Some Top End thoughts and then notes scribbled on my napkin at Harmon’s BBQ in Marion, TX, with a Shiner Bock and plate of ribs

The death of driver Ronnie Davis, whom I knew very well, and the severe injuries suffered by my good friend and fellow writer/photographer Ian Tocher last weekend at Rockingham Dragway has affected me deeply. I grieve for Ronnie’s family but I take some solace in the fact that he died doing what he loved to do the most. He knew and accepted the risk of driving a very fast and dangerous race car.

On the other hand, the near fatal injuries sustained by Ian I find very hard to deal with. You see, he was standing near the track guard wall taking photos of race cars after they crossed the finish line. Ian was in the wrong place at the wrong time for the wrong reasons. Drag racing photographers have always been allowed to go to the “Top End” of the track despite the inherent danger involved in standing literally inches away from racecars that are traveling often 200-250 mph.

In my opinion there is no longer any good reason for allowing photographers to take photos anywhere near the track past 225 feet from the starting line. The only pictures a photographer can take at that point on the track is of cars with the parachute(s) out or crashing. As an editor, I don’t need those photos badly enough to put someone at unnecessary risk for that one parachute shot or a crash. Those photos could easily be shot without standing right next to the track. That’s what they make telephoto lenses for.

I cannot speak for anyone else but as a publisher and editor I will no longer get credentials for any photographer that allows him or her access to the Top End and I am not going to use any Top End photography that was taken at ground level. I am also going to add a paragraph to my credential request asking that Top End guard wall access be denied to anyone working for DRO.

Man, I’m tired of getting letters from fans telling me they no longer go to national events for two reasons: 1) Price and 2) Nitro cars racing at 1,000 feet. 

The IHRA has stepped up to give the AA/FC a place to race and for good money. Their national events feature $25 tickets, Nitro Funny Cars and Top Fuel Harleys on the quarter mile plus Pro Stock and Pro Mod. My question is, Why don’t more of those quarter-mile nitro racing fans attending IHRA events? The IRGSE management did their part, now it is the fans to step up.

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