Why do we continually use the super classe as track testers?

CBS · 10-04-2010, 01:33 PM

This is a letter I received today......And I agree...we need to come up with a set of conditions to race.....

Rock,

I don't post here often. But this weekend's events at Atco have pushed me to the edge. I compromised and decided to send you a PM instead. Why do these Division Directors and race track operators continue to use S/ST, S/G, and S/C drivers as test pilots to see if the race track is suitable for racing? Especially during eliminations when your whole weekend is on the line and your judgement is suspect as a result?

I suggest we use the sportsman racers council for something more suitable than serving everyone's personal interests. How about we develop some technical guidelines for the directors to use to measure if it is suitable prior to sending a pair of cars down to find out? Perhaps the division could supply a temp gun to the starter to go measure the track temp down track. If it is under 70, we don't run (Indy - when Phillips/Langdon ran it was 64). Even better - how about one of those torque wrench based traction devices like the pros use? A minimun torque value for safe running could be established. Perhaps you could canvas the rest of the troops for ideas.

We need to lend a little science to this issue rather than relying on the gut feel of the starter scuffing his feet or a division director that is up in the tower sipping coffee. It is obvious that they do not understand the unique requirements associated with high horsepower, 2100#, throttle stop equipped cars with very low wheel speed going wide open 300 feet out. Mix in an unwillingness to lift because it's eliminations and you have a recipe for disaster.

10-04-2010, 01:33 PM	#1
CBS VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Commerce, Mi Posts: 1,387 Likes: 1 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Why do we continually use the super classe as track testers? This is a letter I received today......And I agree...we need to come up with a set of conditions to race..... Rock, I don't post here often. But this weekend's events at Atco have pushed me to the edge. I compromised and decided to send you a PM instead. Why do these Division Directors and race track operators continue to use S/ST, S/G, and S/C drivers as test pilots to see if the race track is suitable for racing? Especially during eliminations when your whole weekend is on the line and your judgement is suspect as a result? I suggest we use the sportsman racers council for something more suitable than serving everyone's personal interests. How about we develop some technical guidelines for the directors to use to measure if it is suitable prior to sending a pair of cars down to find out? Perhaps the division could supply a temp gun to the starter to go measure the track temp down track. If it is under 70, we don't run (Indy - when Phillips/Langdon ran it was 64). Even better - how about one of those torque wrench based traction devices like the pros use? A minimun torque value for safe running could be established. Perhaps you could canvas the rest of the troops for ideas. We need to lend a little science to this issue rather than relying on the gut feel of the starter scuffing his feet or a division director that is up in the tower sipping coffee. It is obvious that they do not understand the unique requirements associated with high horsepower, 2100#, throttle stop equipped cars with very low wheel speed going wide open 300 feet out. Mix in an unwillingness to lift because it's eliminations and you have a recipe for disaster.