My take on Tulsa

[Spectre]

I was going to tag this to the “Live from Tulsa” thread, but decided this was too important to get buried.

First, I too agree that Cliff and crew did an excellent job keeping up with the starting line. In Div 4 we get that kind of starting line whether the track temperature is 60 or 145 degrees.

Now the reason for the thread.

I strongly disagree with the decision to run the race to competition until 3 am Sunday. The schedule was changed due to a chance of summer thunderstorms during a three hour period on Sunday. I spoke with many drivers who were complaining about the late hour and being “dog *** tired” but still racing. This is UNSAFE!

I don’t believe racing until 3 am “just in case it rains a bit” on Sunday promotes safety for the drivers, crew, or race track personal after a long day of racing in the sun and 90+ degree heat. If there was concern about the Sunday thunder storms, we should have started Saturday at 8 am instead of 10 am. I understand the track losing power for 5 hours didn’t help this situation, but still no excuse for conducting a race into the wee hours of the morning in light of an ever changing forecast.

We as racers rely on and PAY for NHRA to provide us a safe environment for racing. How safe is it to have a Top Dragster/Sportsman going low 6’s at 200+ miles an hour after being up 18+ hours in 90+ degree weather. How safe is it for us to rely on track workers/rescue/EMT personnel who have been working for 18+ hours in the heat. Thank God there was no accident!
If Sunday looked like a total wash out, I could understand the need to race late on Saturday, but not until 3 am Sunday morning.

Earlier in the year, the decision was made on Wednesday before the Dallas divisional to run the entire race on Saturday after seeing the Sunday rain chance. As the week progressed, the rain chance diminished, but NHRA did not revisit this decision, and still tried to finish the race on Saturday. The only reason the race was called on Saturday was due to the temperature dew point spread.

I feel NHRA values saving money and getting home early over our safety. I am not sure it’s understood the money/time invested and the passion we all have to race. Is it too much to ask we be given the best and safest conditions to pursue our dreams of taking home a Wally?

And BTW, no rain at Tulsa on Sunday!

Flame On!

[Ed Wright]

I started to just go home when I learned we were racing at night. Some of us old guys using blinders have trouble racing in the dark. I should have just gone on home. Gave Cooter round 2. Don't see lights like mine that round everyday. Should have at least made him work a little for it. LOL

[63corvette]

I did not like the 3 AM final rounds at all. I am to old for that.
I lost first round but help another racer who runs SC and Top Sportsman.
We ran in the final in TS with a time slip that said 2:38 AM and the track was fine but we were dead tired and dead late thus loosing in the final.
We lost 4th round in the SC car. It was so much of a round robin between the two cars we agreed on a throttle stop setting but then failed to put the numbers in the timer. That again was the being rushed and tired. A silly mistake.
I now remember why I have skipped this race in the past.
I will not soon forget this one.
Rick Cates

[Cotten]

I could not agree more. Well said.

[Ed Carpenter]

Stupid..........

[sammy pizzolato]

Well Said Sir !!!!!!!!!!!!

[dragracer2011]

Originally Posted by Spectre

I was going to tag this to the “Live from Tulsa” thread, but decided this was too important to get buried.

First, I too agree that Cliff and crew did an excellent job keeping up with the starting line. In Div 4 we get that kind of starting line whether the track temperature is 60 or 145 degrees.

Now the reason for the thread.

I strongly disagree with the decision to run the race to competition until 3 am Sunday. The schedule was changed due to a chance of summer thunderstorms during a three hour period on Sunday. I spoke with many drivers who were complaining about the late hour and being “dog *** tired” but still racing. This is UNSAFE!

I don’t believe racing until 3 am “just in case it rains a bit” on Sunday promotes safety for the drivers, crew, or race track personal after a long day of racing in the sun and 90+ degree heat. If there was concern about the Sunday thunder storms, we should have started Saturday at 8 am instead of 10 am. I understand the track losing power for 5 hours didn’t help this situation, but still no excuse for conducting a race into the wee hours of the morning in light of an ever changing forecast.

We as racers rely on and PAY for NHRA to provide us a safe environment for racing. How safe is it to have a Top Dragster/Sportsman going low 6’s at 200+ miles an hour after being up 18+ hours in 90+ degree weather. How safe is it for us to rely on track workers/rescue/EMT personnel who have been working for 18+ hours in the heat. Thank God there was no accident!
If Sunday looked like a total wash out, I could understand the need to race late on Saturday, but not until 3 am Sunday morning.

Earlier in the year, the decision was made on Wednesday before the Dallas divisional to run the entire race on Saturday after seeing the Sunday rain chance. As the week progressed, the rain chance diminished, but NHRA did not revisit this decision, and still tried to finish the race on Saturday. The only reason the race was called on Saturday was due to the temperature dew point spread.

I feel NHRA values saving money and getting home early over our safety. I am not sure it’s understood the money/time invested and the passion we all have to race. Is it too much to ask we be given the best and safest conditions to pursue our dreams of taking home a Wally?

And BTW, no rain at Tulsa on Sunday!

Flame On!

Well said, X2

[supergas4]

our director is starting to act like the last one.

[voltdr]

I have said the same thing about finishing races late into the night or next morning. It isn't a safe condition. EVERYONE is tired, reaction times (for EVERYONE, inculding safety personnel) are diminished. Fortunately there wasn't an incident. I suggest all concerned people to contact Trey Capps (tcapps@nhra.com) or Graham Light (glight@nhra.com) at NHRA and let their concerns be heard.I have forwarded a link to D4 for Trey to read. Trying to complete a race on schedule should NOT be the priority of the officials that are supposed to have our safety at the fore front.
Dan Foley
SC4698

[supergas4]

well said dan.