NHRA safty

[SilverStang02GT]

what does everyone think about the NHRA going to a 1000 foot track.

[03scgt]

i think its just another way to save money on gas.its been a 1/4 mile for so many years they just decide to change it.how are they gonna do the 8th?

[SilverStang02GT]

i think they feel the shorter track will be safer. it is their way of lowering trap speeds without droping horse power. the guys that are set up for the top end will have to make the biggest adjustment.

[03scgt]

its gonna be hard on some of the guys with lots of money in their setups.i would hate for that to happen.my cars pretty slow right now so i think im ok

[pdexta]

Wow, hadn't heard anything about that until now. I hate to see the change. Of course safety is important, but I feel like there are other measures that could be taken rather than trying to completely change the sport. Somehow I get the feeling that any drag racer will gladly take on the extra risk of driving an extra 320 feet to keep history and tradition alive, I know I would.

[Victor]

It is only for the Top Fuel and funny car classes. Not something that affects me. So whatever, IMO it is just a knee jerk reaction by them to the accident.

[03scgt]

good points scott.alittle more safety rules with the cars might help out.or maybe alittle more track prep on the top end.we all know everycar get alittle weird up top

[SilverStang02GT]

good points scott.alittle more safety rules with the cars might help out.or maybe alittle more track prep on the top end.we all know everycar get alittle weird up top


I think that is a good point. A lot of the Tracks they are running on were built back when they could barely break 200 MPH. Up dating the tracks with longer slowdown zones would probably help as well as safer cars. They have improved the cars a lot sense Eric Medlin’s death. John Force has had a lot to do with that as well as others but I’m sure they have a long way to go. I don’t think it will ruin the sport but it is definitely different. !/4 mile racing has been the norm for the past 60 years.

[Kevin]

The should not have walls at the end of tracks... Scott Kalitta's crash a lil over a month ago can prove this.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pzOv-AbRhwc

[STiDriven]

On a related note, they do this road racing tracks too. Older tracks have some areas that modern road race cars can achieve ridiculous speeds. Once in a while they will tighten a corner to drop speeds or add one to break up a straight. Yes it does change the history and skews historic times but it's necessary in some situations.

I think there are better ways the NHRA could have handled this such as revising the distance from the track to wall and adding a buffer barrier that isn't so unforgiving. In the end though, shortening the tracks is the cheapest way to go.

[03scgt]

true.but even just track prep would help.its like saying if we all stand outside in the rain with umbrellas to avoid getting wet nobody will ever get struck with lightning.everybody that races knows the risks.1000 feet is still plenty of time to have an accident in.

[STiDriven]

Was track prepping the issue in this case? Was there other cars having a problem? I think drivers error and equipment malfunctions had the most to do with the decision.

[pdexta]

The should not have walls at the end of tracks... Scott Kalitta's crash a lil over a month ago can prove this.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pzOv-AbRhwc


Wow, that's horrible. How much could it possibly cost to build and maintain a sand trap at the end of the track? With all the fire/safety gear they wear he probably would have walked away :(

[STiDriven]

No room and lack of foresight.

[Victor]

On a related note, they do this road racing tracks too. Older tracks have some areas that modern road race cars can achieve ridiculous speeds. Once in a while they will tighten a corner to drop speeds or add one to break up a straight. Yes it does change the history and skews historic times but it's necessary in some situations.

I think there are better ways the NHRA could have handled this such as revising the distance from the track to wall and adding a buffer barrier that isn't so unforgiving. In the end though, shortening the tracks is the cheapest way to go.

It is only a temporary solution they have already said that, they are doing it for now while they review their safety rules. If I recall correctly the cars only accelerate about 20 mhp durignt hose last 320ft, but it is during that time when the motors let go and fires/explosions happen.

[SilverStang02GT]

true.but even just track prep would help.its like saying if we all stand outside in the rain with umbrellas to avoid getting wet nobody will ever get struck with lightning.everybody that races knows the risks.1000 feet is still plenty of time to have an accident in.

I understand what you are saying. There are risks you take when you sign up for certain jobs and they definitely know what they are signing up for. They all talked about it when Medlin died and also with Kallita. They always say “he died doing what he loved”.
From the looks of the driver’s comments last night on ESPN most of them are ok with the shorter track.