? of the day

[B Parker]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

OK Barry, this is as good a place to start as any. What should be done about it? Should NHRA be arbitrarily "confiscating" (or replacing) ignition boxes, data loggers and tachometers? I seem to remember several years ago NHRA handing a prominent Sportsmen Racer an ignition box and telling him to give them his! Is this the answer?

Billy, As I see it the main problem in fixing all this has to do with money. As far as I know NHRA Tec department does not have a qualified expert in the field of electronics. If they don't they need one. Not only for our cars but for the Pro's. It might be hard to hire one because anyone with that kind of knowledge is probably already working and making decent money. I'd be looking at contracting a company such as MSD and others to do electronic tec inspections. MSD is already at the National's. That's why I said them but I'm sure there are others they could contract with. Just do one Stocker and Super/Stocker at a National race. No other tear down for those two chosen just electron inspection. A lot of time we run first and second round in the morning and the rest of the day off. Have the two even take their boxes out and MSD bring it back to their trailer for an inspection. Just the threat of this could happen to you should go a long way with helping any problem we might have. Also would be nice if there was someone at a race that we could also ask questions we have about what is acceptable.

Not sure if many remember but years ago and I'm talking 20 plus years ago they hired such a person. Not sure of his credentials but they had one. At E-Town National's I was one of the chosen ones that ended up in tear down. They did the normal top end stuff but also the electronic person did an inspection of my car. The only thing that came out of his inspection of the car was I couldn't use the line lock button light to let me know the line lock was in gaged. I laughed and said really most of the cars had one in them. I asked Bob Lang who was the head of D-1 at that time and he said that the tec guy thought there could be a way you could use the light for something else. Not sure how long he lasted in that job or if he still works for them now. But right now as you know not much if anything is being looked at when it comes to electrics.
I don't know about you but I'm old school and don't have anywhere near the knowledge on this subject that I'm sure others that are racing have. I have no doubt It wouldn't be that tough for some to use any box and make changes that would enhance their car in not a way we are suppose to. BP