Tuesday H.P.

[Mike Volkman]

Irvin...

The way I see it is there is an issue with the process that is used by NHRA.

In my opinion, and it is not personal in any way, shape or form, the tear down should have taken place at the scales beside the tech official as they have in the past. I am not implying you were cheating or doing anything inappropriate but i have seen where others have abused the situation. We put locks on doors to keep honest people out. Had you known some history of the past, being the guy you are you would have insisted that the inspection took place at the tech trailer.

Back before Bruce B. left the process was different. You parked the car at the scale and got your tools. Over the years tear down has turned into check the head, carb or t/body, piston, deck etc. All contained to the engine.

In the past, wheel base was checked, under the dash inspected, trans brake wiring for extra splices (i had a splice where i had pieced the wire together because i ran out of length, making two splices, the other splice was going to the 2 step, which is allowed and I had to eliminate the 2nd splice). They checked seat belt, helmet, jacket, trans shield etc. I'm not sure how some of these items are checked in the trailer. How does the inspector look under the car?

These issues are not yours but is a NHRA procedural issue. What should or should not be checked? Does the inspector know what he or she is looking at? Should we be checking anything?

The rules are the rules, whether we agree or not, and NHRA is responsible to each racer to uphold them regardless of my or anyone's personal opinion.

For instance, no one has ever been allowed to polish the venturi area or anywhere near it. Bob Lang was over the top when he would toss someone because they had scratches from the assy process. Only modifications inside the carb are permitted. Polished boosters are not inside and are not allowed. It's an infraction of the rules. Guys replace the boosters all day long with other stock oem that may be smaller or flow better, that look original, but they are not polished. Do they increase air flow. Probably. Should it be allowed? Never been an issue.

The point is that since the new "no tech" process came on board, a lack of NHRA manpower and well rounded, knowledgeable inspectors we are going to have things to work through. Still the best game in town. I think NHRA is trying. I know all the tech guys i deal with at the races try to do the right thing and are good honest working guys. Thank God we have several still with us who get it and are trying the best they can.

Again, not attempting to offend. Just saying the how's and whys.

Mike Volkman
412.651.2356

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by SDS Inc

Irvin...

The way I see it is there is an issue with the process that is used by NHRA.

In my opinion, and it is not personal in any way, shape or form, the tear down should have taken place at the scales beside the tech official as they have in the past. I am not implying you were cheating or doing anything inappropriate but i have seen where others have abused the situation. We put locks on doors to keep honest people out. Had you known some history of the past, being the guy you are you would have insisted that the inspection took place at the tech trailer.

Back before Bruce B. left the process was different. You parked the car at the scale and got your tools. Over the years tear down has turned into check the head, carb or t/body, piston, deck etc. All contained to the engine.

In the past, wheel base was checked, under the dash inspected, trans brake wiring for extra splices (i had a splice where i had pieced the wire together because i ran out of length, making two splices, the other splice was going to the 2 step, which is allowed and I had to eliminate the 2nd splice). They checked seat belt, helmet, jacket, trans shield etc. I'm not sure how some of these items are checked in the trailer. How does the inspector look under the car?



Mike Volkman
412.651.2356

Ya know, having been the only car taken apart at E-town, Gainesville and Charlotte it sure would have been nice if I was offered a teardown at my trailer. As the only car apart I became the full center of attention of every Racer, spectator or thief who wanted to stop by and take a look. IMHO, it is a very nice courtesy and very thoughtful on the NHRA Tech Crews part. I don't mind others looking at my "junk". I have nothing to hide but I was concerned about any of my "stuff" wandering away.

And I'm used to getting paid for others looking at my "junk". My stage name is Fred Garvin.

[devo340]

2 years ago, we were called ahead of a div race, asked to remove a head, our choice of head.
tore it down in my shop & towed to the track.
bore, stroke, deck height, head volume, cam lift & carb all checked.
It was raining, never took the car out of the trailer.
When tech was done, took it back home & reassembled it.
Home was only 30 miles away.
Returned & raced.
They took the top 3 in points from Stock & Super Stock in division.

[LS 1 Powered]

I had no ideal of the controversy this would cause , me takeing it apart in my trailer . Believe me next time I get torn down I will make sure it’s in a approved location . I only aim to keep everyone happy especially NHRA , I love racing with them and would do nothing to jeopardize it . Thanks to all of you for your opinions. Good luck at South Georgia..Racers are my friends and I only got in here because I heard of the controversy. Thanks see you guys at the races

[LS 1 Powered]

I had no ideal of the controversy this would cause , me takeing it apart in my trailer . Believe me next time I get torn down I will make sure it’s in a approved location . I only aim to keep everyone happy especially NHRA , I love racing with them and would do nothing to jeopardize it . Thanks to all of you for your opinions. Good luck at South Georgia..

[e vassar]

Originally Posted by LS 1 Powered

I had no ideal of the controversy this would cause , me takeing it apart in my trailer . Believe me next time I get torn down I will make sure it’s in a approved location . I only aim to keep everyone happy especially NHRA , I love racing with them and would do nothing to jeopardize it . Thanks to all of you for your opinions. Good luck at South Georgia..Racers are my friends and I only got in here because I heard of the controversy. Thanks see you guys at the races

Hey...you did exactly what NHRA tech told you to do, just like the rest of us would do . You have nothing to apologize for.

[Joey Bohannon]

Irv, anyone that knows you should know your stuff is on the up and up. I got my *** handed to me by a car that was also allowed to tear down at his trailer and as much as I wanted to bitch I kept my big boy britches on and kept my mouth shut. If NHRA is okay with it, then I am too.

[Larry Hill]

Just got my Dragster in the mail and it showed Class winners from Gainesville and Cody Phillips was listed as class winner B/SA. NHRA please pay attention it doesn’t cost a thing. And to think I’ve spent 40 years, yes I’m a slow learner, trying to get close to the top only to have NHRA flush it down the pipes. Thanks Tyler, Bo, Jason, and the rest for giving us another place to play.

[djm670]

I think the weirdest place I ever tore down was at the Mile Highs in 1978. Broke out in the Stock Eliminator final against Steve Hahn. Told Jim Dale I did not want to see Steve's engine or car he was good as far as I was concerned. Jim said I don't care, I want to see both of you. We tore down right in front of the water box where you come out of the staging lanes about midnight or 1 am.. Not much for lights there. We had lots of help from a couple of fellow racers. Seemed like there several better places to tear down. Think that is the only time in my career we did not tear down in a garage somewhere either at the track or a car dealership. Had they let me tear down in a lighted trailer; I would have jumped at the opportunity. NHRA can be strange group on occasion depending on who is running the show.

[DG]

Originally Posted by djm670

I think the weirdest place I ever tore down was at the Mile Highs in 1978. Broke out in the Stock Eliminator final against Steve Hahn. Told Jim Dale I did not want to see Steve's engine or car he was good as far as I was concerned. Jim said I don't care, I want to see both of you. We tore down right in front of the water box where you come out of the staging lanes about midnight or 1 am.. Not much for lights there. We had lots of help from a couple of fellow racers. Seemed like there several better places to tear down. Think that is the only time in my career we did not tear down in a garage somewhere either at the track or a car dealership. Had they let me tear down in a lighted trailer; I would have jumped at the opportunity. NHRA can be strange group on occasion depending on who is running the show.

I remember when my uncle Frank Grossi won the 1983 World Finals at Orange County International Raceway. After beating Keith Lynch in the Semi finals, he beat Rick Houser driving Jim DeFranks SS/AA in the final. Had Rick won he would have been the SS National Champion. Instead, Keith won the championship. They tore both cars down at the head of staging lanes. We knew Frank was legal, so it was just an extension of the celebration party.