Sounds like quite a ride. I think it is always good to make sure your
stopping devices are working before taking it out of gear.
Maybe you should think about a chute setup, like USFRA used at some of
their meets, for Maxton.
Tom
John Beckett wrote:
>
> Good topic. Looking back on ECTA meets..."all" the problems we have had
> have been with cars that didn't have front brakes...which isn't to say that
> lack of front brakes caused the problem...but it sure made recovery
> difficult. Because of SCTA rules it's hard to mandate front brakes...but
> ECTA whole heartily recommends them on all vehicles.
>
> Here's another story relating to my own braking experience. I had a
> problem in Lionel's 427 BB powered rear engined Lakester one day at Maxton.
> This was a rear brake only car, as many are. While making a 200+ MPH run the
> left rear axle broke...causing the left brake pad to fall out...not to
> mention a rather hard pull to the left also. After crossing the finish line
> the chute got tangled on the battery box...and when I started to use the
> brakes there weren't any...the pedal went to the floor. Now you have to tell
> yourself in these situations, at these speeds, don't panic...well Good Luck
> with that...it's pucker time.
>
> At Maxton if you use up your 4,500+' of shut down you have three
> choices: 1, Bear left cross the back side of the main runway and turn left
> again onto the large apron that parallels the main runway...this is probably
> the best choice as there is another 4,000' of apron to run on. 2, Go
> straight onto the tall grass, but it only goes for about 1000' with a chain
> link fence keeping you from running onto the road...please miss the ILS
> building as it will cost you $500,000. 3, Pull a hard right at the end of
> the long shutdown and continue coasting up the return road...ever try to
> make a hard turn with a 230" WB car and a butterfly steering wheel? It
> worked for me however, only because the one rear brake that was still
> working, and engine compression, did slow the car marginally, and I set
> myself up for the turn, pulling left and then right up the return road.
>
> I'd like to tell you that it was a cool head that saved the day. I had tried
> to think and plan for what I would do under these situations. The reality is
> that it was much more likely the grace of God that saved the day instead. If
> I had only had front brakes I don't believe it would have been quite such a
> panic situation. My advice...try not to panic...think...plan ahead...there
> are alternatives.
>
> Best of all install front brakes.
>
> John "got no brakes" Beckett
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Keith Turk <kturk@ala.net>
> To: land-speed@autox.team.net <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> Date: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 5:52 AM
> Subject: Fw: Front Brakes
>
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Keith Turk <kturk@ala.net>
> >To: <land-speed@autox.tea.m>
> >Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 4:41 AM
> >Subject: Front Brakes
> >
> >
> >> Ole Uncle Brad and I were having a discussion last night on Front
> >Brakes....
> >> I was curious how many folks don't run them... and why you wouldn't...
> >>
> >> For me at Maxton.... I like BRAKES and next year I think I am even going
> >to
> >> run Twin Chutes.... Cars still gotta steer and they gotta stop....
> >Starting
> >> is optional....
> >>
> >> Tom Bryant gave us a great discussion awhile back on Shutting down....
> may
> >> have to go get it and share it with the list this year.... Keith
> >>
> >>
> >
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