You got to be kidding?
 

http://www.collectortethers.com/Coll...Tethers_c2.htm
2 hose clamps and a string? $200.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

NHRA approved! ( see Yellowbullet.com ) 8 pages of comments...! Whatever ???

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

x2

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I'll weld on my collectors before I spend $200 a car for this crap.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

Fabricate your own version!

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

Looks easy to make.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

It's my understanding they have SFI number.......no can make your own!

Revenue stream

I could be mistaken, but that's what I've been told

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

LOL.....I refrained from posting this very same thing Bob. I was wondering how long it would take for the Gold Plated Tethers to become a topic of discussion here.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

They have SFI hose clamps? Maybe the price was a typo should be $19.95.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

The enhancements just keep on coming.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

Hopefully,they can afford to pay contingency if you win.$200????

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I'm no fan of scott lemen but you can't blame him for trying to make a buck. There's now a need and he's the first to offer an NHRA accepted tether. If you think you can do better, get them NHRA accepted and sell them for less, have at it.


http://www.dragraceresults.com/fulls...id=4965&type=2

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

Is there anyone else in this market yet? Looks like a little competition would be in order. The people on Yellow Bullet a having a blast with this.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

he's not the first . there was a post on here earlier about lokar having the first nhra approved part. here's the link http://classracer.com/classforum/sho...header+tethers

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

It's amazing it costs $200 to ensure a 3lb collector does not break away, but you can buy a front wheel limiter setup that supports how much force when the wheels drop for a mere $57 bucks from Jegs.......ya this seems right..........NOT

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I've talked to Lokar on several occasions as recently as 2 weeks ago---per LOKAR --- NO idea of pricing at this time ---no body has them if you do want to buy them--will be available later in the year but definately by 2014--k-y jelly comes as part of the installation kit--FED 387

I think I'm gonna look into going into the tether business tomorrow

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

That's the free market. I talked to Scott this weekend, and he revealed a little bit of what went into the development, manufacture, and acceptance of the product. While it does seem like a lot of money, anyone is more than welcome to throw their hat in the ring. I don't know anything about manufacturing, but I've sure learned a LOT over the past few years about event promotion that I never knew I didn't know. ;)

Wouldn't surprise me. DRR pays contingency just on DECALS alone! Already been paid a couple times this year.
http://www.dragraceresults.com/fullstory.cfm?id=4730

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

Mickey is back!

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I wonder how much it costs to be NHRA "approved". This reminds me of mufflergate. Drag racing was going to be shut down. I guess race cars aren't loud anymore. Did something happen to bring this rule about. Can we screw the collectors on as long as we have tethers on the screws. I've lost a collector off the Nova and Camaro because the tabs break from being taken on and off, I put springs on and eliminated the problem.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I'll have mine welded I'm not paying for that. Probably have to be replaced every 2 years lol.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I remember at Atco a few years back a dude got hit in the leg by one. It looked like a 5 foot shark took a bite out of him. A Top Sportsman car kicked it off in the burn out, then ran it over. Not good. But what is next? A four link bar tether? Cause we all would rather drink beer and look at our cars.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I think I will go this route also.At least we have all Winter.Lots of welders will be busy.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

Thing is, if you weld them on, will you be able to get the headers on and off easy?

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

how much weld will be required to please nhra tech? full welds or partial welds? this is nothing more than a rip off to the sportsman racer. mr lemon is lining his pockets, same as the diaper guy. at the racers expense!! enough is enough. those teathers don't need to be SFI approved. thats a crock!

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I got an idea im working on useing aircraft grade stainless cable and
aircraft clamping system

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

Another thing, even if you do weld them they still might require you have the tethers. Or does the rule say if you weld them they aren't required?

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

There is no SFI Foundation specifications or testing criteria for the tethers.
Therefore, I assume it is up to NHRA to approve any solution for compliance with the rule.

A similar design to the one they offer can use an aerospace band clamp that meets Military Specification MS21920.
There are several vendors for these clamps in various sizes:

http://www.herberaircraft.com/pdf/Ot...20bulletin.PDF

http://www.clampco.com/products/products.asp

As regards to the cable and ends, they can also be procured from a few companies and it would require the swaging crimping tool and gauge.
Some sources for the cable, ends and tools are as follows:

http://www.mcfarlane-aviation.com/Pr...?CategoryID=47

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ntrolcable.php

For guidance on assembling, strength requirements and testing the cable, I suggest checking out the FAA Mechanics Handbook and read Section 2-41 of the handbook and on. The link for the handbook is as follows:

http://www.faa.gov/regulations_polic...frame_vol1.pdf

Additional specification, assembly and testing guidance can also be found at the following link:

http://thecableconnection.com/cable-specification.html

I believe if you document the cable assembly, show load testing that meets the FAA guidance and requirements as objective evidence, NHRA should approve it.
Control cable assemblies are used in commercial and private aircraft in a daily basis and I do not believe the threshold is higher for retaining a header collector in the event it comes loose.

They also claim a "Patent Pending", well the concept, system and design is not patentable. A patent search will show many of the same concepts and ideas with patents.

Since it appears that Collector Tethers is a sponsor of this site, I do not know how long this message will last.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

No. Especially on a Chevy II

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

hi, they claim , they have a patent or getting one. those take about 2 to 3 years to get. they are not givin out on a whim! they have to have a patent lawer do a search , then the patent process can begin. just sounds soo fishy!! nhra can let us make our own! we'd have to give them a kickback prob?

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I'm trying to figure out why "There is now a need" maybe there's a greater need to keep folks clear of the area. Wouldn't that make more sense? I will not be behind a car doing a burnout period, heck just getting hit by a small stone at 100 plus MPH would leave a welt. I'm amased at the number of people that stand directly behind the burn box at our local track they all seem to be in disbelief when the occasional rock get wizzed at them. It's simple...no one there to be hit....no problem! BTW I weld new tabs on guys headers all the time they do break off at times but you have to look at your car to see the problem.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I remember Mark Lelchook (A56) looking into other solutions and options last spring. I believe he was going to approach NHRA at Las Vegas to see if a lower cost option might be acceptable....can anybody find out what happened over that?

I find it curious that NHRA finds a "problem" after all these years, a serious problem according to them, and yet allows almost a year before mandating a costly solution. I have to think someone "discovered" a revenue stream disguised as a safety item.

My solution: if your collector hits someone or causes any delay, you are DQ from event

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I don't understand why it has to be NHRA approved. There are many things on our race cars that are required but don't have to be purchased from a approved source. I'm fine with a tether but I think I can make my own. NHRA could come out with some guide lines. My problem is the over priced approved source. Now if it pick my car up 5 hundredths that would be another story.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

A patent takes around 4 to 6 years to get issued, if valid.
I am currently a co-author in 3 patents and they were submitted 3 years ago and it will take about 2 more until issued.

Like I said before, the tether concept and means, is not patentable. The components being used, are not either.
If you just look at excerpts of the definition of a "tether" in Wikipedia, you can see why.

A tether is a cord, fixture, or signal that anchors something movable to a reference point which may be fixed or moving. There are a number of applications for tethers: balloons, kites, tethered wind-energy conversion systems, anchors, tethered water-flow energy conversion systems, towing, animal constraint, and power-kiting. Tethers may break by various means; if a tether is a signal, then interruption by signal barriers breaks the tether. If the tether is a cord or rope, then upon reaching the breaking strength of the tether, the tether fails in its function. Failure modes for tethers are considered when designing arrangements where a tether is needed. When a tether or line breaks suddenly, backlash of the segments may cause severe damage or loss of life; safety links are sometimes used to prevent excessive tension in a tether involved in towing objects or persons, like in the towing of sailplanes; the safety link in a tether is thus a tether itself. Tethering objects to prevent theft of an object like a computer at a school or library is now commonly seen.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

just got off the phone with Lokar--- would not commit to any idea of pricing at this time--also no delivery dates as of now---still working on getting production up and running only have done prelimanery production at this point---- will let me know when things will be available--FED 387

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I emailed Pat C this morning and he got back to me right away. To avoid the tether all that would be needed is a 1" weld per primary tube....quite a bit cheaper than a $200 set of "links and cuffs".

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

Would be interesting to know where this comes from. Two things, follow the money and who benefits.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

im considering a 4" square section of plywood mounted behind the collector. The plywood will be affixed to the floorboard with some angle iron brackets on the top half and some big springs mounted to the lower section that will stretch to the front bumper brackets.
I'll just drill a hole in the center of the plywood for exhaust to escape; starting with a 1" bore and maybe increasing it to 2". That will satisfy the DB requirements that will be next and I will have a cheap way of slowing my car down and avoiding the AHFS.

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

You forgot the Plywood must be SFI approved for flammability! :)

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

I'd be more interested in paying $ 200 for something to help get my collectors off .there have been times I'd pay $200 for someone else to take them off ..sure cannot see paying to keep something on that is double bolted and requires hammer& chisel to remove. JMO

Re: You got to be kidding?
 

xxxxx