Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: mopacltd]
#619839
02/22/10 12:09 AM
02/22/10 12:09 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 316 Utah
dragnduster
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 316
Utah
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Quote:
Why was my original post deleted?
I don't think it was deleted, I just looked at it. It is on page 3 right now.
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Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: jamesc]
#619842
02/22/10 12:13 AM
02/22/10 12:13 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,128 Salt Lake City
camastomcat
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,128
Salt Lake City
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Quote:
i don't think the average fan has any idea of just how violent these TF cars are, participants generally understand and accept the risks involved. TF has been the premiere drag racing class and in principle limiting them just doesn't seem right. that said they really should put some severe restrictions on the class. as mentioned single mag, fuel pump/blower size etc. i don't know if they're still using the rev limiter but for those engines that's a bad idea. i'm sure a lot of people would object but personally i believe overall it would be better for the sport as a whole. the costs associated with TF have escalated to the point it's severely hurting the class. limiting the class would provide larger fields, greater safety and they would still put on a good show, maybe even go back to 1320. i don't know what happened but it seems they've had trouble over the years with cars shucking tires/wheels and having one of those monstrous things flying around something like this was bound to happen. i know they made changes to the wheels but maybe they're still not strong enough. i doubt fences are the answer even if they limit the class parts could still easily clear any reasonable fence. they should make changes to reduce the potential for cars shucking parts in the first place. it's a shame but it's time to really tighten down on the output of these cars...imho it would do more good than harm.
Well....I was trying to keep my mouth shut....but that's hard for me. The NHRA has turned into the organization everyone loves to hate. Esspecially those like me who are members. But from a small piece of the show like me, it seems they just want to hang around and collect money. Guys like Force, Medlen and Head do the leg work and spend the money for the NHRA, when it comes to safety. And that just names a few. I still can't figure out why the sportsman racer is the one being forced to take classes like the new one for oil and hazardous waste disposal before being able to compete in a national event. When the economy dips, they charge the sportsman, and at the same time cut the pay of their employees. Just a guess, but I'd bet Compton and Light didn't. So if they limit the fuel cars (blower size, single mag, fuel pumps etc) will that insure there will never be another terrible accident at a drag race? Hell no, but it would get us back to drag racing at 1320ft and IMO is needed for that, if nothing else. And they need to find their collective wallets instead of expecting people like Wilkerson to do it for them for nothing. They always try to treat the symptom instead of fixing the sickness, or the line of least resistance. The bottom line is, until the upper managment are thrown out on their ears, things will remain the same. I could go on for days, so I'll stop with that, because I still love this stupid sport.
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Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: FM370RR]
#619845
02/22/10 12:54 AM
02/22/10 12:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,544 Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,544
Las Vegas
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Tragic day for sure. Not a good weekend at all for the NHRA. Seems with two Pro Stockers upside down and two Super Gas cars in the wall along with a few TD guys not being able to make it down the track that they are sure missing something. I seem to recall this being an issue at maybe the Z Max race last year as well. Something about the track conditions for the fuel guys being way wrong for the rest of us. hmmm.
Well I see they have moved the remainder of Pro Stock elimiations to the Gators, to be run during time trials there. Seems the Pro Stock guys said either move it or we will not run.
I also see they will not run the Sportsman eliminations from this race til next Friday during what was to be the Div 7 opener. I was planning on being in Phoenix on Thursday to get a few shots at the track during the scheduled T&T as we have not run this car there before and need the data. Now it is looking like IF I go to the Divisional I maybe not even get to run the track til Saturday and at best will get two shots before we race. Of course with rain in the forecast next Saturday that may be wishful thinking. I am thinking maybe I need to reconsider my plans. Long haul for nothing really.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: camastomcat]
#619846
02/22/10 12:54 AM
02/22/10 12:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448 Phoenix, AZ
MoparBilly
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,448
Phoenix, AZ
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Quote:
I could go on for days, so I'll stop with that, because I still love this stupid sport.
Truer words were never spoken!!
Everyone I've talked to on the scene knew the injured woman was dead, unfortunately. But to pronounce that at the scene would have meant a stoppage of the event, and an official police investigation on the grounds, so she had to be whisked away to be pronounced at the hospital and the show could go on. It's a sickening reality, but it's standard protocol for any large sporting or public event in this country.
Steve 1118 I think you are overcenter on many of your NHRA comments, but I agree 100 percent with the Idea that it's time to limit pump/mag/blowers in the fuel classes.
I think fences are a bad idea, I dont want to see a blow-over getting entangled in a fence...but the sport changes constantly so we have to look at every option...
"Livin' in a powder keg and givin' off sparks"
4 Street cars, 5 Race engines
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Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: MoparBilly]
#619848
02/22/10 01:14 AM
02/22/10 01:14 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,544 Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,544
Las Vegas
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Billy, I already was planning on D6, Boise or Medford, maybe now I will do both and throw Seattle in the mix too. Was already gonna skip Tucson to far from here, to close together. Besides i will have more fun at the MATS. Now with this deal looks like I will be baggin Phoenix as well. Oh well maybe next year.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: Steve1118]
#619849
02/22/10 01:32 AM
02/22/10 01:32 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,249 Between a rock & a hard place
cudadoug
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,249
Between a rock & a hard place
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Quote:
I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but it's time to slow those fuel cars down. The accident rate in the past several years has been very high....the last period I remember being like this was the 67-69 period when all the cars were being sawed in half by slider clutches.
It seems to me that the sport, professionally, is at a crossroads. NASCAR had the same decision to make back around 1970 or so when the winged cars were running speeds actually faster than what they run today.
My way of thinking is that those cars are so powerful, so violent, and so quick that it is almost impossible to react if something goes wrong. The driver just belts himself in and goes for the ride.
They can be slowed down without sacrificing the show. Smaller blowers, single mags, and a limit on fuel pump size would be a good place to start.
Instead, my fear is that NHRA will make some sweeping rule change, applying some new rule to everyone from TF to the regular bracket guy to spend several hundred dollars on the latest trick from some sponsor that just happens to post some contingency money. They will do this rather than make some changes in the way the fuel classes are run, lest they tick off some big money sponsor or Fuel owner.
Did you hear Greg Anderson's comments regarding the Pro Stockers? What were they doing running when the track was in that shape? NHRA hosts Full Throttle events one on top of the other, no break, no latitude to change the schedule to make things right. It is all about TV, and the "show must go on".
I am sorry for my cynicism, but NHRA has basically lost credibility to me, and has for several years. I remember when the motto was "dedicated to safety". I really don't like feeling this way about the grandfather of drag racing organizations. But, I do.
The more I see what is going on, the more I continue to love Nostalgia racing. Give me my Nostalgia Super Stocks any day.
Steve, well said. I agree, single mags, pumps and slow the blowers down. They could still have a 4.80-.90/300 QUARTER MILE show and be alot safer than they are now. You're also dead on about NASCAR; those 3500+ lb cars simply weren't designed to run 200 mph and they took the steps NHRA needs to. I think they are still "dedicated to safety", but the dog is out of the yard and NOW they are trying to "fix the fence".
A sad day (again) for motorsports. I wish the best possible for all involved.
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Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: MoparBilly]
#619850
02/22/10 02:25 AM
02/22/10 02:25 AM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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It happens at small circle tracks more often than you would think. Just a few years back a young girl was killed at the local 81 Speedway when a tire went into the stands.
Accidents happen.
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Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: qwkmopardan]
#619852
02/22/10 04:41 AM
02/22/10 04:41 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667 Arizona
Chris'sBarracuda
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667
Arizona
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Billy D was there and said the tire went right through where we always pit. Glad I wasn't there now. Prayers for the family. RIP to the innocent woman.. Chris..
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Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: Al_Alguire]
#619853
02/22/10 04:49 AM
02/22/10 04:49 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667 Arizona
Chris'sBarracuda
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,667
Arizona
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Quote:
Billy, I already was planning on D6, Boise or Medford, maybe now I will do both and throw Seattle in the mix too. Was already gonna skip Tucson to far from here, to close together. Besides i will have more fun at the MATS. Now with this deal looks like I will be baggin Phoenix as well. Oh well maybe next year.
Al..
I was planning on testing on Thursday, then making a decision on the race.
Billy D said a S/ST Mustang crashed a pair behind Jeff Jackson. Only 2 pair ran first round, then they stopped them for the show.. Luckily..
Then the Pro Stockers revolted together and said they refused to run. They basically told NHRA to DQ all of them.. Good for them.. Way to stick together.
Funny thing about Firebird is that the Fuelers seem to get down the track there fairly well, but real cars have a big problem..
BTW my front end paint was matched so badly, I would have rather had primer.. Man am I steamed about it.. Don't know if I'll have time to fix it..
Chris..
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Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: dragnduster]
#619854
02/22/10 05:38 AM
02/22/10 05:38 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,632 Florida STAYcation
IcorkSOAK
Financed his waterbed
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Financed his waterbed
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,632
Florida STAYcation
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Quote:
Quote:
Why was my original post deleted?
I don't think it was deleted, I just looked at it. It is on page 3 right now.
Page 3 ? ... your post here is on "page 1.5" !!
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Re: accident at Phoenix?
[Re: Quicktree]
#619856
02/22/10 08:42 AM
02/22/10 08:42 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 970 Backwater, PA
bwdst6
Bob George Racing #1 Fan
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Bob George Racing #1 Fan
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 970
Backwater, PA
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Quote:
how tall would you make the fence? that tire was 20' up in the air. as sad as it is being around racing is dangerous and not a lot you can do to prevent an accident like that.
Stronger and more numerous wheel studs!
Last edited by bwdst6; 02/22/10 08:44 AM.
This post is available in double vision where drunk.
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