Video of Biondo's win over Fletcher's close call - Page 3

richie 2 · 06-21-2014, 08:16 PM

we've all had our top end monents...fletcher's are from modified country !... great save tim.

Whalen3186 · 06-21-2014, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Hill

The left front was 100% locked up every time I looked at the video (first part in real-time speed). It looked like he let off the brakes somewhat once it started to turn sideways and it unlocked.

Mistakes happen, I'm just glad both drivers ended up unhurt and everyone's cars are fine. Scary stuff.

I saw the exact same thing, the front wheel was locked up on the video

5343stk · 06-21-2014, 10:53 PM

Not even considering what transpired in this unfortunate event...

This type of racing has been going on too long as far as I'm concerned.

It is fairly easy to monitor each race and see too many ET's not match the MPH. I'm probably missing something, but that wasn't the way I was taught to race this class.

I have no issue running against anyone, even if they are trying to kill 20+ mph in the last 5' of the track on a 3.5" front tire.

My concern is lining my Wife up against one of them and having her get caught up in a similar case.

Something needs to happen soon, our classes are crashing too many beautiful cars and somebody is gonna get hurt.

bigshow2966 · 06-21-2014, 11:05 PM

Isn't excessive braking already illegal? What enforcement is there?

tex22 · 06-21-2014, 11:14 PM

Wow! That was a close one. Glad Thomas and Pete are ok. But this whole "when is NHRA gonna stop this", and "when will this style of racing be stopped" is crazy. You've gotta put yourself in Thomas's shoes. Yes he hit the brakes too hard, I think about 75% of us competitive racers on this site can say they have done the same thing at least once. He was racing one of the best, and his dad is arguably the best sportsman racer we have. He knew he wasn't gonna get there or knew he had to dump hard to kill what he was holding and anyone trying to make a name is Drag racing wants to beat the best at any cost. Mistakes happen, I know Thomas learned from this mistake and it's never anybody's intention to lock me up or put a car into the wall. Unfortunately this is part of racing and there are several "great" racers who have done the same thing, just didn't get as lucky. Trying to patrol this style of racing would be about as effective as America's war on immigration.

Mike Schwartz · 06-21-2014, 11:48 PM

In the video, Biondo was almost imperceptibly tapping the brakes having already caught Fletcher at the MPH stripe.

SSDA Hemi · 06-22-2014, 06:21 AM

I would like to know if there was a mechanical failure on the right front caliper. It appeared to free up after the spin and looking at the left front wheel it certainly doesnt appear that the brakes were applied in the spin. Worn pads and a cocked piston ? And yes I know a heavy brake pedal did cause it, just what happened next ?? There was a similar incident at the Maple Grove LODRS race in May where they did tag the wall in the end. That was the initial prognosis at the track that day. I TRY not to excessively brake and I did inspect my pads after that and was going to call Lamb and replace all the pads just to be safe. I like to learn from others mistakes if at all possible, and never heard the results of mechanical assessment post inspection of the MG incident. I hate to think how far I would pull the car apart and inspect/ replace parts after this incident and would love/ hate to see the racepak lateral G-meter after this carousel ride....

Looking at this from another side - and I wouldn't even post if there was any major damage or anyone got hurt, But almost 20,000 people viewed the video as of right now. Very good sponsor exposure for Peak and Biondo racing....

Not to drag this excessive braking debate off track but last week I did buy a couple cases of Anti-Freeze and it was Peak brand. Support those that support us.

Lee Valentine · 06-22-2014, 07:18 AM

I agree with Greg Gay's post this is a product of the type of racing we do. At some point we all have had to use the brake pedal a little hard to win. It has only gotten worse with the newer high speed cars in the class. And don't start with the B.S. about dialing honest it's still going to happen. the last thing we need is someone making a judgement call like this at the finish line. You keep in the boundries of your lane your OK.

Gary Parker · 06-22-2014, 07:50 AM

Guys, Most of the older cars we race came with drum rear brakes. Many of us now have disc's in the rear. The proportioning valve is not set for that. You may want to try the proportioning valve from a corvette for the same year as your car. That way it is more apt to fit...

Pistol Pete · 06-22-2014, 08:02 AM

One Way We Can Avoid This From Happening Is:

Give A 3 Hundredths Under Your Dial Leeway.

If you dial 10.00, You can go 9.97 & Still Win.
Anything More Than 3 Under You Lose.

BUT NO USING YOUR BRAKES PERIOD.

THAT IS FAIR FOR EVERYONE !!!

Glad no one was hurt or their cars got wrecked.

Just My Opinion.

06-21-2014, 08:16 PM	#21
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 970 Likes: 422 Liked 204 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Video of Biondo's win over Fletcher's close call we've all had our top end monents...fletcher's are from modified country !... great save tim. Last edited by richie 2; 06-21-2014 at 08:19 PM.

06-21-2014, 10:53 PM	#23
5343stk Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Zimmerman, MN Posts: 99 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Video of Biondo's win over Fletcher's close call Not even considering what transpired in this unfortunate event... This type of racing has been going on too long as far as I'm concerned. It is fairly easy to monitor each race and see too many ET's not match the MPH. I'm probably missing something, but that wasn't the way I was taught to race this class. I have no issue running against anyone, even if they are trying to kill 20+ mph in the last 5' of the track on a 3.5" front tire. My concern is lining my Wife up against one of them and having her get caught up in a similar case. Something needs to happen soon, our classes are crashing too many beautiful cars and somebody is gonna get hurt. __________________ James & Kari Findell (2) 1973 Plymouth Duster's 340 NHRA Stock Eliminator

06-21-2014, 11:05 PM	#24
bigshow2966 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 653 Likes: 671 Liked 178 Times in 54 Posts	Re: Video of Biondo's win over Fletcher's close call Isn't excessive braking already illegal? What enforcement is there?

06-21-2014, 11:14 PM	#25
tex22 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 81 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Video of Biondo's win over Fletcher's close call Wow! That was a close one. Glad Thomas and Pete are ok. But this whole "when is NHRA gonna stop this", and "when will this style of racing be stopped" is crazy. You've gotta put yourself in Thomas's shoes. Yes he hit the brakes too hard, I think about 75% of us competitive racers on this site can say they have done the same thing at least once. He was racing one of the best, and his dad is arguably the best sportsman racer we have. He knew he wasn't gonna get there or knew he had to dump hard to kill what he was holding and anyone trying to make a name is Drag racing wants to beat the best at any cost. Mistakes happen, I know Thomas learned from this mistake and it's never anybody's intention to lock me up or put a car into the wall. Unfortunately this is part of racing and there are several "great" racers who have done the same thing, just didn't get as lucky. Trying to patrol this style of racing would be about as effective as America's war on immigration. __________________ Nolan Grier 4785 Last edited by tex22; 06-21-2014 at 11:23 PM.

06-21-2014, 11:48 PM	#26
Mike Schwartz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryland USA Posts: 533 Likes: 129 Liked 248 Times in 89 Posts	Re: Video of Biondo's win over Fletcher's close call In the video, Biondo was almost imperceptibly tapping the brakes having already caught Fletcher at the MPH stripe.

06-22-2014, 06:21 AM	#27
SSDA Hemi Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 503 Likes: 130 Liked 451 Times in 77 Posts	Re: Video of Biondo's win over Fletcher's close call I would like to know if there was a mechanical failure on the right front caliper. It appeared to free up after the spin and looking at the left front wheel it certainly doesnt appear that the brakes were applied in the spin. Worn pads and a cocked piston ? And yes I know a heavy brake pedal did cause it, just what happened next ?? There was a similar incident at the Maple Grove LODRS race in May where they did tag the wall in the end. That was the initial prognosis at the track that day. I TRY not to excessively brake and I did inspect my pads after that and was going to call Lamb and replace all the pads just to be safe. I like to learn from others mistakes if at all possible, and never heard the results of mechanical assessment post inspection of the MG incident. I hate to think how far I would pull the car apart and inspect/ replace parts after this incident and would love/ hate to see the racepak lateral G-meter after this carousel ride.... Looking at this from another side - and I wouldn't even post if there was any major damage or anyone got hurt, But almost 20,000 people viewed the video as of right now. Very good sponsor exposure for Peak and Biondo racing.... Not to drag this excessive braking debate off track but last week I did buy a couple cases of Anti-Freeze and it was Peak brand. Support those that support us.

06-22-2014, 07:18 AM	#28
Lee Valentine Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brookfield, CT Posts: 708 Likes: 13 Liked 319 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Video of Biondo's win over Fletcher's close call I agree with Greg Gay's post this is a product of the type of racing we do. At some point we all have had to use the brake pedal a little hard to win. It has only gotten worse with the newer high speed cars in the class. And don't start with the B.S. about dialing honest it's still going to happen. the last thing we need is someone making a judgement call like this at the finish line. You keep in the boundries of your lane your OK. __________________ Lee Valentine 1661 STK

06-22-2014, 07:50 AM	#29
Gary Parker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Westfield Mass Posts: 529 Likes: 368 Liked 421 Times in 56 Posts	Re: Video of Biondo's win over Fletcher's close call Guys, Most of the older cars we race came with drum rear brakes. Many of us now have disc's in the rear. The proportioning valve is not set for that. You may want to try the proportioning valve from a corvette for the same year as your car. That way it is more apt to fit... __________________ Gary Parker 1617 STK

06-22-2014, 08:02 AM	#30
Pistol Pete VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Punta Gorda Isles, Fl. Posts: 1,626 Likes: 3,397 Liked 779 Times in 209 Posts	Re: Video of Biondo's win over Fletcher's close call One Way We Can Avoid This From Happening Is: Give A 3 Hundredths Under Your Dial Leeway. If you dial 10.00, You can go 9.97 & Still Win. Anything More Than 3 Under You Lose. BUT NO USING YOUR BRAKES PERIOD. THAT IS FAIR FOR EVERYONE !!! Glad no one was hurt or their cars got wrecked. Just My Opinion. __________________ "Pistol" Pete Dutko