A report on the new chassis spec for Top Fuel. FC spec yet to come.

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AKA DrRocket

With Long and Meyer gone from the committee, among a couple others, I'm sceptical(sp?) it's adequate and hope that the TF fields survive 'til it's implemented! I hope it's not a band-aid on top of band-aids.

Yrs truly is speaking for sure, with emotion, but with a lot of inside knowledge as to what's been going on.

Call Long, Meyer and Bill Miller- they're all in the phone books and order the spec from SFI then draw your own conclusion!.

Some very disturbing quotes from Brad Hadman, including "*******rized" and
"I just don't trust them." We have no idea who came up with SFI Spec 2.3N and if any science or engineering was applied. I'm not sure what "sleeves" are, but if they stiffen the area between roll cage and engine, stress will transfer to the next failure point.
And then . . . there are the quotes about FC bracing. It's gonna be very interesting to see what shows up at Firebird in seven weeks!

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"The Counterfeiter"

Easy Norm; It won't do any good to call me, I've been "invalidated" remember?

I have just gained a lot more respect for Brad Hadman though, after reading the last couple sentences!!!
He ought to be careful though, some people I know were looked down on for having differing opinions.

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Bob Meyer Race Cars / San Diego
2005 Our 40th Anniversary

Thanks Bob. Brad could have remained silent and waited for rush orders to pour in. Instead, we get some real input. Respect? You bet!

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"The Counterfeiter"

Didn't want to put you on the spot Bob, but your expertise is what I was referring folks to.

By the by -the new N spec is TEN Dollars more than all the rest!

Maybe to cover the extra cost of FEA designed ulcer medicine.

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Bob Meyer Race Cars / San Diego
2005 Our 40th Anniversary

HOT DIGGITY SH*#!!!! Now we can order a new chassis, NON HEAT TREATED

I got the new f/c spec on order, I'm real curious about all the changes besides the bigger, thicker tubing main rails.
On another note: A good friend of mine has been in the air force as a weldor for 10 years, and a weldor in the aerospace industry for 20 years, and I told him about the heat treating business that was done before welding, all he said was "stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid". He also said the only time you heat treat is after welding, and you do not want to heat treat anything that is exposed to severe vibration, we've all seen what happens when that occurs.

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"I'm pi$$ed at all most everthing."

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"The Doctor"
www.wannaberacing.com

Subject to this matter: read the "Friday Feedback" about Tubular Tales @ comp plus.
A very well worded letter from a metalurgist, Terry Pehrson who has put thoughts very similar to mine that I can't ever seem to spit out.

Bob

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Bob Meyer Race Cars / San Diego
2005 Our 40th Anniversary

Here's the link to the feedback:
Torco Racing Fuel's Competition Plus.com - Drag Racing's Internet Magazine - FEEDBACK FRIDAY - TUBULAR TULES - AN INVESTIGATIVE STORY

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"The Doctor"
www.wannaberacing.com

Now I know why they call you the Doctor, Thanks for the proper link.

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Bob Meyer Race Cars / San Diego
2005 Our 40th Anniversary

The "Current" vs "Braced" graphics in the article (provided by McKinney) are very interesting. I'm not sure what the colors signify, but it appears load has been transferred forward to the area around the motor. If the chassis fails forward of the back plate, the driver will be on a ride with 90% of the mass of the car. Lots of questions and no response from NHRA on how to construct a FC chassis for 2008. Opinions?

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"The Counterfeiter"

Dan Olson has talked to several F/C owners about planned changes during the last month.
The new SFI spec has been drafted, and is currently being reviewed by several parties. The new T/F spec was worked on for the last 9 months is just now released,and will be mandatory in April 08. The F/C "revision" spec has a planed release still this year? (3wks)
From what a couple of owners told me ,it looks like many long days & nights for chassis builders. Used cars for TAFC & NFC at a reduced rate for sure!
If the .095 wall story is true, many years of clutch data will hit the crapper !