NHRA Safety, who are you kidding

Ron Finney · 06-29-2010, 06:46 AM

NHRA needs to get their act together with regardsto racers sticking their heads out of the cage at 170+. They are even publishing close up photos of this in National Dragster. In this weeks issue you can clearly see Brad Plourd in two rounds with part of his head in front of the bars. There was a full page ad a few weeks ago for a company where the driver was outside the cage.

If you want to kill yourself thats fine....but don't pull surprise inspections at the end of the track like at the fall classic with the go-no go gauge to see if we are behind the cage far enough. It is obvious that these drviers are wearing their belts extremely loose. Yet, NHRA "threatens" to disqualify a racer for taking off his/her equipment while still on the racing surface. OK NHRA, which way is it???

Makes one question the integrity of the NHRA crew that are supposed to be looking for this type of stuff during an event. I know those guys are only human but come on Graham Light, Color glossy photos?????

TS310C · 06-29-2010, 07:26 AM

Would that be color glossy photos with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one... Sorry, I couldn't pass it up.

I do agree though, there are a number of drivers that don't tighten their belts enough. I would rather live through a crash then worry about if I can turn around enough to see the guy next to me.

Mark Schmidt · 06-29-2010, 09:08 AM

Slower cars are unsafe...is that what you mean Ron? Oops, I forgot..sbt. I have more than a few shots of prominent racers looking straight down while at speed. A 400mm lense is a wonderful thing. I also have video of someone winning Indy in a door car turning almost completely around. It's a major problem. I totally agree it should be addressed and video would do that.

Mark Schmidt · 06-29-2010, 09:10 AM

I almost forgot...the lower the strap comes thru the seat (center of backbone), the more the driver can pull forward even if the belt is tight. Bring them over the seat and you absolutely cannot move forward. Just my .02 cents.

1855sc · 06-29-2010, 09:16 AM

This is a letter I typed & intended on sending to our D1 DD & tech director. I decided to wait until this weekends divisional.

Hello Ryck & Bob-

I'm not really sure if this is a complaint or FYI.
While we were at E-Town last weekend, during second rd. of SC
one of the officials came over to me while I was in the water box
and told/signaled to me twice to tighten my seat belts.
So, I did what he asked but my belts were already tight.
It was dark, and I have a "large" black cushion behind me so maybe
he didn’t see me moved further away than a "normal" person would sit. (I am 4'11 on a good day)
I was a little bit mad, but let it go. Here comes my problem.
On Monday, Kenny had to run Brad Plourd in the Semi's, he said he couldn’t
believe how far he was out of the cage going down the track. He said he
Litterally had his whole head out of the cage trying to drive him.
Now, I am about as safety consious as they get, but I am getting a little tired
of people doing this. I really don’t want to stir the pot, but this isnt about just
winning a round anymore.
Maybe some "spot" checks are in order?
I included a picture from competition plus from the Englishtown final, you be the judge.

PS> this is only the 60ft clock.
PSS> I don’t sit that far out with all of my cushions. lol

Debbie Moses

Ron Finney · 06-29-2010, 10:28 AM

Ryan,

That was awesome.....I wonder though how many of us got it?????

TS310C · 06-29-2010, 10:32 AM

Ron,

I was assuming that was what you were referencing. LOL I don't know how many people are fans of that song and will get that. I thought it was funny.

199k · 06-29-2010, 11:51 AM

My strap is mounted on the top of my back, even with them tight I can still lean a great deal.

TS310C · 06-29-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 199k

My strap is mounted on the top of my back, even with them tight I can still lean a great deal.

Coming from someone who has been in a crash, you want to make sure your belts are as tight as you can stand it. If I were you I would look at mounting my belts differently. If you can lean forward the belts are not doing their job!

John Quinn · 06-29-2010, 01:27 PM

If you can lean forward with the belts on they will probably break your back in a crash.

06-29-2010, 06:46 AM	#1
Ron Finney Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Greenwood, IN Posts: 168 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	NHRA Safety, who are you kidding NHRA needs to get their act together with regardsto racers sticking their heads out of the cage at 170+. They are even publishing close up photos of this in National Dragster. In this weeks issue you can clearly see Brad Plourd in two rounds with part of his head in front of the bars. There was a full page ad a few weeks ago for a company where the driver was outside the cage. If you want to kill yourself thats fine....but don't pull surprise inspections at the end of the track like at the fall classic with the go-no go gauge to see if we are behind the cage far enough. It is obvious that these drviers are wearing their belts extremely loose. Yet, NHRA "threatens" to disqualify a racer for taking off his/her equipment while still on the racing surface. OK NHRA, which way is it??? Makes one question the integrity of the NHRA crew that are supposed to be looking for this type of stuff during an event. I know those guys are only human but come on Graham Light, Color glossy photos????? __________________ Ron Finney 396V S/C

06-29-2010, 07:26 AM	#2
TS310C Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Morton, IL Posts: 323 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding Would that be color glossy photos with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one... Sorry, I couldn't pass it up. I do agree though, there are a number of drivers that don't tighten their belts enough. I would rather live through a crash then worry about if I can turn around enough to see the guy next to me. __________________ Ryan Koener S/G 310C

06-29-2010, 09:08 AM	#3
Mark Schmidt Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 273 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding Slower cars are unsafe...is that what you mean Ron? Oops, I forgot..sbt. I have more than a few shots of prominent racers looking straight down while at speed. A 400mm lense is a wonderful thing. I also have video of someone winning Indy in a door car turning almost completely around. It's a major problem. I totally agree it should be addressed and video would do that. __________________ MDS Motorsports

06-29-2010, 09:10 AM	#4
Mark Schmidt Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 273 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding I almost forgot...the lower the strap comes thru the seat (center of backbone), the more the driver can pull forward even if the belt is tight. Bring them over the seat and you absolutely cannot move forward. Just my .02 cents. __________________ MDS Motorsports

06-29-2010, 09:16 AM	#5
1855sc Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 214 Likes: 16 Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding This is a letter I typed & intended on sending to our D1 DD & tech director. I decided to wait until this weekends divisional. Hello Ryck & Bob- I'm not really sure if this is a complaint or FYI. While we were at E-Town last weekend, during second rd. of SC one of the officials came over to me while I was in the water box and told/signaled to me twice to tighten my seat belts. So, I did what he asked but my belts were already tight. It was dark, and I have a "large" black cushion behind me so maybe he didn’t see me moved further away than a "normal" person would sit. (I am 4'11 on a good day) I was a little bit mad, but let it go. Here comes my problem. On Monday, Kenny had to run Brad Plourd in the Semi's, he said he couldn’t believe how far he was out of the cage going down the track. He said he Litterally had his whole head out of the cage trying to drive him. Now, I am about as safety consious as they get, but I am getting a little tired of people doing this. I really don’t want to stir the pot, but this isnt about just winning a round anymore. Maybe some "spot" checks are in order? I included a picture from competition plus from the Englishtown final, you be the judge. PS> this is only the 60ft clock. PSS> I don’t sit that far out with all of my cushions. lol Debbie Moses

06-29-2010, 10:28 AM	#6
Ron Finney Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Greenwood, IN Posts: 168 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding Ryan, That was awesome.....I wonder though how many of us got it????? __________________ Ron Finney 396V S/C

06-29-2010, 10:32 AM	#7
TS310C Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Morton, IL Posts: 323 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding Ron, I was assuming that was what you were referencing. LOL I don't know how many people are fans of that song and will get that. I thought it was funny. __________________ Ryan Koener S/G 310C

06-29-2010, 11:51 AM	#8
199k Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portsmouth NH Posts: 49 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding My strap is mounted on the top of my back, even with them tight I can still lean a great deal.

06-29-2010, 01:27 PM	#10
John Quinn Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bison, KS Posts: 97 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NHRA Safety, who are you kidding If you can lean forward with the belts on they will probably break your back in a crash. __________________ Stock - 5013