[nowingsjeff]

NHRA shortens racing distance.

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/30355.htm

Hard to believe !!!!

[jjones776]

that is interesting. however it seems like a pretty logical thing to do until they can figure out how to get those rockets shut down when things go wrong.

[767]

i know some of the diehard fans will have problems with this, but I don't see it changeing much. teams are always doing there setup to reach different parts of the track at certain speeds or times. I watch alot of last weekends show and most of the interviews talked about what kind of speeds at certain parts of the track. everyone had 1000 ft marked as one of there measuring points. so if teams are already setting up then it should not be a problem

[Pat O'Connor Fan]

I watched the NHRA events on ESPN2 last weekend. I thought the lengthy interview with Jim Head was very interesting, and wondered what Rex W. thought about it. If any of you folks haven't been to an NHRA event lately, you cannot imagine the unreal speed those vehicles reach in the time it takes you to hiccup.
Rex -- your thoughts?

[Motormasher]

Here we go with the Insurance Companies again. :thumbsdown: Sickening, just sickening!:action-smiley-049:

[Onlydirt]

I dont like drag racing in genreal, however I go to the US Nationals almost every year to see the most amazing display of raw power anyone can imagine. Make them safe, but 320 feet isnt much more stopping time at 300 MPH.

[Crankin]

Originally Posted by Onlydirt I dont like drag racing in genreal, however I go to the US Nationals almost every year to see the most amazing display of raw power anyone can imagine. Make them safe, but 320 feet isnt much more stopping time at 300 MPH.

Ty,
From what I have seen on these programs, it's not just the added extra football field of shut-off/run-off that will be helpful. It will be also helpful in the parts department as well. Some have said that most of the engine damage occurs in that last 300 feet, and that most races are already decided by then. I think they are trying to reduce some of these massive blow-ups/explosions to increase the safety factor. Most of the "fuel" folks agreed with this, and also felt that it would not affect the "show" for the fans. :thumb

[Rex W.]

Well like Jim Head talked about...most of the motor damage is done after the 1000 foot mark. That 320 feet will make a difference. IMO the best way to slow em down is to take a lil wing away or have em go back to 1 magneto & 8 plugs like the Top Alcohol Dragsters & Funny cars use but let em go back to 100% nitro....who can really tell the difference from a 280mph pass vs a 330mph pass. Was it that big a deal when the Indy cars went from 233 to 220 in the mid 90's??

[AlkyMadness]

This is nothing but a knee jerk reaction to appease the insurance companies.

As far as engine damage, you can say most damage occurs in the last 20% of ANY race. So, do we shorten the Indy 500 to the Indy 400?

I don't even go to drag racing anymore because even the nitro classes run like bracket cars now and if you take the decals/wraps off, one looks just like the other, but this bothers me. The quarter-mile is a TRADITION and I think Scott Kalitta would be extremely pissed to find out they are using him as the reason to do this. When you start talking cost savings and insurance, you just gotta know they've already been considering it and were just waiting for something to come along to allow it to happen.

If they really want to fix the problem, make the damn tracks upgrade to adequate shut down area. Englishtown is way too short. If you can't fix it, then don't run there!!!

Rockingham Dragway has almost a mile of shut down. This tragedy would not occur there. At the first track for this, Denver, the shut down area climbs up a mountain and vehicles naturally slow down.

And maybe they need to look at what they put in crash box at the end of the strip. Over the years, we've seen many close calls when cars buried themselves in the sand. Perhaps a dense foam or gel that would suck the car in and cushion instead of the sand which causes them to submarine.

The hell of it is, if Scott had steered the thing into the wall instead of going straight, he'd probably still be with us today. But, he was probably more concerned that the other driver might be nearby and didn't want to involve them.

[Flatrightrear]

The shortened distance will now put even more of a premium on cutting a quick light.