Controlling those urges

Burk, I love your blast and insights regarding all aspects of drag racing. I do take umbrage with you traction proposal. Lowering the traction without lowering the expectations and or horsepower is only going to get people hurt. How many times have you seen it, and how many times have you been part of this conversation? “Why didn’t he just lift, why did he keep peddling it, don’t they know if they do they won’t wreck and have their equipment and life to race another day?”

We all do it, we always will. I pride myself on being safe, but I did it last week. All over the track, should have lifted, won the race, but I had a serious talk with myself in the trailer afterwards. Why did I do it? Don’t have a clue, I just went for it. I was lucky, first for making it to the end of the track without wrecking, and second for having enough sense to have a serious talk with myself after the run. More people are going to have the instant urge we can’t overcome, and get hurt because of it, without a balance between traction, expectations and horsepower. Remember you’re dealing with humans.

I don’t believe the solution will ever be just one idea, but a well thought out plan with input from several sources with a couple end objectives in mind. The first objective should be the racer. Is this something that will be fun, challenging, and make me willing to invest my money and time on. Second objective should be the fans. Is this cool and fun to watch? Is this something my family wants to keep spending our expendable entertainment budget on?

Keep the ideas coming; keep pushing the powers that be, please. If we don’t this sport shall die a natural death.

Earl Helm
Salt Lake City, Utah

New England Dragway update

Mr. Burk, Please do some research on New England Dragway... it is NOT run by a car club, it is a traditional for profit corporation with a board of directors, shareholders, employees etc. The company has entered into a long-term banking agreement for funds to continue to upgrade the facility, and has a long-term plan in place for these upgrades. All of this information is readily available with a little searching.

Bill P.
Derry, New Hampshire