poor excuse for tech at NHRA National

[Crew Chief]

Questions...Did the tower notify tech immediately that Hawk had made a 9 second run? Did the tower know that Hawk did not have safety equipment for a 9 second run therefore immediately notifying tech? Did tech immediately confront Hawk about the 9 second run without the proper safety equipment in use? Did Hawk's opponent immediately stop at the scales and notify tech that the proper safety equipment was not being used? Do the tech cards when entering online have built in limitations as to how quick a car can run based on safety equipment declared by the racer? Would the old way of "hands on pre-race tech" have warned Hawk he was not allowed to go quicker than 10.00 due to lack of proper safety equipment?

[HandOverFist]

Yeah, I think everyone should get a trophy.

[e vassar]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Questions...Did the tower notify tech immediately that Hawk had made a 9 second run? Did the tower know that Hawk did not have safety equipment for a 9 second run therefore immediately notifying tech? Did tech immediately confront Hawk about the 9 second run without the proper safety equipment in use? Did Hawk's opponent immediately stop at the scales and notify tech that the proper safety equipment was not being used? Do the tech cards when entering online have built in limitations as to how quick a car can run based on safety equipment declared by the racer? Would the old way of "hands on pre-race tech" have warned Hawk he was not allowed to go quicker than 10.00 due to lack of proper safety equipment?

.
Have you filled out an online tech card lately?
There are questions and answer spaces there pertaining to everything from head casting numbers to neck collars, parachutes, window nets etc. And a disclaimer that says I know what my car/class requires. and I'm good. If a spot check determines otherwise...well then you got some splainen to do!

[e vassar]

Originally Posted by e vassar

.
Have you filled out an online tech card lately?
There are questions and answer spaces there pertaining to everything from head casting numbers to neck collars, parachutes, window nets etc. And a disclaimer that says I know what my car/class requires. and I'm good. If a spot check determines otherwise...well then you got some splainen to do!

..
And if y'all don't think they're on top of this... couple yrs ago I filled out my online tech card... trans blanket...yes...I did not list the mfr. Q1 at fuel check tech man said.."what trans blanket is that?" I said I don't know,it was on the car when I bought it. He did not toss me,he did not DQ the run. He said " it's your responsibility to know! When I ask you this question after Q2 you better have an answer!"

[GTS340]

Window nets are a two year cost like seatbelts too. Certified rollcage is a two year cost as well required to go 9.99/135.

[Mike Pearson]

Someone would have had to bring this up to a tech official for anything to be done after the run. Lots of drivers stop at the top end on the return road and take all of their safety gear off before going to the scale. No way the scale guy would know how fast the car just went on the run or what gear the other driver was wearing. The staring line crew might have a chance at seeing what safety gear each driver had on and the time but they also have many other responsibilities at the starting line. If you see a competitor you are running and he has something that is not right and you feel someone needs to know about it then it is up to you to alert the tech dept. and make a complaint. Then they can decide what action to take if any.

[KennyAnderson]

Originally Posted by GTS340

Window nets are a two year cost like seatbelts too. Certified rollcage is a two year cost as well required to go 9.99/135.

Window nets only have to re-cert every 2 years in an advanced et car. Chassis cert is 3 years.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by e vassar

..
And if y'all don't think they're on top of this... couple yrs ago I filled out my online tech card... trans blanket...yes...I did not list the mfr. Q1 at fuel check tech man said.."what trans blanket is that?" I said I don't know,it was on the car when I bought it. He did not toss me,he did not DQ the run. He said " it's your responsibility to know! When I ask you this question after Q2 you better have an answer!"

A friend of mine was just telling me that all of last season, he had entered the 'stamp date' of his transmission/flexplate shields instead of the expiration date (5 years out). Therefore, his tech card said that his stuff was expired all season long. Nobody ever said anything.

As far as safety equipment goes, I think the current method is more safe than it used to be. No longer can you bring your legal stuff to tech and then switch to your favorite expired stuff for the race. This past weekend in Great Bend, they even made us all pull over on the way to the lanes to test the neutral safety switch.

[herbjr]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Questions...Did the tower notify tech immediately that Hawk had made a 9 second run? Did the tower know that Hawk did not have safety equipment for a 9 second run therefore immediately notifying tech? Did tech immediately confront Hawk about the 9 second run without the proper safety equipment in use? Did Hawk's opponent immediately stop at the scales and notify tech that the proper safety equipment was not being used? Do the tech cards when entering online have built in limitations as to how quick a car can run based on safety equipment declared by the racer? Would the old way of "hands on pre-race tech" have warned Hawk he was not allowed to go quicker than 10.00 due to lack of proper safety equipment?

Tech was notified and didn't care.

[Frank Castros]

The insurance carrier for the N.H.R.A. wouldn't be happy about that.