HE'S SEEN THE LIGHT
I think Graham Light should be fired. I don't know anyone
that has any respect for him. I only wonder if Wally Parks
knows how this man is leading his (Wally's) dream.
The moment for Steve Johnson to glow in he limelight of
winning Indy is gone forever. Yes, Light did reverse the
decision, but I can't help but believe that he knew the
world would come down on him if he didn't. I'm was extremely
glad he "ate some crow" after his TV interview.
Last year NHRA dropped the Sportsman Motorcycle Class from
Division 7 with no warning. I won the Division 7 Championship
in 2001 and have devoted the last 10 years to running that
series. I must have left 10 messages with Mr. Light's secretary
to find out why the bikes were dropped. He did not have
the professional courtesy to return one call. I think that
says a lot about Mr. Light.
We have all heard that NHRA stands for, "Never Hand
Racers Anything". With Mr. Light in power, that will
continue.
Greg Liskey
#7014 NHRA
2001 Div.7 Champ, Motorcycle
Salinas, CA
A DAY LATE
The call should have been made on the spot, not a day later.
I agree with Steve. They gave him the trophy but he lost
the moment.
I believe that NASCAR and Indy cars all make sure of the
final order before they hand out the trophies.
Regardless of the ET, the one to the finish line first
is the winner...it is in the rule book! Why did they not
look at the tape right away? They did the right thing making
Steve Johnson the winner but it should have been done on
Monday, not Tuesday night. NHRA needs to look at the finish
line tape before they hand out the trophy in the future.
I feel bad for Matt Smith also, to think you have won and
then have it taken away. I would be mad too if I was him.
Keep up the great job, you guys.
Lee Lones
Chicago, IL
TIMING TROUBLES
Oh what a can of worms I see opening up! (scenario) Final
round of $200K bracket race for example. The final is close
and the loser says he actually won and what follows is months
(years?) of court time logged to determine who won. And
you know who loses, don't you? Yup, the track operator.
Because of this decision, anyone can now cast serious doubt
on any timing system and contest a race.
Tony Neu
THE TECHNOLOGY IS THERE
Has there been any consideration given to installing transducers
on cars and bikes like NASCAR uses and modifying the racetrack
to receive the signals? I would imagine that this would
be cost prohibitive in the sportsman and bracket ranks (too
many cars/bikes) but I would think it would be feasible
in the pro ranks. Most of the pro vehicles have cameras
so I would imagine the technology is there as long as someone
is willing to foot the bill.
When I worked for Billy Meyer at the Texas Motorplex we
had to continually monitor the starting line to ensure that
the red light didn't trip from a vibrating front wheel.
I actually used a Super Pro/Comp dragster to test this theory
and found that certain styles of wheels would reflect the
beam under a vibrating condition and cause a red light for
a car sitting perfectly still.
I don't think it is impossible that Steve's wheel style
reflected the beam somehow and caused his bike body to actually
trip the beam. I was intially disappointed in the ruling
but am glad NHRA made it right. It (decision) won't please
everyone but I think it was right under the difficult circumstances.
Thanks for listening and a great website.
Ray Gottry
Lake City, FL
