WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO THE SPORTSMAN CLASSES?
First, I must admit that I'm not the most diligent follower of online websites and
Message boards relative to the sport of drag racing. And maybe I have missed it and that others are up in arms about it already. What I'm rambling about is that the entry list at Columbus shows that the top three sportsman classes have been cut from competition (i.e. TA/D, TA/FC, Comp.). I know they have the rotational method but how the heck would it ever end up that one event would be denied all three? This is ridiculous considering the stature of this race! What am I missing?
I applaud your efforts in trying to right the wrongs of our sanctioning bodies.
Thank you,
Bill Fry
Burlington, KY
ANOTHER WYATT FAN
Hi Jeff! Thanks for the nice words on Jack's win. When he asked me to help him burn nitro in 1987 we put together a tune-up by using most of his alky parts. As you know, he still does more with less than any nitroburner in the country. Hard work does pay off.
"Save the kids" my older bother! ! ! (now 61 too)
Jerry Newman
CheeseLand
AREND ANSWER
Hi, this is regarding your question at the end of your Apr. 26th edition of Burk's Blast... You were wondering what happened to the Paul Smith/Jeff Arend deal to run the IHRA season. You must have missed this bit of news: http://www.nhra.com/apcm/templates/news_template.asp?articleid=11135=8
Apparently Arend was buoyed enough by his performance at the Gators that he's apparently decided to try more NHRA races and has apparently given up on the IHRA program. That's a shame since I think he'd be better off running IHRA until they get their program back together. MIght even win a few races - plus it would have been a big boost for IHRA's "new" NFC class.
Needless to say as an IHRA fan, I was feeling quite happy and vindicated when he didn't qualify for Vegas (or was it Houston?).
Doug Finch
Edmonton, AB Canada
CONGRATULATIONS, MR. WILSON
I don't usually comment like this, but I was compelled to share my excitement after reading you beat Mr. Richardson dead on with an .002 light. You probably know, the Richardsons get a lot easy passes in big races due to their opponents red lighting. I have watched many of their opponents getting spooked after watching, say Scotty, doing such things as immediately turning on both bulbs at once, Rickie's not the only one trickie. So I was thrilled to read Richardson got drilled and out performed.
FYI, I've always enjoyed reading about you and the wife ever since your magazine days.
Stu Stout
IS THIS WHAT THEY MEAN BY 'TAPE DELAY'?
Is it possible to use the handyman's secret weapon (duct tape) on Paul Pages mouth and let Mike Dunn carry the whole ESPN2 show? Page is BAD!! No knowledge of NHRA IMHO.
D. Sherwin
Canada
TOO FLEXY?
As an old chassis builder, I know I harp a lot on chassis, but Cory Mac's chassis breaking is many too many. Is his car also a Brad Hadman chassis? Brad's cars seem to be awfully frail. I know they want a lot of arch and a lot of flex, but there needs to be a point where good sense and good safety take over. I guess the racers will go with the builder who makes the car flexy, but NHRA and IHRA possibly need to put their foot down. We do not need to lose or injure any more racers this way. The expense is a second consideration, but is in there somewhere.
Richard Burbick