Here's a quote from a recent HOT ROD magazine interview with Don Garlits, things he would change about NHRA. Whether you agree or not, the concept of some of his comments could equally apply to tractor pulling.
DG] I'd say, "Boys, this is how it's gonna be for 2013: We'll spray the track lightly once, and that's all it's gonna get. You guys just put all the oil you want to on it. You're gonna run in your own slop, and you can settle that amongst yourselves in the pits; if a guy is constantly oiling, take it up with him. I want these wings pulled down 2 feet, and get all those spoilers off 'em. You want a 1,000-gallon [per minute] fuel pump? Fine, because you ain't gonna have any tires. Goodyear can only make a certain size." The playing field would be level, because big money would be worthless. Those guys would spin right where they sat, and the guy with not much money that knew how to tune, like Dick LaHaie, would win the races. There's about as much chance of that happening as there is of Congress fixing the country. But NHRA is between a rock and a hard spot. It's kinda risky to say, "Mr. Force, Mr. Schumacher, Mr. Kalitta, we're gonna make it easier for Joe Stroke to outrun you." What would the financial consequences be to NHRA and their tracks if these big teams all stayed away? Besides, NHRA doesn't want them to be outrun by some no-name. I know that for a fact because when I did TV, and John Force did get outrun, they would make me interview Austin Coil--not the crew chief on the winning car. Wally let it get out of control. I always said they should seal the engine when the race starts; if you blow it up, you're done. Had that been initiated years ago, it'd be OK. But now, it's like the federal government owing 15 trillion. It's a little hard to get a handle on it. You ought'a have this conversation with Tom Compton. Surely he realizes the sport is out of control and should go back to the quarter-mile.
Read more: http://www.hotrod.com/feature_stories/hrdp_1210_take_5_with_drag_racing_legend_don_garlits/viewall.html#ixzz25AxSfH81
DG] I'd say, "Boys, this is how it's gonna be for 2013: We'll spray the track lightly once, and that's all it's gonna get. You guys just put all the oil you want to on it. You're gonna run in your own slop, and you can settle that amongst yourselves in the pits; if a guy is constantly oiling, take it up with him. I want these wings pulled down 2 feet, and get all those spoilers off 'em. You want a 1,000-gallon [per minute] fuel pump? Fine, because you ain't gonna have any tires. Goodyear can only make a certain size." The playing field would be level, because big money would be worthless. Those guys would spin right where they sat, and the guy with not much money that knew how to tune, like Dick LaHaie, would win the races. There's about as much chance of that happening as there is of Congress fixing the country. But NHRA is between a rock and a hard spot. It's kinda risky to say, "Mr. Force, Mr. Schumacher, Mr. Kalitta, we're gonna make it easier for Joe Stroke to outrun you." What would the financial consequences be to NHRA and their tracks if these big teams all stayed away? Besides, NHRA doesn't want them to be outrun by some no-name. I know that for a fact because when I did TV, and John Force did get outrun, they would make me interview Austin Coil--not the crew chief on the winning car. Wally let it get out of control. I always said they should seal the engine when the race starts; if you blow it up, you're done. Had that been initiated years ago, it'd be OK. But now, it's like the federal government owing 15 trillion. It's a little hard to get a handle on it. You ought'a have this conversation with Tom Compton. Surely he realizes the sport is out of control and should go back to the quarter-mile.
Read more: http://www.hotrod.com/feature_stories/hrdp_1210_take_5_with_drag_racing_legend_don_garlits/viewall.html#ixzz25AxSfH81
