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John Medlen Working On Wheel Tethers for Top Fuel Cars, May Be Mandated For GatorNationals
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Re: John Medlen Working On Wheel Tethers for Top Fuel Cars, May Be Mandated For GatorNationals
Yeah, hopefully so.
I think it's easy for most folks to get out of touch with the fact that it's motorsports, which by definition means you have a lot of metal and rubber and plastic and other materials that are harder than skin under enormous pressure and stress at every moment. Sort of like it's easy to forget that baseballs and bats coming into the stands at games can really hurt too.
When you think about it, it's almost amazing that things like this do not happen more often. I looked at NHRA's web site several times last weekend for results from the drags, but I had to find out about the accident from my wife, who read about it on a mainstream news source. NHRA's media/PR apparatus was lacking anyway, in my estimation, and they seemed to be out to lunch on this one too.
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Re: John Medlen Working On Wheel Tethers for Top Fuel Cars, May Be Mandated For GatorNationals
NHRA's website is ALWAYS sweetness and light.
You'll never see any bad news on there, although the NHRA did issue a statement of remorse.Act your age, not your shoe size. - Prince
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Re: John Medlen Working On Wheel Tethers for Top Fuel Cars, May Be Mandated For GatorNationals
How are the tethers made in other forms of motorsports?
Life is short. Be a do'er and not a shoulda done'er.
1969 Galaxie 500 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...ild-it-s-alive
1998 Mustang GT https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...60-and-a-turbo
1983 Mustang GT 545/552/302/Turbo302/552 http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...485-bbr-s-83gt
1973 F-250 BBF Turbo Truck http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...uck-conversion
1986 Ford Ranger EFI 545/C6 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...tooth-and-nail
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Re: John Medlen Working On Wheel Tethers for Top Fuel Cars, May Be Mandated For GatorNationals
I'm surprised tires on fuel cars are still held on with 5 studs. Didn't Tim Wilkersons son lose both tires last year? Did they ever find out what happened there? Seems to me some sort of spline drive, with a large nut, like a knock off, would be stronger. And full floating axles seem the way to go if keeping wheels on the car will result in broken axles. But then I'm no engineer.
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Re: John Medlen Working On Wheel Tethers for Top Fuel Cars, May Be Mandated For GatorNationals
http://www.bangshift.com/forum/index.php?topic=20119.90 We should merge this discussion with the one in the general forum.
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Re: John Medlen Working On Wheel Tethers for Top Fuel Cars, May Be Mandated For GatorNationals
Originally posted by oldrustycarsI'm surprised tires on fuel cars are still held on with 5 studs. Didn't Tim Wilkersons son lose both tires last year? Did they ever find out what happened there? Seems to me some sort of spline drive, with a large nut, like a knock off, would be stronger. And full floating axles seem the way to go if keeping wheels on the car will result in broken axles. But then I'm no engineer.
this make more sense than tethers on wheels.. as that will cause an uncontrollable wheel tire package.. with drivers head within inches of it..
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Re: John Medlen Working On Wheel Tethers for Top Fuel Cars, May Be Mandated For GatorNationals
Got a bad feeling about this one.
Considering the forces (I made a funny) at work here, I don't think Medlen will be completely successful.
If he is (and I hope he is), then the way things go they won't tether the front wheels - and that's what will hurt the next fan.Act your age, not your shoe size. - Prince
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Re: John Medlen Working On Wheel Tethers for Top Fuel Cars, May Be Mandated For GatorNationals
Originally posted by BigBlockRangerHow are the tethers made in other forms of motorsports?
Originally posted by TCalso boost will make the cam act smaller
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Re: John Medlen Working On Wheel Tethers for Top Fuel Cars, May Be Mandated For GatorNationals
From what I am reading they are more of a wheel/spindle tether and not just a wheel tether. I suppose because the suspension components will break away before a wheel will separate from a spindle.
I am thinking a whole redesign of the rear end and axle components may be the best way to fully deal with this type of issue. Clean sheet the whole thing instead of trying to come up with something to work with existing components.
Throw out the five lug wheel, go with a splined wheel with single large nut and a separate thru axle retainer shaft (unobtanium) and end plates to capture the wheel in the event of a failure.Life is short. Be a do'er and not a shoulda done'er.
1969 Galaxie 500 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...ild-it-s-alive
1998 Mustang GT https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...60-and-a-turbo
1983 Mustang GT 545/552/302/Turbo302/552 http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...485-bbr-s-83gt
1973 F-250 BBF Turbo Truck http://www.bangshift.com/forum/forum...uck-conversion
1986 Ford Ranger EFI 545/C6 https://bangshift.com/forum/forum/ba...tooth-and-nail
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