NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson

[Mark Yacavone]

Recommended reading for NHRA:

[Rusty Davenport]

I dont understand what any of these replies are about......if you want to race with rules be prepared to play the entire game.....not just the part you like......take the hit and go back to the huddle for another play.......what is the big deal here ???? Be a player or play something else.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Rusty Davenport

I dont understand what any of these replies are about......if you want to race with rules be prepared to play the entire game.....not just the part you like......take the hit and go back to the huddle for another play.......what is the big deal here ???? Be a player or play something else.

Well, some of it was about getting the engine back close to the temp everything was when you made your measurements while you were buiding it. Things don't measure the same hot, as cold.

I still wonder if somebody got belligerent and threatening?

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Well, some of it was about getting the engine back close to the temp everything was when you made your measurements while you were buiding it. Things don't measure the same hot, as cold.

I still wonder if somebody got belligerent and threatening?

Ed Don didn't say a word. If you don't know him there isn't a nicer guy in the pits. To Rusty point unfortunately in Don's case like many of us he had a engine built by a guy who has alot of engines out there in stock and a carb that many stockers have on it. You put faith in those guys that its right. I just had a brand new engine built. Do you think I was there when they put it together to make sure its right. When I had a set of heads done by Layer do you think I was there saying make sure its right Dave I don't want a vacation? Hell no I assume the guy is a professional and its gonna be right when I get it!

[Bill Harris]

Rusty Davenport... x2000. Well said.

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Rusty Davenport

I dont understand what any of these replies are about......if you want to race with rules be prepared to play the entire game.....not just the part you like......take the hit and go back to the huddle for another play.......what is the big deal here ???? Be a player or play something else.

Not sure how long you been around this sport, but for an infraction like this, it used to be getting tossed. Ever since Kal Kan Tom came along and brought his corporate mentality, it now includes fines and 1 year vacations. I could understand if he's blatantly cheated before more than once, but not the case here at all. "Pay to play" is turning class racing into a country club sport.

[Ed Wright]

I checked the CCs in every port and chamber of the heads Dave did for me, myself. They were all correct. I measured my throttle body, Everybody makes mistakes, but it is the responsibility of the guy bolting it together to check everything. It is still safer to have everything cooled down before having it all checked. Everybody I know leaves a little bit to compensate for that, but better safe than sorry.

It is hard to believe they would fine a racer for something like that, unless he was causing a big stink about it. Then I might understand it. I worked as a tech man back in the mid 60s, I don't envy their job.

[Adger Smith]

Rusty,
I feel you are correct about parts and sizes being correct by the rules.
The way things are today most good engines are built at very close tolerances. Splitting Hairs is a good way to say it.
I believe the Std Temp for measuring devices is 72 Deg F. If you carry a micrometer around in your pocket all day long it will be close to your body temp. If you measure a part around quitting time and that part is at at room temp, not you body temp, the measurement will be incorrect. The inverse applies, too. Hot or cold part and std temp measurement tool equals a bad measurement. Parts and tools grow and shrink with temp changes even though it may be a small amount they change. One should never use a "Standard" to check a micrometer if they are not both the same temps.
There is the reason for using the Standard Temp.
I think If NHRA is going to fine and suspend you for measurements being out of tolerance the parts should be measured at and by Std temps & practices. That is the same way any good shop should do measurement.
I wonder what temp that .007 out of size carb was?
In the old days I've seen guys hit a carb with dry ice fire extinguisher before turning it in for Tech. Hummm, wonder why.
At tear down I would use a chiller to bring a hot engine to Std Temp. The other use for a chiller is for performance and I think that has been covered well in the thread.

[Billy Nees]

The bottom line here has to be, why the fine?

[Chad Rhodes]

one thing to consider on the lift issue is that if NHRA's lifter has a different plunger height than Don's that would affect the lift one way or the other.