I've got to ask.........

[BB-Q]

What's the current situation with the strips and "contracting" of drivers/cars?

It always used to be that certain cars were contracted to run at the Pod only, but I've been away from the sport for many years (I'm a fan, not a racer, so i was wondering if things had got more friendly, so to speak?

[CRR]

I believe "contracting" of certain cars ended about the time the NDRC folded in 1987.

[tony g]

BBQ, I'm not a racer either and i am a fan too, but i think you have asked a good question here. I cant remember the last time i saw a current top fuel team run a car at Shakey. Or even a pro mod from this country. I m sure if the track owners (is it still Anthony Hodges?) would prep the track for these cars to run if they were on the agenda.

[MotorPsycho]

the last time fuel cars ran at Shakey was Darryl Bradford vs Thomas Nataas I think, in 2005 at the Allstar Nationals, the meeting where a Norwegian TV presenter drove Thomas' car and launched in reverse

Pro Mods ran at Shakey not too long ago either (possibley the same event) when Gordan Appleton debuted
his new Camaro

The track prep is not an issue, since Bruno has been back on the team the prep has been very good, the fuel altereds have run alot of PBs at Shakey, Tony Betts 6.47, John Wright's 6.74 and also in TMD Derek Flynn ran 6.2@220mph

[kestral]

BB-Q said:

What's the current situation with the strips and "contracting" of drivers/cars?

It always used to be that certain cars were contracted to run at the Pod only, but I've been away from the sport for many years (I'm a fan, not a racer, so i was wondering if things had got more friendly, so to speak?

What is or was this "contracting" of drivers/cars?

[Furyous]

kestral said:

What is or was this "contracting" of drivers/cars?

In the bad old days, the top teams, or a selection of, were paid by SPR to only race there.

*I BELEIVE.*

There used to be whole shedload of politics btween various clubs and tracks.

[liner33]

Nitro-besty said:

With time this will change. The track at SCR is top notch (as has been proved by all classes). ...

I beg to differ here.

The track can be very marginal, the shutdown can be plain dangerous

There is grass growing through the gaps in the shutdown, trying to avoid the worst and string a path whilst still trying to avoid the bumps at 160mph+ is a major feat in itself.

On a bike the bump in the right hand lane at the finish can wind you as you pass it and there is another one near where the fire truck parks which crosses both lanes and which can lauch the bikes right off the ground.

Many of the drag bike riders wont race at SCR because of this , i would expect somne of the pro car classes to feel the same.

I like SCR and prefer to run my street car there but never enjoyed running my bikes there

[anonymous-user]

liner33 said:

Nitro-besty said:

With time this will change. The track at SCR is top notch (as has been proved by all classes). ...

I beg to differ here.

On a bike the bump in the right hand lane at the finish can wind you as you pass it and there is another one near where the fire truck parks which crosses both lanes and which can lauch the bikes right off the ground.

Many of the drag bike riders wont race at SCR because of this , i would expect somne of the pro car classes to feel the same.

True story. At the Open Sports Nats we hit the bump just as the 'chute deployed and lifted all 4 wheels clean off the ground then whacked the headers on the way back down. Not good at 180+ mph in a 2820lb car!

[liner33]

topfueldrags said:

liner33 said:

Nitro-besty said:

With time this will change. The track at SCR is top notch (as has been proved by all classes). ...

I beg to differ here.

The track can be very marginal, the shutdown can be plain dangerous

There is grass growing through the gaps in the shutdown, trying to avoid the worst and string a path whilst still trying to avoid the bumps at 160mph+ is a major feat in itself.

On a bike the bump in the right hand lane at the finish can wind you as you pass it and there is another one near where the fire truck parks which crosses both lanes and which can lauch the bikes right off the ground.

Many of the drag bike riders wont race at SCR because of this , i would expect somne of the pro car classes to feel the same.

I like SCR and prefer to run my street car there but never enjoyed running my bikes there

Does this suggest that York is a better strip than SCR?

York is bumpy as well , i recall ACU competition bike having to run there in the early 1990's many of the riders ended up with broken gearbox's due to the load/unload they were getting on a run.

I dont want to sound critical of SCR , i'm a big fan of it in a lot of ways and have seen lots of progress due to the real effort of those involved.

I feel its a long way from being able to host an FIA event and in many ways they have carved a niche being a friendly clubman type facility and thats why i enjoy doing RWYB's there.

[liner33]

Rat_Fink_67 said:

True story. At the Open Sports Nats we hit the bump just as the 'chute deployed and lifted all 4 wheels clean off the ground then whacked the headers on the way back down. Not good at 180+ mph in a 2820lb car!

Ouch!!!

Many of the bikes dont hit the brakes until after the big bump for this reason, i've seen Phil Leamon's bike get big air through the shutdown.

[NuthinFancy]

That bump is great.

Hit that a far few times as the chute deploys, and when the car has no suspension it jars your back something chronic!

Ah well, can't have it too easy now can we?