Next test to likely transpire after Norwalk …

What might have appeared to be an exercise in futility was exactly the opposite when it comes to describing the post-Bristol nitro spec testing session conducted by the NHRA, this according to the sanctioning body’s nitro liaison Dan Olson.

In the first run, the engine lost the burnout throttle stop causing the engine to over-rev. The second produced a tire-smoker at the 330 foot mark. A proposed third run never came to fruition.

The average spectator might have drawn a negative conclusion.

Next test to likely transpire after Norwalk …

What might have appeared to be an exercise in futility was exactly the opposite when it comes to describing the post-Bristol nitro spec testing session conducted by the NHRA, this according to the sanctioning body’s nitro liaison Dan Olson.

In the first run the engine lost the burnout throttle stop causing the engine to over-rev. The second produced a tire-smoker at the 330 foot mark. A proposed third run never came to fruition.

The average spectator might have drawn a negative conclusion.

Olson believes one cannot judge a book by its cover. He said the test was a positive opening to what he and the NHRA’s Vice President of Technical Operations Glen Gray have emphatically stated is the first of what will be many tests.

“We were pretty inspired with what we got out of the test,” Olson admitted. “We had power levels higher than what we expected. This is the first of many and we plan to test other combinations. We are trying lots of other things if there comes a time when we may have to make a change, we will have the proper data to make the right decision.”

The test didn’t yield any groundbreaking performance numbers and it wasn’t supposed to. In fact, sources admitted, the combination had to be started several times in order to hone in the fuel system to work to the standards they preferred. 

Rookie Funny Car driver Daniel Wilkerson handled the test runs while his dad Tim Wilkerson turned the wrenches.

Olson isn’t standoffish about sharing the data but points out that it’s too early in the program to share any meaningful data.

“There are some things we are giving up and there are others we are going to gain,” Olson added, declining to share specifics.

Reportedly the first engine spec isn’t going to command as much of a power level as before to spin the supercharger and because there’s an impro ved rod angle in the initially tested combination which will take some of the stress off of the cylinder wall.

“The power levels are so high that at a large number of the tracks we go to we cripple the engines because they can never go to full horsepower,” Olson admitted. “The conditions at a particular time of the year and sometimes the track just won’t handle it. These motors are so detuned now that we aren’t even close to using the power they can make.”

When will be the next test? No one knows including Olson, but he’s fairly certain the next one will20come after the three race swing beginning this weekend in Topeka and ending two weeks later in Englishtown, is completed.

The delay is reportedly due to parts availability and the decision to test a different combination in the fuel system. Beyond that, the NHRA has some other parts en route to increase the efficiency of future tests.

“We are trying to acquire extra parts so that we may be able to make runs with a fairly quick turnaround,” Olson said. “We didn’t have a lot of back up pieces.”

The second test won’t stray far from the original combination tested (NITRO SPEC TESTING: WHAT DOES THE NHRA HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH ) but will have subtle differences.

“We are just going to continue on where we left off at,” Olson said. “We have to progress our way down the track … look at the parts … and see what adjustments the engine wants. We are going to take our time and be careful. It’s very important that we don’t get in a hurry and overlook something.”
 

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