My response to NHRA letter

art leong · 06-25-2010, 09:58 AM

Hi
At the 2010 Englishtown Supernationals while going through tech inspection.
I was asked where I bought the fenders on my 1995 Dodge Neon
2095 SS/GS.
I stated Ebay and was asked what model year the fenders I had, came on.
I answered that all first gen (1995 to 1999) Neons were the same.
Fiberglass fenders are legal in my class, The fenders I had were the only ones made for the first gen Neon. They had 4 openings (louvers) in them.
I was told that it was okay to run the race. But not to bring them back.
And I would be receiving a letter about the infraction.
The fenders gave absolutely no class advantage, there is an inner fender well and a liner. So the holes opened up to a dead space. No aerodynamic advantage was had.
Enclosed is the letter from Pat Cvengros, technical services rep for NHRA
And copies of assorted Ebay auctions for the same fenders I was using.
I have since purchased steel replacement fenders which are 6 pounds lighter than the fiberglass fenders. There was no advantage at all and no conspiracy to cheat.
And I predict my car will pickup quite a bit Thanks to NHRA’s problem with my fenders.
These fenders only cost me a total of $85 but they will not match my paint.

Chevellewagon · 06-27-2010, 06:04 PM

They always seem to find something wrong with what ever you drive Mr. Leong! I think it's a shame.

Chevellewagon.

art leong · 06-27-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevellewagon

They always seem to find something wrong with what ever you drive Mr. Leong! I think it's a shame.

Chevellewagon.

The thing that really bothers me is the letter they FedEx'd to my house about them.
I haven't decided what to do yet. I might paint one fender green, one purple, the bumper cover red and the hood blue.
That will get some attention.
The last time they screwed with me the ALHFS (Artie Leong horse power factoring system) . I went to the next race and went 2.04 under. Watch out if the front end is all black and not multi colored. The new steel fenders are 6 pounds lighter that the fiberglass ones
Might pick up about 6 tenths. LOL. You never know.

jim powers · 06-28-2010, 09:14 AM

artie, who on the tech team had the problem at etown with the fenders? if glass fenders are allowed the little fender holes that went nowhere, i would think could go under the "mild customizing" rule they just really like you

art leong · 06-28-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim powers

artie, who on the tech team had the problem at etown with the fenders? if glass fenders are allowed the little fender holes that went nowhere, i would think could go under the "mild customizing" rule they just really like you

It was Ryck Campbell. And he didn't have to leave his trailer or.
There is supposed to be something in the rule book that says customizing is limited to paint only.

Chevellewagon · 06-28-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by art leong

The thing that really bothers me is the letter they FedEx'd to my house about them.
I haven't decided what to do yet. I might paint one fender green, one purple, the bumper cover red and the hood blue.
That will get some attention.
The last time they screwed with me the ALHFS (Artie Leong horse power factoring system) . I went to the next race and went 2.04 under. Watch out if the front end is all black and not multi colored. The new steel fenders are 6 pounds lighter that the fiberglass ones
Might pick up about 6 tenths. LOL. You never know.

Good luck and I hope you pick up at least 6 tenths. Guess I'll be in trouble if I can get back out and then end up in teardown after this............LOL

Jim Wahl · 06-28-2010, 12:51 PM

Art, you and I both know this was not just some random tech incident. Someone put a idea in someones head! Maybe I'm wrong, but I know of only one other SS/GS car that can compete with you. I wonder if this other competitor could have been the one to put said idea in the tech persons head? Knowing you as well as I do, I am of the opinion that doing such a thing would not have been the smart thing to do. After reading the rulebook I can not see that the fenders in question were illegal in any way.I think they did you a favor. I pity the competition! Jim

art leong · 06-28-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

Art, you and I both know this was not just some random tech incident. Someone put a idea in someones head! Maybe I'm wrong, but I know of only one other SS/GS car that can compete with you. I wonder if this other competitor could have been the one to put said idea in the tech persons head? Knowing you as well as I do, I am of the opinion that doing such a thing would not have been the smart thing to do. After reading the rulebook I can not see that the fenders in question were illegal in any way.I think they did you a favor. I pity the competition! Jim

I believe it is a FWD hater. There are a few out there.
If they bitch about my roof rack it's a factory option I'll gladly take it off if I can cover the holes with someones skin.
What really bothers me is "The Letter" was cc'ed to every division director and tech.
I have never bent a rule to gain an advantage. Even in the 70's we never acid dipped any parts, The cars were light the way they were Greg X can attest to that his belly was all over our fenders and hood (71 Charger was real light but we didn't do it).
If they would have just said Artie please change them and left it at that I would not be upset.

Here is a link to the same fenders I had.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-99...item483b19fdf3

Tim Kish · 06-30-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

Art, you and I both know this was not just some random tech incident. Someone put a idea in someones head! Maybe I'm wrong, but I know of only one other SS/GS car that can compete with you. I wonder if this other competitor could have been the one to put said idea in the tech persons head? Knowing you as well as I do, I am of the opinion that doing such a thing would not have been the smart thing to do. After reading the rulebook I can not see that the fenders in question were illegal in any way.I think they did you a favor. I pity the competition! Jim

It wasn't me Jim. Art is my friend too and if I know of anything that he is doing which isn't 100% legal and I feel it gives him an advantage over me I'll call him myself and we'll talk about it. As of now Art is going faster than me because he's been working on his car and spending money to get there. As Art stated, the steel replacement fenders he had to buy are lighter than the glass ones - I told him that two years ago.

06-25-2010, 09:58 AM	#1
art leong VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Richmond Hill, Georgia Posts: 2,003 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	My response to NHRA letter Hi At the 2010 Englishtown Supernationals while going through tech inspection. I was asked where I bought the fenders on my 1995 Dodge Neon 2095 SS/GS. I stated Ebay and was asked what model year the fenders I had, came on. I answered that all first gen (1995 to 1999) Neons were the same. Fiberglass fenders are legal in my class, The fenders I had were the only ones made for the first gen Neon. They had 4 openings (louvers) in them. I was told that it was okay to run the race. But not to bring them back. And I would be receiving a letter about the infraction. The fenders gave absolutely no class advantage, there is an inner fender well and a liner. So the holes opened up to a dead space. No aerodynamic advantage was had. Enclosed is the letter from Pat Cvengros, technical services rep for NHRA And copies of assorted Ebay auctions for the same fenders I was using. I have since purchased steel replacement fenders which are 6 pounds lighter than the fiberglass fenders. There was no advantage at all and no conspiracy to cheat. And I predict my car will pickup quite a bit Thanks to NHRA’s problem with my fenders. These fenders only cost me a total of $85 but they will not match my paint. __________________ Art Leong 2095 SS

06-27-2010, 06:04 PM	#2
Chevellewagon Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cantonment, Fl Posts: 104 Likes: 76 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: My response to NHRA letter They always seem to find something wrong with what ever you drive Mr. Leong! I think it's a shame. Chevellewagon.

06-28-2010, 09:14 AM	#4
jim powers Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: manville nj Posts: 359 Likes: 198 Liked 13 Times in 10 Posts	Re: My response to NHRA letter artie, who on the tech team had the problem at etown with the fenders? if glass fenders are allowed the little fender holes that went nowhere, i would think could go under the "mild customizing" rule they just really like you

06-28-2010, 12:51 PM	#7
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,845 Likes: 670 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: My response to NHRA letter Art, you and I both know this was not just some random tech incident. Someone put a idea in someones head! Maybe I'm wrong, but I know of only one other SS/GS car that can compete with you. I wonder if this other competitor could have been the one to put said idea in the tech persons head? Knowing you as well as I do, I am of the opinion that doing such a thing would not have been the smart thing to do. After reading the rulebook I can not see that the fenders in question were illegal in any way.I think they did you a favor. I pity the competition! Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.