8/8/05

SPORT'S 'LEADERS' TAKE ACTION AGAINST SAFETY INNOVATIONS

An open letter to NHRA:

Dear Mr. Light - I don't know who you guys THINK you're fooling, but everyone knows NHRA's bogus bonehead decision to ban monostruts has nothing whatsoever to do with sound engineering practice and everything to do with politics. NHRA knows a monostrut car went supersonic eight years ago. NHRA knows the boat that holds the current water speed record of 317 mph is a monostrut. NHRA knows the first lakester to run 350 mph and was for many years the fastest open wheel piston engine in the world was a monostrut. You can't possibly think anyone is going to buy your scam that conventional struts (which have collapsed on numerous occasions and were involved in the death of Darrell Russell) are somehow safer than a monostrut.

Sincerely,

Franklin Ratliff

IT'S REALLY SUPER

Chris, I really enjoyed your "Being First By Being Second." Am glad someone else really appreciates the significance of the '72 Supernationals. I'm sure we're not alone, but it's

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great to see someone break down that famous race and the story behind the breakthrough into the 5's... and give Mike Snively some respect into the bargain.

As you might guess I'm somewhat obsessed with the '72 Supernats and OMS. I've always said to myself that when I'm old and senile or diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's, I might not remember my wife's name or which day of the week it is, but I'll still be muttering "... Mike Snively 5.97... Don Moody 5.91..." It's just there in my head, it'll never go away...

Yours,

Andy Barrack
UK

PS. Any person who can list William Burroughs, "The Greek", Bernard Hopkins, Jackie Gleason, Beyond The Valley Of The SuperVixens, Don Julian, NWA, PE, The Lounge Lizards AND The Fall in a list of favourite things... AND talk about OMS... and have the nouse to quote some homely advice from Dave Settles... is ok with me.

GETTING BURNED?

Burk said in Just Wondering. . . Considering the press and TV exposure Pro Stock is getting from staging duels, how long will it be before the number 16 Top Fuel qualifier and the number one have a similar staging duel? I predict a quick rule change the first time a Prudhomme, Bernstein or Schumacher car gets "burned down."

Can't happen. If both cars are pre-staged, they can sit all day, but once one of them stages, the other one is typically given only 10 seconds to also stage. And if you remember the Herbert-Millican burndown, the starter won't LET it happen in the Fuel ranks.

L Magnum
New Mexico