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Date Posted: 04/16/10 5:39pm
Author: DH
Subject: 
***Click Here for DH's comments***
In reply to:
To those that it Concerns…….
's message, "Ground Clearance for NHRA" on 04/16/10 1:19pm
Just been lazy lately...I've been meaning to make a post myself on this topic and others, but someone beat me to it...LOL!
Been gettin' a few calls regarding the same 3 or 4 questions for the past few weeks and I guess now is as good a time to address them as any...
1) The ground clearance issue is defined above. We're not "picking" on anyone or singling anyone out. It has to do with the staging process, timing equipment, roll out and equality in rt's & et's. NHRA & IHRA have taken this one step further. They mandate a "spec" front tire diameter of 25" (in pro stock)... no more and no less. This is an important rule in heads up racing. In the "super" classes, brackets (including top sportsman) it's not such a big deal as you're running on an index or dialing your own. We are not going to DQ any cars at this time, but we are going to be checking and advising those whose cars are too low. Want to check it yourself? get a piece of 2 1/2" schedule 40 PVC. It will measure 2 7/8 inches and is what we'll be using to check ride height.
2) While on the subject of staging. I know most of the drivers in the TPSA fairly well and I don't know of an ex Top Fuel or Funny Car driver in the mix. Please advise your crew not to step into the pre stage or stage beam at any time. If you can't find the staging beams without help, instruct the crewman not to stand in the beams or "blink" the beams at any time. And crewmen you may be distracting your driver.. he can't watch you and the staging bulbs at the same time. And another thing...we use autostart for a number of reasons. Once both pre stage bulbs are on, neither driver is required to stage first.. not the faster car, ugliest car, etc...LOL. If you want to control the staging process STAGE FIRST. The other car then has a maximum of 7 seconds to get in.
3) 55mm maximum camshaft barrel/diameter. When we drafted this rule we consulted with engine builders and camshaft engineers to be sure we had a clear, concise, and black & white rule. Drag racers being what they are, some are sure others have "stretched" this rule without any proof. If your camshaft will "slide" through a tube or sleeve that is 2.170 ID, said cam is legal; if it doesn't... it's not. Simple, effective, black & white. The 2.170 figure gives a little clearance over the true measurement for 55 mm.
4) Why don't we "pump" bullets? Simply because when we have the results were less than acceptable. When someone can demonstrate the process is accurate and repeatable I'll be glad to incorporate it. When I contact my NHRA sources they admit it's not dependable to the extent of DQ'ing someone... that's why they make you pull a head off if you pump too big. The TPSA is not about making anyone pull a head off during an event.
5) Why does everyone "talk" about the fast cars. Face it guys, the quicker cars naturally get the most scrutiny. Just remember that when you question the legality of another team, their interpretation of the rules, favoritism, etc. someone else is saying the exact same thing about you! Every phone call I receive is about the "faster" cars...usually from another "fast" car team. Haven't heard a comment, question, or complaint about the bottom half of the field yet!
6) I hear DH is concerned about someone running quicker than 4.50. This one is a fact. At 4.499 lots of stuff changes: driver requirements, safety equipment, chassis certs, just to name a few. There's been alot of discussion about the teams not wanting to put more weight on the cars but no one has come up with an alternative plan. If you have a suggestion let me hear it: otherwise we'll deal with it if/when it happens.
7) DH is trying to change the rules to make his junk competitive. This is my favorite! For those new to the class the rules have stayed as consistent as possible. Advances in technology, innovation, and cubic $$'s always impact heads up racing and the TPSA is no different. Since it's inception TPSA has tried to keep some control over the increasing cost while allowing for the natural progression of the class. And the primary objective is still to provide a fun, heads up venue that is affordable to as many folks as possible. Rest assured if I was making the rules for my personal benefit they'd be pretty simple. Dart cnc 355's out of the box, standard barrel cams, port matching & polishing only on manifolds, and the biggest of all...no tow vehicles allowed...you drive to the lanes, straight to the scales, then back to the pit area. Before my phone and the tongues go off the hook...***THIS IS A JOKE!*** As has been noted plenty of times in the past, our basic rules have stood the test of time, are fairly simple, and will be fine tuned as needed, or as technology changes.
So as is normally the case, the rumors and speculation are just that... DH isn't "after" any one group while favoring another, making arbitrary rules just for fun, picking on a team because they're faster than him, or supporting Obama's economic strategy...LOL. My phone number and email hasn't changed...if you have any questions, comments, or complaints you know where to find me. Thanks, and don't take the tone of this too seriously, after all, "WE DO THIS FOR FUN!"
DH...just another "Duck"
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DH Comments -- Nickens-Talley, 04/17/10 8:23am
Sounds like we will have the ground checking stuff out at the next race. Are we gonna have a car parade to check all of them? Rule clarifing is a good thing.
Does anyone think Abbott is cheating? He is a middle of the pack guy and also a good driver. Could he be doing something illegal? Boy he can sure give you a wake up call on the starting line.
If anyone knows how the Talley-Nickens team can go faster please call or e-mail. We would cheat if we knew how. Oh well, I guess I need to complain about someone who runs at the bottom of the pack. This would make DH complete in that department.
All kidding aside, we think this was a very clarifing post. To all Texas Pro Stock racers----Get your front ends legal. Do not have anything draging the ground and for Gods sake---HAVE SOME FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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You can always count on a chuckle from the T-N crew...**Click Here for More** -- DH, 04/17/10 1:58pm
A parade would be nice...LOL....but since the next race is @ the beautiful Concrete Palace we thought the ideal place would be on the scale pad. It's level, no rocks or irregular surface, and it's ez access for everyone to get on & off without making a special trip. It will take just a few seconds to roll the PVC under the nose. I still like the parade idea though! Maybe I can borrow a float from the Bluebonnet Parade...
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Reply to DH -- Talley-Nickens, 04/17/10 9:31pm
The scales might be an excellent place to check fuel also. There seems to be an odor coming from some of the cars. That Dump truck can check everyones fuel this week end. What does everyone think.
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**more info** >>>>Click Here<<<< -- DH, 04/18/10 2:33pm
We do plan on checking fuel if we have enough personnel. If the turnout is anything like expected in the other classes the scale area may be a little congested to remove ft ends etc., and we don't need to hold up the show. We made the decision to roll the PVC under the cars while on the scales because it won't take any extra time. It would be handy to do both @ the scales... we'll just have to wait and see if it's practical.
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