Live from Indy!!! US Nationals

[Tom P]

Looks like Hawk had a heck of a landing. Richie Pauley did that at Mission a couple years ago, landing on the oil pump busted the block. Maybe a more collapsible stock aluminum pump is the answer?

Sure are lots of guys that look close to Garlits age in these pictures !

[Andys dad]

Larry I think you meant the air cleaner base not the carb base plate.

Just what rule do you think they broke?

[Scott Loge]

Last i checked NHRA was'nt smart enough to send out different rulebooks Larry. They can't even factor these cars correctly which would be why your Cuda is at what 395 or 405 and our GTX is at 417 with the same motor?!?! Sorry but we choose to run our cars 1320 feet not 1,000. We also work on them, run them, travel to race them, we were born out here and continue to live here due to our circumstances. If the grass is so green out here come on out. Same stupid factor as the 340 duster at 289 and the Cuda at 299 1972. Why? Air, Weight, FUN. Don't you build em to go fast?!?! We tried like hell to be the first G car to go 10's, at an NHRA race, not in testing or at some super combo on a Wednesday that your uncle saw. Congrats to all those at Indy that ran as fast as you could and you proved why my dog could'nt ever hunt in your world.

[Chuck Norton]

Originally Posted by Scott Loge

Last i checked NHRA was'nt smart enough to send out different rulebooks Larry.

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

The rule that was broken is the one about no dry ice! Oh, I forgot, that rule shows up in the "West Coast rulebook".Patsy

Being old really sucks!! First, I'm not at Indy and that's enough of a frustration in itself but now, I can't tell if I've got an "east coast" or a "west coast" rulebook. I missed most of both football games on TV last night because I was trying to determine which book I really have. I know that none of the contributors to this critical discussion would deliberately mislead any of the loyal readers so I'm becoming even more confused than usual.

I can't find any reference to dry ice in my book. I've looked on page 250 where it talks about cool cans, Freon, wet rags, etc. and it doesn't mention dry ice. I've looked on page 105 where the fuel system limitations for Stock Eliminator are described, right down to where we can't put the (legal) cool can and it doesn't mention dry ice. All I can find is the paragraph on page 250 where it says that we can't artificially cool or heat the fuel. Putting ice (dry or wet) on the intake manifold seems to me to not be cooling the fuel, but cooling a piece of metal. I'm thinking that putting dry ice in the fuel cell would be considering cooling the fuel? Running an intercooler to cool the incoming air would be illegal since it involves changing the ambient temperature of the air that enters the induction system and that's specifically banned. The next sentence says that all towels and ice (type not specified) must be removed before leaving the staging "area" and I interpret that to mean the staging lanes. Larry/Patsy, where am I going wrong? Putting a cold substance (not Freon, but ice of any type) on the manifold must be accomplishing the same thing (cooling a piece of metal). As long as everything is removed before pulling out of the staging lanes, it seems to be OK according to the book they sent me?

So, Scott, was I sent an "east" or "west" coast book? Or, am I completely off base and looking in the wrong place? Assuming that I have a "west" coast book since I drive by NHRA offices almost every day, could someone please e-mail me the wording of an "east" coast book so that i can compare and contract the differences?

Since I have to pay extra for a book for 2010 anyway, I want to be sure to get them both.

Keep having fun. At least some of you are there!!

c

[Ed Wright]

Great post Chuck! As usual. I also wondered where the restriction on dry ice was located.

Don't have my rule book here in the office. I don't know which version we get here in the middle of the country.

[keith ohanesian]

In my own opinion some folks get the special DANNY book. I think next year we at division 1 should send Rick Campbell out there. Wow would that be fun for most of the racers attending.( And I meant that in a good way R.C)

By the way Bryan Worner can you cut the grass already I'm almost ready to leave for skyview..

[stage1scott]

I have read and re-read my 09 NHRA rule book and cannot find where it says dry ice is illegal. I also went to nhra.com and the only reference I could find to dry ice with a search concerned alcohol cars.

From general regs, page 250:
“Fuel/Air: Any method of artificially cooling or heating fuel prohibited
(i.e. cool cans,Freon,wet rags, etc), except as noted in Class
Requirements. Cool cans, wet towels, etc. are permitted in Super
Stock, Stock,Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, and E.T.
Classes. Wet towels, rags, ice, etc. must be removed before vehicle
leaves staging area. Ambient-temperature air only; Cooling or
otherwise changing the conditions of the intake air is prohibited.
Spraying the intake with any artificial spray or coolant prohibited.”

From stock regs, page 105, under fuel system:
“All fuel system components (regulators, cool cans, etc) must be installed
not less than 6 inches in front of firewall.”

In fact, the only place in the rules or amendments the words “DRY ICE” are used in under the Alcohol section:

"Artificial cooling and/or heating of fuel confined to the pit area only. The use of dry ice and/or liquid nitrogen for artificial cooling of fuel prohibited"

Now, Just a few weeks ago, I questioned how Garlits got into stock without grade points and several other members on here pointed out he is a past champ, and that is how it works, and I was happy to gain that knowledge. It will come as no surprise to anyone who frequents this forum that I consider the DeFranks as friends. I DO NOT participate in their racetrack activities, so I don’t begin to pretend I know what they do or do not do in prepping their cars for a round of racing. I also have no stock or super stock vehicle competing, nor will I anytime soon, as it is beyond my reach time and money wise. So I really do not have a dog in this fight, except from a definitions point of view, just as in the Garlits example above. I am a huge stock/superstock fan, and use this forum to follow racing, especially Indy, and appreciate the coverage and pics from Patsy Hill, as it is the closest thing to being there. But if an NHRA official was notified and didn't see any reason to intervene, it would seem the "east coast" rulebook has the same lack of wording concerning dry ice as my "west coast" rulebook.

all you folks at Indy, keep racing and having fun, wish I was there!

[Chuck Norton]

Originally Posted by keith ohanesian

In my own opinion some folks get the special DANNY book. I think next year we at division 1 should send Rick Campbell out there. Wow would that be fun for most of the racers attending.( And I meant that in a good way R.C)

Keith,

I'm wondering if that one is going to cost extra as well or if it will be available online? I've known Danny for just about 40 years and I'm still waiting for the "break" that reportedly goes with the honor.

It's always a treat when new tech guys show up from "out of town." Travis Miller came out here for the Winternationals about fifteen years or so ago and found stuff on my car that hadn't been noticed by anyone locally for a long time. Same thing could be said for Elroy, Wesley, Marty Barratt, and Greg X., and Wayne Lewis when they've showed up over the years. I'd like to see Dave Ley out here with his official shirt on as well. I believe that having those guys come to town provides a healthy exchange of ideas and keeps everyone on the same page. I've even found out a few things when my car was teched at various times by Super category specialists as well. I certainly hope that NHRA finds the bucks to keep the exchange of tech viewpoints flowing. It's good for the sport.

c

[keith ohanesian]

That's just one part of Indy Chuck! We meet in the middle. I've seen your your tech on the west coast. Its laid back and the limits are stretched. Then when an east coast tech takes a look and makes a foul wellllll lets call DANNY over. Newman Neeewwwman am I wrong?

[david ring]

Originally Posted by keith ohanesian

In my own opinion some folks get the special DANNY book. I think next year we at division 1 should send Rick Campbell out there. Wow would that be fun for most of the racers attending.( And I meant that in a good way R.C)

I remember one time we showed up without a windshield on the altered and Ryck let us know not to come to the next race without one and pointed out where in the rule book it said that the windscreen must be of a certain height. I've never measured, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of the altereds I'm seen from other divisions that don't meet Ryck's reading fo the rule book. And like Keith, I like Ryck's reading.