5/4/06
LAWSUIT REACTION 1
I don't approve with Julie Russell nor do I agree with anything she is doing. We as racers sign that waiver every time we race and we accept that risk. Nobody is forcing us or holding a gun to our heads to race. If Julie wins, dragstrips will start closing and this will set a legal precedent and be a huge blow to the sport we love. Welcome to the 21st century ...the world of litigation. Shame on the judges and especially the attorney's that seek a dollar no matter who it hurts.
RIP, Darrell, we miss you.
Chris Levangie
Florida
LAWSUIT REACTION 2
Regarding the Darrell Russell situation, didn't the widow of Mark Donahue sue over a failed tire which led to the death of Mark in 1975? Does someone recall the outcome?
Surely a race driver enters his vehicle well aware of the dangers, mechanical failure can occur in the best tested most used parts. The wording that the NHRA and Goodyear "forced" him to race on dodgy tires cannot be held true.
Everyone who attends a race, drivers, crew and spectators are in the danger zone, it's been happening since cars were first raced and the need to place guilt somewhere can do no good. (Unless you're a lawyer!)
Malcolm Dyer
Barcelona, Spain
LAWSUIT REACTION 3
Who ever said that driving a Top Fuel car was safe! And let's not forget that no one put a gun to Russell's head to drive that car. Driving a race car is safe but there is always that chance of something happening, so if you want to race then you got to accept the risk.
So it looks like another case of attorneys looking for easy money. I feel for her loss, but blaming NHRA and Goodyear for her husband's death is wrong.
No one told her that driving a top fuel car was like going for a Sunday drive.
I guess we need to put a Surgeon General's Warning on the side of Top Fuel cars.
Lance Sfamurri
Virginia
NOSTALGIC FOR NOSTALGIA
I could not agree with you more, Jeff!! After 30 years away from the track, I took my young son, his cousin and a daughter to the Pomona Winternationals this year. What a disappointment!! We had to sit in the hot sun watching so many delays due to cleanups that we decided to walk the pits more than watch the races! I am going to stick to the nostalgia races, which are more interesting and you get more for your money!
David Edgar, Sr
Silverado, CA
WEATHER OR NOT
Jok: The Division 3 race was postponed from its original date due to “weather” or so I read someplace. However, I live about 50 miles from IRP and that weekend was a little cool in the early morning, but was decent the rest of the time. I heard a rumor that there was a problem with insurance and also with lack of water at the facility. It does seem that the rescheduled date could have been another time than opposite the Sportsnationals. I agree that why not have TAD / TAFC at the Sportsnationals?
I enjoy your column even though I don’t always agree with everything, but you know what they say about opinions.
Thanks.
Greg Staley
