At Sonoma TS were being checked every round for fire bottles and pins. If the pin was in you got fined. $1K! I know of two racers for sure.
I for one am glad they are checking.
Zero tolerance should be in place.

They are checking chutes also, a TD racer in D3 got tagged for $1K for having a chute pinned a month ago. At Topeka they looked at my chute levers a couple of times after a run at the top end.

In Topeka Super Comp we all were directed through the barn after a run for diaper/belly pan checks.

Actually it is likely it is more about the "fine of $1000.00 " than safety. Where does the $1000.00 end up? In a charity, since NHRA is non-profit that would seem fair. LOL. (probably helps cover those huge payouts maybe?)

Several years ago at Denver we were told to pull the chute. I looked at the guy like he was nuts but he said pull the chute, they had caught a guy down in Texas with rags in the chute pack.

Should tech be back in the lanes?
I think so. I like the spot checks.

Question;

I’ve seen some very fast cars not using the chutes. At what point should they be mandatory ?

seems they could fine $1000 for any tech violation if this is really the case.

quote:

Originally posted by Cashflow:
Several years ago at Denver we were told to pull the chute. I looked at the guy like he was nuts but he said pull the chute, they had caught a guy down in Texas with rags in the chute pack.

Those Texans, man!

I would think think that friendly warning would go a long way before nailing the competitor with a $1000 fine.

warnings don't work for most. Those who's cars aren't legal haven't been for a long time if ever. Rules are for everyone. You've got to pay to play. Either pay for the proper safety equipment and recerts as required or pay the fines and if that causes some to quit so be it, they were never going to play by the rules, because they don't agree with the rule(s) and feel the rules are for everyone else but them.

4 more racer fines for having pins in chutes and fire bottles on T/S cars in Topeka.
A 5th for a Nostalgia FC having illegal blower restraints at Firebird in Idaho
a 6th fine for Chad Head, I guess he got pissed and damaged the NHRA header jig when JR Todd's funny car was DQed for illegal headers at Topeka

I guess NHRA needs money

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:
4 more racer fines for having pins in chutes and fire bottles on T/S cars in Topeka.
A 5th for a Nostalgia FC having illegal blower restraints at Firebird in Idaho
a 6th fine for Chad Head, I guess he got pissed and damaged the NHRA header jig when JR Todd's funny car was DQed for illegal headers at Topeka



I guess NHRA needs money

I think these guys are taking safety to lightly. Obviously cannot police themselves.
They cannot be pizzed or complain. The rule is there to protect them.

I bet Doug Gordon is happy with his safety equipment and tubing.

quote:

Originally posted by Little Chief:
I bet Doug Gordon is happy with his safety equipment and tubing.

Yeah no kidding! That could have been ugly

I am pro safety but some of the cert/recert rules are asinine. The SFI organization is a monopoly that needs to put back in check to some degree. They do a lot of good but some of the fees they charge are flat out money grabs.

you don't get to cherry pick what rules you decide to follow. the rules are the rules and if you don't like them and the fees park your junk.

I just dont get racers leaving pins in fire bottles and chutes, is it a oversite on there part or intentional.

they just don't give a fuc about safety

I crashed my roadster years ago at Roswell and as I was sliding backwards down the track my first thought was crap I forgot to pull the fire bottle pin. I’ve never forgotten it since that day.

Pinned fire bottle because " hell I will never have fire" Pinned chute because" hey O have top of line brakes". Reason given. Real reason. I am to clumsy and might set the bottle off accidentally and I don't know how to repack the chute if I accidentally dump it.

Now as for recerts. Some of it makes sense and some is just money. On A/fuel car we have to recert trans safty cover. It is all of 2" wode and wraps aound reverser.Oh yea it is useless as shyt for any kind of failure. Just one examp-le.

I agree that the rules are what they are you all have to abbide byt thme the good ones and the stupid money only reason for ones.

I would like a rule about seatbelts being tight.If you can lean forward enough to get your head out of cage they are useless and might as well not even fasten them. Random check on starting line.First time warning second time fine,third time banned for period of time. It is 20 plus foot race car if you can not see the front of his car from middle of it he is probably not a problem. Maybe she is not a problem.9I will not use them or they now days).