Indy Tech Suggestions
 

What would you like to see NHRA tech look at in Stock and S/S? Lets not make this about any particular car but items in general that effects the performance of the way cars run.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

To me tech has always been fair, firm, and frendly. Got advised in tear down not to be so close to the line.

Keep in mind without tech, a class win would not be prized as much!

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Are you talking about tech before the race or at the tear down party? At the national events there is no pre race tech. Just fill out your card and take it to the credentials booth. They do check some safety items in the lanes and at the scale randomly.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Chillers outside the racers pit space?

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

In Stock, intake, heads and cam. In SS, the heads. I would like to see some attention towards the in car electronics, perhaps random checking after first round.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

How weight is affixed

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Bring back "Farmer ", Greg" and all the old gang .

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Give Dave Ley a decent budget to hire a competent staff for tear down. Yeah, I know.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Pump "each" cylinder for CUBIC inches.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Yes, at minimum!

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Regarding pumping each cylinder excellent idea -------OR better yet let NHRA pick the cylinder(s) to be checked do not leave it up to the racer--FED 387

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Really? Pumping any S or SS ? Haven't seen anybody cheat that poorly since about 1985.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Actually the last couple of years I don't remember anyone getting tossed. I could be wrong though. I really believe most of the hard core S and SS racers are legit.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

This is only the opinion of a former racer but, nevertheless, one who has spent his fair share of time in the barn. Stock and Super Stock attained viability and have maintained it for a limited number reasons. Farmer Dismuke, with Wally Parks' blessing, made Stock successful by establishing and holding fast to a very simple and straightforward vision, "Fact is Truth" and a true fact is quantifiable. Failure to adhere to Farmer's vision was a quick ticket to the back row of spectators. The fact that the eliminator has drifted this far along the pathway to irrelevancy in spite of a recent era of benevolent neglect and laissez faire enforcement is testament to the legacy that was forged in the atmosphere depicted in Dwight's picture and one that is sorely needed, today and everyday (in my opinion).

The clock is ticking...

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Not to mention.. Checking bore and stroke is about the easiest thing to measure with a head off. Things are much more sophisticated today.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Thank you Mr. Norton !

Love the pic!

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Lest there be any confusion, that picture is the property of Dwight Southerland and it can be found on his invaluable website, Class Racer Info.com. He generously provided permission for its use in this context.

c

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Randall Klein you have a PM.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Seems someone actually DOES know the rules. This particular rule was brought to my attention at Topeka a few weeks ago. Every division/race rules it differently it appears.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Re: Pumping every cylinder. I agree, but some will be upset having that many pushrods loose at the same time.
The NASCAR trailer for the Cup Series used to post which cylinder would be checked.....different for almost every race. P&G tech checked casting numbers for block, heads, and intake and generally observed what was going on under the valve covers and pushrods.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

I previously posted my thoughts and after careful consideration I am going to repost my thoughts. I have been thru teardown more times than I would care to count--We have always stretched to the limits every rule (legally) that I could get away with--I have been in discussion with NHRA officials on what the rule said.

I honestly believe that for many racers racing at ***INDY*** is like racing on hallowed ground-- It is a dream come true and something that every racer aspires too--To get caught **** cheating *** to me would be the ultimate embarrassment--you would never live it down if caught-- if not caught you have to live with your self that because I cheated I beat a guy that truly was legal-- The Tech guys do a wonderful job and they put their whole heart into what they do--many are frustrated racers that for whatever reason cannot put a car out there so they do the next best thing by doing ***tech***---What goes on in the ***pit areas*** does not relate to what goes on on the track--racers will figure a way to skirt around the rules with the **** it doesn't apply to me type attitude***** lets let it all go by the wayside and have a safe race and may the best racer win--EVERY RACER HAVE A SAFE INDY!!! If this is your first INDY enjoy it its like no other race THIS IS OUR SUPER BOWL !!!!---FED 387

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Chuck, the tech man with the blue shirt is the late DivII tech director John Biedencapp. He passed away from cancer way too soon in the late seventies. Great guy who knew his job and performed it very well.


Jimmy Parker

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Chuck I miss your commentaries. You have such a way with the English language. You need to get on here more often. Stock sure has changed but it beats staying home and working. BP

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

I agree. I had the good fortune to work with him at several NHRA events in the early 70's !

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Jimmy and Terry, thanks for the update. Dwight Southerland identified John B. when he gave me permission to cut and paste the picture from his site but I don't recall having had my own car inspected by him. Everyone who has commented on John has offered the opinion that he was a good tech man. The other two in that picture, Farmer Dismuke and Cloy Fitzgerald were frequently visible participants in the local scene in Division 7 during the "Glory Years."

I had the distinct experience of justifying my existence to Marty B. and Greg X. a few times on the west coast and realized that having one's car signed off by guys like those two, or Farmer (or Travis, or Wesley, or Wayne, or some of the other really knowledgeable techs) was equivalent to picking out a steak that bore the stamp "FDA Approved." If and when I showed up to race on Sunday with a "T" on the windshield and a trophy on the front seat, it stood for something that had meaning.

Barry, my Mom used to tell me, "If you can't say something good, don't say anything at all." Using that yardstick, there are a lot of things that don't measure up for comment these days. Of course, she was also frequently heard to say, "Get out from under that car, wash your hands, and get ready to go to church!" Probably should have paid more attention to Mom?

c

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Jimmy Defrank got caught with lighter than approved rotating assembly one year and he's okay.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

X2 !!!

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

There is no doubt John B was a great guy and did a super job! One always enjoyed the good tech guys. Ha ha.. can only remember one in the 70's and 80's that was less good.

With today's rules .... or teardown frequency, I would probably not have had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists..

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

After all the chaos in tech !! I’m surprised this thread is dead !!

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Great Idea. But after Dave was through with us @ Indy Friday he was dead tired. He needs to be the professor and teach some younger people the trade.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

How many people did Dave Ley have on his crew working teardown at Indy?

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Six if my memory serves me correctly.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Dave Ley is a good friend of mine. Him and his wife are a great team for NHRA. His health is not the best the last several years but his love of drag racing and the people keeps him going. He knows a lot and always acts like a professional. He needs to instruct now and be in a position like Farmer Dismuke was. Its a tough job. When I was doing it I was about the only one except for one other guy. Very seldom was there three of us. Sadly Hank Blakenship died after I taught him a lot. Marty Barrett and Greg X were my mentors. Keep up the good work Dave but watch your health.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

My favorite is "Least Said is Easiest Mended". Given to me by Special Lady that I worked with in my early 20s.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Thanks to everyone for the kind words, I've always tried to treat people in a very respectful way. As far as the help at Indy, there were 3 of us that did all of the manual work, myself, Pete Woodruff and Dave Luken from Div. 3. We had Bruce Bachelder come in from retirement to do the paperwork and I had Pat Cvengros from the office get TI forms for any info that was needed plus National Tech Director, Danny Gracia at my disposal for any questions. As far as my health situation, in 2008 I had some serious intestinal problems but that was corrected and have been fine since. Once again, thanks.

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

How does one go about becoming a tech inspector ?
Are there certain requirements to be met ?

Just curious

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Hey Jimmy those were the days Bill Blount/FrankChastain from Vidalia, Ga //// Maybe Bill want get upset with me using his name. Knew you probably wouldn't remember me. Take care

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Frank, yes I remember you and Bill well, we were both running 283 SS cars at about the same time. You and Bill ran well so I'm sure that John checked you once or twice. I have a question about the Savannah days as I know you and Bill raced there a lot. I only came to Savannah one time in late '72 for a SS race that paid 400 for 1st round and 200 for 2nd round, I won both in two different cars and had to tear one of them down before I could collect. Who would have been the tech guy that checked me at Savannah at that time?


Jimmy

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

It helps to be half nuts !

Re: Indy Tech Suggestions
 

Every year we hear the same thing "No water or cooling in the lanes". With no techs in sight, this year, some were pulling ice at the water box. So is it ice and water to the water box or dry in the lanes to the water box?