One must remember the faster you go the smaller the chute,least you get slammed
into the belts a little harder. The size is critical as is the length of the tow
line, to short can cause the vehicle lift the rear off the surface as well a
whip the car around. The attachment point is also important. Some are pretty
weak. The main thing is keep it clean,wet,dirty or salt starched chutes don't
open well.We see some ugly things from the timing trailer and it gets a little
spooky at times wondering what will happen with a chute driving the back of the
vehicle.
When I see a chute or other problem I try to let the crews Know via CB radio as
to whats going on. We also relay the info to the tech people if we feel they
need to look into it.
David Haller wrote:
> Hi Russ and list,
> Sent my chute off to Bob Stroud for repair and opinion. This is the chute
> that came with the car when I bought. Bob called me at work this morning to
> let me know the chute was the wrong one for the car at the speeds I'm going.
> He explained the lines were to short and the size of the chute way to big.
> It turned out the chute works well for drag racing but that's about it. Now
> I have done business with Stroud in the past and know him to be an expert in
> those areas of safety and trust his judgement when it comes to potential
> life saving safety equipment. The chute is coming back and I will attempt to
> sell it to a needy drag racer and I broke the budget again and ordered one
> of his hand made Bonneville specials. It really helps to consult the experts
> when it comes to items like a chute for extreme speed. I have another
> question for everyone. Does anyone remember the scorpion intake maifold used
> in circle track racing in years past. I think it was made by Edelbrock. If
> so anyone know where I can pick one up for a fair price?
> Dave Haller #93 C/GAlt
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Finishline Coatings <lona@finishlinecoatings.com>
> To: LSR Group <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Friday, January 21, 2000 3:59 PM
> Subject: Everything!!
>
> > Hi Everyone:
> > I think I'll put in my 2-bits here. The reason I don't get in on more
> discussions is
> > because I don't even know how to send e-mail yet!! So I have to write it
> out and then
> > Lona sends it for me.*(that way I get to censor his script).
> > First off.....rules and tech:
> > One of the first things I learned in life was that most of the time, I
> would be playing on
> > someone else's playing field (mine just isn't big enough) so I had to
> pretty much play by
> > their rules. So if I wanted to play, there would be times when I would
> have to keep my
> > mouth shut, or I couldn't play. While I was building our car, Marlo and
> his crew would
> > come by from time to time and look over the car and make suggestions
> according to their
> > interpretation of the Rule Book. One thing about this list and about
> fellow racers, we
> > can kick things around and butt heads and so on. But when we get to tech,
> if it doesn't
> > satisfy the tech committee, we don't race!!
> > I've been told by more than one person that my car is over built, but its
> my life that
> > depends on the car's safety. When my son climbed in the car at Bonneville
> this last year,
> > many things went through my mind as we were pushing him off. The main
> thing being-if
> > something happens and the car goes upside down or whatever, will he be
> ok?I built the car,
> > but it's his life. This year my daughter has informed me that she wants
> to drive next
> > year and go after ced's record. I guess what I'm saying here is its not
> just me in the
> > car now, but my 2 kids. What are their lives worth, if tech says this
> needs to be done,
> > I'll do it.. no questions asked. So far the car has been teched four
> times and no
> > problems with passing.. However, when Ken Walky made some suggestions, I
> added those
> > things before the next race.
> > J.D. has also made suggestions that have resulted in changes before we
> took the car out
> > again. I don't know if Dan remembers or not but the first time we were at
> Bonneville in
> > '98, he questioned the legality of our chute covering. I explained to him
> that it was the
> > same as Chaven Evan's except our car is a center steer car and Chaven's is
> a left side
> > steer car. After that there was no more questions about it and Dan has
> certified the body
> > legal three times this past year. I, too, have seen cars run that I feel
> are accidents
> > waiting to happen, but I'm only responsible for my own car ..unless they
> ask me for my
> > opinion or there is something that is so bad that if I don't say
> something, it will be on
> > my conscious for the rest of my life should an accident happen. Enough
> about rules...
> > Now the good stuff.......Modified Roadsters!!
> > I would never have anything in the drivers compartment except what needs
> to be there to
> > drive the car. Fuel tank at the front of the car, water and battery in
> the back. I have
> > added a fire wall behind the seat back in front of the water tank, also, I
> have a 2 lb.
> > pressure relief valve in the top of the water tank vented out the back by
> the chutes.
> > As for gauges, tack, oil pressure and water temp...the only thing we look
> at during the
> > run is the tack. Check water temp and oil pressure before we shut off the
> motor -after
> > putting it in neutral and pulling the chute. This is the way it works for
> us. And if
> > everyone did things the way we do, then you flat motor guys would be
> running G.M.C.'s with
> > 2 less pistons and going lots faster than you are now!! Ha Ha.
> > There is so many things I like about LSR that I can't think of them all
> and it's a good
> > thing because it would take a year to read this e-mail. Wish I could be
> at the banquet
> > this week end. Maybe some day.
> > Mike, Dan and everyone else, thanks for a great year of racing.
> > Russ Meeks # 902 XO Modified Roadster.
> > The garbage truck motor man.
> > P.S. The best time for spotted owl is the December white tail hunt. 10 to
> 15 degrees out
> > ..a foot of snow and not many people. The only bad thing is that using a
> 54 Caliber
> > Hawkings, you need to hit them in the head or else all you have is a pile
> of feathers.
> > But roasted over an open fire with baked potatoes in the coals you would
> think it's
> > pheasant under glass. That's what's for dinner!!
> >
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