"Pinks", NHRA style!

[Caddyman]

I heard about this a few weeks ago from a local track operator who's friends with the Atlanta track guys.

Apparently, NHRA (and IHRA, too) are hurting a lot worse than anyone thought. Attendance is down, sportsman entry, pro fields, everything....

So, NHRA decided to try this.

http://www.nhra.com/story/2010/1/7/nhra-producers-of-popular-drag-racing-show-announce-agreement-to-produce-media-properties/

Sounds like the NOPI Nationals gone RWD....

[BBR]

Re: "Pinks", NHRA style!

Hey, if it gets people in the stands and helps keep the tracks open, I'm all for it.

[Bamfster]

Re: "Pinks", NHRA style!

Not a bad thing at all, I'd be up for it if it ever comes to Bandimere, just keep Rich Christiansen away from it!

[Cyclone03]

Re: "Pinks", NHRA style!

AAAH OK... so NHRA wants a piece of what PINKS all out has done,and NHRA has not wanted to admit for about the last 10 years. The Sportsman racer is the only thing that can keep the NHRA alive!

Sure we all like Pros but as the pros got more power the sportman racer just got pushed aside,now most Sportsman cant afford to even hit all the regional points meets much less the 4 or more nationals most would run,so they just park there cars or hit one or two NMRA or Super Chevy type events and maybe a local show they hear about.

The butts in the seats are not what has kept the NHRA alive the last 10 years it's the dues and Sportsman entries that do it,(the last I heard the pros don't pay entry fees).

Now NHRA will overload this venture with bureaucrat's and skim and chip off everything they can and fail because they will insist every racer carry $1000-$2000 worth of SFI legal parts have all drivers wearing flame proof clothing because they installed an aftermarket fuel pump or have rubber fuel line. The NHRA lost members,and $$,because they refused to let the MEMBERS run there own cars and have a voice in safety rules.
BTW who was the guy who got burned running 13.99? A fire jacket at 13.99!

Now big picture for me NHRA RUN 1/4 MILE RACES AT TRACKS THAT CAN HANDLE THEM!!!!
Bandamire,Houston,Dallas,IRP I'm sure there are more but you get the idea.
May as well go to 1/8 at Pomona that place was short when fuel was only running 275!

BTW 1000' was an idea pushed back in the '80's that's why we have a 1000' ET on our time slips and it was the insurance Co's that pushed it 300mph terrified them!!!

Sorry for the rant the low 30's in south Texas are getting to me.

[Brian Lohnes]

Re: "Pinks", NHRA style!

The person pushing for 1,000ft racing in the 1980's?














Wally Parks (it's true)

Brian

[Ron Ward]

Re: "Pinks", NHRA style!

Guys, safety is a real concern. I know many of you have a burr under your saddle about having to change belts every two years and needing a slew of SFI certified pieces, but think about this:

How many times have you seen someone smack the wall or get loose and run in front of the other car and you were THANKFUL these safety items were in place?

As much as it costs, and as much of a hassle as it is, the alternative to NOT having the appropriate saftey gear or SFI certified products may well be at the cost of someone's well being, or even life.

Seriously, how much would it cost to replace the rubber fuel line with steel or aluminum? Have you ever seen a clutch explode? This is why they are tested to meet SFI standards? How about a 25.5 chassis in a low 8-second street car? Why do you suppose they require it?

The reason is so you will live to race,

or walk,

or have a picnic with your grandkids.


Think about it,


Ron

[Cyclone03]

Re: "Pinks", NHRA style!

Thanks Brian for correcting me on the 1000'.
I just remember being at the season tune up in PHX in the 80's and hearing the 1000' is on it's way talk....


Belts.... that is the #1 B/S of all of SFI!
I can run all the way to 11.50 on stock belts NO MATTER HOW OLD THEY ARE!
But if I install a 3" set up in the same 11.50 car I CAN'T RUN IF THEY ARE OUT OF DATE! Even though I don't NEED a 3" belt,by rule, in a 11.50 car!
Same thing with roll bar NETS! If the cars PERFORMANCE doesn't require a full cage but a guy has one why does he need a net?


And no I don't want to here the what if the car flips.... etc etc...

How about this one....
I've run GAMBER bracket races in my 15.3 Mustang against 8.50 dragsters me,I got my 3 point stock belts and no helmet,the other guy is ready to walk through hell,and going 160mph 15ft from me,who's more likely to crash?
So really stock cars are the MOST dangerous cars on the track,for a driver.
So lets CAGE every car,right?

The truth is a current or out of date SFI anything is probably SAFER to run than a worn or even old anything else.
Belt should have a tear/wear rule more than a hard date rule in a slower than 9.99 car.
How about an out of date SFI bell housing,if it has no dents coming from the inside more than likely it has never had a clutch or flywheel try to come out of it at 8000rpm.

My rant is with the NHRA finely noticing "ALL OUT" type TV racing they will not be able to leave/keep it on the down low and rules and more rule's will come in and frankly wreck it!

[mlcraven]

Re: "Pinks", NHRA style!

I heard about this a few weeks ago from a local track operator who's friends with the Atlanta track guys.
Apparently, NHRA (and IHRA, too) are hurting a lot worse than anyone thought. Attendance is down, sportsman entry, pro fields, everything....
So, NHRA decided to try this.

http://www.nhra.com/story/2010/1/7/nhra-producers-of-popular-drag-racing-show-announce-agreement-to-produce-media-properties/

Sounds like the NOPI Nationals gone RWD....

Is it possible NHRA has had an 'ah hah!' moment?

[IRONHEAD]

Re: "Pinks", NHRA style!

Guys, safety is a real concern. I know many of you have a burr under your saddle about having to change belts every two years and needing a slew of SFI certified pieces, but think about this:

How many times have you seen someone smack the wall or get loose and run in front of the other car and you were THANKFUL these safety items were in place?

As much as it costs, and as much of a hassle as it is, the alternative to NOT having the appropriate safety gear or SFI certified products may well be at the cost of someones well being, or even life.

Seriously, how much would it cost to replace the rubber fuel line with steel or aluminum? Have you ever seen a clutch explode? This is why they are tested to meet SFI standards? How about a 25.5 chassis in a low 8-second street car? Why do you suppose they require it?

The reason is so you will live to race,

or walk,

or have a picnic with your grandkids.


Think about it,


Ron

true. kind of..
my 40 y/o belts are just fine...but I make the stupid mistake of installing 3" belts.. go to the track when the car was redone(3 years later) and I can't run.. as the 3" belts are out of date/code..
total b/s
maybe in a 9 sec car.. but in a car that has street tires bolted on.. not drag dot street tires.. but goodyear eaglesII
why.. the car was a 13 sec car..
I changed back (removed the 3" belts, )
and went through tech again (same day) and donta know..
off to the races....
with factory 1971 elcamico LAP belt..
sorry.. this type of stupid. is why more stop going to the track...
drive 100+ miles.. to have a guy say sorry buddy.. pack up your done..
I know it sucks to be a tech guy. as they much put up with the crap. after telling the guy.. sorry.. by bye
but there are other ways.. like maybe a temp. tech pass. if the car goes to fast . pull the card..
and maybe soft walls..
NHRA a 3" 4 point or 5 point belt isn't gonna fail with a 200lb force on it....divided by the 4 or 5 points...
not in a car that isn't a solid tube Car... as most cars bend and the force is alot less than a solid tube car..

[Bamfster]

Re: "Pinks", NHRA style!

I agree on the seatbelt thing, and we actually got the tech guys on our side at Bandimere after an intelligent discussion. The result was this:

If the car runs fast enough to require the aftermarket 3" belts, they need to be up to date. If the speed and ET of the car DO NOT require aftermarket belts, then outdate 3" belts will be given the stamp of approval and signed off on. They saw the ignorance in using 40 year old belts in place of 3 to 10 yr old 3" belts.....

Now to find a trans and flexplate shield or a 700R4.....