NO WINNERS
I'm so afraid that you're absolutely correct that this
has become a lose-lose situation for everyone involved.
One of my greatest fears is that Goodyear can withdraw its
products from our sport in the nitro ranks, and most likely
would take that approach if pressed.
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Goodyear effectively took actions that drove Firestone and
Hoosier from the "professional" ranks years ago.
Now we face the real possibility that nitro drag racing
as we know it might be history. I admire what Michelin did
at Indy, but what most people aren't aware of is that Michelin
released their cars to use Bridgestone tires at that event,
but tires were not available to supply all participants
with enough sets. I commend Michelin for the attempt to
allow a full field to run the race.
NHRA has moved in the direction of approaching the cliff
for years now. I'm sorry to say that I could care less if
I ever attend another "circus" where fireworks
can pre-empt a full round of Pro Mod qualifying. Where there's
no one in positions of leadership that don't know a spark
plug from a sparkler! It doesn't take rocket science to
realize that the key to this problem is cut the length to
1,000 feet or even an 1/8th mile, at least until the problem
is resolved.
I've gone on way too long. . .thanks for saying it much
better than me. Keep up the fine work!
Ron Evans
Lovington, IL
A FEW QUESTIONS
At the Englishtown NHRA Supernationals, why could I only
buy Pepsi products and Gatorade at the concession stands?
Not a Coke or Powerade to be found. Is this how to promote
the series sponsor? And was the food particularly bad this
year? If NHRA Drag Racing is supposed to be getting better
and more professional, why do I wish things were the way
they were in 1972? Is it me or is Don Schumacher becoming
the George Steinbrenner of drag racing?
Ken Rau
New Jersey
WHERE IS TOM PAYNE WHEN YOU NEED
HIM?
Has everyone forgotten the Ford/Firestone fiasco? Corporate
lawyers know nothing about damage control; it's all about
win at all costs! In this situation nobody wins in the end!
Whatever happened to good old fashioned common sense? Good
article, Jeff!
Jack Curles
Bainbridge, GA
SAFETY FIRST
I think the death of Darrell Russell was a preventable accident
that NHRA, IHRA and Goodyear did not address properly following
Bruce Litton's crash at the IHRA Texas Nationals in San
Antonio. The light bulb in somebody's head should have lit
up and said, "Houston we have a problem!"
I know the tires were blistering after a single pass and
it seemed the problem was totally ignored until after the
crash that took Darrell's life happened. Maybe too much
down force was the issue that caused the tires to fail but
why not change the rules then? I think to a certain degree
when IHRA and NHRA try to slow the cars down there is a
bunch of complaining by the crew chiefs and owners about
the cost of the changes. When it comes to safety their egos
should not in anyway hinder the safe development of drag
racing.
Dennis Smith
London, Ontario, Canada