Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

You make the call go here to see it.:6:::17::16:15::22:
http://www.openwheelracers3.com/Midgets.html

aXe

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

More "Murdock yellows"...

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Murdock just finished 6th in his heat and didn't bring out any yellows. I thought we all liked inovation and creative thinking in midget design--just like in the "good old days".

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Well, it looks odd....................

I hope that isn't the future look of midgets!

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by badgerfan:
Murdock just finished 6th in his heat and didn't bring out any yellows. I thought we all liked inovation and creative thinking in midget design--just like in the "good old days".

Then I'd call it a HUGE success considering he is usually good for 12 :41:: in a 10 lap race...:18:

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Hope he doesn't have to get out quickly....

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by TQ97:
Hope he doesn't have to get out quickly....

I understand they wouldnt let Him run until he put those two down tubes in the front of the car with one cross brace. See a picture of the car at www.openwheelracers3.com
YOU WILL HAVE TO SCROLL DOWN TO SEE IT
That is one tight fit if you have to get out quick and very small tubing,I would worry about it all collapsing in an upside down move?
aXe

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by badgerfan:
I thought we all liked inovation and creative thinking in midget design--just like in the "good old days".

Big difference between an innovative car and a piece of crap...

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Johnny puts his money where his mouth is by golly. I hope he comes next year with a rear engine or side engine car--maybe with a ski on the front left too.

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

His designs might appear a little unique, but I can tell you from experience he is a good guy. He helped me repair my car in a parking lot in NM after crashing on day 1 of a 2 day show.
I would like to see if his designs would be competitive with the Munchkin.

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Here is where what We are talking about is at. you have to scroll dwon the page to see it, http://www.openwheelracers3.com/Midgets.html
It has nothing to do with how good it performs, it has just to do with how you percieve it, would you like to see a 20 car main event that looks like this?
I remember that first Munchkin performance, its looks have come along way since Tony got involved.
one thing that does worry Me though is how strong is that cage looks to be about 1" tubing?
aXe
photo by David Cochran

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Besides the getting out part, how in the world does he get in this? It is kind of growing on me the more I look at it, besides the tin on top. I don't know the guy at all, but I applaud him for trying something different!! These are the kind of guys I would love to talk too!!

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Would the roof skin act as a "Wing" or would it be detrimental to performance?

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

first, I applaud him for trying something different...I love that. Innovation is excellent! I just don't see how that chassis doesn't flex like crazy, and having the engine hanging so far out of the bodywork, and not much between it and the driver concern me.

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Definitly a "short" track car? I wonder if they feed him in there, doesn't look to me like he'd want to get in and out too many times. Different? Yes, but look out if he'd happen to win, or even finish good. I think I'll wait for the book! Bob

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

looks like those midgets they run in Argentina. :42::

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

I think it a Frankenstein-like, ugly car. If it performs, I say good for him. On a big track like a half mile, it looks like it has the aerodynamics of a brick.

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by Hawker:
Then I'd call it a HUGE success considering he is usually good for 12 :41:: in a 10 lap race...:18:

Johnny is a good guy and helps a lot of people and is always fun to watch. Atleast he is in a car doing what he loves, if you would have ever driven you would know we've all brought our fair share of cautions. I guess it's hard to bring a caution out when you sit in the bleachers huh Hawker?.:31:

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Light weight was the whole idea of the car...Johnny has an old pontiac wetsump motor in the thing with an iron block, so he wanted to trim the car as much as possible.

After they added to the cage he practiced getting in and out, with his helmet on, and had no problem escaping quickly.

like someone above mentioned, johnny is a super guy with a passion for midget racing that is unequalled. Absolutely as low budget as you will ever see but has a great time.

Have a ball and pass some cars johnny!!!

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

From the pictures it looks like a lot went into its build. but it reminds me of some thing from danny drinan. just as a note I notice that people have a lot to say bad and negativity.when they do not know,under stand, or comprehend.shut the :21: up

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

All these Stand Fans on here love to beat people down, and it's kinda Sad. On the other Hand, it's what keeps message boards alive!

Mr Murdocks Creation is nothing more than a mans love for Racing and being able to take chances with thinking outside the Box. Good for Johnny and his Crew. From Mini Sprints to now Sprint cars, i have seen many strange things on Cars and people trying (R-n-D) something different. Nothing wrong with that! A fine expample would be the Bondio car..Sorry, but the first time i seen the small Left front Bicycle wheel i was like " Huh"...

I hope Murdock ignores these boards and continues to do what he Loves, and thinking outside the Box!

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by OpenwheelRob:
Johnny is a good guy and helps a lot of people and is always fun to watch. Atleast he is in a car doing what he loves, if you would have ever driven you would know we've all brought our fair share of cautions. I guess it's hard to bring a caution out when you sit in the bleachers huh Hawker?.:31:

A absolutely love it when people ASSume.

Over the years, I have crewed a car that has won two different track championships in the same year. We also won a series championship.

Back in the day I also helped build several cars from scratch. We didn't have the luxury of hydraulic tube benders either, it was ALL bent the old fashion way with a manual tube bender.

I have also worked as the Competition Director at a sprint Car track for several years and I was just offered a position as the Technical Director with a national touring series just a couple of weeks ago (I declined).

So I have been around a bit and not just in the stands. I'm sorry If I hurt your or Mr. Murdock's feelings. But if you want to be an innovator, that's fine. But be realistic. When I think of innovators at the Chili bowl, I look at what guys like Andy Bondio, Sammy Swindell and have done. Yes, they have gone outside "the box", but they were also able to back it up with RESULTS. Doing something "outside the box" just to draw attention is not "innovation"...

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by Hawker:
I'm sorry If I hurt your or Mr. Murdock's feelings. But if you want to be an innovator, that's fine. But be realistic. When I think of innovators at the Chili bowl, I look at what guys like Andy Bondio, Sammy Swindell and have done. Yes, they have gone outside "the box", but they were also able to back it up with RESULTS. Doing something "outside the box" just to draw attention is not "innovation"...

Mr.Hawker is correct. It be "innovative" the designer/builder/ whatever should, at least, have an idea or concept of something that is superior to what currently exists. From the picture, I see absolutely nothing about this car, that is superior to current design.
It was stated earlier that this guy has an iron engine and was trying to cut weight. Well, the frame is not the place to cut weight. In fact, with a heavier engine, he probably needs a stouter frame to support the extra weight. His best bet to cut weight would be to figure out how to get an aluminum engine.
It was also stated that he had practiced getting out of this thing quickly, but I'll bet he hasn't practiced in "real world" conditions such as a flaming engine eruption or with the car laying on its side with his "birdcage" collapsed down around his head after a couple of barrel roll flips. It is not only necessary for the driver to be able to get himself out of the car but, sometimes, it is necessary for the safety crew to get him out, which is the reason for the, USAC required, large opening through the top of the cage.
Sometimes it is important for the race promotors to have a competent tech inspector to reject this type of stuff, If the promotors don't do it, the insurance companies will.

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

I have seen a front wheel impinge into the top of a conventional cage too. Johnny could probably expand your thinking a bit if you ever talked to him and got an understanding of what he was thinking as he spent his money and developed that car. I assure you he was not just randomly welding tubing together.

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Very nice reply in wording Badgerfan! All in all, I say it was one of Johnny's better runs. Only two spots out of transfer to next race on Sat! Going for C-main win on prelim night...

Jason Dull
815 494 6002
jdull99@hotmail.com
jasondull.com (For all the Racing News)

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by mac miller:
It was also stated that he had practiced getting out of this thing quickly, but I'll bet he hasn't practiced in "real world" conditions such as a flaming engine eruption or with the car laying on its side with his "birdcage" collapsed down around his head after a couple of barrel roll flips. It is not only necessary for the driver to be able to get himself out of the car but, sometimes, it is necessary for the safety crew to get him out, which is the reason for the, USAC required, large opening through the top of the cage.
Sometimes it is important for the race promotors to have a competent tech inspector to reject this type of stuff, If the promotors don't do it, the insurance companies will.

Okay, this reminded me.... There was a rumor running rampant at the CB the KO was going to show up for the 25th anniversary with a cageless "throw back" car......and race!

He was told. "Not no, but hell no!"


Also, not to drift off topic, but since I mentioned KO, I must ask... was I the only one who saw him throw the "rubber arm" out on the track in turns 3 & 4 right after being pushed off? It was freaking hilarious, when they were lining up, you could see that someone saw something on the track, the radioed the corner worker to go get is and he lost it when he got about 5 feet away and realized what it was...

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by Hawker:
A absolutely love it when people ASSume.

Over the years, I have crewed a car that has won two different track championships in the same year. We also won a series championship.

Back in the day I also helped build several cars from scratch. We didn't have the luxury of hydraulic tube benders either, it was ALL bent the old fashion way with a manual tube bender.

I have also worked as the Competition Director at a sprint Car track for several years and I was just offered a position as the Technical Director with a national touring series just a couple of weeks ago (I declined).

So I have been around a bit and not just in the stands. I'm sorry If I hurt your or Mr. Murdock's feelings. But if you want to be an innovator, that's fine. But be realistic. When I think of innovators at the Chili bowl, I look at what guys like Andy Bondio, Sammy Swindell and have done. Yes, they have gone outside "the box", but they were also able to back it up with RESULTS. Doing something "outside the box" just to draw attention is not "innovation"...

Hawker, your previous posts were an attempt to poke fun at Johnny by saying that he was good for bringing out cautions..nothing was metioned about innovation.

As nice as it is that you've been around racing and giving us your resume is great, however I fail to see where you mention you've actually been behind the wheel and RACED without bringing out a caution? I'm just saying before you critique someones driving ability perhaps you should try it yourself.:14:

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by OpenwheelRob:
Hawker, your previous posts were an attempt to poke fun at Johnny by saying that he was good for bringing out cautions..nothing was metioned about innovation.

As nice as it is that you've been around racing and giving us your resume is great, however I fail to see where you mention you've actually been behind the wheel and RACED without bringing out a caution? I'm just saying before you critique someones driving ability perhaps you should try it yourself.:14:

Okay, just to satisfy you, no, I have not been behind the wheel (in a race) to bring out a caution. However, I have been to nearly every Chili Bowl which is the only place I have seen Johnny drive. So, based on that, I was not "attempting to poke fun at Johnny", I based my post off of his performance over the years that I have witnessed myself. I'm sorry that I used facts, maybe next time I will conjure up some BS for you instead. Also, as far as critiquing someone's driving ability, since when did it take a driver to assess a driver? Is that what you tell guys like Andy Bondio, Joe Loyet?

As far as the "innovation" portion of my post... After your response, the "gang tackle" commenced and the thread immediately turned to "innovation" to which I "encompassed" into my response, since I was so late to come back on here to read the gibberish because I was at the races instead of holding a vigil on this forum waiting for another victim.

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by Hawker:
Okay, just to satisfy you, no, I have not been behind the wheel (in a race) to bring out a caution.

Thank you! No further questions...:3:

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Okay guys, I agree it is just plain weird looking. However I talked with Johnny the week before he left for the CB, He told me his thinking was to stop something from coming in the cage.
I was friends with Shannon Finley who was killed in a midget when a wheel popped him in the head while he was flipping. I do not know for sure what happened with Chad McDaniel however I have heard that something got inside the cage with him.
Johnny thinks a little different but he does try to do stuff.
It is easy to get on here and bash Johnny, however if you ever met the guy and got to know hm you would have a hard time finding a nicer guy.
Jeff Palazzolo

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by Hawker:
I based my post off of his performance over the years that I have witnessed myself. I'm sorry that I used facts, maybe next time I will conjure up some BS for you instead.

Please refresh my memory. When exactly did JM bring out "12 cautions in a ten lap race like he usually does"? Because if you hadn't declared that you use "facts" I would be tempted to believe your second post on this thread was an exaggeration or, as you put it, "conjured up BS".
But it's got to be true, because you use "facts".

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by PJ Wright:
Please refresh my memory. When exactly did JM bring out "12 cautions in a ten lap race like he usually does"? Because if you hadn't declared that you use "facts" I would be tempted to believe your second post on this thread was an exaggeration or, as you put it, "conjured up BS".
But it's got to be true, because you use "facts".

My first post was a lot of "tongue in cheek" until the holier than thou posters decided to gang tackle me.

So no, he has not cause 12 cautions in a 10 lap race, but I HAVE seen him cause no fewer than 4 in a 10 lap race, more than once. I have also seen many cars junked from his spins and "chucking and jiving".

Are those enough facts for you?

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by Hawker:
My first post was a lot of "tongue in cheek" until the holier than thou posters decided to gang tackle me.

So no, he has not cause 12 cautions in a 10 lap race, but I HAVE seen him cause no fewer than 4 in a 10 lap race, more than once. I have also seen many cars junked from his spins and "chucking and jiving".

Are those enough facts for you?

Well bless your heart. I feel terrible that some folks objected to your exaggerated trashing of the guy's driving ability. Of course we all know that your favorite driver(whoever that may be) has never caused anyone else's car to get trashed by "chucking and jiving''. I sincerely hope you're able to remove the excess wrinkles from your underwear.

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

I'd say there are more supporters than haters! Keep on keeping on Johnny!

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

It is kinda funny their is always a group that is always belittleing,or putting down others.It would be diferent if it was constuctive criticism.I know STOP ! it is your freedom of speech B.S.

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by PJ Wright:
Well bless your heart. I feel terrible that some folks objected to your exaggerated trashing of the guy's driving ability. Of course we all know that your favorite driver(whoever that may be) has never caused anyone else's car to get trashed by "chucking and jiving''. I sincerely hope you're able to remove the excess wrinkles from your underwear.

Well, my favorite non-wing driver is DD. So I'll let you answer that question... :18:

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by Hawker:
Well, my favorite non-wing driver is DD. So I'll let you answer that question... :18:

BUT, who's your favorite WING driver :18:. Lord knows, he didn't junk any of his competitor's cars :5:....:18:

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by Pine:
BUT, who's your favorite WING driver :18:. Lord knows, he didn't junk any of his competitor's cars :5:....:18:

I have a couple and yes, Sammy is one, but not so much for his driving ability, but for his knowledge of the car. I challenge you to find a better driver/mechanic in the history of the sport, winged or non-winged. My favorite current winged driver would have to be Stevie Smith.

Satisfied? I seriously doubt it...

---------- Post added at 11:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:06 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Pine:
BUT, who's your favorite WING driver :18:. Lord knows, he didn't junk any of his competitor's cars :5:....:18:

One last thing, I challenge you to name just one driver with the accolades of Swindell, Kinser, Wolfgang ect who haven't junked a few cars in their time.

You guys really need to get over you hatred of drivers who are capable of excelling in both disciplines. Remember the old saying... A mind is like a parachute, they work best when they're open...:14:

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by Hawker:
Remember the old saying... A mind is like a parachute, they work best when they're open...:14:

In the context of the original subject of this thread, that being JM and his new creation, may I suggest you practice what you preach?

Re: Murdock MONSTER or Master of Mechanicial Engineering
 

Originally Posted by PJ Wright:
In the context of the original subject of this thread, that being JM and his new creation, may I suggest you practice what you preach?

I did, I went to the Chili Bowl and saw the contraption for myself. It went backwards.

For those who want to dog me for my "opinion" on Murdock's car, I ask you this. How many of you have lined up to purchase one of his designs?