[Rockola]

Looking for opinions on the NHRA rule change. They have decided to run the fuel cars to 1000 ft. instead of 1320ft in the wake of the tragedy at Englishtown.
We have a lot of drag racing fans here and it seams the opinion is close to unanimous that the race course should not be shortened. We feel that the track owners should lengthen their shut down area, or maybe not host a national event if they cannot accommodate today’s faster cars. I think I can speak for those of us who are holding race tickets that this change is very disappointing. Let us not change this long standing American tradition.

 

[Droopy]

Hopefully just a stopgap measure for increased safety until they can find a better solution. Basically my thoughts were if the track can't expand go somewhere else. 1/4 mile should be a 1/4 mile.

 

[texasbullitt]

over reaction as usual

 

[chrisW]

its time the old tracks got modernized..just like nascar tracks put in saferbariers..if they dont comply move the races to tracks that do

 

[Bullitt4003]

I don't think drag racing over reacted based on Eric Medlen's and Scott Kalitta's deaths as well as John Force's severe leg and arm injuries all in the last 15 months. No other car racing organization has had as many fatalities in the last couple of years. It's even more significant when you consider how few Top Fuel and Funny Car racers there are that actually complete. For reference, NASCAR's last death was Earnhardt's back in '01.
NHRA will go back to the 1/4 mile but only after the NHRA and teams get together to develop safer cars and tracks. This is still a family based industry which may not have funding available to rebuild several tracks and cars.
I'm not sure that there are any safer tracks that can be used in place of their current line-up; especially for an Englishtown replacement on the East Coast.

 

[Rockola]

All very good points. Yes, family based but mostly wealthy families. Not to mention some very heavyweight sponsorship. If Old Bridge Raceway is Inadequate for pro racing then perhaps the fans might have to travel to the next closest venue or someone will have to step up to the plate and build a new one near the east coast. Lowe’s has a new drag strip under construction not to mention other facilities that have opened up in recent years. Built for 1000ft.? I don’t think so.

 

[rblack4405]

NHRA has been at the front for making safety changes and making them quick, not taking months to make a decision is an action that deserves to be applauded. These cars have more engine explosions in the final 320 ft. than in the first 1000 ft. Sitting in the stands you will see closer racing and hopefully safer racing, it is about the racers and fans not being hurt or killed. Nascar has had many killed and has implemented more safety items for the drivers and cars, they do not however travel 300+ mph. and have a larger metal body that helps protect them. I also think Nascar speeds are too fast today and therefore the decline of good racing. NHRA fuel classes will be closer than ever and a little safer. They need a better way of stopping out of control race cars and I have no doubt they will figure it out. Sand traps don't do much if you are traveling 300, like skipping a rock on the water. I am not disappointed in this ruling, I like the idea of trying to save lives.

 

[Rockola]

It’s nice to hear some comments about this topic and I thank you. But, I say Hogwash. Life is dangerous. Can we change the lyrics to Drag City “ burn out that 1000 ft.?” or maybe football would be safer if we change a first down to 5 yards. I’m sorry I don’t like it. But I say thank you and goodnight.

 

[4fit?]

I can understand why they are doing it, but I am not a supporter of doing it.

 

[Karl Rodg88]

how much is that really gonna slow the cars down?

 

[Bullitt2436KM]

how much is that really gonna slow the cars down?

Exactly. These cars are going so fast that a 320 ft difference is not going slow them down significantly nor give an out of control car going 300mph anymore of a chance to stop. I don't think that it is realized how much more track length is going to be needed to stop something going 300 miles an hour. Without shoots or dramatically increased brakes that car is not going to stop with pure length, unless traveling up a pretty steep grade. These cars need some kind of automatic shoot release or brake application. With an unconscious driver, that car is not gonna stop, its simply going too fast without something else in place to help stop it.

 

[rblack4405]

Depending on the track I would guess 10-30 mph. You will never notice the difference in speed. I also like the 1320 but the cars are just too fast for the tracks. I have heard that before, let see, I remember Nascar, and they made many changes to slow down the cars.

 

[rblack4405]

I will guess and say the chutes will be mounted differently, deployed differently, and made of a different material. I also think a different brake system will be developed, part of the 1000 ft. idea is that it will stop some of the engine explosions. We will see, I hope it does.

 

[rblack4405]

Funny car first round top speed 4.26 at 291.76 mph.----wonder if they are still running rev limiters?

 

[Rockola]

Well here is the first 1000' Round. No 300MPH runs But they are in thin air.


MORRISON, Colo. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after one round of qualifying in Top Fuel at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 29th annual Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals:
Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Cory McClenathan Fram Dragster 4.023 298.27
2. Larry Dixon U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Dragste 4.032 298.67
3. Brandon Bernstein Budweiser/Lucas Oil Dragster 4.037 299.33
4. Tony Schumacher U.S. Army Dragster 4.056 299.40
5. Steve Torrence Vis-Viva Dragster 4.081 287.72
6. Bob Vandergriff UPS Dragster 4.141 274.39
7. Hillary Will K2M Dragster 4.149 289.94
8. Rod Fuller Caterpillar Dragster 4.154 248.39
9. David Grubnic DHL Dragster 4.160 272.67
10. Doug Kalitta MAC Tools Dragster 4.180 263.10
11. J.R. Todd Lucas Oil Dragster 4.184 295.66
12. Morgan Lucas Lucas Oil Speedway Dragster 4.214 287.84
--------- Not Qualified ---------
13. Doug Herbert Snap-On Tools Dragster 4.422 226.54
14. Steven Chrisman Chrisman Driveline Dragster 4.541 237.71
15. Antron Brown Matco Dragster 12.020 64.86

Psn Driver Vehicle ET Speed
1. Jack Beckman Valvoline/MTS Charger 4.265 291.76
2. Robert Hight AAA of So. Cal Mustang 4.285 281.13
3. Tony Pedregon Q Horsepower Impala 4.342 276.24
4. John Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.345 283.79
5. Ashley Force Castrol GTX Mustang 4.351 286.13
6. Bob Tasca III Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang 4.372 283.19
7. Ron Capps NAPA Auto Parts Charger 4.389 276.35
8. Tim Wilkerson Levi, Ray & Shoup Impala 4.391 282.13
9. Cruz Pedregon Advance Auto Parts Solara 4.414 274.05
10. Tommy Johnson Jr. Monster Energy Drink Charger 4.434 263.15
11. Jerry Toliver Rockstar Energy Drinks Charger 4.484 256.99
12. Gary Densham RaceBricks Impala 4.535 216.90
--------- Not Qualified ---------
13. Gary Scelzi Mopar Oakley Charger 4.550 241.41
14. Del Worsham Checker Schuck's Kragen Impala 4.590 267.96
15. Mike Neff Old Spice Mustang 4.667 192.77
16. Melanie Troxel ProCare RX Charger 4.783 185.77
17. Tony Bartone Canidae Pet Food Monte Carlo 6.506 99.07