A Buster Couch robot?
Jeff, let's see if you put this out for a count. AUTO-START. Right? How about when Rick Stewart retires, that the NHRA has a casting made of Buster and we wheel that out, put the switch in one extended arm and hand and put the switch in his hand. BOY! Would Buster get a kick out of that; and if anyone came back to complain, he would say what he used to say, and keep racing.
Louie Murphy Jr.
Portland, Oregon
Kudos to Knight
Very insightful article by Michael Knight about the economy, sponsors, et al.
Fred H. Simmonds
Detroit, Michigan
Gee, doesn’t Force talk fast enough already?
And the NHRA is turning away sponsors... I can't wait until next year when someone goes into cardiac arrest after drinking 4 Full-Throttle energy (caffeine) drinks after going four rounds for the first time! Just can't compete against Coke or the Army!
R. Vest
Covina, California
Chassis builders need feedback
When I was a SEMA-certified chassis builder, I wanted all chassis builders to receive injury reports on accidents, and any input as to what caused these injuries. I was shot down by SEMA, but always thought it was a good idea. It may sound ghoulish, but the idea is to find the cause of the injuries, and design a better way that would prevent that injury.
I have been wondering about Steve Engel, and how his back was so badly damaged, did that car get airborne and crash straight down crushing his spine, or were his belts wrong?
Just some input and injecting ideas.
Richard Burbick
Sebring, Florida
A few notes from Norman
Great to see a diesel dragster has gone 200 mph. Looks like those guys worked very hard for that accomplishment.
I thought it would be only right to mention the first man to run a first class diesel dragster, John Carey of Delaware. Diesel John, as he was sometimes known, was a Top Fuel racer and put together a very nice diesel car in the ‘80s.
Ending Nitro Funny Cars and keeping top fuel did not work well the first time. A definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over with the same bad results."
Feld is likely to have a whole new deal for 2010. Major events with big fields of handicap sportsman racers do not look like a future fact in Feldland. The Feld organization is all about bottom line, about their way or the highway. IHRA drag racing will become highly profitable entertainment. The people who started Clear Channel were the USHRA and did the winter arena shows with pulling and monster trucks. The insane economics and wild risks of traditional drag racing will not appeal to Mr. Feld.
Norman Hechtkoff
A county full of monster trucks
Pennsylvania
A little help, please
I have two questions. Whatever became of Tommy "The Who" Howes and the Wild Bunch? Also where can I find a copy of the drag racing movie “Shoebox Dreams”?
Matt Smith
Baltimore, Maryland
Try here.
Nostalgia Drags fan
I wanted to extend a heart-felt thank you to DRO for putting up the bucks to bring in the fuel funnies at the NPCA Muscle Car Reunion at Kansas City International Raceway this past weekend. The show was great, the cars ran hard and the crowd loved it. Saturday's attendance was fantastic. The NPCA show was a winner also. Thank you again for making a great weekend and wonderful weekend for vintage starved freaks like me. Now about next year...
Brad Wise
Blue Springs, Missouri