Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

I agree Jeff and Sammy, for what it cost to go a fine is a big slap in the face. Especially when it is not on purpose. That would make you rethink your whole racing outlook. The problem seems to have occurred when the roller rockers were installed.

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Shouldn't this have been announced as a change in enforcement?

Can someone, SRAC, Tueton get NHRA to post a fine schedule?

$1000 is excessive for what has been reported

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Let's weigh his options.

Pay the $1000, take a day off of work and attend the No Problem Div 4 race in June at a cost of $1000 (counting missed days work, travel expenses, entry, etc.). Have a 1 in 59 chance of winning (# of entries in 2013).

or...........

Save his $1000 in fines and spend it going to a few IHRA races.

He could attend 2 races (Sat. & Sun.) on May 30/Jun1 in San Antonio (same distance as Belle Rose = same travel expense) and have a 1 in 20 chance (# of entries in 2013) on each day.

and attend the Memphis IHRA race on June 14/15(same distance and chance of winning at San Antonio race).

then,

attend 2 more IHRA races on July 11/12 at Pine Valley (80 miles from his home).

his net out of pocket expenses will be about the same for attending 6 IHRA races as attending one NHRA race and didn't have to take a day off of work.

If he wins one of the six races (each which have better odds of winning) he can take his winnings and pay NHRA the $1000 and begin receiving his cruel and unusually punishment again.

I'm no Harvard graduate, but I know what I would do.

The grass may actually be greener on the other side of the fence in this case.

*Edit: AND, as a silent protest to Don's cruel and unusual punishment perhaps a few other Stock/Super Stock racers should stand behind Don and consider missing the NHRA race at No Problem and attend the IHRA races.

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

I disagree about boycotting a divisional race. That will do more harm to the track owners than it will to NHRA. Boycott national events if you want to prove a point. However, as we've seen in the past, someone else will show up and race in your place. There is no solidarity among class racers unfortunately.

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Your statement is sad but true. There will come a time when all will realize the Three Musketeers were right. "One for all and all for one!" Jim


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Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

And now there's this......

http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-...tlanta-dragway

So it's against the rules and is finable ($20,000) to complain about the track being unsafe? Jim

More beer money and bonuses for Compton and associates!

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Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

From another email I received:

What will be the effect of monetary punishment on setting records. Any racer who considers setting a record has always had the concern that something may not pass no matter how careful they have been to insure their car is legal. Under a fine system that racer will also have the additional concern of some substantial monetary punishment beyond all the other difficulties that go with not passing.

Entering a national event where tear-down is likely creates another quagmire with the same concerns as a record tear-down but with greater expense potential since national events are more expensive given the travel and entry costs and the several days they entail. Then now ad to that a monetary punishment?

Consider this too. If a racer gets an engine from an engine builder, as so many do now, and for any reason an issue is found during tear-down and the racer is fined what then will the remedy be? Will an engine builder be willing to pay the fine for the racer? This was a difficult circumstance without a fine system.

There is still much to consider here.


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Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

This has taken the fun out of everything. :(

I understand telling someone to go home for an extended period of time for a mistake, but to fine them is crazy. If I was to receive a fine I would pack it up and race in some other type Motorsport. The amount of money it take to race NHRA is already off the chart IMO!

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Here's the reason they have to fine everybody for everything! The top nine board members make about 45% bonuses on top of their ridiculous salaries. Compton made $708,900 in 2012! Jim

https://www.facebook.com/NHRA.TaxReturn?fref=photo



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Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

I must say I have been eagerly waiting to finish my stocker, it's really been a dream of mine since I was a young teenager which was my first introduction to stock and super stock. These recent developments have me hesitant to join the ranks I must say. Super gas is starting to look real good...

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

I can see sending a racer home for the weekend and asking that the problem be fixed before the next race but fines are absolute bull**** and as members of NHRA we need to put a stop to it!

Where are our divisional reps on this?? Time to step in guys and let NHRA know this is totally unacceptable!! If we accept it now it will just get more worse.

The next call or e-mail you make tomorrow should be to your division stock/super stock rep.

My two cents.

Rick Pike

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

I agree 100%

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

This.

I can see a longer term suspension, or even a fine, for a flagrant, egregious, intentional violation.

However, in this instance, at the most, Don should have had a DQ, and have to bring it to the next race apart for inspection, maybe NHRA could keep the carburetor as well. Minor unintentional infractions should not be punished with ludicrous fines and suspensions.

That being said, I want to state clearly that the tech guys have a tough job, for little pay, and the guys in the field had nothing to do with the fine. Some of the tech guys are good friends of mine, I appreciate what they do for us, and I support them.

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

I disagree with all this. Not even sure that he was illegal. Cam lift check with different lifters or hydraulic lifter? How was the carb measured? Probably with a worn out homemade guage or junk 19.00 dial indicator? This stuff gets weirder all the time. As has been said already in this thread, quality equipment and certified standards need to be used if you are going to get micro picky on stuff and impose fines. All of which I carry in my rig for my benefit and the benefit of my customers should we be at the same race. I also furnish an identical plunger height lifter with all stock eliminator engines because that is what I was told for years. Sometimes tech will have an adjustable plunger lifter that they set and adjust and that is fine as long as it is measured properly which isn't as easy as it seems. And I agree that 1 thou. over is illegal and a tenth of a cc too big or small is illegal. However, to impose a penalty you better be able to measure accurately to those small amounts. And that means certified calibration and standards (to verify instruments accuracy and repeatability) and climate controlled conditions on the cc stuff.
And no I won't be responsible for these variances after a bullet leaves my shop due to factors beyond my control such as parts replacement by others and winging worn out stuff in the water box. However, I encourage my customers to let me check their stuff before assembly in their presence if possible and provide scale measured pictures and video for stuff that has to be shipped. Also I like to educate my customers as to checking and measurement practices during an inspection.
And like Allen said above, I appreciate what the tech people in the field have to endure for very little compensation.

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Don't have time to go through the whole thing again,...but what's the SRAC 's position on this issue?

Any reps out there?

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

I know what my position is and it has been discussed before. Someone sets a record knowing he'll be torn down and the tech guy discovers .003 too much lift at the valve shouldn't be fined. I could understand being sent home from the event and told to fix it before you come back but a fine is BS. Flagrant cheating is a different story and I support fines and / or suspensions in these cases and this should apply to everybody.
Most S/SS racers in div 6 have my email, send me some ammunition. If you don't have my email, call me, I'm in the book, Black Creek, BC

Jim Mantle Div 6 S/SS SRAC rep

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

I would still like to see what guidline the technical department uses.

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Sometimes the factory core is that large. I would guess or assume (I sure hate to use that term) that is why they -NHRA- allow the +.015 over the 1.093 spec. I don't think that is in the rule book you and I get, but is in the Policy and Procedures Manual they (NHRA) have. (the other rule book) I've been told that sometimes it is hard to find (certain numbers) of a stock unaltered carb that is within spec.

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Don Davidson won NHRA appeal. Davidson's car passed the final NHRA inspection at the Heartland Raceway in Topeka, KS on August 22, 2014 by technical director Bob Blackwell. The inspection on the engine and carburetor were both found to be in compliance with NRHA Stock Eliminator rules.
The levied action against Don Davidson during the teardown process at the D-4 race at the Texas Motorplex by NHRA has been cancelled and Davidson's name has been completely cleared! Finally!
The $1000.00 fine is rescinded and the disciplinary action has been dropped. The $1000.00 appeal fee will also be refunded.
Don would like to thank everyone who supported him during this appeal process including Jim Lewis and Jim Boburka as well as a very special thanks to Wesley Roberson.

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Nice!

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Wesley is a really good guy to know if you have a problem like you did!

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Wow!! Imagine that??

Good for you Don, glad it worked out in your favor.

See you in Shreveport.

RJ Sledge

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

Wesley is a really good guy to know period. He has been very helpful to me over the years. Tore my old Jr. Stocker down a few times. :-)

Re: NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson
 

That's excellent for you Don, however, the issue still remains for the next guy. Who's next for a $1000 fine because of a minor or unintended infraction? THAT is the issue that still needs to be addressed.

Blatant or flagerant cheating is one thing, as previously mentioned, but what about minor stuff which would normally give you a set "vacation from racing"?

Fines are just testing the waters, to see who will accept, once accepted as "just the way it is" then watch out for the threads on here about "they just bumped minimum fines to $2000" or "fines will now be imposed for improperly numbered pit bikes, must have comp number BEFORE class or a $200 fine"

Wait for it....they always won't be so "forgiving" once it's accepted as standard practice.


Edit; and yes, I fully support the Tech crews and in no way judge them in this, this is solely on the heads at the top.