Monaro Doorslammer
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NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/03 18:37
http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30355.htm
Hopefully just a temporary measure until they work out their next move.
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wadragracing
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/03 19:06
Will be interesting, pretty big deal. I'll do a copy and paste of what I wrote on the "other" forum.
Scott's explosion was not too far after 1000ft...I think it is probably a good move to work out some new safety innovations but also somewhat knee jerk.
But really...why not run 1320 racing on tracks with sufficient braking areas and 1000ft racing on tracks that don't? It might actually add a bit of variety to the racing season. To try and put a positive spin on something that has come from a very sad situation.
Australia is really home to the only true unlimited cars in the sport now.
I wonder if the issue is not so much length of braking areas, but rather what is at the end?
Luke Nieuwhof
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danrace
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/03 20:25
This is one of the single greatest moments in drag racing history stop being so short sighted and realize this is fantastic
imagine how edge of the seat doorslammer will be racing to 1000 ft super close racing little to no oil downs and driver reations meaning so much more.
Top fuel which doesnt take an hour plus just to run 4 paired passes.
We all complain about touring cars kicking our arse this is our chance to finally compete with them.
Oil downs destroy our sport for the new specator imagine sitting at the winters watching top fuel i think every single paired run oiled the track and required an half hour clean up (other sports laugh at us saying we cant get a motor to last 5 seconds)
Track prep costs just got reduced by one quarter.
costs to feild teams is reduced also.
racing is closer and more exciting .
specators can watch the hole race instead of watching back end of cars dissappear into distance.
feild sizes WILL increase as costs are reduced
This is WIN WIN everywhere
Plus SAFER
ANDRA should embrace this and move all classes to 1000ft racing.
Just take the record runs and read the 1000ft foot time and make it the new national (simple) all index classes can run off this.
Someone with time on their hands work out the doorslammer feild on 1000ft times it will be awesome more money will come into our sport and more racers.
This is it take our chance and improve our show dont us tradition as an excuse .
Make the sport safer and a better show im sure all of our promotors can see the merit in this.
Think about it before you bag it this just might be the best thing to ever happen to our sport.
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Blues_Traveller
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/04 10:45
im not so sure, teams will continue to make faster more powerful machines to run to 1000ft and in that chase maybe they start to blowup motors at 800ft
speed will increase to 1000ft etc etc etc
i dont think this is the answer
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FIL
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/04 15:52
how long until someone changes the diff gearing so that they're hitting the same revs at the 1000ft they were hitting at 1320?
i can see the interest in racing over a shorter distance, but it's also a bit of a crutch to cover the issues that happen in those last 320 feet...
i may be completely wrong, but i think over time we'll see those issues start to happen between the 1/8th mile and the 1000ft marker...
as luke said, it'd be nice to see them run both 1320ft racing and 1000ft racing, introduce a bit of variety (as if the racing wasn't interesting enough already  )
Phil Luyer
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Monaro Doorslammer
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/04 16:23
FIL wrote:
how long until someone changes the diff gearing so that they're hitting the same revs at the 1000ft they were hitting at 1320?
i can see the interest in racing over a shorter distance, but it's also a bit of a crutch to cover the issues that happen in those last 320 feet...
i may be completely wrong, but i think over time we'll see those issues start to happen between the 1/8th mile and the 1000ft marker...
Same with any other motorsport unfortunately. The car only has to last as far as it needs to be.
I can't say I agree on a permanent shortening of the distance raced. I say let's see what happens concerning more stringent safety modifications of car and track. The only benefit of such tragic circumstances is that people learn for the future.
Dave Hunter, the video bloke...
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Turken
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/04 17:19
Diff gears cannot be changed. Must run certain ratio 3.25:1 I think.
I'm still on the fence with this one. If it saves someones life I'm all for it.
If it's a knee jerk reaction then no. If a car blows up at 1000' like Kalitta's did the new rule isn't gonna save anyone.
The real answer lies in the emergency area. This included the end of braking area distance, the aggregate, the secondary protection etc.
In my belief the real work needs to be done here. As has been previously mentioned elsewhere drag racing tends to be behind in technology with this. We know how to make the cars go fast, how to stop them but not how to efficiently stop them when the vehicles safety devices fail/aren't utilized
Myself, Ray and Peter spoke a few days ago, had a brief RCA on what caused the incident adn how our home track measures up.
Although not a definate prevention to a fatality I can honestly say:
1) Our braking area gives a vehicle the best possible chance to slow down (uphill, length)
2) The media used to slow stray vehicles down in the sand trap is extremely fine and actually allows the vehicles to 'bury' in (not deeply). Quite often vehicles skate across or even hop on the gravel stuff
3) There is a primary safety net that with the length will create drag if towed (not alot but a start)
4) The steel safety net is made to absorb high impact. The poles are made to give when hit. This is a happy medium between no give and too much give. I remember Gary actually mentioning the engineering that went into the design. It wasn't just bang some poles in the ground.
I as much as everyone else is saddened by the loss of another great drag racer but what we saw was many events causing the end result. At least the NHRA is trying something.
Have a good weekend
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danrace
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/04 19:30
good post turken one of the best ive seen on the subject
I dont think this is knee jerk by nhra and as bad as it sounds i think they are using the crash to make our sport better.
Imagine if they came out and said we want to race 1000ft to reduce oil downs improve the show and reduce the always present tyre problems (blistering etc) that is a constant battle and a potential litigation risk for them.
THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN OUTCRY
this is a way to change the sport for the better and i hope scotts life will be remembered for that.
Also if guys like allan johnson could make there cars go quicker to 1000ft than they do now they would be they are on the edge the whole way. it will only be major improvements in tyre technology or track prep which will allow teams to turn up the wick otherwise they are flat out now there aint no more left hence why they smoke the tyres.
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hillbillydelux
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/04 21:41
I think the ones that cry about this the most would have never done 200 300 or even 330 mph or tryed to pay to run such cars.There just to fast full stop so its a great idea 60mph slower and 320 longer to stop.Jim head shits himself every run and is all for the idea as alot of other guys im sure.
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Nytro
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/05 00:52
This is a big move on NHRA's part, I must admit I didn't think they would do it so quickly, especially as Denver is the slowest Track on the tour.
I personally think ALL classes should be running over 1000 foot and would be putting my hand up for it here in Australia.
I have looked at most of the tracks around the world on Google Earth and most are simply out of real estate to make wholesale changes to the braking area length wise, having said that I don't think by any means think that just shortening the racing distance is going to fix everything, we (tracks) need to look at ways to safely arrest an errant race car.
Anyhow, Del Worsham's Blog sums it up pretty well ...
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Turken
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/06 09:32
For us to implement this here we need to look at more than just the spectacle.
1) We still need to run the other classes bar Top Fuel to 1320'. Because the NHRA are only running the fuel classes to 1000'
2)We need to incorporate another timing system just for the one class. Looking at the Motorplex's system there is only one person who can do that. We need to cut extra holes in the concrete, run wiring (might even get your win light now lol) another foam block for people to kill
3) Explain to the crowd why one class is running 320' shorter 3 times a year (Funny Car exhibition as well)
4) Is this a concern here at the moment? If so then no worries at all. As Al said i'm one of the ones who have never run 320+ mph.
5) Should we run the jet cars to 1000' as well, or even 800'. They have probably just as much chance of an issue based on runs per accident ratio. They also will keep accelerating instead....
6) Should we run everyone to 1000'?
Finally one point to bring up as well. I finally got around to watching the Elim's from last weekend and what really pissed me off was that there was a tree at the end of the sand trap and run off. This has been discussed previously and although there was concern about it from the other racers. Nothing was done until an errant car went bush. For christ's sake lets do what Al said - LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RACING THESE MACHINES.
Stuff like this makes me think that the racers have no faith in the NHRA and Graham Light. They want to race to 1000' because they aren't 100% sure NHRA are doing all they can to fix the braking area......
As long as no one gets hurt though I'm happy
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HQ4door
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/06 09:48
 I dont want to high jack the thread BUT did some one mention a win light??????
brenden reardon = loud mouth......... |
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brumally
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/06 10:42
one mans win light would be another mans loose light
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danrace
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/06 10:58
i agree turken we eithier all run 1000ft feet or we all run 1320 it just looks amenteur having one class run one distance and the rest another.
I think if the racing is good and exciting in the fuel classes in the US next season they will put everyone to 1000ft it just plain silly to have two race distances.
Then you would think we will follow suit so realistically it will be at least a year or more before we run 1000ft
not to mention the job of moving the readout boards forward.
It will be certainly interesting to watch the rest of the US season and see how the racing goes i know im really looking forward to denver now
P.S if we make it only one class could we make it mine my bank balance and parts inventory will be extremmly happy: 
Post edited by: danrace, at: 2008/07/06 11:49
Post edited by: danrace, at: 2008/07/06 11:50
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wadragracing
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/06 16:50
I'm going to disagree on a permanent move to 1000 foot racing.
The quarter mile has become a standard for acceleration measurement and the fact is most tracks are equipped to handle it.
I think spectators would be able to understand the concept of two race distances just fine Dan. They would accept that the nitro cars are so extreme that they need to shut down early for survival I am sure.
There is just no need to reduce racing distances for nearly every category.
And I'll say it again, Scott's accident was not about braking distance. It was about arresting an out of control race vehicle...that's the problem that needs to be fixed.
Luke Nieuwhof
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miyagi
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/06 20:01
I totally, completely, positivly agree with you Luke, drag racing was initiated on a 1/4 mile (1320 ft), why change history when the length of the track was not the cause of Scott Kalitta's death...........meaning it was the track's containment issues/methods.......
Personal opinion........
Post edited by: miyagi, at: 2008/07/06 20:03
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hillbillydelux
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/06 20:51
Me think containment important but not any help to Blane johnson,Darrel russel,Eric medlen or Phil lamintina all having probs with 320 mph tyres,wings and cars all giving up from the stress.As for all classes id like to see how it goes in nhra but be good for team clevo thay can use JD gate
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Blues_Traveller
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/07 09:41
if they were already racing at 1000ft would have helped kalitts car stop, it looked to me that saftey deviced failed and thats what was the problem
also i think it was mention that the engine let go at 1000ft so if they were racing at 1000ft would he still have had the same problem.
i've never run in a drag car so its just my 2 cents in a great disscussion, the more questions asked the more that can be answered
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Monaro Doorslammer
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/07 16:51
As the explosion knocked the driver out and/or disabled the safety devices present on the car, there was not much more that really could have been done in this case, even at the thousand mark.
Maybe a look at lowering the huge amounts of downforce the cars produce to make them more prone to spin up the tyres would slow the speeds?
Dave Hunter, the video bloke...
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Nytro
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Re:NHRA nitro classes to run 1000 foot - 2008/07/08 01:57
Ok guys here is my final 'Forum' word on the subject...
NHRA is only running the fuel cars to 1000' because that is what the DRIVERS want!!!
Quite clearly the incident with the Alcohol Car going off the end of Norwalk made them cut the tree down AFTER the fact and the key words here are AFTER and ALCOHOL. Most of you here are saying only limit the Nitro classes when it was demonstrated an Alcohol Car was more than capable of getting through a very mediocre 'Sand Trap' I could not see it even slow down as it bounced it's way through.
This to me reinforced my belief that NHRA shortened the Nitro distance due to pressure from the Pro Racers Organisation and nothing else as it was quite clear they did not do anything with the braking area at Norwalk. Norwalk is one of the few tracks that have the luxury of extending the Sand Trap and as was displayed do not even have a catch net because of the extra run off at the end of the braking area.
It is my belief that running everything to 1000' foot would not take away any of the spectacle of Drag Racing (Having attended a few 1/8 races in the states) and it would reduce costs to the racers big time which will be in the long term a huge bonus to Drag Racing in this country.
Also, I witnessed a race where everything except the Jet Cars ran 1/4 mile (Jets went 1/8 mile) and it confused everyone why they did not go to the end like everything else...
Our track could probably make the change easier than all the other tracks in the country as we can modify our timing system in house whereas everyone else has to buy a new package from their supplier and I can't think of any track in the world has stands to the 1/4 mile, most are to half track so there would not be a great deal of change in Race Track infrastructure.
Dave, making the cars spin the tyres unloads the motors and causes them to hydraulic which causes fires!!!
At the end of the day an extra 320' can only help get a hold of an errant race car, put more of the racing in front of the fans, reduce costs enormously to racers and as for tradition, a lot of tracks report speed in km/h and media report 400 metres so the 1/4 mile tradition is for us ol' farts really!
Let's hope what ever happens we make our sport as safe as we can for our friends and family and we can all grow old and grumpy together!
Disclaimer:
These comments are my view only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Management of Perth Motorplex.
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