John Force getting back in gear at NHRA Northwest Nationals – Seattle Times – July 8, 2010
Updated: Pro Stock Drivers and NHRA Stage “Mexican Standoff” – Competition Plus.com – July 11, 2010
Angry Pro Stock Drivers React To Seattle Incident – Competition Plus.com – July 11, 2010
TAD RACER MARK NIVER FATALLY INJURED – Competition Plus.com – July 11, 2010
NHRA driver Mark Niver dies in crash at Pacific Raceways – Seattle Times – July 11, 2010
NHRA driver Mark Niver dies from severe head, neck, torso injuries – Seattle Times – July 12, 2010
Northwest Nationals Results – NHRA – July 11, 2010
BOBBY BENNETT: IT’S TIME FOR ALL 1000 – Competition Plus.com – July 13, 2010
“…As for Pro Stock running to the 1,000 foot, the Seattle debacle wouldn’t have happened if everyone was running to the 1000, especially since the NHRA hasn’t dropped the hammer on decrepit facilities the likes of Firebird [Phoenix] and Pacific Raceways [Seattle]. I honestly don’t believe the issue at Seattle was anything less than an asphalt issue…”
My personal comment: Decrepit? I think that is a bit harsh, in fact it flat pisses me off! Unless a track is lazer flat and repaved every couple of years these professionals always blame the tracks for the problems. Is Bennett providing cover for the NHRA? The fact is, on Friday & Saturday when the tracked was sprayed to the 1320 there was no problem in the Pro Stock class. When it wasn’t for the first round of eliminations there was a big problem! After the track prep was corrected the Pro Stock cars got down the track in fine fashion!
As to shortening the track to 1000-feet, that perhaps is going to be the reality to spare more lives. And the fact remains that PR has one of the longest shutdown areas on the circuit and that didn’t spare the tragic loss of life of Mike Niver… – Roger Young
UPDATED: NHRA LOOKING TO MANDATE CHANGES IN TAF & TAD RANKS – Competition Plus.com – July 15, 2010
LIKE PHOENIX, SEATTLE PS QUESTIONS MAY NEVER BE ANSWERED – Competition Plus.com – July 16, 2010
OBERHOFER: DON’T JUST FIX THE CARS … FIX THE TRAPS! – Competition Plus.com – July 20, 2010
GRAHAM LIGHT DISCUSSES SAND TRAPS, NETS – Competition Plus.com – July 20, 2010
After reading the “Mexican Standoff” above, it is clear that NHRA is only interested in the fuel car show. It will lead to the demise of NHRA as we know it in the future.
Without a change in direction, the Pro Stockers and Sportsman racers will be forced out of their program.
Our entire team offers our condolences to Mark Niver’s family and friends…
One June 12, 2010 Competition Plus ran an article where Bob Tasca stated it was more difficult to stop an alcohol car than a fuel car. You can read the article at:
http://www.competitionplus.com/index.php/drag-racing/news/14530-racers-convey-changes-need-to-be-made-to-tafc-in-the-name-of-safety
My e-mail to NHRA regarding the track prep for Pro Stock
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nhra@nhra.com
7/12/2010
What is going on?
As a racer since the 60’s, I’m very concerned about the direction our sport is taking. The problems at Phoenix and Seattle with track prep for the Pro Stock cars and the problems on the top end of the track appear to continue. When the Pro Stock racers voice their concerns with NHRA leadership there is certainly a public level of frustration with the decision-making process of such NHRA leadership.
Warren Johnson on ESPN expressed his frustration on the top end of the track after the first round of eliminations. He said to paraphrase, his concerns would fall on deaf ears. That being that the track was not sprayed following the running of the fuel cars to the 1320 as was the practice during qualifying sessions and that the clutch dust put down by the fuel cars in the first round made the top end of the track unsafe.
NHRA came to being to bring safety to our sport. That WAS its primary purpose and was truly needed. More and more we are hearing from respected teams in Pro Stock and other categories that NHRA is only concerned about the fuel programs.
After the elimination of Modified Eliminator, Pro Stock trucks, is Pro Stock soon to follow? What statement does that make to those of us that race in the Sportsman categories on weekends throughout the country?
Please see: ANGRY PRO STOCK DRIVERS REACT TO SEATTLE INCIDENT
A change in attitude is needed starting with NHRA or our sport will continue to suffer.
Roger Young – Seattle, WA.
We took our ’57 out the weekend following the Nationals. It WASN’T a hot day nor were track temps high.
Our 60′ times were off our earlier pace this year by .06-seconds and we spun the tires all the way down the track on our first hit. The best we ran after loosening the chassis and lowering the launch RPM was a 10.73 when we ran a 10.60 earlier in the season at PR.
Following the event when we off loaded the car, there was a film of oil from our slicks on our trailer which did NOT come from our car. The track was sticky but very greasy.
There was a time following the National event where you could stand the car on the rear bumper for about three weeks. Not these days!
Roger Young – Edwards & Young Racing
I wanted to follow up the comment by Dad as I agree that the track was less than par but want to reiterate that the finger is being pointed more so at the NHRA officials and not the Pacific Raceways crew.
They (NHRA) act like they know more than anyone that works regularly prepping each individual track but they should know that each surface has it’s own uniqueness to them and you can’t necessarily use the same tactic for each of them. They should use some input from the people who know the tracks more than them but that will never happen, in my opinion.
Paul’s absolutely right! I should have made it clearer my frustration was with the NHRA track prep than the crew at Pacific Raceways.
It is no wonder the 60′ times for the Pro Stocks was down at the national event here. The starting line was like a thick layer of tar!