The NOT SO GOOD Stuff:
- Since you just read about the ET Finals, I’ll start there. The problem is that they have turned them into some sort of gambler race deal. On one hand that’s fine, but on the other hand why can’t guys who don’t want to enter the gambler race still get some time runs? All they have done is force racers to enter their weak-paying gambler races to get any runs down the track at all. I will elaborate more on this next month so you will have to wait until then for my CURE.
- Safety rules. By this time next year cars faster than 9.90 will be required to have an SFI-approved engine diaper installed. Do you think this is driven by safety or by money? If it was safety and preventing oil from getting under the tires, then why do we still have foam neck collars when tests prove they are worthless? If it’s about safety, make the 38.1 head and neck restraint devices a requirement.
- The engine diaper rule is being touted as a safety innovation. In reality I think it is to keep the race on schedule by keeping the track dry if an engine gives up. I owned a track for over 12 years and I can guarantee you one thing has been the same: I cleaned up far less engine oil spills than I did transmission fluid spills. Cooling lines splitting, tail shaft housings breaking, hoses coming off coolers, etc, etc. It is usually not the fast cars doing the leaking, it is the street machine guy out for some fun.
- I know NHRA wants their national events to go off on time and having a diaper rule at those events is probably smart. If you can afford the outrageous entry fee and insurance surcharges to race for a couple thousand bucks then why bitch about a $400 engine diaper. But to mandate them for ET brackets is rude and costing racers too much money.
I was thinking: Why are foam neck collars still required? How do they offer additional protection?
I am all about learning more about driver safety and protecting friends and family in racecars. To that end I have written a DRIVER SAFETY 101 tech series. The first couple things I figured out, from independent testing lab results.
- I do not want to wear a neck collar anymore. In an impact situation they do little or nothing to stabilize your head or neck and prevent injury. You are as well off with nothing according to the tests.
- If the NHRA and IHRA know that the neck collar is basically worthless in a hard crash WHY NOT make 38.1 restraints mandatory for certain speed cars. Of course they cost a lot, from $795-$1095. Hey, they just told you to spend at least $400 to protect their track with an engine diaper, why is a $1,000 out of line to protect your life and future?
- I hope you will read the SAFETY 101 article for yourself. The one that is in this month’s magazine is the first of three or four. It is very enlightening.
I was thinking: What in the world was NHRA thinking by having Paul Page back for drag race coverage?
They have a great and knowledgeable guy like Mike Dunn trying to get the viewers to understand and enjoy the sport. Then they add Paul Page and he pretty much knows less than any of the viewers. I will give him credit that he has picked up a few “buzz words” though, like dropped a cylinder, back in the pit area (instead of the paddock) and my new favorite now back to you, Mike. C’mon, there has to be a great track announcer out there that has loved the sport for 20 years, knows the history of the sport and drivers and MAYBE HAS EVEN RACED! With NHRA’s resources they could find a great partner for Dunn!
I was thinking: Probably time for me to go back to the garage and get a couple engines prepared for the 2007 season.
The racecars, the racing and the friends I have made in racing is why the passion for the sport burns so deep. I am not a complainer -- though some think so -- I just know it can be so much better if the ones in charge put as much effort to improve sportsman racing as they did to improve their salaries, we would be so much better off as a sport.
