NHRA Safety, who are you kidding
 

NHRA needs to get their act together with regardsto racers sticking their heads out of the cage at 170+. They are even publishing close up photos of this in National Dragster. In this weeks issue you can clearly see Brad Plourd in two rounds with part of his head in front of the bars. There was a full page ad a few weeks ago for a company where the driver was outside the cage.

If you want to kill yourself thats fine....but don't pull surprise inspections at the end of the track like at the fall classic with the go-no go gauge to see if we are behind the cage far enough. It is obvious that these drviers are wearing their belts extremely loose. Yet, NHRA "threatens" to disqualify a racer for taking off his/her equipment while still on the racing surface. OK NHRA, which way is it???

Makes one question the integrity of the NHRA crew that are supposed to be looking for this type of stuff during an event. I know those guys are only human but come on Graham Light, Color glossy photos?????

Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding
 

Would that be color glossy photos with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one... Sorry, I couldn't pass it up. :)

I do agree though, there are a number of drivers that don't tighten their belts enough. I would rather live through a crash then worry about if I can turn around enough to see the guy next to me.

Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding
 

Slower cars are unsafe...is that what you mean Ron? Oops, I forgot..sbt. I have more than a few shots of prominent racers looking straight down while at speed. A 400mm lense is a wonderful thing. I also have video of someone winning Indy in a door car turning almost completely around. It's a major problem. I totally agree it should be addressed and video would do that.

Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding
 

I almost forgot...the lower the strap comes thru the seat (center of backbone), the more the driver can pull forward even if the belt is tight. Bring them over the seat and you absolutely cannot move forward. Just my .02 cents.

Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding
 

This is a letter I typed & intended on sending to our D1 DD & tech director. I decided to wait until this weekends divisional.

Hello Ryck & Bob-

I'm not really sure if this is a complaint or FYI.
While we were at E-Town last weekend, during second rd. of SC
one of the officials came over to me while I was in the water box
and told/signaled to me twice to tighten my seat belts.
So, I did what he asked but my belts were already tight.
It was dark, and I have a "large" black cushion behind me so maybe
he didn’t see me moved further away than a "normal" person would sit. (I am 4'11 on a good day)
I was a little bit mad, but let it go. Here comes my problem.
On Monday, Kenny had to run Brad Plourd in the Semi's, he said he couldn’t
believe how far he was out of the cage going down the track. He said he
Litterally had his whole head out of the cage trying to drive him.
Now, I am about as safety consious as they get, but I am getting a little tired
of people doing this. I really don’t want to stir the pot, but this isnt about just
winning a round anymore.
Maybe some "spot" checks are in order?
I included a picture from competition plus from the Englishtown final, you be the judge.

PS> this is only the 60ft clock.
PSS> I don’t sit that far out with all of my cushions. lol

Debbie Moses

Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding
 

Ryan,

That was awesome.....I wonder though how many of us got it?????

Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding
 

Ron,

I was assuming that was what you were referencing. LOL I don't know how many people are fans of that song and will get that. I thought it was funny. :)

Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding
 

My strap is mounted on the top of my back, even with them tight I can still lean a great deal.

Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding
 

Coming from someone who has been in a crash, you want to make sure your belts are as tight as you can stand it. If I were you I would look at mounting my belts differently. If you can lean forward the belts are not doing their job!

Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding
 

If you can lean forward with the belts on they will probably break your back in a crash.