I just now read my oldest son's latest email to this list, re :
The Rules .
I do not wish to fan any flames, create any animosity among the many fine
people
that make up this list, or " back up " Douglas just because he is my son .
You
can believe me when I say he and I do not always agree on the best way to
accomplish a task, or solve a problem . The same thing can also be said of
his
younger brother, Darrell , probably even more so . We have all been
accused
of being perfectionists, but the point here is we are attempting to build a
racecar
that meets the letter of the law regarding the rules of our class , and also,
not just
meets, but exceeds, all of the required safety regulations for any car
capable of
very high speeds . There is an old axiom that " you just can't be too safe
", and
I think most of us on this list would agree .
From following the messages here for several months now , I see there
are
members, or some of their friends, who have been involved in crashes, or other
incidents, during competition . Their comments and observations regarding
car
construction and the validity of required safety equipment should carry some
weight with all of us here, whether competitor, prospective competitor, car
builder,
pit crew, or interested onlooker . No rational person wants to see a driver
injured
or worse, and we must all be aware that it might not take a whole rash of
fatal, or
very spectacular, accidents to bring down the legislative wrath of members
of the
state or federal government, possibly prohibiting this wonderful privilege we
all enjoy,
namely, being able to drive " all out " at the lakes, on the salt, or at
that long
runway at Maxton . There are already way too many do - gooders, some in high
positions, with its' attendant power, who would dearly love to inhibit,
restrict, or,
better yet, TOTALLY PROHIBIT, any and all forms of auto racing !!!
We must NOT provide them with any ammunition for their agenda -------
We
ALL can see that SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT , so let us all design and
construct
the SAFEST vehicle possible . I'm sure we're all in agreement here .
I WILL back Douglas on his statement concerning the car in
question :
While very fast, very sleek and swoopy, it is an OBVIOUSLY VERY POOR
piece of construction, workmanship, and lacking the minimal standards of
well -
thought out design and general quality we should all expect in any car
running at
an event as prestigious as Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats .
I have seen a car that was actually MUCH WORSE ------ at Speed
Week
1998 . This fugitive from a junkyard, a real trash can of a big sedan
running in
a class allowing numerous modifications, hence a potentially FASTER car .was
such a disgraceful attempt at building a racecar that it was beyond absurdity
.
This car would not meet the general basic level of entries in
Demolition Derbys
held across America in its ( total lack ) of craftsmanship , sound
construction ,
adequate fasteners, placement of components with some thought to driver safety
in the event of a mishap . Just about the VERY worst excuse for a racing car
one
could find ANYWHERE . And, unfortunately, IT WAS ALLOWED TO RUN
!
I DO CONCUR HERE ------ Doug DOES have a VALID point here .
This car's very PRESENCE on the salt proved it me .
Thanks for bearing with me on this, guys . Let' s just build SAFE
cars .
You got 10 cents worth this time --- NO axe to grind with ANYONE --------
Bruce Douglas Ferguson @ Black Radon Engineering
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