Chute Me!
Most of the e-mails we receive are concerned with power-buildups, chassis setups, the occasional corner-carver inquiry, and of course tips to whittle down the e.t.'s at the strip. Yet, when it comes to safety, there seems to be little concern as to what you must address to walk away unscathed from a less than desirable situation.
Maybe this is because more people are getting pretty well versed in NHRA requirements. You know, things like wheel studs and driveshaft loops when running slicks, the fact that you need a certified 10-point rollcage when eclipsing the 135-mph mark or running quicker than 9.99, and so forth.
I only bring this up because during the past few months, it seems more and more videos are being released on the Internet showcasing fireballs on both ends of the track, the wild dancing that usually ends up at the guardrails, and then there are the brutal landings from serious nose-up wheelies.
What about personal equipment? Do you know the difference between a 3.2A/1 and a 3.2A/20 SFI-rated driving suit? In Benjamin terminology, that would be $100 versus $1,000. From a safety standpoint, we're talking 3 seconds of protection in a fire before getting second-degree burns versus 40 seconds with the latter. Are you worth the extra $900?
Another eye opener for me came during my walk at the '07 Performance Racing Industry trade show in Orlando, Florida. The FNG and I stopped by the HANS Performance Products booth, and after a brief but informative conversation, I had to wonder why more people aren't wearing these devices. Could it be the cost, or was it the lack of knowledge of who should be utilizing this type of protection? The best way to put it: Imagine coming to an instant stop from 35 mph; that alone is enough to generate a debilitating amount of g-force to the head and neck.
Here's one of my favorites. As most of you know, if you run 150-plus mph in the quarter, the NHRA requires a parachute. However, for those who don't have any experience with them, how do you learn to pack them? Do you need one or two? What size? And how do you deploy them when you're at the big end? Some say pull the lever at around 1,100 feet out and hit the brakes, while others say to keep your foot into it until you feel it tug. That begs me to ask, what happens if you're still on the loud pedal and the chute manages to get tangled up? Yup, that driver's going to be in for a ride.
These are the things I've yet to see explained in any detail, without a lame, generic overview. While not all of you have to worry about pulling the laundry, there's still plenty to be learned at any speed. E-mail me at the addy below and tell me if this something we should probe deeper, and include some of your personal experiences.
E-mail me: chevyhi@sourceinterlink.com
Flame me: chevyhiperformance.com