Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny Byrd
Danny Byrd
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No, the rule. It specifically states the inspection is not limited to the protest. And there is a lot more to it, though there is also a lot missing (or that could be added for further clarity...like a specific form to use to file a competitor protest, who the proper authorities are, etc.), but as it reads it could have very well been very proper to the rule, as long as the protesting competitor was racing at the event (or the registered car owner, assuming meaning as listed on the tech card, who may or may not actually be at the event. They, the registered car owner, could be half way around the world, or an astronaut on the Space Station, but if thier vehicle is racing (competing), in the same Eliminator category (not necessarily in the same class), and the protest is timely filed (the day before elims. (Either class, or category elims.), along with the proper fee, and the protest is accepted (there is an exception if in the opinion of the proper authorities it is not being protested for a proper reason, or to gain a competitive advantage, the protest can be rejected).
I am not quoting the rule, just stating my reading of it. There is no mention of how that fee is paid, and you could go through the process, on either side and get zero back too.
Protested party must disassemble and reassemble (the engine), though at that point they can inspect the entire vehicle), and (then the Technical Dept. Costs are then deducted)...and the balance of the protest fee posted is returned to one of the parties or the other. (At that point I can imagine all kinds of scenarios if things got out of hand). You could pass, and flat out take too long to get it back together and still end up with none of the protest fee if things went sour.
There is no mention of specific parts like "the crank" as originally posted. The Competitor Protest Rule mentions vehicle, protest, in writing, and teardown of The Engine, and fee, and there are no posting of fees if random inspections or NHRA Tech wants it done.
There is definitely a lot of specificity in the rule, and there is a driver rep. on the rules committee representing the Category(s), so if it does not seem right, there is a process, follow the process, and submit proposed rule changes, but for fair and correct reasons.
All need to read the rule first. (They ran the inspection, and checked other things because the rule allows it).
The protest triggered the acceptance, the acceptance triggered the "go to the barn notification", which triggered the inspection, which triggered the teardown, measuring/weighing, further inspection, and the reassembly, and a decision was rendered.
Only those involved know all the nuts and bolts true facts of how it all went down or the why(s).
But, that is the current rule we all agree to, before entering to compete. (I now agree with the poster that said both parties should be required to be subject to the same conditions). Lol.
It would stop a lot of what some may think happened, but deeper pockets would just show up with a Top Fuel crew.