NHRA Levied Actions Against Don Davidson

[Jim Wahl]

Here's a tip that most already know but I found out the hard way when I was running the Cadillac, never let them check your cam or heads when they are above ambient temperature! Cool them off as much as possible. After I set a record, the cam was checked right away as it was very easy in the Caddy, it checked +.002. No good. First thing the next morning it checked -.002! Same valve. A cool cam and rocker made .004 difference! Jim


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[Jim Cimarolli]

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

Here's a tip that most already know but I found out the hard way when I was running the Cadillac, never let them check your cam or heads when they are above ambient temperature! Cool them off as much as possible. After I set a record, the cam was checked right away as it was very easy in the Caddy, it checked +.002. No good. First thing the next morning it checked -.002! Same valve. A cool cam and rocker made .004 difference! Jim


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If a person has that luxury. They never asked me if it was OK to check it now or when it cools down.

[art leong]

Hey Jim. I wonder how much they would have charged me. When they tossed me for having to little compression?

Answer? Priceless LOL

[X-TECH MAN]

FYI.......When I worked for IHRA I was employed by the Dept. of the Navy (yeah....a Govt. job for 18 years) in a calibration lab. We have to be certified each year by a higher lab with the Navy. Some equipment we were allowed to certify ourselves. Other things we had to send to Norfolk Navy base or up to the D.C. Navy yard to be certified. Our lab its self had to be certified to be at 40-42% humidity and 68 to 70 degrees. Different labs have similar ratings but some are different by a few % and degrees. I checked ALL of my tools I used before each race. The tools themselves used in teardowns have a tolerance figure of their own such as a dial indicator has + -- .001. It was NOT required to check our tools at that time but I did it just to be sure. Its still up to the racer to be sure of what he has. The electronic calipers used mostly today and back in the 1980's and 1990's I found to be mostly JUNK. Use a DIAL CALIPER. A lot of the elec. tools are crap. Check it with a gauge block or standard. The rule of thumb is to be at or under the spec. in most cases. Cylinder combustion chambers of course have to be over the spec. I always gave the racer time to cool cylinder heads. Besides who wants to handle HOT engine parts. Use a "CERTIFIED" Burette to check C.C's and not these cheap crappy ones that are sold by some mail order places. Fisher Scientific is a good brand but cost a little more.

[David Daulton]

Originally Posted by John Nechiporchik

Out of curiosity, does NHRA have a requirement to calibrate their measurement devices on a periodic basis and provide documentation of such?
Having worked in Industry where precision measurement is required to determine part acceptability, procedures required calibration on a regular basis.
Additionally, utilization of such instruments require specific training and documentation of such training.
I'm new to stock racing and have not had the "teardown opportunity". But, if someone was to slap a $1k fine on me.....I'd be asking these questions as a part of an appeal.

Yes, it would be interesting to know how or even if NHRA documents the accuracy of their measurement instruments. In order to back up their findings at any given time they would need to provide documentation that their instruments have been certified by a lab that has ISO 17025 certification and that certification is current. The measuring equipment also should be required to be verified before use to a certified standard. This is all basic stuff contained in ISO TS 16949 which pertains to the automotive industry . And what about written procedures for their use of their equipment? All of this needs to be brought up if you contest a fine as I doubt they could back up any of their findings.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by David Daulton

Yes, it would be interesting to know how or even if NHRA documents the accuracy of their measurement instruments. In order to back up their findings at any given time they would need to provide documentation that their instruments have been certified by a lab that has ISO 17025 certification and that certification is current. The measuring equipment also should be required to be verified before use to a certified standard. This is all basic stuff contained in ISO TS 16949 which pertains to the automotive industry . And what about written procedures for their use of their equipment? All of this needs to be brought up if you contest a fine as I doubt they could back up any of their findings.

You make a valid point.

In the cities of Medina and Bellevue, Washington, they passed a law called the "Bill Gates" law.

Bill Gates was known to always be speeding and getting tickets.
He will send his lawyer to court along with an electronics expert and the first thing they would question was the accuracy of the equipment, last time it was calibrated, the procedures for calibration and training for whomever perform the calibration.

When the police department could not provide the information, the judge had to throw away the ticket. After passing the law, other cities, county and State Patrol had to adopt the guidance. Therefore, when you get a speeding ticket, it will have the calibration information on the ticket.

[Greg Hill]

In the past this would be an infraction that would get you tossed from the event, but would have no further consequences. This fine is B.S. Such poor character folks running the show now. We all know this is not intended cheating and should be treated as such.

[mtkawboy]

Dempsy Hardy learned the cylinder head in the cooler trick when he got tossed 40+ years ago for 1/2 a cc over on the heads of his Nationals class winning GTO Judge. They were legal when cooled off. Marty Snowball got tossed for class at the Nationals in the same era for ONE TRW pushrod accidently mixed in with the 15 Ford ones. Now theres a real performance advantage for you

[Adger Smith]

I guess I'll ask for a "Certified" tape measure (not from Harbor Freight) to find that 1/4 inch of wheelbase (Rt. side only) I got tossed for. It took about $300 worth of parts on the worn out /failing RT front suspension to correct the WB problem. Next time I better plan for NHRA's added diagnostic fees, too...

[Billy Nees]

I can only assume that this is a new policy being instituted by NHRA?
Well, IMHO, whoever is running the show had better figure out whether we are Professionals or Sportsmen. I don't see how the sanctioning body could levee a monetary fine against a Sportsmen racer, there's just not enough money to be made. Now if they're going to consider us Pros, then they had better start paying us accordingly!
I believe that Mr. Davidson would get NHRA laughed out of court.