Volume IX, Issue 9, Page 138

BRINGING THEM UP SHORT

MY suggestion is to reduce the forces that pull at these cars, shorten the length of race track to a 1000 foot. That would lessen the chances of failure. Thanks.

Gene Sweatt
Brighton, Tennessee

IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO BE SURE

Crew chiefs will always find ways around any speed or RPM control device. The only safe and sane way to clamp down on the nitro and Pro Mod classes is to run eighth mile. That's very unpopular to some, but it's coming! The insurance companies are going to mandate it if the NHRA and IHRA don't.

K. Lewis
New Mexico

OPEN UP THE GAME

RIGHT ON! My recommendation is to put the fuel cars on a 1000' track immediately (beginning at Richmond) and start independent testing to find the solutions to these problems. Also, NHRA should do away with the "spec" tires and allow any/all manufacturers to get involved with the 300+ mph tires, if they want.

Dean Cassano
Lakeland, Florida

SIDE EFFECTS

I say make the cars have a 60-minute turn around time, single pumps, one mag, smaller blower, and a body that somewhat looks like a Mustang, or Impala, etc. Maybe some deal where you do pull the heads every round, to make the motor live, they would have to take some stress out of everything, less down time, better show, more TV. This might make a fuel car in reach of a lower budget independent team; do we want the type of people that made the sport what it is to go away?

The people that never knew a 32-car show cannot imagine. There is no substitute for a fuel car, but they do not have to be the domain

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of the ultra rich corporate teams, there has to be a place for the low budget innovator. Is there anyone out there that can recall the times when an independent only ran three or four national events a year, close to home or maybe Indy and had a change to make the show and every now and then get the win? 

In closing I say get it back to where a fuel motor is not completely rebuilt between rounds and the speeds and cost will come down and safety will go up and the show will get better and the car count will increase

Robert Brown
Punta Gorda, Florida

BLAME BERNSTEIN?

I need to disagree with the reason on the Force crash, it looks as thought (NHRA will never let you know the real reason) Kenny sent a piece like shrapnel toward John’s car, as soon as the second cone was blasted and sent to Force’s side, smoke and shake were instant! The tire (those Goodyears are not good) caused a violent shake and along with the chute SNAPPED the car in half. Thank GOD John is still with us, and he's sounding like his old self. Godspeed my friend.

Calangelo Motor Sports
Huntington Beach, California

DON’T SPOIL ‘EM

Who cares if the fuel coupes run 330mph? Cut the down force down to a single rear spoiler. Single plug heads and 35% over on the blower. And let’s race like we used to.

Don Gregory