No-prep drag racing on it’s own accord is, when it comes to traction, a sketchy deal. It’s supposed to be…that’s part of the draw for fans and racers alike. But that doesn’t mean that the racers carry a cavalier attitude about running with no surface prep whatsoever. A lot of these cars…especially the rather famous ones, like John Andrade, Jr.’s “The Cutty” Oldsmobile, are high-horsepower deals that require full attention and care in the best of situations. Lining up as the first car out on the track, then, is the rough equivalent of petting a tiger: get it right and everybody thinks you are freaking awesome, and you float on a high for the rest of the day, knowing that you did good. But there is that other side, and every now and then that tiger will bite your head off. Andrade was first up at the No-Prep Mayhem race in Kansas, where he found himself lined up against a ’55 Chevy. The damage is minor compared to what it could have been (though apparently the spindles did get jacked up during the crash) and Andrade admits that over the winter they addressed the safety gear that is in the car…always a good idea when this is a potential end to a race.
Got VHT? The old “track prep” ain’t such a bad idea now is it?
You have to wonder how much longer this will continue. These guys are running multi – thousand HP cars on a track surface that’s not safe and seem to have no issues destroying their investment. Do a count back here folks, every event has a wreck even multiple wrecks and numerous near misses. How much longer before someone gets killed ?
Kind of like Nascar? I’m not a Psychologist- I cannot explain how or why people like to watch crashes. I am not offering excuses, but these events PACK the stands with paying customers.
The “No prep” is a dig back at NHRA’s total lack of understanding that “Things change” and people want to see what ‘They” feel is “Real racing”.
As these events grow in size, they can probably go to larger better facilities that have better barriers. lord knows the nhra events won’t fill the stands.
I’ve always wanted to crash my stuff on purpose.
What a maroon. Just watched an episode of street outlaws where he did the exact same thing with the exact same result. Hate to see what is left of the frame on that thing.
I am waiting for one of these 1/4 panel pushers to get sucked under a tire during a burnout. And then get chucked at the idiots standing in the burnout box like they are bowling.