Ken Etter injured in an accident at Fontana

[Run to Rund]

It seems that the catastrophe started with the master cylinder push rod coming out. 67-72 GM A-bodies with manual brakes have a retainer like a cup plug with an O.D. flange that traps it between the cylinder and the firewall. The pushrod is flanged and won't fall through the center hole of this retainer. This part is hard to find these days, but should never be left out. Earlier single GM master cylinders use a big snap ring to hold a plate in the back end of the cylinder and trap the flanged rod. I don't know how Mopar, etc. do it, but some positive retention of the pushrod is clearly essential.

[W J]

Originally Posted by Run to Rund

It seems that the catastrophe started with the master cylinder push rod coming out. 67-72 GM A-bodies with manual brakes have a retainer like a cup plug with an O.D. flange that traps it between the cylinder and the firewall. The pushrod is flanged and won't fall through the center hole of this retainer. This part is hard to find these days, but should never be left out. Earlier single GM master cylinders use a big snap ring to hold a plate in the back end of the cylinder and trap the flanged rod. I don't know how Mopar, etc. do it, but some positive retention of the pushrod is clearly essential.

Wow, tough to believe that this pushrod could come out of the master cyl. on braking system, and that this safety problem hadn't been adressed years ago---either by the automotive industry, or the governing bodies of drag racing. It would seem a easy fix..... WJ

[Snowball Racing]

I put a little chain from brake pedal to fire wall to keep pedal from traveling to far back and allowing the rod to come out. The pedal is not allowed any more movement than is needed. In other words, If I "pull" back on pedal, the chain grabs it and stops any backward movement. Hope I explained that right.

If the clip that holds rod in master was to fail for whatever reason, the way I have the pedal limited to movement should (will) keep the rod from coming out of master. This is on my '69 Mustang.

Ken, Glad you are here to talk about it.

[Mark Yacavone]

Ken,
First of all, I'm glad you 're doing okay. I'm looking forward to see you racing again one day.

On the brake deal , on those old 66 Chevies I used to race , the manual m/c had a deep recess in them and a 3/8ths push rod going into it, and nothing else. I would always replace the brake pedal up stop rubber bumper with a 3/8ths bolt and double nut deal to keep the pedal from traveling too far.
On my 62 Tempest I'm putting together, I've got a flanged rod in the m/c , plus a split U shaped washer deal I made that's retained by the snap ring, plus a solid up- stop for the pedal, and also a 2" long rubber cup over all of it, as a 3rd backup .
I agree , it's way past time to stick your head up under that dash and see what you've got and how you could improve it.
Do it tonight!

[W J]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Ken,
First of all, I'm glad you 're doing okay. I'm looking forward to see you racing again one day.

On the brake deal , on those old 66 Chevies I used to race , the manual m/c had a deep recess in them and a 3/8ths push rod going into it, and nothing else. I would always replace the brake pedal up stop rubber bumper with a 3/8ths bolt and double nut deal to keep the pedal from traveling too far.
On my 62 Tempest I'm putting together, I've got a flanged rod in the m/c , plus a split U shaped washer deal I made that's retained by the snap ring, plus a solid up- stop for the pedal, and also a 2" long rubber cup over all of it, as a 3rd backup .
I agree , it's way past time to stick your head up under that dash and see what you've got and how you could improve it.
Do it tonight!

Now that is funny, Mark.....it's probably really hurting Ken to smile as he reads this, but I'm sure he is....... WJ

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by W J

Now that is funny, Mark.....it's probably really hurting Ken to smile as he reads this, but I'm sure he is....... WJ

It's not Ken I'm worried about . I'm sure he knows what to do on his next car!

[Rich Biebel]

I don't know Ken Etter but have to say Ken you are a very lucky man and I am glad your ok.

I don't race a Stocker these days but do have a dragster.......The first thing I did when I bought the car was add a completely seperate brake system. I have two independent sets so if one failed the other is there.

NHRA made numerous cars with this setup disable the hand operated M/C at some races earlier this year........Although this is not a Stocker I am bringing it up to point out how shortsighted NHRA is on safety related items sometimes......

I have read about at least 3 Stockers that have had the brake rod fall out and all 3 cars were totally destroyed. The drivers were all lucky to survive these accidents.....

NHRA needs to pay more attention to this issue and with all the terible crashes due to loss of brakes or stopping ability........they don't need to disable someones backup system because they think they are using it to hit the brakes to hard at the finishline.......That is a nonsense reason to someone like myself who has this option striclty for safety......

Everyone needs to check this issue on their cars.......I have to admit I never gave it much thought before I saw the results in pictures over the last few years....Peter Biondo.....Woodro Josey and now Ken Etter.....

[Mickey Whaley]

Rich a friend said we were maybe gonna be able to put the handbrakes back in our dragsters in 2011 i'm like u what in the hell is wrong with a backup system, seems like NHRA would use some common sense on this issue

[FED 387]

OK with all these problems it is now time for ALL racers to STOP, TAKE A LOOK & EVALUATE your own situation--The next guy might not be as lucky as these folks have been---DO NOT rely on N or I hra to mandate something it's your life/neck/head that is gonna take the brunt if another rod falls out---It's up to the individual racer to make sure he has his "****" together---Do it tonight !!!!!!go look at your car make sure it cannot happen to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! comp 387

[Rich Biebel]

Mickey...I never removed my handlever.....had no problem at 3 Division races this year and have not raced a National event since about 2001.
Makes zero sense to me and I really think they should allow this from a safety standpoint.......If their worried about overly agressive braking....park someone down at the stripe as an observer....maybe they will see who needs to get a warning or a DQ before he causes a crash from diving on the brake pedal.....