Racer Suspension

[SS Engine Guy]

And there are racers that have been through tech with the same crank you got tossed for and went through without a second look. Same as all the worked over combustion chambers that went through for 3 years or so until the rule got changed. Lack of consistency is the problem. If a belt is bogus you don't pass tech. End of story.

[Rob Petrie E395]

Originally Posted by SSDA Hemi

What is this with the NHRA handing out X-tra large fines and suspensions eerily similar to Nascar...

Does anyone know any details about this?? $15k....



I don't think this is the future vision Wally Parks had for the sport!

If he was suspended for 3 months on the 28th of last month how is he racing at Norwalk this weekend. On DRC it shows him qualified #4 in Top Sportsman?

[Carl Weisinger]

The two year seat belt rule is probably the most irritating rule to racers.

Those with big bucks invested in purpose built race cars, huge motor homes,
stacker trailers, spare engines, the best in tools, etc. don't see it as a big
expense. But, the not-so-high-dollar class racer or local bracket guy notices
it when the track tech guy shows him a perfectly good set of belts that have
a tag on them that is over two years old and tells him he needs to purchase
or recertify the belts. The racer many times hears "blah-blah-blah-blah seat
belts, spend more money".

There would have been nothing wrong with having Bob Dennis put a different
set of belts in his car, taking pictures of all the elements of the belts thought to
have a counterfeit S.F.I. tag and allowing Bob to take up the issue of the S.F.I.
tag with whomever he bought them from. Hell, it could have been the only thing wrong with the belts WAS the tag.

PS. I'm predicting Bob Dennis will quit before he pays $5,000 to NHRA over this.

[tommy d]

Originally Posted by Rob Petrie E395

If he was suspended for 3 months on the 28th of last month how is he racing at Norwalk this weekend. On DRC it shows him qualified #4 in Top Sportsman?

Just guessing but, can he race pending an appeal of the fine?

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by tommy d

Just guessing but, can he race pending an appeal of the fine?

Conspiracy theorists need to start spinning....I couldn't find anything about Coughlin's suspension in NHRA's digital communications...could it be they only publish safety related fines/suspensions? Or...

[Bob Shaw]

The car with the seat belt problem was actually the red Achieva GT/LA driven by Stan Perry and owned by Bonnie Dennis. Bob Dennis was neither the driver nor the owner!

[C and W Racing]

Originally Posted by Bob Shaw

The car with the seat belt problem was actually the red Achieva GT/LA driven by Stan Perry and owned by Bonnie Dennis. Bob Dennis was neither the driver nor the owner!

Then why the fine and suspension? Unless it was for their actions when the belts were questioned?
Chuck

[1320racer]

"Mr. Dennis refused to allow the NHRA Tech Department to confiscate the seatbelts that were found to have counterfeit SFI tags."

more like his actions

[tony wood]

TOBY maybe buggs was driving her car there with same belts. that would explain her involvement.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by 71mavlouisville

$5000.00 is ridiculous!!! I can understand the suspension, taking points or something like that, but, $5000.00? I think $500.00 would be reasonable for a sportsman racer. Has NHRA looked at the payouts for Super Stock, $300 + for entry to win $1800.00

Really?? You think people race for the winners purse??
Walk through the pits and look at some S/SS cars!
30K Engines
6K Automatics
5K Cylinder Heads
100K-200K Cars
500K Haulers-Rigs
Not to mention race weekend expenses like race fuel, travel fuel, tires, and food!

IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD THE MONEY FOR NEW SEAT BELTS, BUT YOU SPEND $100 ON A BEER FOR THE WEEKEND, YOUR PRIORITIES ARE REALLY MESSED UP. BUT EVEN WORSE, IT'S YOUR SAFETY!!

S/SS is an ego sport, plain and simple!!

I agree, Bob is a nice guy. But those that know him also know he skirted the system all the time. NHRA found a chance to get even. Plain and simple!