Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Looked at the stands last night "during the Pro qualifying and very few people after about the 100 foot mark. Haven't seen today want be on until 11:30 pm. Another driver killed and the Pro Stock cars refused to run on an unprepped track. How much longer?

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Maybe IHRA has the right idea for the "Pro Show".:o..time will tell

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Besides this TAD issue it seems the Pro Stock guys are getting fed up with "Dim" Light and Co.Krishner said maybe it's time for the Pro Stock drivers need Larry Morgan buttons that say "You can't fix stupid".
Just saw WJ's tirade to Gary Jerrold.He's my hero.
Quote WJ: "It'll fall on deaf ears.All they want is those fuel cars".Exit stage left.I wish Larry Morgan was interviewed.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Maybe if enough fuel and alcohol cars get crashed there wont be enough left to oil down the tracks and the Pro Stock class will be the new "super Stars" of NHRA and the sportsman racers will be able to take up the slack for a show for the fans. I have my fingers crossed !

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

very poor post 2 drivers were killed in the last 2 crashes

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Though tragic it seems on the surface that alot of these Alcohol teams are nothing more than a few freinds that throw together to feild a "semi" pro car. While I'm sure alot of the teams are in fact on top of every aspect of their operation, it would seem likely for more things to be overlooked given the lack of qualifications I'm sure some team members posess. Not trying to knock these guys just making an observation.Joe

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

I didnt say anything about killing anyone "D.H."....just get rid of enough of those types of cars.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Yeah, but NHRA is not properly policing the class, or they wouldn't have that many catastrophic failures. If Stock and/or Super Stock had that many failures of that nature they'd be on us like white on rice.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Alan, I agree 100%, Though not as fast S/SS cars are potentially just as dangerous. Seems like not too long ago someone went long in a car and went in a lake or pond of some sorts can't remember if it was a Stock or SS car. As with any thing there is always a danger of something going wrong, I'm just wondering if some of these teams are really up to the task of properly fielding these cars. I hate to hear of anyone getting hurt or killed as it puts our sport in a bad lite. My thoughts are with their friends and family. Joe

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Written in very poor taste .........there will never be a good reason to see cars crash ! ! ! Shame on you ...............

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

OK.....How about just outlawing them ! Let them run NASCAR or PINKS ALL OUT. Take the classes completely out of the rule book if NHRA will not do anything to slow them down.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Joe, the person you speak of was Woodro Josey at Gainesville. The entire safety setup at the end of the track failed. The sand pit was nothing but hard clay, the safety catch net was old and brittle and had been sitting out in the weather for God knows how long, not to mention the superior mentality of putting a lake at the end of a drag strip with a dirt "ramp" to make sure the car was catapulted 30 feet in the air and land upside down in 6 feet of water! The only thing that saved Woodro's life was God and Woodro! A twelve year old knows you have to till the sand pit before every race, and you cant leave a catch net out in the weather for years and expect it to stop a golf cart let alone a speeding race car! I'm sorry but priority one must be common sense, not bottom line dollars! Until the NHRA re embraces the original concept of the Safety Safari and stops acting like a traveling carnival, we will see more unnecessary deaths.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

You are an idiot. I hope you never lose a friend and have someone like you sum in up in such a callous and thoughtless manner. May you always remain an X tech man. With that attitude and thought process the sport does not need you.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

ALL of you can BITE ME.....I NEVER said to hurt or kill anyone......I woud never wish injury or death on anyone (except maybe the current Govt. administration) Just get rid of the cars (if you cn call them that) or change the rules that are causing this mayham. Some have more money that brains, skill and talent to run one of these rocket ships. Its an ego thing. All of you on here seem to read put words into a post that are not intended or in print. If NHRA cannot and will not slow this junk down with rule changes they do not need to be on the track. Get rid of the class if they cannot be made safer. John Force took it up on his own dollar to make the FUEL funny cars safer. These people will not. YOU the sportsman racers are paying for NHRA's mistakes and lack luster look at better saety rules and inspection. Why is it that the Alcohol cars are losing their brakes and having chutes rip off on a run and the Fuel cars are not? Racers are complacent....they will run even though their car or track may be unsafe just to get that last pass in. They put the run ahead of their own safety and you know it as well as I do even if you wont admit it. A lot of todays tracks are OLD, way to short for todays speeds and not well taken care of. Look what happened to Woodro in Florida. You can and are your own worst enemy when it comes to safety. At least the Pro Stock racers have the balls to tell NHRA NO I wont run on that junk track. So quit putting words into my post that are not there and check your own equipment. Look in the mirror and see if your program is up to par. It seems that a lot of these wanna be fuel cars are not.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

At least I never cheated when I was racing.......A$$hole !

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

ex-techy, why do you never have anything good to say on these forums? please leave. thanks, bye.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Nice.... jerk

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X-Tech, how about you just go away. You never have a positive comment and your last one takes the cake. If you hate the current state of NHRA racing then don't be a part of it and quit commenting. There are plenty of racers who enjoy doing what we do. Even if your comment was in jest it was poor timing and with very bad taste. What are you really proving with all this negativity? We get it, you don't care for NHRA racing. Get over it and move on with your life.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Is it me or did it look like the Catch Net was wound tighter then a rubber band? I was at Maple Grove all weekend and didn't hear about it till I got home from a friend who works on a A/Fuel Team. When I finally got a chance to watch the video yesterday I was like wow he was going about 100mph and didn't look that bad (But I think we all said that about Earnhardt's Death also). Too me it just seems like they are using the same technology they used in 1970-80 to stop cars. Back then cars had no give and stayed in 1 piece when they went through a net but, now cars are going 100mph faster and they are made to break apart to release some of the energy in a crash. Someone needs to step up and find a new solutions to stopping cars before someone else dies. I mean in a little more then 2 1/4 years there has been 4 deaths at NHRA Drag Races (3 from top-end failures and 1 spectator). I mean the only time people come up too talk to me at work who know I drag race and have never watched a dragrace but all I hear is "Hey I heard another guy died at the dragstrip"....It's like seriously that's not what racing is all about!!!

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Hey I'm not going to condone what Terry said but he has done quite a service for our sport that I'm sure none of you "Johnny come latelys" will ever consider doing. Not to mention his service for our Country that gives you hacks the right to come on here and trash him.
Hey X-tech man please don't go away.
Billy Nees

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Wow,
No enthusiasts want to see a car crash or anyone in their right mind. But I lived in Indy all my life and most every time there's a death or bad crash at the INDY 500 that corner or spot is sold out the next year ahead of all the other tickets. That sickens me!

I don't think x-techman was condoning wrecks to happen, just if these tracks are allowed to "economize" with track preparation its inevitable for crashes to occur. Historically something really bad has to happen inorder for change to occur. The unfortunate death of Scott Kallita is an example of changing the distance in the fuel cars.

This isn't a wish or a witchhunt boys and girls, it's a hard look at reality and somebody better do something or it will be a prophecy! Ive been to some of these so called prepared tracks and they are AWFUL:mad: The Pro Stockers are smart to leave, we can't want to race so bad that we take these chances.

God,:) help us all help each other race safe

Stacy

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I think Billy Nees said it all, I find it funny how some people use words to discredit a statement that is not in accordance with their sentiments. I understood exactly what he meant in his quote, they're wasn't anything said wishing anyone any ill faith. The man was expressing his opinion, knowing that some, might use his words against him. It's call free speech not political correctness. Claude Ruel

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Safety has to be a shared responsibility by sanctioning bodies, track operators and racers.
MB

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

To some of you that does'nt know Terry Bell ,X Tech man,when it comes to knowledge of stock and super stock rules & tech he is(was) among the best. NHRA or IHRA would be lucky to have come out of retirement. I knew what he meant in his post. I have never got to meet Terry in person just know him from here and a phone conversation,he has always been straight shooter from what I've seen,and been told he would treat you fair when he was tech man.I hope to meet Terry in person one day, I'm sure we could talk for hours about stock& super stock past & present.

Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

I agree with what Mike Taylor said.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Agreed!!
We started a Junior Stock thread over at the H.A.M.B. a few years back hoping to find a few racers and fans from back in "the day" who would share their memories from a time period when the Stock class was at it's best. Terry's contributions and knowledge of the class have been simply amazing and a real benefit to the longevity of the thread. We've all learned so much from guys like Terry who were actually part of the sport back then. Yes, he is direct, to the point and tells it like it is or in our case, the way it was. Over at the Junior Stock thread, we wouldn't want it any other way. If you're looking for the real history of the sport or the way to make the current state of Sportsman racing a whole lot better, you just may want to consult guys like Terry (XTech Man). You may not like the answers you get, or the responses may make you feel a little uneasy but I'll guarantee he speaks from the heart. Old timers who have lived the sport and love it have a tendency of doing that. We need a whole lot more like Terry to step up to the plate and voice their opinions on the direction that Sportman Drag Racing needs to take if we all want it to stick around in the future. Here's the link to our thread. Share your memories. Thanks Terry from the gang over at.........
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...t=junior+stock

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

Dale Earnhardt was his own worst enemy when it came to safety. He was repeatedly warned by Bill Simpson for wearing his seat belt and shoulder harness loose and if my memory serves me, his belts were incorrectly installed.

This is part of what I think the X-Tech Man was getting at. You have to remember we are engaged in a sport that is inherently dangerous. It is up to the individual team and driver to check and recheck the safety of their car and components. If the NHRA is going to sanction races in which cars reach speeds as Top Fuel, Funny Car, TAD, TAFC, or any other class for that matter do, it is the burden of the NHRA and the Track Owner to make the track safe to run on and be able to stop with a margin of safety... period!!! If the track appears to be considered unsafe by the individual, they should tell the NHRA so and not run. Accidents occur when one side, the other, or both get sloppy with their safety practices.

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Terry Bell is one of the best and would be an asset to any sanctioning body as the Head of Technical Operations. Also he has actually raced and built some cars over the years himself which that, in itself, means alot.

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Thank you for the very kind words......I dont think I really deserve all of that recognition but I still thank you. I just did my job for the love of the sport. Im upset that some misunderstood what I typed. Im not all that good at expressing myself in print.
I just think the powers in charge should slow these cars down with rule changes (Fuel AND alcohol.....maybe Pro Stock also) and all of the tracks should improve the upkeep and safety of the race tracks. I know its a tough economy but the alternitive isnt very pretty. If something isnt done Im afraid more cars will be crashed, drivers hurt, or worse. I remember in the 1990's IHRA didnt allow the screw blower and some other rules that NHRA has and I dont recall ANY of the IHRA regulars running alcohl funny cars ever having a problem getting stopped. Me personally I would NOT drive a fuel car today if H#ll froze over if someone were to offer the chance. They have gotten insane.
Thank you again
Terry.

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Terry, I don't care what anyone says bad about you on this or any other forum, you are a class act in my book and IHRA was very lucky to have you as part of their tech crew for so many years. Thank you for your service over those years and I am sure most people that know you knew what you meant ... take care .... taking the bike for a ride tonight after work, beautiful weather for riding ...

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It is quite clear to anyone who follows the sport that the tracks can no longer handle the power being made by the Pro cars. Just watch any of the back peddling contests at all the races now. It has become rare to see a pair of Pro cars make good clean runs anymore. The Alky cars are now making the same power that the Nitro cars made just a few years ago. Something has to give! Either the tracks must be redone in order to accommodate the increasing power levels or the cars must be slowed down. It's really that simple. Safety should be job one as it was in the beginning! An increased emphasis on the tech department and racers to check and double check safety equipment should be the priority! Everyone, NHRA, IHRA, and the racer himself must do their part to make sure every car that goes down the track is as safe as it is possible to be. As was stated before, if we can put a man on the moon, we can safely stop a runaway race car! If it means a little more work by doing such things as taking down and putting back up new, redesigned catch nets before and after races rather than letting them sit in the weather all year, then so be it. What is another racer's life worth? Jim

Terry, you are Aces in my book also!

.

Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end
 

For the most part, I think it's safe to say that there will not be many tracks improved upon with the low turnout of cars and spectators and our suffering economy.
Personally, I would like to see drastic measures taken now, to slow these Nitro, Alcohol and Pro Stock Cars & Bikes down considerably.