Licensing on NHRA prepared tracks (A. Force)

#16 11-07-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Jones

For Robert, licensing is not only to run a certain % of current records it is also to see how you handle yourself out there on unexpected situations.
I had my license signed off w/out running low e.t.'s due to being in control, while never lifting and not hitting anything...like it used to be.
Have you ever seen A. force go up in smoke testing? John would be furious to have his daughter look unproffessional.
I say throw a bunch of weight on the arms and let's see if she has fun or aborts early.

How exactly is smoking the tires being "unprofessional"? If thats the case then all of the pro drivers are socalled "unprofessional". Guess I just missed what you were trying to say there. And by the way, Ashley caught on fire during one test session. And she did an awesome job from what I was told so that gets her my vote. And how are you going to say that AJ, Rahn, Austin, Bernie, Jimmy, Ace, etc etc etc have it easy b/c all they have to do it set it on kill every time. Thats just crazy to say, especially since you know about the cars and tuneups. If they either set the record or blew up every pass then they wouldnt be leading the pts right now and there wouldnt be any people in the stands to see them. And trust me, why do you think the little guys in the sport are known as "leakers" Hint: It isint b/c they make it down the track pass after pass after pass. Though I will say it has gotten alot better in the last year or two. And I know that nobody cares when Force/Shoe/Scelzi/Hight etc blows it up and oils the track trying to run a national record or a big number, but people get pissed when Joe Blow blows up his 4.80 bracket dragster.

#17 11-07-2006, 07:54 PM

I guess I am out numbered by 'FANS' of this sport rather than matters concerning Nitro----hence NITROMATER.
My point is that I would like to see how these offsprings would handle themselves on a loose track.
I would love to have pedal-fest w/ anyone of these offsprings.
Most of these offsprings do not even know if they are over-center w/ the clutch pedal or to put it on the high-side to slip it into reverse if the idle is to high...and that list could get thick. That is why you will see most newbies w/ headset communication devices. So the real mechanics can walk them thru everything.
I worked/tuned a car for ten years before making passes so I knew exactly what was going on.
I have respect for most of these tuners in the regards they do this nonsense year after year but not much as changed on the mechanics side.
And for the leakers...if they did not show up who would your favorite driver compete against.
I always root for the underdog or less qualified car. They need the win more than any of us can realize.
I for one am tired of the same players...its looking like NASCAR...even the new point system.
As for A. Force catching fire that was mis-reported.
They have instructed her to never pedal the car according to K. McCarthy of Johns team due to her not knowing the mechanical aspects of the car, kind of like the girl from Nascar....just my take...now fire away.

I do enjoy the show on A&E...it makes me feel like I am doing a great job raising our children.

#18 11-07-2006, 08:11 PM

Terry, Terry, Terry.....
see, if you say anything other than a compliment about JFR, you are a "hater" and "bashing".

#19 11-07-2006, 08:28 PM

Experience with any driving situation comes with seat time, not with putting drivers through unsafe conditions. Lets face it, we all have had close calls, and no licensing simulated scenario is going to prepare you for what happens at that instance. Having seat time to know what a "good" pass feels like, and then slowly reeling in to learn exactly where that ragged "edge" is comes with repeated laps... all of which she is doing just fine.

I personally have always erred on the side of caution when moving up the ranks, rather than having that balls-to-the-wall attitude of trying to "prove" something to anyone. I've had a few UN-FUN passes as you've said, and knowing the car got me through them just fine. I don't drive a nitro flopper, but learning something new always involves some learning curves... what benefit does trial-by-fire serve?

#20 11-07-2006, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruce mullins

i know what your saying terry, unfortunatly the world of nitro racing has grown smaller with deserving drivers and plentiful with rich ones. it is a cold hard fact. as a kid all i dreamed about was driving a fuel funny car. you always think that if you become a skilled driver that your talents will take you places. unfortunatly talent seems to only be 40% of the requirement now a days. money and lots of it is the major requirement. you have a better chance of landing in a pro seat if you are born into the family or have a rich friend to give you a million dollars to buy a seat in a top notch ride. it sucks but that is the way it is.

As they say, money is everthing. Not to mention that total pro rides are probably one of the smallest number in all of motor sports racing except for Fomula 1. Since drag racing doesn't attract much corporate suppport outside of the motor sports venue, you gotta pick up a lot of aluminum cans to play.

#21 11-07-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Jones

I guess I am out numbered by 'FANS' of this sport rather than matters concerning Nitro----hence NITROMATER.
My point is that I would like to see how these offsprings would handle themselves on a loose track.
I would love to have pedal-fest w/ anyone of these offsprings.
Most of these offsprings do not even know if they are over-center w/ the clutch pedal or to put it on the high-side to slip it into reverse if the idle is to high...and that list could get thick. That is why you will see most newbies w/ headset communication devices. So the real mechanics can walk them thru everything.
I worked/tuned a car for ten years before making passes so I knew exactly what was going on.
I have respect for most of these tuners in the regards they do this nonsense year after year but not much as changed on the mechanics side.
And for the leakers...if they did not show up who would your favorite driver compete against.
I always root for the underdog or less qualified car. They need the win more than any of us can realize.
I for one am tired of the same players...its looking like NASCAR...even the new point system.
As for A. Force catching fire that was mis-reported.
They have instructed her to never pedal the car according to K. McCarthy of Johns team due to her not knowing the mechanical aspects of the car, kind of like the girl from Nascar....just my take...now fire away.

She's already pedaled a FC!! And pulled it off. Austin told Force "Well you always wanted a boy..she just grew a set!!" (paraphrasing)

That was during testing and I'm not looking it up..don't have time right now.

Don't you think Ashley will know absolutely what she needs to be successful..and KNOW what she's doing? Do you really think John would let Ashley race if she wasn't capable in all aspects?

I don't believe you are disrepecting anybody, Terry. But Ashley is being groomed properly in the art.

#22 11-07-2006, 09:10 PM

Quote:

("I'm so proud of my son Ashley

John Force was on hand Monday when his daughter Ashley made four test passes in her custom-built Ford Mustang Funny Car. Although the buzz coming out of that session was Ashley's 4.93 at 315 mph -- her quickest and fastest run yet -- that wasn't the pass that impressed her dad.

"She ran a 5.21 the third time down and the car was an animal," Force said. "It started smoking the tires and she pedaled it real quick and when it hooked back up it carried the front end about a foot off the ground for a good long time. That was exciting. That told me she can handle these cars. Anyone can drive them when they go A-to-B on a string. It takes a driver to handle them when things start to go wrong. She handled it. I was pumped.

"Then ol' [crew chief Austin] Coil drove by me and said, 'Well, you've always wanted a boy. Now you have one because she just grew a set.' " )

I guess they did smoke the tires once.

#23 11-07-2006, 09:31 PM

That'd be the one, Mike..thanks for clarification.

#24 11-07-2006, 09:48 PM

c'mon you guys have all seen how crazy he gets when she is driving

do you think there is even a remote possibility that he would put her in a car if there was a chance she would hurt herself??

i can tell you right now the answer is no, just like it would be for any parent!

#25 11-07-2006, 10:19 PM

Terry,
Tell us how you feel about Morgan Lucas' introduction to the sport? Same criticism? How about Rod Fuller? I could go on with Brandon Bernstein, J.R. Todd, Eric Medlen, Robert Hight, Hillary Will, etc for a while but it seems you either forgot them or chose not to be so concerned for their introductions to the nitro seats? Or you saying that because she's not been a mechanic for decades, she's at a complete disadvantage? I'm confused.

I'll be interested to know if you have the same concerns for so many others upon their step into the Nitro Ranks on NHRA top shelf tracks?

I think John clearly has a concern for her safety but disagree it's at the expense of performance and I thoroughly disagree with the philosophy that you need to be on marginal tracks to license? Firstly it's nearly impossible to achieve the speed/e.t. necessary to obtain a fuel license and secondly (and more importantly) who in the heck would risk their own kid's safety at those speeds for the purpose of training? They'll get enough practice on the tracks prepped for national events when the crew chiefs prep their cars for the top qualifying performances, lane choices, round wins. They all do!

#26 11-07-2006, 10:27 PM

Terry, I understand the point your trying to make. T.J. cut his teeth racing a TAD on tracks like Union Grove, Martin, Cordova and Kil Kare at 9pm-12am, in the cold, dew coming in and bad lighting. But we weren't in any hurry to license him at those tracks when it came to the nitro car.

He'll be the first to tell you that was a very valuable experience to have when he started driving a top fuel dragster. He'll also tell you the nitro car poses some problems that you could not have learned about driving a TAD, but he still couldn't imagine making the step without the alky experience.

To John's credit, he has brought Ashley along slowly in the nitro car. I still say the TAFC would've been a much better test than the a/fuel dragster. Someday we'll see if the proof is in the pudding.

#27 11-07-2006, 10:34 PM

Bobby....you mentioned alot of young drivers in your last post on this subject and w/ the exception of H. Will, all of those drivers paid their dues wrenching and getting to know the mechanics side of the car.

H.Will had her licensed yanked from her after she passed Vandergriff in the other lane and w/ the help of her finance dept (K.Black) they (R. Alley/NHRA) gave it back to her and have kept a close eye on her.
I know a few pilots who are very concerned about running next to her.

I have respect for everyone who smacks the loud pedal I was just curious to the response on this subject.
And once again I will defend myself in saying "I think she is average on an A+ prepared track" but put her up against a crafty independent on a track like Union Grove Raceway and my money is on the independent every time.

#28 11-07-2006, 10:48 PM

Tell us how you feel about Morgan Lucas' introduction to the sport? Same criticism? How about Rod Fuller? I could go on with Brandon Bernstein, J.R. Todd, Eric Medlen, Robert Hight, Hillary Will, etc

How about Del Worsham. Wasn't his first ride ever in a race car a Fuel FC?

#29 11-07-2006, 10:57 PM

Charles....once again you are mentioning pilots that can build an entire fuel car w/out any assistance.

Wow...Force really has alot of FAN support, I don't get it.

#30 11-07-2006, 11:02 PM

And let's not forget Whit (how many ways can you crash and burn) Blazemore...
I understand the only concern left with Ashley is having a car in the other lane... the added 'Distraction' as it were... sorry I missed Monday testing at Richmond, understood they were going to work on that...

Now, what I want to see, is the first time she lines up against Papa John, she puts the Gate Job from He** on him... or he bulbs against her... man, his 'lil girl is gonna mess with his mind...

and not even try to do it

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