THE SHORTER THE SAFER?
I'm willing to admit that since I've never witnessed an eighth-mile event, I'll wait ‘til that is the case before being firm in my opposition to it. As a professional fan I constantly have to defend drag racing in the fact that a quarter drag race is just too short of a race! Many times I've imagined during an NHRA Pro session the cars lifting at the 660' mark and what my reaction to it would be. And I still think "It's TOO DAMN SHORT!"
Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I guarantee you "IF" NHRA went to an eighth format the 3.0's@270 would become obsolete in a matter of a few races. Right now most(?) of the crew chiefs know how to make these motors last 5 seconds. Take 2 seconds off the ET and they'll throw more mag, fuel, compression in the mix and before you know it those motors will be set on KILL! Supposing someone gets killed at an eighth mile event, what's next 330' drag racing? Spare me!
Joe Sherwood
Albuquerque, NM
DRAG RACING IS NOT FOR WIMPS
Anyone who wants to "slow em down" needs to find another sport. This sport is not for the faint at heart. If you want SLOW, watch NASCAR. Drag racing is for leaders, not followers! Go home wimp!
Sam Makitra
Bath, NY
GATHER ALL THE FACTS
If Dr. John Melvin's analysis is correct (Eric Medlen died from severe shaking - see story in Agent 1320's column), then Eric's tragic death had NOTHING to do with speed or track length. Before we start calling for investigations and invite the scrutiny of "experts" who know nothing of drag racing, let's make sure all the facts are on the table.
While we all cringe when one of our beloved pros dies, Eric was the first Funny Car pilot to die in 30 years. That is an incredible safety record given the wrecks we have witnessed at national events in those same 30 years.
Premature reaction to this tragedy might bring changes the situation doesn't warrant and forever change our sport.
I, for one, want to see fuel cars leg it out on the quarter mile. Peddle fests, like Melanie Troxel's at the Winternationals, would become a distant memory since there isn't enough room in an eighth-mile to try and regain control of your flopper or rail. And bracket racing on the quarter mile gives drivers a longer window for a "chase or be chased" option. An eighth mile would, again, leave little room for finish line strategy.
NHRA: Don't get swept up in the "do something right now" mantra. Be careful...330-mph hot rods is all you've got to reach your mass audience - your average citizen doesn't appreciate e.t., but they all understand mph.
Greg Bednar
Mankato, MN
A VOICE OF EXPERIENCE
I have been telling people for years that the quarter mile has out lived its intended purpose. Nothing good happens in the second eight mile. That's when parts fail and oil spills. Speeds are high and crashes are at their worse. Stopping takes much longer and impact is much harder. The cost of racing is increased by the same percent as the distance. Facility expense and maintenance are also increased by the same amount. Clean up and down time also take twice as long. There is not a bad seat in the house in an eight-mile and the racing is even more intense.
While I'm on the subject of change, I would also suggest that the hard barriers be replaced with water barriers, including the notorious sand pit and net. I've personally seen heavy cars run off the track into very shallow water areas at very high speeds and come to a quick stop with no damage to the car, driver or fans. It would even aid in putting out fires.
The driver's seat should be large enough to place the driver in a three-inch thick cushion of Styrofoam like an egg carton. Straps in all directions should also suspend the seat so that no portion is hard fastened to the chassis, which creates so much shock to the driver's body on impact, or shake.
As much attention should be paid to a driver’s ability to exit the car after an accident as there is to keeping him inside of the car during one.
A roof hatch should be mandatory and the top of the cage should allow room for a driver to use it. Not too many doors open up after a crash and in case of fire a driver needs more options than putting his life in the hands of some small time local safety crew that work the small tracks.
The chassis tubing should not be painted to make it easier to spot cracks and the absence of paint would be one less thing to put off toxic fumes if it does catch fire.
Scuba air should replace CO2 for shifting so that when a line leaks or breaks the driver will not suffer CO2 poisoning.
These ideas are not as ill-conceived as they might sound. They all come from over forty plus years of building and driving some of the quickest or fastest cars in the world and the mishaps that come with it.
Sincerely,
Bill Kuhlmann
Perry, MO