FEEDBACK ARTICLE: VANDERGRIFF: “WE’VE DIVERTED FROM REAL REASON FOR 1,000 FEET”

Bob is 100% right on. I own a racecar and have also worked for some big name Funny Cars in the past. The decision of PRO to support 1,000 ft is wrong. Do your sponsors understand that some of us will not support you or them if 1000 foot is the new length? I for one will write as many sponsors of TF & FC and let them know I WILL NOT SUPPORT their product IF they continue to support the racers that support 1000 ft racing.

Yes I know it’s less expensive, if you got into racing to make money, then quit. It’s not a money making sport.

If you got into it for the love of the sport and can make some money at it then you should feel the way I do. Is it safer? Yes! But so is sitting in your million dollar trailer. If you can’t stand the heat stay home. Its time we got back to some realistic racing. Do you want to cut costs, leave the 8-9 semi-trailers at home. Its no wonder the pits are crowded and cost are through the roof. Force alone takes up a city block.

Bring one trailer for one car. Make it a rule. Hospitality can be in one giant tent somewhere away from the pits with large video screens and food and networking of guests that just may help the sport.

So I guess now, lets shorten the Football field to 70 yards because the players knees hurt. And we only need to run 3 bases to get a home run. Oh and we can now use our hands in soccer cause the ball hurts our head. And the Daytona & Indy 500 are now only 50 miles because 50 is safer then 500. Whats next we just flip 16 coins until we are down to two. its cheaper and
safer.

Point being: You don't change the fundamental root of the sport. You change something else. You find another way of improving safety and limiting costs. - John Farr  

FEEDBACK ARTICLE: VANDERGRIFF: “WE’VE DIVERTED FROM REAL REASON FOR 1,000 FEET”

Bob is 100% right on. I own a racecar and have also worked for some big name Funny Cars in the past. The decision of PRO to support 1,000 ft is wrong. Do your sponsors understand that some of us will not support you or them if 1000 foot is the new length? I for one will write as many sponsors of TF & FC and let them know I WILL NOT SUPPORT their product IF they continue to support the racers that support 1000 ft racing.

Yes I know it’s less expensive, if you got into racing to make money, then quit. It’s not a money making sport.

If you got into it for the love of the sport and can make some money at it then you should feel the way I do. Is it safer? Yes! But so is sitting in your million dollar trailer. If you can’t stand the heat stay home. Its time we got back to some realistic racing. Do you want to cut costs, leave the 8-9 semi-trailers at home. Its no wonder the pits are crowded and cost are through the roof. Force alone takes up a city block.

Bring one trailer for one car. Make it a rule. Hospitality can be in one giant tent somewhere away from the pits with large video screens and food and networking of guests that just may help the sport.

So I guess now, lets shorten the Football field to 70 yards because the players knees hurt. And we only need to run 3 bases to get a home run. Oh and we can now use our hands in soccer cause the ball hurts our head. And the Daytona & Indy 500 are now only 50 miles because 50 is safer then 500. Whats next we just flip 16 coins until we are down to two. its cheaper and
safer.

Point being: You don't change the fundamental root of the sport. You change something else. You find another way of improving safety and limiting costs. - John Farr  

I think that Bob has forgotten that this is a DANGEROUS sport. It always has, it always will be. I agree that measures need to be taken to reduce the chance of injury, like the improvements that need to be made in Dallas. However, if Bob is this concerned about his safety, then maybe he’d be better of finding another sport such as Checkers or Chess with Jim Head. I think there are plenty of people out there whose dream it would be to would run the cars the way they are to 1320’. - Nathan Johnston

"The reality of it is they can’t reduce it enough that it’s going to matter,” Vandergriff said.
 
This is all of it in one sentence. My dad drove TA/D in the 80's when I was a  young boy. I was well aware everytime he got in the car it could be his last. That was running at 200. The fact is the cars will kill you at 250 the same as 300. Dead is dead you can't die twice. Look at the A/Fuel cars 5.16 @ 282. I guess they are safe!!

The simple fact is Drag Racing is 1320'. If the drivers are afraid of them don't get in them, I am sure that there are a line of capable drivers ready to take the risk. (Pro Mod)

That is not saying that safety of the tracks should be taken to the next level just like every past tragedy in the sport they found the problem sought solutions and made the sport safer. Now it seems we have the mind set of going backwards, much like the state of the government and the economy.

This is still a PIONEER sport, that involves risk, always will.

NHRA; GROW A SET FIX THE PROBLEM AND GET BACK TO REAL DRAG RACING. BOB VANDERGRIFF FOR PRESIDENT! - Craig Weston



I have been going to the races for 45 years and I am 45. My dad has run in the TAD class. I even worked with Bob on his car for a season before UPS. And he is right about the 1000 ft. We got fuelers doing 310-318 in a thousand foot. That is not slowing them down in my book. Just a matter of time before most figure it out, it's a race man i want to beat the other team that is why we are there. Safety is what we need to improve. My hat is off to all that we have done over the years. The NHRA was dedicated to safety at one time it use to be on the logo. I still have some to prove it. We need to find some common ground between the teams,NHRA and track owners to work to make it a better sport.

We need people like Bob to be willing to voice his opinion and go againist the grain to get us really push us to think outside the box.This saving money bs is not everything how much would we all give money wise to have Darrell, Eric and
Scott back. - Jay Sharpshair



Mr. Vandergrif couldn't be more correct. It is a travesty to think that those racers that have given their lives...may have given them in vain. The reason for 1,000 racing was to allow time for NHRA to explore various facets of safety (parachute material, parachute ejection systems, improved braking systems, Re-engineered shutdown areas that provide a much greater increase in safety, pre-race inspection of the race facilities prior to an event, engine shutoff instrumentation, improved safety belt anchoring) that needed to be addressed.

Save money? easier on equipment? Less downtime? More enjoyable for the fans? What in the hell does that have to do with what has happened?

Do you remember NHRA complaining about the speeds when the 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310 & 320 barriers were broken?  How could NHRA complain about record ticket sales.  You see my friends...all it ever was about...was money. - Dave Gutierrez/GBR Racing - Detroit, MI



I think Bob hit everything right on the head.  Make the tracks safe.  If they won't do that then move the race to a track that is safe.  Half of the tracks out there, if they are long enough for the speeds, they have trees at the far end, big trees.  What's up with that?  The 1/4 mile times, the 1/4 mile speeds,  the raw and awsome horsepower that the nitro cars make, that's what drag racing is all about.  Thats what the fans want to experience, hear, smell, and see.  If NHRA try's to slow the cars down,  the crew cheif's will figure out a way to go faster.  Thats what they are paid to do.   As the exit sign says off I-64 near
Charleston W.V. It reads plain and simple, Nitro 1/4 mile. - Rick Mitchell, Gainesville Fl.




I was sitting in the grandstand,pit side, at the finish line, at Englishtown, when Scott Kalitta had the explosion. The car exploded right at the finish line,not at 1000', as Bob said. I have raced, in Super Comp since 1982. I have also watched all of the NHRA national events when shown. If you watch the "Pros" run, the only driver that has the chute blossemed when crossing the finish line is Dave Connelly. Our so called "Pros" could take a lesson from Dave. I have not seen ONE Top Fuel or Funny Car driver have his or her parachute blossem when crossing the finish line. - Russ Ganz



Bob Vandergriff Jr. really hits on all cylinders regarding the present chaotic, and sometimes, contradictory situation in NHRA's management group.  Present money issues ARE secondary to the what and why and how all this 1,000 foot racing originally came about.  I love this man for simply SPEAKING OUT for HOW IT ACTUALLY IS.  Why that isn't done by too many others now, is another subject entirely - and not especially complimentary to drag racers themselves.  Mr. Vandergriff NEEDS to be the head of Pro or the head of some powerful group to keep NHRA honest and on track for the truly necessary purposes for any changes - SAFETY.  Then budget.  And I insist that safer walls are as essential to the present situation/conversation as shut down areas.

Thank you for giving Mr. Vandergriff a place for a voice to be heard. - Ken Tesoriere




I have a new found respect for Bob Vandergriff after reading his thoughts of racing to 1000FT. He is one of the only drivers that I feel understand that 1000FT is not the answer, and I commend him for standing up to people like Jim Head who are way off the mark. If only I had $2 million to invest in auto racing I would throw it at Bob and let him run. Don't give up the fight Bob! It's the right thing to do. - Mike Parsons, San Diego, CA




Hats off again to Bob Vandergriff for speaking his mind. I agree with every word in that article.

While I doubt he'd want the position, HE should have been appointed president of PRO. - Bill Huseth

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