FEEBACK ARTICLE - TOBY MORIN, THE REAL MAN OF STEEL

This was a great, inspiring story! Toby is kinda cute, too -
Jamie Lessie, San Diego, CA.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - FORCE AND FUNNY CAR SAFETY

It is always bad when loved ones are taken from us. Whether
it is on a motorcycle or in a Funny Car, you can't take away the pain.  You
can't start running scared, either.  Maybe Force is too old to drive
anymore if he doesn't want to get back in the fire unless it doesn't
burn.  His daughter said it right, she didn't want to have done all the
hard work for it to end here. If Force wants to be a father, he needs to be a
father at home, but at the racetrack he needs to be a driver (which he hasn't
lately) and he needs to be an owner. The dumbest thing I have ever heard Force
say is that fans can't tell the difference between 330 and 300 mph. 
Bzzzzzz - wrong answer John. Anyone but the greenest beginner can tell speed
from scared.  I would give all I own for a shot at a Nitro Funny Car seat,
unfortunately I couldn't even buy a blower and a barrel of nitro.  It is
sad about Eric, it was sad about Darrell, and Blaine, and Jimmy Nix, and Elmer
Trett, etc. But you don't stop, and with all the power Force has with the NHRA,
you don't influence performance changes when in a soft frame of mind. –
Mark Elms, Kingsburg, CA.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

First, I like your site and appreciate the fact that I can
have my say on CompetitionPlus.com. I started going to the Drag Races in 1964.
A neighbor was a stock tech inspector at Kil-Kare Dragway outside of Xenia, Ohio.
This man and George Montgomery got me into this addicting sport/business. Ok, I
have a car that runs 8.50s and is a very safe car and built by one of the best!
I have raced both 1/8 mile. and 1/4 mile. My full 1320 ft. racing experience
comes from mostly 1/4 mile racing. Moved to the southeastern part of
the country in 1997 because of lack of racing in the San Diego area. I was the "DUCK" of
the day when I first began racing in Div.2. Savannah, Jax Raceways is where I raced on Saturday
nights. I found I really enjoyed the 660 ft. racing although the top end charge
was missing. The 660 ft. racing has no doubt made me a better driver. I am not
convinced that the deaths/accidents we have had in Drag Racing the past few
years has been caused or have been the fault of faster cars! Equipment,
drivers, track conditions play a big part in this. Lets keep this sport alive
and well. No, you are right - my slicks are on the rear of my car for a reason.
If there is anything I can do to help I will be more than happy to do so....No
matter what my opinion may be on this subject. At this point I am going to
continue to race all the 1320 ft. tracks I can find. - Mike Randall, San Diego, CA.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

As a sportsman racer, there is no doubt that
1/8th racing is easier on parts and expenses. Beyond the costs factor though is
that racing 1/8th at divisional events and national events would provide me
with a consistent set of data and make me more likely to attend and more
successful at the nationals.

Maybe a good compromise would be to run 1000' at
all events? What is the magic about 1/4 mile if we are going global everywhere
else? - Jim McClain, Savannah,
GA.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

I don't like the idea of 1/8 mile for big time drags. I do
however promote the 1000 ft. idea Big Daddy came out with that a few years ago.
More shut down area is a good thing, less engine damage is a good thing. His
words, but I agree Eric's death was a really bum deal, but anyone that straps
into a race car of any type knows it can happen. Fortunatly it doesn't happen
very often. I think all of the people involved in drag racing are doing their
best to keep safety on the top of the list. I hope they don't have a knee jerk
reaction and do something like 1/8 mile racing for everyone. But the 1000 ft
track should be looked at.- John White, Linden,
MI.

Why is it that issues aren't adressed until the racing world tragicly loses a
competitor? Tires weren't an issue until after the loss of Darrell Russell. I
personally believe that the safety of the cars should be the new concern, not
the lenght of the racing surface. With it now public knowledge that Eric Medlen
died from severe vibration due to tire failure, I don't totally agree with
shortening the pro races. Watching an eighth mile fuel race would be like
watching sand drag races. They are over before they start. Why isn't an angry
mob beating down the door at Good Year demanding safer racing tires? Like Warren
Johnson said, the NHRA and all other manufacturers involved need to take a more
annalytical approach to why Eric Medlen died, and why the tires are failing.
Where are all the engineers in all of this? Lets face it, these cars make way to
much power for the existing safety technology. If reducing the length of the
racing facility is the answer to the problem, then so be it I guess. I would
rather watch borring races than risk precious lives.

As far as a new
points system goes, this is unbelievably stupid, and unnecessary. Am I wrong,
but isn't this just like the new points system that NASCAR put in place a couple
years ago? I think the simple fact that I enjoy NHRA professionl drag racing so
much is that it isn't NASCAR. A standing start, first man to the other  end,
best car wins, drag race is the ultimate, most pure contest between two race
cars there is. Drag racing is also unique, thats why so many people love it.
Besides, drag racing is still about racing, not like NASCAR which is like a
motorized "American Idol." A lot of people I know who like NASCAR don't give a
damn about racing, they just want to be a part of something that is trendy. NHRA
is still great because it hasn't reached that bazar TV game show level that
NASCAR has. The battle to the bitter end points system is also an unique part of
the sport that makes it that much more exciting. The points "countdown" caters
to the sports elite teams that have millions of dollars, and multiple cars. This
format grabs drag racing by its "grass roots," and rips it right out. I am sick
and tired of the bi-weekly John Force Racing vs. Schumacher racing showdown.
Teams like Worshams, Bob Gilbertson, Jim Dunn, etc. are not really factors
anymore stacked up against 4 car teams. I believe the same to be true in top
fuel. I just want to say that it was awesome to see the Hartley top fuel team
runner up in Houston.

They are a "grass roots" team on a budget, that went a few
rounds thanks to the help from fellow teams allready out of competition. That is
what drag racing is all about to me, racers helping racers, doing what it takes
to make the competition exciting. And watching that car that no one expected to
be there at the end of the day give a big money car a damn good run for the
money is why I love drag racing. Not because John Force or Don Schumacher have
more money than anyone else, and can buy championships. Honestly I am really
liking IHRA racing more and more all the time. It is what NHRA used to be before
it was a corporate whorehouse, and a competition to see who can line their
pockets fastest. One of the greatest thing I have ever seen was two years ago
when Chris Charamasines (not sure of spelling) went to the final at an IHRA
event. Only in drag racing can a man of his age still be competitive.  When was
the last time you saw anything like that in NASCAR, or the NHRA for that matter.
I guess what my ranting boils down to is that I grew up in a drag racing family
with limited involvement that will never be able to afford to compete on a pro
level. It angers me that people who are blessed to be able to run their top fuel
race cars every weekend take for granted what they have. The corporate pocket
book showdown aspect of drag racing needs to be removed, and the sport needs to
get back to those "roots" I spoke so much of earlier. I love drag racing, and I
would like to see it preserved for many years to come weather I ever go down a
drag strip or not. So to whoever might read this I say thank you for your time
and consideration of a nobody's opinion. - Cody R. Kohut, Stockett, MT

The problem with the NHRA is the same it has always been and always will be it
wants to be just like NASCAR or as I know call it WCW on wheels. NHRA has no
imagination, foresite, and could care less what it's members think. It's only
care is that it pumps up it's fat cat's salary Just like NASCAR's France family!
They rule with an iron communist fist and if it doesn't benefit the family it
doesn't happen. The only thing that has kept the France family in check is the
fear of Bruton Smith. (He ownes the best tracks) Does NHRA have a Bruton Smith?
Maybe the man himself could just be the answer .Can you imagine Smith with
control of IHRA his forsite and with the drag racing tracks he already ownes? O
well just food for thought it doesn't hurt to dream. And by the way I don't even
watch NASCAR on TV any more much less pay to feed the France machine by going to
the races and the way NHRA is going I won't be doing that for them much longer
either. Did you say something about rodeo! - Van Staley, Moravian Falls  N.C.

I have just e-mailed the NHRA marketing department about the the lack of
coverage of the Eric Medlin tragedy on local news channels,then I found this
article.I'm kinda new to the sport, but always loved fast cars and Nascar, but
am completely burnt out on Nascar. I just want the NHRA to be more visible and
accepted.After reading this article I realize how difficult it must be. I just
want to be able to buy NHRA hats, shirts, decals and such at places like
Walmart, and tune in to local sports news and see some race results. Hopefully
this year the coverage will continue to improve. - Gary Hargreaves, Kimberly, Alabama

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

This coming from a spectator at IHRA's "Bama Nationals" 1/8th mile "National
Event" at Huntsville Dragway in the 90's, I think it's a great idea. Besides the
obvious safety ramifications, the reduced wear and tear on equipment and greater
emphasis being placed on driver reaction time all seem like good things to
me.

Sure, we won't see the huge speeds we're seeing now, but that will
also reduce the inherent dangers with any car (especially tire-wise) travelling
nearly 340 miles per hour.

I know NHRA won't dare touch the idea, but I
could see the IHRA taking it and making a great niche market.

Good luck,
great article, by the way! - Jeremy Patterson, Madison, Ala.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

I was there, We had no TS data for 1/8th mile racing but the decision was made
so now we had to get to work. Scooter and his staff made the decision to give us
two more time trials to get a ratio for all of the Rod classes witch was
something they did not have to do. I loved it but I have always thought "half
track" racing was the way to go, the motor, trans, etc. take a lot less abuse.
And the track did not get a good bill of health form IHRA so they made the call
and I agree with it 100% The Oriely nats is 30 min. from my house this weekend
and I am not racing at it because I don't feel like being treated like they
don't want me there. I drove three hours to SA to race at an IHRA race and I am
glad I did. - Mike Hedger, Kemah, Texas