Just read this on DRO

Rob Petrie E395 · 10-07-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S/G 386N

Who's the 3rd driver in the last month to die besides Steve Engel and Doug McRobie?

Div 2 alcohol funny car driver passed away after a crash this weekend the name slips my mind at the moment

sorry guys was typing while somebody posted his name

63corvette · 10-07-2008, 08:55 PM

I have been racing the 9.90 category since the early 1990's and almost every one of those years at least one or two of the 9.90 category racers died in a crash duing the year. It has just gotten worse the last few years as speed increased and more people are on the brakes hard at the finish line. I can remember two drivers from last year who died in the 9.90 category finish line crashes.
One quick fix is to enforce the braking rule at the finish line now in place. I race 6 to 10 division races and 6 to 8 National events each year and watch all the sportsman category races I can. I can not count the number of times I have witnessed smoke on the tires and people almost loose it on the big end even in the stock category at just over 100 MPH with no consequences. Most of my 9.90 category racers now run at around 160 MPH at the finish line which makes things worse with hard braking. A friend last year hit the brakes so hard he moved over and crossed the finish line in the opposite lane. All he was told was do not do that again. As bad as it scared him I am sure he won't but others will until they have the same result or worse.
I have also witnessed some of the big names almost loose it at the finish line win and be back and do the same thing next round.
Until NHRA steps up with disqualifications and supensions for hard braking at the finish line this will continue to happen even at 1000 ft or even 1/8 th mile.
Just My 2 Cents

10-07-2008, 08:55 PM	#2
63corvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canyon, Tx Posts: 553 Likes: 128 Liked 359 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Just read this on DRO I have been racing the 9.90 category since the early 1990's and almost every one of those years at least one or two of the 9.90 category racers died in a crash duing the year. It has just gotten worse the last few years as speed increased and more people are on the brakes hard at the finish line. I can remember two drivers from last year who died in the 9.90 category finish line crashes. One quick fix is to enforce the braking rule at the finish line now in place. I race 6 to 10 division races and 6 to 8 National events each year and watch all the sportsman category races I can. I can not count the number of times I have witnessed smoke on the tires and people almost loose it on the big end even in the stock category at just over 100 MPH with no consequences. Most of my 9.90 category racers now run at around 160 MPH at the finish line which makes things worse with hard braking. A friend last year hit the brakes so hard he moved over and crossed the finish line in the opposite lane. All he was told was do not do that again. As bad as it scared him I am sure he won't but others will until they have the same result or worse. I have also witnessed some of the big names almost loose it at the finish line win and be back and do the same thing next round. Until NHRA steps up with disqualifications and supensions for hard braking at the finish line this will continue to happen even at 1000 ft or even 1/8 th mile. Just My 2 Cents