Originally Posted by Al Pierce:
Hey Joe, I know you guys do the best you can with what you have to do it with, but wasn't most of the problem the equipment you were using? From where we grandstand experts were, about a quarter mile away, it seemed like that gizmo you lift cars by the bumper with was always in the way. I'm sure it's handy dealing with mods etc., but doesn't seem to have much application with sprints or midgets. Does it not retract?
Al, our group only does the push trucks. The wreckers are the race track.
I operated a wrecker several years ago at another track so I am very familiar with lifting techniques for various types of race cars. I still carry a lift strap in the push truck for when we are working at a track that is not familiar lifting sprints and midgets as we travel around the country.
My observations from last night:
1. They have a new wrecker to replace the very old one that was completely worn out. It is much heavier than the old one they used and was sinking into the soft or wet areas of the track and getting stuck. I would suggest they try to keep the new heavy wrecker on the hard packed surface at all times when positioning for a lift or tow. I would also suggest some more aggressive rear tires that have more bite.
2. The lift strap they were using was too long. A 6' heavy lift strap can be placed through the front of the cage at the down tubes which will lift the car and keep it balanced. The strap can be used with midgets, sprints and silver crown cars with various cage configurations. Keep the winch cable as short as possible from the boom to the lift strap to prevent the car from swinging and use the boom to lower the hooks to the lift strap and to lift the car with. The boom operates up and down quicker than the cable. Once lifted you can quickly secure a swing strap from the car to the rear of the wrecker and you are on your way. The 3' lift strap also works well for front or rear bumper lift. I built and tried the cage lift bars but found they were heavy, cumbersome, not universal for all cages, and time consuming.
The gizmo you are talking about is a wheel lift, designed to lift passenger vehicles by their front or rear wheels when towing them. They were trying to use it to balance the race car after they lifted it. I personally like the method I described above better.
Again, we just do the push trucks. I am sure they will work on adjusting to the new wrecker. To quote a USAC official, "This is painful to watch". Hope I didn't step on anyone's toes, but it is what it is. I am brutally honest. If we can help in any way, we will be happy to do so. The bottom line is safety and efficiency for the racers, the racecars, the crews, the workers and the fans.
It was some pretty damn good racing thou!
Joe