FEEDBACK ARTICLE – AS WE SEE IT – LEAD, FOLLOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY

 

As a SEMA/SFI chassis builder/committee member since 1968, who was along with Don Long, Dave Uyehara, and Marc Rowe "dumped" from the committee, have to agree that some supposed leaders should just get out of the way.

The heading I clicked on said "Tell us what you think".

I THINK: I'd like to puke. - Bob Meyer

FEEDBACK ARTICLE – AS WE SEE IT – LEAD, FOLLOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY

DISCLAIMER - The views preseted in these feedback letters are the opinions of the individual author, and do not necessarily represent those of Torco's CompetitionPlus.com, its staff and advertisers. 

 

As a SEMA/SFI chassis builder/committee member since 1968, who was along with Don Long, Dave Uyehara, and Marc Rowe "dumped" from the committee, have to agree that some supposed leaders should just get out of the way.

The heading I clicked on said "Tell us what you think".

I THINK: I'd like to puke. - Bob Meyer

 

Finally it took someone with balls to write a letter like this.  NHRA does not care about the drivers all they care about is putting people in the seats they claim to care about the drivers look at season champion money the money they get would not pay off most teams tire bills and fuel bills for the year and it shows true class to john force racing they are trying to come up with improvements on there own they do not need Nora to do that there team is about safety when Eric Medlen was killed in a test wreck they knew it was time for a change and they knew NHRA would not do anything but keep the cars the same.  All NHRA cares about is a points playoff those head officials need to go and work for the NFL and we need to find people who has any sense of common sense to run the NHRA, thank you. - Jason Payne

 

Great, freakin' great, article on NHRA's inability to LEAD the drag racing community.  This trend has been on the down turn for the last 7-10 years in my opinion.

And regarding your comment as to "why wouldn't the NHRA send their track prep specialists to these test sessions to ensure the safety of their members", I have an answer for you.  Because NHRA has proven on a couple occasions that they don't hold a candle to the LVMS crew when it comes to making that surface as near perfect.

Keep up the good work. - Greg 'Stanman' Stanley

 

I agree with Mr. Bennett. I feel that NHRA is just filling their pockets with money and doesn't want to step up to the plate to investigate and do research on safety issues. You might as well change the acronym (SFI) to "Something Force Invented. -Markus A. Grohs

 

....and well written, but you probably won't get any "attaboys" for this. - Steve George

 

Wally is spinning in his grave!!  The No Hot Rods Allowed bunch has always acted like they were somehow more intelligent than everyone else (I listened to one of their "mouthpieces" at the PRI 3 years ago). Recently they've decided to base all their actions to support their backers (much like our presidential candidates).

 
Thank God for people like John Force and Ford.

They're actually saving lives!  The NHRA should be ashamed of themselves!

 
It's a stinking shame Jim Tice and Larry Carrier didn't have the leadership to take their places when they moved on. - John Martin

 

Greetings! Let me say that I agree with your article whole heartily. I think that the first issue that needs to be addressed is that Goodyear be mandated to supply a RADIAL PLY TIRE The current TIRE uses a BIAS PLY DESIGN. The current TIRE DESIGN increases in size (TIRE GROWTH) as speed increases. The BIAS PLY DESIGN is the reason this happens. The teams like this effect as it raises the final gear ratio at no cost in equipment. It appears that HUMAN LIFE is not a cost factor. Most of these horrific accidents have occurred because of TIRE FAILURE. Let's get this problem taken care of first. NASCAR did the same thing many years ago. As their cars became faster the number of tire failures increased. Even with the teams screaming that TIRE STAGER would be much harder to control. NASCAR MANDATED that a RADIAL TIRE Be Specified. Tire FAILURE is NOT an ISSUE in that sport. The teams learned to address the problem of stager and it is now a mute point

START with FIXING the TIRE PROBLEM.

TAKE the TIRE Out of EQUATION.

Then YOU can get started on DESIGNING CHASSIS that is safe. - Joe Mastrella

 

Your editorial is right on. NHRA has always failed with the racers/fans. They have always been about money. Let me give you a small example. This year’s US Nationals and I believe the races after that. The fence was covered from start to finish with a blue & yellow banner. I saw many a child fan unable to see from the fence thus having to buy a reserved ticket just so their son/daughter could see anything close to the starting line. Their explanation when questioned was cosmetic reasons for the countdown. - John Farr

 

 

Your best piece EVER Mr. Bennett!!!

I say the RACERS must take the lead! What the heck is your new "Partnership" getting you? Again too, what the heck is P.R.O.? Attention NHRA: after the word "follow" is "folly"..."GET OUT OF THE WAY!” - Tim Grose

 

 

I read your article about the lack of leadership in NHRA, especially over the past year with Medlens death, the funny car chassis rules (or lack thereof) the Fuel surcharge issue and whatever else.

Where is PRO in all of this? If there is a conspiracy by NHRA or even a lack of leadership, why doesn't PRO step up, make these things known publicly and demand action?

I cannot fathom that our rivals in NASCAR racing would make a stink about things if there were (and are) issue going on in NASCAR.

Maybe PRO needs to take over the Safety Safari operations since they are there to protect the racers. That way, they (PRO) could dictate when and where the Safari is needed (testing, for example).

Thanks for listening to my rant. - Mike

 

After reading your editorial this single thought comes to mind:  EXACTLY.  Simple enough, you have hit it right on the head.

 

You actually spoke of what is the real problem, and that is what is best not only for the NHRA but the principals in the "leadership" position.  One thing I learned a long time ago is when you want to know why something was done, follow the money.  The money always leads you back to the real reason for doing something.  In this case the lack of doing something is to protect the "deal" which in turns gives all involved a golden parachute and a large amount of money.

 

I find it inconceivable that a FOR PROFIT entity such as HD would continue to let issues like this fester as they surely will bring a decline in the quality of the product and most assuredly slow the growth of the company. But since the "leadership" of NHRA answers to no one, that in itself answers the question as to why they are acting this way.  It is because they can. - Jim Burke

 

 

 

The truth about NHRA management is they do not want to ask those questions.  They don't want to bring attention to themselves and the ludicrous wages they are taking home instead of giving them back to Drag Racing.  NHRA does NOT need to be run by business men.

 

I agree with you concerning John Force and his team making all these expensive updates with Ford.  If they think that all Funny Cars should be like theirs and run their little blue box, then Ford should be paying for these updates. One team should NOT be dictating to the Funny Car field. I don't care how many championships he has one he is nobody without Coil. But NHRA courts him like a virgin prom queen and he returns the favor. They will ruin Funny Cars forever.  And by the way, who has been wrecking lately?  I see Force cars wrecking, maybe they are the problem and they are gonna selfishly suck everyone down with them.

 

The NHRA simply does not want to spend money anymore.  They want less responsibility and more money. They are liars to say safety and racing is their concern, their only concern is dollars.

 

The Countdown junk will ruin drag racing and now this new qualifying procedure is simply stupid. It would have been much simpler and easier just to not have the night session on Friday.  But if the fan really was a priority to NHRA it would have been even simpler to have a night session on Friday and Saturday.

 

NHRA owns too many people.  There should be open competition with tire manufactures.  I personally would not put a Goodyear on my lawnmower but that is another story. Just maybe another tire company could help resolve these issues.

 

But someone better step up and shout real loud that racing at 300+ mph is not safe.  Kinda like riding a motorcycle with a helmet on. The helmet might keep the asphalt from scratching your head but it ain't worth a damn when you’re doing 80 mph and come to a sudden stop against a truck grill. Same with drag racing.  There will never ever be a perfectly safe car. Maybe the drivers should be gettin' right with the Lord because they are in His hands.

 

Money is the root to all this crap you talked about.  NHRA management greed, why should they take the lead, they’re comfortable in the backseat. - Mark Elms

 

 

Thank you for breathing life into this subject. Many of us that have worked at NHRA events have wondered why there hasn't been anything said about the chassis issue, but alot of us give thanks to John Force Racing and Ford Racing for doing their jobs to innovate overall safety for the entire funny car class. My advice to the NHRA, stop being so darned concerned about more races and concern yourselves accordingly to address safety. Greed can be a killer, spend the time and money on safety and reimburse someone for doing your jobs. - David L. Humphrey

 

 

 

Just wanted to say I agree 100% about your editorial on NHRA and the lead or move over situation.

While an NHRA executive can buy a new extreme luxury car, they cannot afford to get engineers to design a good chassis for Funny Car and Top Fuel.

I saw the pictures of Force's chassis, and was impressed but for a few small things.

As to the cars being too rigid, remember there is chassis forward of the engine that can be allowed to move. Just remember flexing metal hardens and fatigues it.

Has anyone thought about putting a front suspension back on the Funny Cars? Like the torsion bar they used to use? It would allow flexing without causing as much tubing fatigue, and as weight has been added for 2008, it could fit in with the design.

Good job on this, I hope you get some response, but I think the boys in the ivory tower at NHRA have their heads in the sand, or are reading brochures for new luxury items for their pay raise from the new NHRA PRO. - Richard Burbick

 

 

 

It is disheartening to see drag racing going down the "business" path. I agreed money is needed to run any organization, but with the "business" mentality comes the moral obligation to provide leadership. Don't just take the money and run. That has happened to many "Fortune 500" companies lately and it appears it may be what is happening to NHRA. When that happens, a slow death is bound to happen. - Bud Grogg

 

 

While I have been merely a spectator for all my years and have never been a participant ... (yet), I am not blind to what I see.

 

You hit all the points right on the head.

 

My hope is that when HD partners assume control, they make some serious changes to indicate that they are serious about growing a sport that can get bigger and better.

 

I love Drag racing, I'm just convinced the executives at NHRA don't feel the same as I do.

 

Fantastic article....please give us more of the same.

SOMEONE needs to hold NHRA accountable for their actions or lack thereof. - Scott C. Filseth

 

 

Your article asks a lot of good questions but since when did NASCAR do such a good job with their safety?  The safety was taken on by many of the teams and not the sanctioning body. 

 

The plenty was written and said about the Earnhardt crash. It was full of criticism to NASCAR.  The horrific crashes cause teams like Roush and others to develop roof flaps, safety seats and more bars around the driver.  Racers are the innovators.  The sanctioning body sells tickets, promotes races, and provides tracks.  The rules only make the races more fun to watch, not safer.  Don't forget the big mistake CART made by making a bunch of Team owner promoters.  The owners (CART) were interested in the team and not the race.  They could not sell tickets or time on the TV.  That is why the IRL won out.  Racers hate to admit it but without promoters, there would be no race.  There would be many racers but no race to enter.  Without a facility and fans the races would not be what it is today. 

 

You have got to hand it to Wally Parks.  First he provided a race facility and rules.  A close second was safety.  He could have sold more tickets by more heavily promoting the crashes but he chose to devote more of NHRA's assets to safety.  If the truth be known, there were probably a lot of devoted fans turned Safety Safari members that did more for safety than the NHRA did but that is my speculation.  The sportsman drivers love Wally for what he has provided including promoting safety.  God rest his sole.

 

I am glad JFR, Ford and other racers are working on the safety issue and not a bunch of chassis builders that are worried about manufacturing costs.  The innovation is with the crew chiefs and engineers on the race teams. 

 

By the way, the website ran a very good piece about bigger Goodyear tires for TF racing and how the retired Goodyear engineer said the bigger tire was safer.  As an engineer myself, the reasons Goodyear could design a better taller tire was sound.  Why can't Goodyear offer both the safer tire and the existing tire?  Market forces will drive teams to the better tire in time.  If some of the under funded team need to wait to make chassis changes, let them.  They are probably not the ones pushing the limits.  If the safer tire can go faster, there will be some incentive to make the chassis changes for the taller tire.  If the new tire is poor then is should have never been. – Scott Smith

 

 

 

The writer of this article hit the nail right on the head! NHRA should of been there preparing and prepping the track if it truly concerned them that much. I can't remember when they sanctioned any testing. This organization has the cash to step up and be a "participant" in one of the fastest motorsports TNT sessions and stands back pointing fingers and saying like Jr High kids "if your not going to let me play my way then no one should play"...A lil brattish I say. - RJ Steinle

 

 

 

Awesome column!  How can you expect bean counters to do anything about F/C chassis?  They probably don't even know what they are!  There is NO ONE at NHRA who has any clue about drag racing; it's past, engineering, safety, etc.  Dim Light is so past whatever prime he might have had, it's not funny. 

 

My impression of SFI was that they tested items from various companies, racers, etc., and determined whether they felt it actually served or exceeded the purpose for which is was intended.  At least that's what happened when I worked at Mike Kuhl's during the time they first made blower restraints.  I do feel SFI should be working with whomever is building the new equipment though. – Pat Green

 

 

That was a superb piece of thought put to words. I would have to totally agree with the ideas put forth in that article. NHRA is about the Bottom Line, it becomes more obvious with each passing season just how greedy they have become in the past years.

Wally must be turning over in his grave to see the safety oriented org. he started being used as a platform for money hungry businessmen. - Mitchel Perkins

 

 

This article is informative and all true. NHRA wants to keep everyone in the dark concerning safety issues.

We all want safe racecars and racetracks but some NHRA rulings border on the bizarre.

The TAD & TAFC rules for 2008 are an example. For no known reason they changed the glove and shoe requirements. In the new 2008 rule book they have an example of the shroud showing the access holes for the Jaws of Life. After cutting off mounting tabs, installing new ones, and cutting the required area out of the shroud which by the way has the wrong dimensions for cutout in the rule book and you have to go to the rule revisions on the website to get the correct size NHRA was contacted by another racer and was told not to worry about modifying his because it was just a screw-up in the book. Here is nothing however on the web site to confirm this. You can go to other Top Alcohol sites and the rule revisions for TAFC's are revolving even now with no body knowing for sure exactly what to do.

Makes we want to just throw in the towel and get out. - Bob Holley

 

 

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