Throwing both chutes every time...

I agree Will, I've thrown them both and have one not even fall out of the pack tray. Had that been the only one thrown I'd have been in deep s%$@!!!

 

Will:

Here is a suggestion everyone driving these cars should consider.

One of the first runs Marc White made in my car almost 5 years ago he ran almost 254 miles per hour at Pomona, which is a very short track. The chutes went under the car and didn't open. Marc slid it to a stop, no harm/no foul, and we made the next session. The next day, an alky funny car was practically destroyed after flipping on it's side in the sand after going about the same speed Marc went in my car. That person's first chute didn't open, so the driver hit the second chute but there wasn't enough race track left to stop the car. In the sand he went.

How did Marc do it? Marc hits the chutes going in to the finish line and then goes immediately for the brakes hard as if he has no chutes. When (and if) the chutes hit, he relaxes the brake handle and lets them slow him down instead of the brakes. Every run the wheels of my car were full of carbon brake dust whenever he drove for me. His actions saved my car because, as you know, Pomona is not very long and not very forgiving. Going for the brakes at 1,321 feet instead of 2,021 feet saved the day for us.

Having others drive my car I decided to make two chutes the rule. How did I do that? I screwed the two levers together so you can't hit just one. When we mounted the Monte Carlo body for some reason I didn't screw them together, but I will be before we go out again.

RG

 

Let's remember Norwalk has one of the shorter shut-downs out there. When you see PS'ers locking up brakes, that's pretty short!

 

If you watched the Norwalk TV coverage, you saw Von Smith take it into the field. Bobby Martin ran it full throttle to about 1,450 and then was late getting on the chutes which made for some excitement in the shut down area.

From another web site:

Norwalk is approx 2,075 feet finish line to sand
Englishtown is 2,360
Gainesville is 3350
Houston is 2620
Dallas is 2760
Atlanta is 2250
Memphis is 2560
Pomona is 2023
Sonoma is 2558
Las Vegas is 2500
Seattle is 2780 (no apparent runoff...which we found out the hard way)
Denver is 2174.

Looks like Pomona is the lucky winner (loser) in terms of length.

RG

 

If you watch the footage, Bobby Martin has one chute up under the car in the final. He was very lucky.

DT

 

He also has spill plates that do not extend below the deck to the rear bumper. I'm not saying it wouldn't have happened if they did. I just think your chances it will happen are better if they don't.

 

Thats how Patton's car is, both handles are screwed together. Pretty smart idea.

On those lengths, are those finish line to sand or are those starting line to sand. Maybe I just never realized how long the shutdown areas were. Well except for Pomonas THe sand comes up at yeah quickly at 160 mph I cant imagine what its like in a TA or Fuel car.

 

I have taught many drivers both in the old top fuel cars and now the a-fuel dragsters. Part of the written instructions I furnish to everyone states that you want to run as quickly as possible for 1320 feet, and then stop as quickly as possible. I teach drivers to put their hand on the chute lever or whatever you are using to activate the chute at the eight mile and anticipate the finishl line by pulling the chutes at about the 1000/1100 foot which will result in you driving into the chute opening. Some people would say you can't take your hand off the steering wheel at the 1/8 mile. I say that it is about one second from the time you pass the eigth mile till you need to deploy the chutes so it is not like you are going down the race track for any length of time with your hand off the stering wheel. If you drive a car that you are afraid to take your hand off the steering wheel for one second you have a problem or the car has a problem. Most serious problems happen between the eighth and the finish line. The chutes are you best line of defense. They will keep a lot of bad things from happening so if your hand is on the chute lever ready to pull anyway it is just an automatic response to get them out if something bad occurs. As another post said you should also go from the chute release to the brake and apply the brake until you feel the car slowing and under control. I have had the chutes come out hit me and come off the car so don't release the brake just because you feel the chute hit.

 

Both Chutes.....Absolutely!

I have never run either my Pro Outlaw dragster or my AFC without pulling both chutes. Mine aren't bolted together but the handles are so close, they might as well be. I'm a firm believer in stopping being the most important thing. The chutes aren't that big of a deal to pack. As previously said, I'd rather pack another chute than dig sand out or have to fix the body. It's a no brainer! I also drive with my hand ready to pull the chutes after 1/8 mile. As soon as I put my car in 3rd, I start to reach for them. I also grab the brake as one motion after pulling the chutes. It all just makes good sense to me and has never let me down. I have had chutes come up under and rip the body post off but I still stopped the car fine because I was on the brake right away. I wish more people would drive like that, it's much safer!

Laurie Cannister
Kalbone's Grill'n Sauce IHRA AFC

 

Laurie,
you have got it right. There are a lot of drivers out there however even in the top fuel classes that do not drive as you do. Ask Hillary Will how driving thru the lights and then slaping at the chute levers works.

 

Bob, when i got my license while driving your car i learned so much,but one quote that always stuck with me was when you said "the chutes are your best freind".

 

Thanks Milt.
My goal in lecensing anyone in my car is to teach not just how to get from a to b but the safest way to do it. Hope everything is going your way. Don't work yourself to death and take care of that beautiful helmet.