FEEDBACK ARTICLE – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - JIM OBERHOFER

While my heart sincerely ached for Scott Kalitta and his entire family and crews after his fatal accident, I disagree with Jim O.'s recent interview that, if E-Town has been running a shortened 1000 foot racing surface then, Scott might now be alive.  Given the perfect storm in that accident, the additional 320 feet stopping distance would have made no difference.  Concrete and iron poles plus extreme speed in most accidents equals death - period.  A GREATLY extended stopping are with combined nets and long sand traps will make a difference.

But - I do agree that Nhra, as usual, is ducking a real remedy to this situation, since, I believe most of their sanctioned tracks cannot produce adequate stopping distance extension to their current woefully inadequate racing tracks.  Those tracks - including Pomona and the other NHRA owned tracks - should simply be removed from sanctioning Pro class racing events.

 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - JIM OBERHOFER

While my heart sincerely ached for Scott Kalitta and his entire family and crews after his fatal accident, I disagree with Jim O.'s recent interview that, if E-Town has been running a shortened 1000 foot racing surface then, Scott might now be alive.  Given the perfect storm in that accident, the additional 320 feet stopping distance would have made no difference.  Concrete and iron poles plus extreme speed in most accidents equals death - period.  A GREATLY extended stopping are with combined nets and long sand traps will make a difference.

But - I do agree that Nhra, as usual, is ducking a real remedy to this situation, since, I believe most of their sanctioned tracks cannot produce adequate stopping distance extension to their current woefully inadequate racing tracks.  Those tracks - including Pomona and the other NHRA owned tracks - should simply be removed from sanctioning Pro class racing events.

The same applied to the concrete side walls that how many racers have died hitting this past year, or been seriously injured, yet is their ANY discussion about safer barriers by racers or sanctioning bodies?

Currently the biggest quick reply is the costs.  Okay.  How much was Scott Kalitta's life worth...and the others who've died from impacts at various race tracks this year?  That includes racers traveling at much less than 300.

I also agree that if the racers have any balls come E-town, without substantive changes in place, they will pack up and leave.  THAT IS THE ACTIONS THAT NHRA WILL UNDERSTAND.  Yes, what about the fans?  Yes, what about sponsorship commitments?  The racers WILL be accused by Nhra, but the fans will know exactly who is to blame - NHRA.  Going into the pocket of NHRA is the ONLY WAY THEY WILL EVER listen.

I say this from 45 years experience with racing the different sanctioning organizations in drag racing, and unfortunately, the same deaf ear policy in NASCAR, UNTIL THEIR POCKETS ARE HIT.  Let them deal with the problem since that is their RESPONSIBILITY.  They certainly make enough off the racers and fans to step up to earn their riches.

Much - too much - talks has been bandied about regarding slowing the pro categories.  Take the fuel ranks that are under scrutiny now: what's the big problem?  Eliminate the set-back blowers, limit the overdrives on the blowers, drop fifty cubic inches, limit the rpm's (already in place), limit the rear gear (already in place), drop back to 85-percent nitro (plenty experience with that from the past few years), limit compression ratio.

The promotional howl about doing this will be the magic 300 mph number that NHRA doesn't want to see go away, since they sell ultra speed.  BUT - what's wrong with making 300 miles-an-hour that special only once in a while number again?

Nothing is wrong.  Closer racing is what the fans want most.  Since this isn't long ago when spectators could stand adjacent at the finish lines, therefore since the speed, spectators will not be robbed of any thrills by the cars going slower.  If not for the clocks, they'd never know the difference.

Adds up to saving lives and saving money and providing a good show for all.

Sponsors are not interested in being on the side of cars that people are killed in.   I sincerely doubt any sponsor, hearing that a team withdrew for bonafide safety reasons, would complain to the racer or ask for any kind of monetary return.  And if they do?  Time to look elsewhere - that sponsor doesn't care a hoot.

Like always, racing is still the easy part to running national events. - Ken Tesoriere



The best part of this interview was the fact that it gave many insights into the economic disaster that has hit all aspects of motorsports. Drag racing as a community has been adversely impacted and in this case it stretches all the way to even the most experienced teams.

The loss of 8 major teams to NHRA T/F is a harbinger of things to come. This economic crisis will not be fixed this year, and the financial fallout has yet to hit rock bottom. When the NHRA Full Throttle Tour hits Mid-season and the T/F and F/C fields are degenerating, the full impact of the crisis will become apparent. And yet, NHRA cannot and will not lower ticket prices or address the situation ... except behind closed doors in order to save face.  Think there isn't a problem....go to the NHRA website and click on the T/F entry list for Pomona.

As far as continuing to race for 1,000 ft., Alan Johnson remains extremely pleased. He stated last season that when the NHRA went to 1,000ft. It played right to his tune up.  In that aspect I see no difference in the outcome of the T/F Championship except that this year the name on the trophy will be Larry Dixon. - David Gutierrez

<dewey0069@hotmail.com>

Jim Oberhofer has his finger on the pulse of the cancerous entity known as the NHRA. If they do not adopt another attitude other than hiding their head in the sand solution, their bare exposed ass will be picked clean to the bone by a buzzard of the failed economy species.

As a fan, yes, I think the pros are what draws spectators to the races. Then again, gotta love the backbone racers, the sportsmen drivers. It has been awhile since I've seen an NHRA event. I live twenty miles from the ROCK, and go to the spring and fall race. I can only afford to go one day at each event. I can feel empathy for racers and fans who have to contend with gas, food, and motel expenses to attend a race.

Jim is right when he talks in general about the costs of racing. NHRA, IHRA, ADRL, Nostalgia, all the sanctioning bodies should have a summit meeting to address the issues of racers and fans. Dwindling racer and fan participation will affect their profit line, no matter how deep their pockets are now.

Hopefully the parked teams will be able to weather the storm. - Dewey Lamb



So we hear Jon O say that NHRA is not doing anything to help teams or fans. It seems that everybody involved with the sport EXCEPT the NHRA is saying this.

When will they listen? Also as far as staying with the 1000 foot racing. I have been going to drag races since the old Green Valley track down here ran 4 cars at once, giving car length spots. I have no problem watching 1000 foot racing. I say make it safe and then you can consider 1320 again. - Dwayne Hargrove

 

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