NO DRONES WITH NHRA RF CUT OFF SYSTEM
Tue, 2010-01-26 22:33
Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com has confirmed the NHRA will use an RF-controlled automatic shutoff system in the Nitro ranks in 2010.
The RF-system was tested last year by the Force Racing teams with varied results. The system is not meant to replace the normal actions of the driver. It is meant to assist in the prevention of a catastrophic accident should the driver be incapacitated.
NHRA officials, based on the track, will place the RF device at least 200 feet past the finish line. The system shuts off the fuel, ignition and deploys the parachutes in cases where the driver is unable or has not yet performed those tasks. A redundant system, placed around the 1600 foot mark is also being considered.
Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com has confirmed the NHRA will use an RF-controlled automatic shutoff system in the Nitro ranks in 2010.
The RF-system was tested last year by the Force Racing teams with varied results. The system is not meant to replace the normal actions of the driver. It is meant to assist in the prevention of a catastrophic accident should the driver be incapacitated.
NHRA officials, based on the track, will place the RF device at least 200 feet past the finish line. The system shuts off the fuel, ignition and deploys the parachutes in cases where the driver is unable or has not yet performed those tasks. A redundant system, placed around the 1600 foot mark is also being considered.
John Medlen, with John Force Racing having worked with the system last year, is pleased with the introduction into all the Top Fuel and Funny Cars.
Medlen is suggesting to the drivers he talks with not to rely on the system. The system is good but the primary system should always be the driver according to Medlen.
“Driver's shouldn't change their routines,” cautions Medlen.
If the system were to malfunction the driver could easily run out of time and find himself or herself in trouble. That happened last year during the testing to one of the Force drivers. Luckily, the driver reacted just in time to keep the car out of the traps at the end of runoff.
Bob Tasca, owner/driver of the Quick Lane/Motorcraft Ford Mustang, has a single philosophy about the system.
“Pretend it is not even there,” says Tasca. “Not for a second would you rely on that thing to pull the parachutes and shut the car off. Positively, it is a wonderful thing if I am knocked out going 300 miles per hour that it's there. But you won't see me one time this season say, 'okay, I'll wait for the shutoff to hit the chutes.'
“I think you have to block it out of your mind completely. I think it's a great invention under a certain circumstance.”
The RF-system was tested last year by the Force Racing teams with varied results. The system is not meant to replace the normal actions of the driver. It is meant to assist in the prevention of a catastrophic accident should the driver be incapacitated.NHRA officials, based on the track, will place the RF device at least 200 feet past the finish line. The system shuts off the fuel, ignition and deploys the parachutes in cases where the driver is unable or has not yet performed those tasks. A redundant system, placed around the 1600 foot mark is also being considered.
Triggered by an RF signal, the chutes on John Force's Mustang deploy in a lazy manner following an aborted run. Roger Richards Photo
The RF-system was tested last year by the Force Racing teams with varied results. The system is not meant to replace the normal actions of the driver. It is meant to assist in the prevention of a catastrophic accident should the driver be incapacitated.
NHRA officials, based on the track, will place the RF device at least 200 feet past the finish line. The system shuts off the fuel, ignition and deploys the parachutes in cases where the driver is unable or has not yet performed those tasks. A redundant system, placed around the 1600 foot mark is also being considered.
John Medlen, with John Force Racing having worked with the system last year, is pleased with the introduction into all the Top Fuel and Funny Cars.
Medlen is suggesting to the drivers he talks with not to rely on the system. The system is good but the primary system should always be the driver according to Medlen.
“Driver's shouldn't change their routines,” cautions Medlen.
If the system were to malfunction the driver could easily run out of time and find himself or herself in trouble. That happened last year during the testing to one of the Force drivers. Luckily, the driver reacted just in time to keep the car out of the traps at the end of runoff.
Bob Tasca, owner/driver of the Quick Lane/Motorcraft Ford Mustang, has a single philosophy about the system.
“Pretend it is not even there,” says Tasca. “Not for a second would you rely on that thing to pull the parachutes and shut the car off. Positively, it is a wonderful thing if I am knocked out going 300 miles per hour that it's there. But you won't see me one time this season say, 'okay, I'll wait for the shutoff to hit the chutes.'
“I think you have to block it out of your mind completely. I think it's a great invention under a certain circumstance.”
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