Tom
We actually considered the catch net for Maxton when we started running
in '95. Didn't have the resources at that time, however, with a few years
experience under our belt, I now think it would still be better to run up
the on the apron for the main runway rather than deal with the net and the
possibility of lost control and hitting the ILS building.
Another thing is that the driver should pack the chute. Not something
that is fair to trust to someone else.
I've also heard the comment that "I don't need front brakes at
Bonneville" Well normally you don't, even at Maxton, but they are really for
those abnormal situations...like fire...when you need all the stopping power
that you can get. To my way of thinking four wheel brakes, two wheel for
scooters, are a basic safety device. Don't go racing without them.
John "got no brakes" Beckett
-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas E. Bryant <saltracer@awwwsome.com>
To: John Beckett <landspeedracer@email.msn.com>
Cc: Keith Turk <kturk@ala.net>; land-speed@autox.team.net
<land-speed@autox.team.net>
Date: Tuesday, December 07, 1999 12:29 PM
Subject: Re: Front Brakes
>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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