister...everything you say is right on, as usual, except the part about the big boys giving two shits about the little guys. One exception. . .Connie, and when he speaks, I think the Nazis listen. Still seems like they screw him over now and then. He leaves and the doors open up for at least three, sometimes four "low budget" guys.

Mike Dakin
Ohio