As usual this edition of Chadmouth will probably cause some controversy, but before I get started, let me assure you that if you have read the title of this edition of Chadmouth and are immediately pissed because it is about you, you need to stop being such a narcissist because there are at least 30 other idiots I’m referring to from this year alone. Got it? Good. So now back to how you are idiots. After attending races all year long, and listening to or questioning racers all along the way, it blows me away that so many have little or no clue as to how dangerous they are to themselves and others. Whether it’s drag racing, road racing, autocross, or land speed racing, the number of guys that are completely lacking in the self preservation gene is just one more example of the demise of the human race.
Let’s make one thing clear for all you newbies. I’m a racer, and always have been. Drag racing, bicycle racing, road racing, street racing, autocross, Bonneville, and more. I’ve done it all, and there is nothing else I would rather do than race. BUT…I want to live through it so I can do it again. So how is it that there are still racers out there spending tens of thousands of dollars, or more, on building kick ass cars, but who won’t spend a few hundred on things like a window net, parachutes, the proper belts, a HANS device, or even a battery hold down? Do they have such little regard for their own lives that they just don’t care? What about the guys sharing the track with them? Or their wives and families?
Would you get on a Southwest Airlines flight with some dude that said he knew how to fly the plane but who never actually took the test and therefore didn’t have a license? Not knowingly, that’s for sure. So why do you think it’s okay for you to go out and run 250mph on the salt at Bonneville with no license, or without going through rookie orientation? Or why do you think you should be able to run a 9 second drag car without having an NHRA license and all the required safety gear? If your only experience is driving your junk on the street, then I don’t want you out on the track with me. You may not care about what happens, but I sure as hell do. I’m kinda fond of myself. Whether you dig me or not is not really my concern, but my family does and they rely on me for survival. If you screw that up I’m enough of a dick to come back and kick your ass just to make a point.
I’ve got a million other examples that I have seen over the years, besides no license or lack of required gear for the speeds and/or ET that a car runs. Like my pet peeve where folks are removing helmets, belts, or other safety gear before the car has left the racing surface. This goes for drag racing or land speed or any pro touring events. I hate it. Drives me nuts. Don’t do it around me or I will call you out on it publicly. I know me, I’ve seen me do it before. But, what I don’t understand more than anything is the guy that will spend $5000 for .050 second improvement in performance, but who bitches about $50 worth of safety gear. Really? Come on you idiot.
I’ve driven everything from 20 second street cars, and 6 second drag cars on the dragstrip, and have been over 230 on the salt. I’ve been over 180 on road courses, and love going fast, but I can go fast and be safe. My mantra has always been that I won’t race a car that I am not confident I can survive crashing. I owe that to the guy in the lane next to me, and the family I have at home. The throttle pedal works both ways and I have to be smart enough to know that. I also need to be smart enough to know that a window net, collar, license, and belts are the things that may save my life. You should be too.
Don’t be one of the idiots.
Every safety rule in a rule book is written in someones blood…
Right on Chad!!! Elmer hit the nail on the head!
Those guys that don’t seem to give a damn about their own safety put us and the sport in jeopardy. I think they’re the same ones you see on the freeway going 90 mph, weaving in and out of traffic, cut’n you off with only inches to spare, when the rest of are just trying to get to point “B”…alive.
Can you fix stupid???
God’s speed, Dan Wheldon, Eric Medland and Dale!!!
I can go nines without a license and safety gear because they will let me go 10.0’s without it. The difference between that and 9.90’s is virtually nil, thats why people do it. Maybe some of the rules need to be changed first.
Well written, Chad.
Safety needs to be built into any racing vehicle. Its really an attitude problem, nothing else.
Safety is a good thing. Replacing belts every 2 years is not. Whether it is or isn’t a kickback issue, it sure smells like one.
I agree that replacing belts every two years is overkill, and a lot of other sanctioning bodies don’t require that. BUT, if that is the rule where you are trying to run, then you have to go by the rules. As racers we always push the limits of the rules for performance, which I agree on. But looking for safety rules loopholes is just dumb.
I agree…65.00 every 2 years….so your life is worth less than 32.50 a year?….I feel mine is worth at least 75.00 a year…that’s why I buy good belts even for a car that sits in a garage !!!!
Hate seeing cars on the street or at local test’n’tune that are serious power makers but don’t have a hint or a cage or any safety gear other than an old dirtbike helmet. Seriously, i could care less if your supra makes 1000hp cause it wont make a consistent pass flexing the way it does. then when the suspension and chassis has finally had enough and decides to give on the top end and you sail it across the wall, whos fault is it going to be? Or the ” i want it to look like a sleeper, a cage would give it away” line makes me really wonder if they know how to wipe their own ass much less race.
License or not ive seen plenty of people do stupid stuff. Ive been drag racing for 10+ years its all ive ever done racing wise. Im in a bottom low 9 car and i dont see how a piece of paper makes anyone safer then some one with out it. Hell you dont need a car to get a nhra license, you need a buddy whos got a fast car and someone to sign off on you. doesnt make you a safe racer. I used to bitch about belt every 2 years too, then i felt a old set and a new set and i will never question why that rule is ineffect.
Well said Chad. Rules are there for a reason. You don’t have to like them……Tell your family how dumb the rules are when you are hurt or dead. Kinda puts things into perspective when you really think about it.
If you don’t like the rules, take up another hobby
Chad, I’m truly not being a dick….but I have to ask…
“I’ve driven everything from 20 second street cars, and 6 second drag cars on the dragstrip, and have been over 230 on the salt. I’ve been over 180 on road courses, and love going fast, but I can go fast and be safe. My mantra has always been that I won’t race a car that I am not confident I can survive crashing.”
Were the cars going 6 seconds on the strip, 230 on the salt and 180 on the road course yours?
Like I said, I’m not being a dick, but I think this story would have a little more meat if you offered up a paragraph on your own personal experiences (I know you have them, difficulty/cost/time spent) with max safety effort on one of your rides.
I have also noticed because of how simple it is to make stupid power anymore, this is becoming a WAY bigger problem as time goes on.
Good read, Chad. What amazes me are these fuel guys that stand up in the car and dance and celebrate and all that crap while the car is still moving on the track. Evidently, they didn’t see what happen to Melanie Troxel at Pomona last year when the car relit as she was pulling off the track with the clutch welded and went through the fence, etc. Unfortunately, all it will take is once. TV time vs. your life. Not real bright. If the sanctioning bodies took this seriously, they would dock points with each violation and increase them for follow up infractions and maybe that would stop the insanity.
Some tracks have rules that seem to have been written by “that guy”, too. For example, Atlanta Dragway mandates long pants, but they’ll consider nylon jogging suit pants to meet that rule. Get those anywhere near a fire, and you’ll be peeling them off your skin. You’d be safer racing naked.
I like the article. I don’t like your choice of photo to go along with it.
Mocking the pioneers is always easy, seldom can it be done with any sort of grace or accuracy.