Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end

Paul Sarvas · 07-13-2010, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

ALL of you can BITE ME.....I NEVER said to hurt or kill anyone......I woud never wish injury or death on anyone (except maybe the current Govt. administration)

Nice.... jerk

Dean Roberts · 07-13-2010, 07:45 AM

X-Tech, how about you just go away. You never have a positive comment and your last one takes the cake. If you hate the current state of NHRA racing then don't be a part of it and quit commenting. There are plenty of racers who enjoy doing what we do. Even if your comment was in jest it was poor timing and with very bad taste. What are you really proving with all this negativity? We get it, you don't care for NHRA racing. Get over it and move on with your life.

BKSG1198 · 07-13-2010, 08:00 AM

Is it me or did it look like the Catch Net was wound tighter then a rubber band? I was at Maple Grove all weekend and didn't hear about it till I got home from a friend who works on a A/Fuel Team. When I finally got a chance to watch the video yesterday I was like wow he was going about 100mph and didn't look that bad (But I think we all said that about Earnhardt's Death also). Too me it just seems like they are using the same technology they used in 1970-80 to stop cars. Back then cars had no give and stayed in 1 piece when they went through a net but, now cars are going 100mph faster and they are made to break apart to release some of the energy in a crash. Someone needs to step up and find a new solutions to stopping cars before someone else dies. I mean in a little more then 2 1/4 years there has been 4 deaths at NHRA Drag Races (3 from top-end failures and 1 spectator). I mean the only time people come up too talk to me at work who know I drag race and have never watched a dragrace but all I hear is "Hey I heard another guy died at the dragstrip"....It's like seriously that's not what racing is all about!!!

Billy Nees · 07-13-2010, 08:27 AM

Hey I'm not going to condone what Terry said but he has done quite a service for our sport that I'm sure none of you "Johnny come latelys" will ever consider doing. Not to mention his service for our Country that gives you hacks the right to come on here and trash him.
Hey X-tech man please don't go away.
Billy Nees

njk53 · 07-14-2010, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKSG1198

Is it me or did it look like the Catch Net was wound tighter then a rubber band? I was at Maple Grove all weekend and didn't hear about it till I got home from a friend who works on a A/Fuel Team. When I finally got a chance to watch the video yesterday I was like wow he was going about 100mph and didn't look that bad (But I think we all said that about Earnhardt's Death also). Too me it just seems like they are using the same technology they used in 1970-80 to stop cars. Back then cars had no give and stayed in 1 piece when they went through a net but, now cars are going 100mph faster and they are made to break apart to release some of the energy in a crash. Someone needs to step up and find a new solutions to stopping cars before someone else dies. I mean in a little more then 2 1/4 years there has been 4 deaths at NHRA Drag Races (3 from top-end failures and 1 spectator). I mean the only time people come up too talk to me at work who know I drag race and have never watched a dragrace but all I hear is "Hey I heard another guy died at the dragstrip"....It's like seriously that's not what racing is all about!!!

Dale Earnhardt was his own worst enemy when it came to safety. He was repeatedly warned by Bill Simpson for wearing his seat belt and shoulder harness loose and if my memory serves me, his belts were incorrectly installed.

This is part of what I think the X-Tech Man was getting at. You have to remember we are engaged in a sport that is inherently dangerous. It is up to the individual team and driver to check and recheck the safety of their car and components. If the NHRA is going to sanction races in which cars reach speeds as Top Fuel, Funny Car, TAD, TAFC, or any other class for that matter do, it is the burden of the NHRA and the Track Owner to make the track safe to run on and be able to stop with a margin of safety... period!!! If the track appears to be considered unsafe by the individual, they should tell the NHRA so and not run. Accidents occur when one side, the other, or both get sloppy with their safety practices.

SS Engine Guy · 07-14-2010, 09:23 PM

Terry Bell is one of the best and would be an asset to any sanctioning body as the Head of Technical Operations. Also he has actually raced and built some cars over the years himself which that, in itself, means alot.

X-TECH MAN · 07-15-2010, 07:02 AM

Thank you for the very kind words......I dont think I really deserve all of that recognition but I still thank you. I just did my job for the love of the sport. Im upset that some misunderstood what I typed. Im not all that good at expressing myself in print.
I just think the powers in charge should slow these cars down with rule changes (Fuel AND alcohol.....maybe Pro Stock also) and all of the tracks should improve the upkeep and safety of the race tracks. I know its a tough economy but the alternitive isnt very pretty. If something isnt done Im afraid more cars will be crashed, drivers hurt, or worse. I remember in the 1990's IHRA didnt allow the screw blower and some other rules that NHRA has and I dont recall ANY of the IHRA regulars running alcohl funny cars ever having a problem getting stopped. Me personally I would NOT drive a fuel car today if H#ll froze over if someone were to offer the chance. They have gotten insane.
Thank you again
Terry.

Chuck Beach · 07-15-2010, 01:30 PM

Terry, I don't care what anyone says bad about you on this or any other forum, you are a class act in my book and IHRA was very lucky to have you as part of their tech crew for so many years. Thank you for your service over those years and I am sure most people that know you knew what you meant ... take care .... taking the bike for a ride tonight after work, beautiful weather for riding ...

Jim Wahl · 07-15-2010, 01:41 PM

It is quite clear to anyone who follows the sport that the tracks can no longer handle the power being made by the Pro cars. Just watch any of the back peddling contests at all the races now. It has become rare to see a pair of Pro cars make good clean runs anymore. The Alky cars are now making the same power that the Nitro cars made just a few years ago. Something has to give! Either the tracks must be redone in order to accommodate the increasing power levels or the cars must be slowed down. It's really that simple. Safety should be job one as it was in the beginning! An increased emphasis on the tech department and racers to check and double check safety equipment should be the priority! Everyone, NHRA, IHRA, and the racer himself must do their part to make sure every car that goes down the track is as safe as it is possible to be. As was stated before, if we can put a man on the moon, we can safely stop a runaway race car! If it means a little more work by doing such things as taking down and putting back up new, redesigned catch nets before and after races rather than letting them sit in the weather all year, then so be it. What is another racer's life worth? Jim

Terry, you are Aces in my book also!

.

Glenn Hayes · 07-15-2010, 03:00 PM

For the most part, I think it's safe to say that there will not be many tracks improved upon with the low turnout of cars and spectators and our suffering economy.
Personally, I would like to see drastic measures taken now, to slow these Nitro, Alcohol and Pro Stock Cars & Bikes down considerably.

07-13-2010, 07:45 AM	#2
Dean Roberts Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 87 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end X-Tech, how about you just go away. You never have a positive comment and your last one takes the cake. If you hate the current state of NHRA racing then don't be a part of it and quit commenting. There are plenty of racers who enjoy doing what we do. Even if your comment was in jest it was poor timing and with very bad taste. What are you really proving with all this negativity? We get it, you don't care for NHRA racing. Get over it and move on with your life.

07-13-2010, 08:00 AM	#3
BKSG1198 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 2,640 Likes: 96 Liked 1,303 Times in 397 Posts	Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end Is it me or did it look like the Catch Net was wound tighter then a rubber band? I was at Maple Grove all weekend and didn't hear about it till I got home from a friend who works on a A/Fuel Team. When I finally got a chance to watch the video yesterday I was like wow he was going about 100mph and didn't look that bad (But I think we all said that about Earnhardt's Death also). Too me it just seems like they are using the same technology they used in 1970-80 to stop cars. Back then cars had no give and stayed in 1 piece when they went through a net but, now cars are going 100mph faster and they are made to break apart to release some of the energy in a crash. Someone needs to step up and find a new solutions to stopping cars before someone else dies. I mean in a little more then 2 1/4 years there has been 4 deaths at NHRA Drag Races (3 from top-end failures and 1 spectator). I mean the only time people come up too talk to me at work who know I drag race and have never watched a dragrace but all I hear is "Hey I heard another guy died at the dragstrip"....It's like seriously that's not what racing is all about!!!

07-13-2010, 08:27 AM	#4
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,504 Likes: 3,607 Liked 7,814 Times in 1,748 Posts	Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end Hey I'm not going to condone what Terry said but he has done quite a service for our sport that I'm sure none of you "Johnny come latelys" will ever consider doing. Not to mention his service for our Country that gives you hacks the right to come on here and trash him. Hey X-tech man please don't go away. Billy Nees __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm not spending 100K to win 2K

07-14-2010, 09:23 PM	#6
SS Engine Guy Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: usa Posts: 256 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end Terry Bell is one of the best and would be an asset to any sanctioning body as the Head of Technical Operations. Also he has actually raced and built some cars over the years himself which that, in itself, means alot.

07-15-2010, 07:02 AM	#7
X-TECH MAN Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 3,203 Likes: 1,047 Liked 235 Times in 110 Posts	Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end Thank you for the very kind words......I dont think I really deserve all of that recognition but I still thank you. I just did my job for the love of the sport. Im upset that some misunderstood what I typed. Im not all that good at expressing myself in print. I just think the powers in charge should slow these cars down with rule changes (Fuel AND alcohol.....maybe Pro Stock also) and all of the tracks should improve the upkeep and safety of the race tracks. I know its a tough economy but the alternitive isnt very pretty. If something isnt done Im afraid more cars will be crashed, drivers hurt, or worse. I remember in the 1990's IHRA didnt allow the screw blower and some other rules that NHRA has and I dont recall ANY of the IHRA regulars running alcohl funny cars ever having a problem getting stopped. Me personally I would NOT drive a fuel car today if H#ll froze over if someone were to offer the chance. They have gotten insane. Thank you again Terry. Last edited by X-TECH MAN; 07-15-2010 at 07:04 AM.

07-15-2010, 01:30 PM	#8
Chuck Beach Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 664 Likes: 12 Liked 58 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end Terry, I don't care what anyone says bad about you on this or any other forum, you are a class act in my book and IHRA was very lucky to have you as part of their tech crew for so many years. Thank you for your service over those years and I am sure most people that know you knew what you meant ... take care .... taking the bike for a ride tonight after work, beautiful weather for riding ... __________________ Chuck Beach 3340 STK

07-15-2010, 01:41 PM	#9
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,845 Likes: 672 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end It is quite clear to anyone who follows the sport that the tracks can no longer handle the power being made by the Pro cars. Just watch any of the back peddling contests at all the races now. It has become rare to see a pair of Pro cars make good clean runs anymore. The Alky cars are now making the same power that the Nitro cars made just a few years ago. Something has to give! Either the tracks must be redone in order to accommodate the increasing power levels or the cars must be slowed down. It's really that simple. Safety should be job one as it was in the beginning! An increased emphasis on the tech department and racers to check and double check safety equipment should be the priority! Everyone, NHRA, IHRA, and the racer himself must do their part to make sure every car that goes down the track is as safe as it is possible to be. As was stated before, if we can put a man on the moon, we can safely stop a runaway race car! If it means a little more work by doing such things as taking down and putting back up new, redesigned catch nets before and after races rather than letting them sit in the weather all year, then so be it. What is another racer's life worth? Jim Terry, you are Aces in my book also! . __________________ 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. Last edited by Jim Wahl; 07-15-2010 at 01:45 PM.

07-15-2010, 03:00 PM	#10
Glenn Hayes Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 348 Likes: 416 Liked 18 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Looks like NHRA had a bad week-end For the most part, I think it's safe to say that there will not be many tracks improved upon with the low turnout of cars and spectators and our suffering economy. Personally, I would like to see drastic measures taken now, to slow these Nitro, Alcohol and Pro Stock Cars & Bikes down considerably. __________________ "Real Race Cars Have Tailgates"