cbs latest on handbrakes?

[krugracing12]

The second or hand brake system is independent of the foot system. the only common pieces between them are the brake rotor and the plate from the rear end that holds the dual calipers. The safety comes from if there is a failure of any brake part other than those, you still have brakes. If you break a line or fitting, pedal/rod falls off or other M/C failure or a pad or the caliper fails, you still have a complete braking system to stop the car. Ten years ago I broke a simple fitting on the only brake line at LVD and crashed, the brakes were fine when I staged but at the stripe the pedal went right to floor with nothing. My new dragster has 2 independent sets so that a simple failure wont wreck me again. The failure would have to be very severe to disable both sets at the same time.
I was told by D-1 Tech Director Ryck Campbell during chassis cert that the rule book states if they work together having the 2nd brake is legal, meaning if you pull the hand brake and the pedal moves and vise-versa its legal. I am now fashioning an adjustable morse cable between them to comply with the rule without taking the handle out. I have no intention of doubling my single motion brake capacity, either system individually will easily lock the brakes up at any speed. Just comply the one of the more poorly thought out rules to come along in a while.

Bill Krug
T/D 1531
S/C 1531
S/G 153K

[Jeff Beckman]

Sorry Guys, I should have phrased my comment more as a question. I too am building a Top Dragster and have dual brakes set up on it, and want to ad them to our Super Comp car. Ron's answer for me is correct, that is my understanding and thinking. I do believe that NHRA does fear the use of hand brakes as a finish line/crash opportunity. Also JFR using it as a traction control activator is where the rule came from, how that effects Sportsman safety is beyond me. No I do not know anyone who uses the hand brake at the finish line, but if it is in the car, I know people and someone by human nature just wont be able to resist, I dont want to be in the other lane. I like the morse cable for rule compliance, but I am trying to figure out a second pedal, our maybe I am just trying to reinvent the wheel. Anyhow, I am not trying to show off my ignorance or stir the pot, but sometimes we (racers) are easy to rile up.

[krugracing12]

Jeff
When I spoke to our D-1 guys, I was also told of the traction control by the pros and even some cheating at the sportsman level. Instead of aggressive tech inspection and finish line monitoring, Glendora's answer was this rule. Having wrecked a car from a .99 cent part failing at the worst time, I am sensitive to this issue. There is no worse feeling in the world than knowing you are going to crash, and having a while to think about it before you hit. My use for it is strictly for a safety/backup. We even plumbed each system down opposite sides of the car, it would take a significant failure of the rotor or the caliper mounting plate to completely disable the brakes. I use Strange parts and G/Y 2200 pro-stock tires and a stab of the foot brake will easily lock them up at any speed.

You could place the 2nd pedal and M/C deeper in the center of the cockpit. If you lose your brakes, as long as you don't panic, you have a while to think about what to do.

Bill