Anybody see this?

Steve Strand, detailer to the stars, told me about this video on line of Steve Gasparrelli's fire in Las Vegas. It takes a few minutes to load.

http://www.dragraceusa.com/videos/flames.wmv

Makes you wonder if the "V" firewall configuration is such a good idea.

RG

 

Damn thats Pretty Scary!

David Smith

www.davesdragpics.smugmug.com

http://www.davesdragpics.com/home images/PhotoStory2.wmv

 

Unreal!

Camera man didn't seem too concerned. Lucky....

 

I'm really glad Steve didn't decide to get out on the left side of the car...I think he would have become a hood ornament on that truck ....Mark had just finished painting that car too( no lettering yet)....first run down the track...ouch

 

Randy, I know what i saw in the video but could you explain to those of us that dont have a clue what the advantages to the v firewall were supposed to be and what you were seeing in the video that makes it a bad idea.

Thanks
Nick

 

Terry Munroe was pitted next to us at Norwalk last year and had a new Monte Carlo body with the v tin and it seems a lot less complicated to fabricate and probably weights less but there seemed to be no wall between the engine and the tires.

If oil or fuel is sprayed around it would seem to be able to reach around the insides of the body all the way to the rear of the car without any interference. In the video, it looks like this is what happened as after the car came to a stop the flames were shooting up the entire length of the car from under the body because there is not the sides of the firewall to direct it down.

 

About the V firewall, our car will never have one. For these reasons:
A firewall means exactly that a fire wall, a full length firewall adds strength to the side of the body and helps hold its shape better. The weight savings with a V type maybe 2 lbs?? if that. I think everyone should have their tin like a fuel car including the tin on the chassis from the front of the engine to the rear of the cage, with a belly pan all the way to the rear axle. Been there done that, I speak from experience. When we mount our own bodies we try to put in as much safety in it and still keep it light. Just my opinion.
The Woz

 

...and for those of you who do not know,

The Woz burnt one to the ground in Sacramento a few years ago. It was a divisional race and very scary indeed.

I only asked the question about the firewall because the car from front to back in a short period of time looked like a Dura-Flame wax log going at it in the fireplace. The rear wheelwells and quarter panel were lit up like I can't recall ever seeing before.

Parts can be replaced. I'm extremely thankful that Steve was not seriously injured.

 

After seeing that all I can think is: Thank God he is alright. I am a dragster driver for a reason, although not in Top Alcohol. I know you funny car guys say there is nothing like it, but I have an issue with a high horse power motor both infront of me and trapped in the body with me.

 

Joker:

Both have thier plus and minus. For example, dragsters don't fit in a 3 car garage.

Seriously, though. The equipment if properly installed does it's job. I personally think funny cars are safer, but that's just my opinion based on observations I've seen over the last several years. Gary Scelzi agrees with me.

There's nothing like facing the back of the blower when the body is lowered in a funny car. Besides, you're the first one to see the engine blow up.

 

If I remember right I think Tate Branchs car had the V- tin in it when it went up like a Roman candle. These are the 2 worst TAFC fires I have ever seen. Just so glad both are around to talk about it.