“Hi. My name is (fill in the blank) and I’m a drag racer.”

Maybe that doesn’t explain it as well as something such as “I’m an alcoholic,” but it could fall under the same category.

Read more at: https://dragracingactiononline.../2022/02/tough-guys/

I'll be 81 my next race. Last race was New Years. 10 years or so ago I had a heart attack and was racing 5 days after I got out of the hospital. My heart Dr understood as he was a racer also.

Get well John us old guys are fading fast.

I survived two serious (racing) wrecks, two bouts with cancer, three years in the Infantry (bad timing to enlist) and I'm still racing at 80. Fern is still older but only by a month or so. I have never considered my self as "Tough" only resilient.

Bob

^^^^^^^^^^^ I’m racing as much as I can afford to travel now, not knowing how much I have left in me. But hearing you two that are 10+ on me are still doing it, is inspiring.

Turned 70 in nov. Plan on at least 17 big money racers next year just in Iowa! Stroke survivor from 2019 I will race till I cant get in and out of car anymore-lol-much to my wifes disappointment

Over 65 and does the CRS syndrome count? If i can only find all the 9/16 wrenches.

I'm married to a red head.

Hope you are doing better John and send C packing

quote:

posted February 16, 2022 12:24 PM Hide Post
Over 65 and does the CRS syndrome count? If i can only find all the 9/16 wrenches.

My wife hung sign on the inside of the front door as a reminder. It listed my name and our home address.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by ferndaleflyer:
I'll be 81 my next race. Last race was New Years. 10 years or so ago I had a heart attack and was racing 5 days after I got out of the hospital. My heart Dr understood as he was a racer also.

Get well John us old guys are fading fast.

Not trying to start an issue, but 5 days after a heart attack is troublesome to me. I honestly hate that NHRA no longer requires physicals, and wish there was an age limit for the faster classes.

Age limit? At what age is to old to race? That is the most asinine idea I've heard. Think John Force would agree? An age limit would further kill this sport.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Barton:

quote:

Originally posted by ferndaleflyer:
I'll be 81 my next race. Last race was New Years. 10 years or so ago I had a heart attack and was racing 5 days after I got out of the hospital. My heart Dr understood as he was a racer also.

Get well John us old guys are fading fast.

Not trying to start an issue, but 5 days after a heart attack is troublesome to me. I honestly hate that NHRA no longer requires physicals, and wish there was an age limit for the faster classes.

I'll bite Todd. How fast and how old?
Maybe there should be a minimum age limit for some faster cars too?

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Barton:

quote:

Originally posted by ferndaleflyer:
I'll be 81 my next race. Last race was New Years. 10 years or so ago I had a heart attack and was racing 5 days after I got out of the hospital. My heart Dr understood as he was a racer also.

Get well John us old guys are fading fast.

Not trying to start an issue, but 5 days after a heart attack is troublesome to me. I honestly hate that NHRA no longer requires physicals, and wish there was an age limit for the faster classes.

I'll bite Todd. How fast and how old?
Maybe there should be a minimum age limit for some faster cars too?

I knew this would get some fired up, but licensing is too lax. Everyone knows reflexes slow with age, to have someone at 80 years old in the faster classes is another accident waiting to happen. From the possible medical issue while on track or just being unsafe behind the wheel. We've all seen it, and that's my issue. There is a minimum age for faster cars, its called 16. For a while you had to be 18 for the fuel classes when they raised the age of national event competition to 18.

quote:

Originally posted by maliciousintent:
Age limit? At what age is to old to race? That is the most asinine idea I've heard. Think John Force would agree? An age limit would further kill this sport.

So for the DMV they start testing people again when they get older cause of this very issue, but to go 200-300 mph its a dumb idea?

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Barton:

quote:

Originally posted by maliciousintent:
Age limit? At what age is to old to race? That is the most asinine idea I've heard. Think John Force would agree? An age limit would further kill this sport.

So for the DMV they start testing people again when they get older cause of this very issue, but to go 200-300 mph its a dumb idea?

What applicable tests should there be? There are plenty of dr's that would say none of us should be in race cars sinces it's unsafe. So we can't just leave it up to the judgement of every dr out there. Some would let anything go. I believe the pro classes do require a physical. What more are you thinking we need? I'm not fired up about anything. Simply holding your feet to the fire about details. How exactly this makes anyone safer and how it works.

I will trip the beams at 71 in a few weeks. Been racing since 1970. As with the Vetman, I am entering and probably double entering most of 21 entries for $5000.00 or more (just in Iowa) will be tossed at the S10.
I did get out of the dragster about 10 years ago although I have driven it a few times in last couple years but it actually "hurt" after a few runs and pulling up to have a look before the stripe. I will leave trying to judge my 101 mph S10 to the younger guys.
Made it through emergency stomach surgery to remove tumors and been lucky enough to still run the same basic delay settings for the last 15 years. I keep thinking it will be my last season but my rule of thumb is, if I don't win a race I will step back and help. So far so good on that end. I am lucky in that I still operate my business every day and have the income flow that makes it possible where a lot of retired guys have to watch the $$ a little closer in most instances.
Be safe out there and watch out for those Old Guys!!

Jok

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Barton:

quote:

Originally posted by ferndaleflyer:
I'll be 81 my next race. Last race was New Years. 10 years or so ago I had a heart attack and was racing 5 days after I got out of the hospital. My heart Dr understood as he was a racer also.

Get well John us old guys are fading fast.

Not trying to start an issue, but 5 days after a heart attack is troublesome to me. I honestly hate that NHRA no longer requires physicals, and wish there was an age limit for the faster classes.

I agree, it should be 50 and up........there are a lot of really dumb young racers that don't have the brains to lift when they should, or they drive with junk race cars

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:
I'm married to a red head.

So basically nothing else can scare you.

But it's a fun ride.

quote:

Originally posted by maliciousintent:
Age limit? At what age is to old to race? That is the most asinine idea I've heard. Think John Force would agree? An age limit would further kill this sport.

Yea you take old guys out and it would be 3 maybe 4 rounds at most for any race.

Age is not determining factor.Well-being and ability is. I know with cpl health issues that I will not make the age some are racing at. That does not mean anyone else should be forced to quit who has the health and ability to run.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:
I'm married to a red head.

So basically nothing else can scare you.

But it's a fun ride.

She's awesome. Just had to survive those first 5 years or so. LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Bucky:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Barton:

quote:

Originally posted by maliciousintent:
Age limit? At what age is to old to race? That is the most asinine idea I've heard. Think John Force would agree? An age limit would further kill this sport.

So for the DMV they start testing people again when they get older cause of this very issue, but to go 200-300 mph its a dumb idea?

What applicable tests should there be?

If you can average 90 mph from Arcadia to Okeechobee on State Road 70 at 1 am, you're good to go.

Courage is contagious the same as fear.

There's plenty of things way more dangerous people survive a lifetime doing seven days a week no physical required, than drag racing.

Most Americans are soft brainwashed couch potatoes these days, by design.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mike Rietow,