[Alan Roehrich]

It probably is time, and a good idea, for NHRA to look at taking some power away from the fuel cars, as they've far exceeded the design parameters of the tracks, and some of the parts they're using. Some of the older, more experienced crew chiefs have been saying that quietly for years.

If they simply took 50 cubic inches away, limited compression, and restricted blower speed, they could take 1000HP or more easily. For the cost of new pistons, new cranks, and new blower pulleys. The result would be the ability to return to 1/4 mile racing, less expense for the teams, and less time and money wasted on oil downs and fires.

The use of tailhook arrester gear on race cars probably isn't too practical. An entire new structure would be required for the back of the cars, requiring a whole new level of engineering. And it should be noted that these cars are not designed to be pulled or stretched, it might be necessary to redesign the whole frame to withstand the forces acting on them from stopping them abruptly by hooking the back of the car. Otherwise, it rips the back of the car off, and then catapults it further down track. Pulling cars apart is not a good idea. Further, even the best carrier pilots jump the wire, so there's no sure way to make sure the cars catch the wire, if the car doesn't catch the wire, the system is useless.

Perhaps a better idea is to use the braking technology from arrester gear on an improved catch net. The cars are designed to protect the driver from a front end crash, so the net shouldn't require massive changes to the cars. A stronger net, designed to actually capture the car, coupled to a braking system might do the trick. It's not going to tear the cars up any worse than the current system, either.

A longer sand/gravel pit, starting sooner, might be another improvement. Starting the pit earlier, and making the entrance less aggressive, might help stop the cars from skipping over it, as well as giving them more time to slow down gradually. It would also stop the slower cars less abruptly, with less damage and less chance of serious injury. It would allow an extra net or two as well. If we had two regular nets, possibly somewhat stronger, and better mounted, that would slow the cars more gradually, and stop some cars completely. Then, with a third net, with arrester gear style braking, as a final fail safe, you have a system for the fastest runaway cars.