Official...NHRA Top Fuelers will run just 1000 ft
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 11-11-05
Posts: 9,438
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside, Ca
Official...NHRA Top Fuelers will run just 1000 ft
www.nhra.com/content/news/30355.htm
7/2/2008
As the investigation continues into the tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA has announced that beginning at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colo., both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes will race to 1,000 feet instead of the traditional 1,320 feet or one-quarter mile. This is an interim step that is being taken while NHRA continues to analyze and determine whether changes should be made to build upon the sport's long standing safety record, given the inherent risks and ever-present dangers associated with the sport.
This interim change was made by NHRA in collaboration with professional race teams. NHRA believes that racing the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes to 1,000 feet will allow NHRA and the racing community time to evaluate, analyze and implement potential changes based on the safety initiatives outlined last week.
With the change, fans will still be able to enjoy the sights, sounds and thrill of NHRA nitro racing with speeds around 300 mph and quick elapsed times to 1,000 feet.
Over the years, NHRA has implemented many initiatives to enhance safety including measures to limit speeds from increasing, personal protective gear, vehicle improvements, and track enhancements such as sand traps, catch nets and concrete barriers the entire length of the drag strip.
In the wake of the tragic series of events that took Kalitta's life, the following technical issues are currently under investigation: 1) what might be done to reduce engine failures; 2) parachute mounting techniques and materials as well as identifying a parachute material that could be more fire resistant; 3) exploring whether there is a way to increase brake efficiency when cars lose downforce due to the loss of the body; 4) analyzing additional methods that might be developed at the top end of the race track to help arrest runaway vehicles; 5) considering whether current speeds should be further limited or reduced to potentially improve safety.
“The board members of the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) wholeheartedly and unanimously support this decision,” said its president Kenny Bernstein. “We want to thank NHRA for listening to our input and suggestions to incorporate these changes. It is not lost on any of us that this constitutes a change in our history of running a quarter-mile, but it's the most immediate adjustment we can make in the interest of safety which is foremost on everyone's mind. This may be a temporary change and we recognize it is not the total answer. We will continue to work hand in hand with NHRA to evaluate other methods of making Top Fuel and Funny Car competition safer so that we might return to our quarter-mile racing standard. We also want to thank Connie Kalitta for his invaluable input. He has been a rock through these difficult times.”
As the investigation continues into the tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA has announced that beginning at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colo., both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes will race to 1,000 feet instead of the traditional 1,320 feet or one-quarter mile. This is an interim step that is being taken while NHRA continues to analyze and determine whether changes should be made to build upon the sport's long standing safety record, given the inherent risks and ever-present dangers associated with the sport.
This interim change was made by NHRA in collaboration with professional race teams. NHRA believes that racing the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes to 1,000 feet will allow NHRA and the racing community time to evaluate, analyze and implement potential changes based on the safety initiatives outlined last week.
With the change, fans will still be able to enjoy the sights, sounds and thrill of NHRA nitro racing with speeds around 300 mph and quick elapsed times to 1,000 feet.
Over the years, NHRA has implemented many initiatives to enhance safety including measures to limit speeds from increasing, personal protective gear, vehicle improvements, and track enhancements such as sand traps, catch nets and concrete barriers the entire length of the drag strip.
In the wake of the tragic series of events that took Kalitta's life, the following technical issues are currently under investigation: 1) what might be done to reduce engine failures; 2) parachute mounting techniques and materials as well as identifying a parachute material that could be more fire resistant; 3) exploring whether there is a way to increase brake efficiency when cars lose downforce due to the loss of the body; 4) analyzing additional methods that might be developed at the top end of the race track to help arrest runaway vehicles; 5) considering whether current speeds should be further limited or reduced to potentially improve safety.
“The board members of the Professional Racers Owners Organization (PRO) wholeheartedly and unanimously support this decision,” said its president Kenny Bernstein. “We want to thank NHRA for listening to our input and suggestions to incorporate these changes. It is not lost on any of us that this constitutes a change in our history of running a quarter-mile, but it's the most immediate adjustment we can make in the interest of safety which is foremost on everyone's mind. This may be a temporary change and we recognize it is not the total answer. We will continue to work hand in hand with NHRA to evaluate other methods of making Top Fuel and Funny Car competition safer so that we might return to our quarter-mile racing standard. We also want to thank Connie Kalitta for his invaluable input. He has been a rock through these difficult times.”
hahahhahahahaha all you guys can suck it now. i dont want to hear **** about my 1000 times.
im dead serious too, you have no idea how many times i had to explain to people the reason there are even 1000 times, measurements, etc. this was talked about WAY back in the day as well.
im dead serious too, you have no idea how many times i had to explain to people the reason there are even 1000 times, measurements, etc. this was talked about WAY back in the day as well.
no, really, you cant. thats the thing. they are all already built and most are not going to have the land to do it on. IF they did, it would be a silly investment because there is no real advantage financially or from an attractiveness perspective for the remaining 320 feet just for the occasional top fuel race.
But in most cases, it's only the top fuel cars that need that extra room - really the track that Kaletta died on was not a common situation.
1/8 of a mile of cool down is usually more than enough time to slow down without slamming on the brakes. Why penalize everyone else who's not going 300mph.
1/8 of a mile of cool down is usually more than enough time to slow down without slamming on the brakes. Why penalize everyone else who's not going 300mph.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-14-06
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
lol thats funny if they knocking it down to 1000ft and they think they will still get top speeds of 300mph NOT 260mph to maybe 290mph. whatever though i will still watch it but won't be impressed.
But in most cases, it's only the top fuel cars that need that extra room - really the track that Kaletta died on was not a common situation.
1/8 of a mile of cool down is usually more than enough time to slow down without slamming on the brakes. Why penalize everyone else who's not going 300mph.
1/8 of a mile of cool down is usually more than enough time to slow down without slamming on the brakes. Why penalize everyone else who's not going 300mph.
they have done a really great job of slaughtering sport compact racing
it is only the TF drags and FCs that are gonna b shutting down at the 1000ft mark but the 320 ft is going to seriously change the MPH of the race cars at their trap, also the way the MPH at the 1000ft mark is calibrated differently than it is at the trap box at 1320ft, so the tracks are all going to have to be swapped over
differently meaning the length of trap space
also, we can evaluate and re evaluate until we are blue in the face, the answers are simply that the motor needs to be better covered for scatter, the bodies need to be locked down in a different fashion, where they wont blow off as easily, the chutes absolutely have to be made of a non burning material, and tire companies need to build a tire that can keep up with the sport.
the pro stock cars are all over the track and they only do 200mph
it is only the TF drags and FCs that are gonna b shutting down at the 1000ft mark but the 320 ft is going to seriously change the MPH of the race cars at their trap, also the way the MPH at the 1000ft mark is calibrated differently than it is at the trap box at 1320ft, so the tracks are all going to have to be swapped over
differently meaning the length of trap space
also, we can evaluate and re evaluate until we are blue in the face, the answers are simply that the motor needs to be better covered for scatter, the bodies need to be locked down in a different fashion, where they wont blow off as easily, the chutes absolutely have to be made of a non burning material, and tire companies need to build a tire that can keep up with the sport.
the pro stock cars are all over the track and they only do 200mph
Haz l33t wheelz.
Joined: 09-14-07
Posts: 18,883
Likes: 3
From: Costa Mesa CA
sorry doc, someone posted this last night. but you actually posted the article, not just the link, so actually you win.
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/lounge-42/1-4-mile-being-changed-shorter-length-121564/
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/lounge-42/1-4-mile-being-changed-shorter-length-121564/
Senior Member
Joined: 12-15-05
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
im not even interested in going to see the top fuels anymore. i hope everyone boycotts this bullshit. I am SO SICK of people thinking new rules will help people...this is EXACTLY how governments fail and citizens lose all freedom. It is happening in EVERY aspect of life, now including the nhra.
but lets be safe, right!? cause you know, people think they can always save people from death! cause you know, thats a realistic thought.
but lets be safe, right!? cause you know, people think they can always save people from death! cause you know, thats a realistic thought.
Senior Member
Joined: 10-03-06
Posts: 6,793
Likes: 0
From: New Tripoli, Pennsylvania
im not even interested in going to see the top fuels anymore. i hope everyone boycotts this bullshit. I am SO SICK of people thinking new rules will help people...this is EXACTLY how governments fail and citizens lose all freedom. It is happening in EVERY aspect of life, now including the nhra.
but lets be safe, right!? cause you know, people think they can always save people from death! cause you know, thats a realistic thought.
but lets be safe, right!? cause you know, people think they can always save people from death! cause you know, thats a realistic thought.
Former Vendor
Joined: 12-14-05
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
From: Florida
The point I was trying to make is that little by little NHRA is killing the sport, I use Sport Compact as an example, now this rule, sure the teams love this, less spares, less wear,less money to spend for them, and less for us the Fans
but that is just my 0.02
but that is just my 0.02
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
