Finke & Griffis DQ'd for cold fuel in R1

Discussion in 'Pit Buzz' started by Will Hanna, Mar 15, 2010.

  1. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
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    John Finke and Cherrisa Griffis-Smallwood were dq'd for cold fuel in the lanes before first round Saturday. Apparently NHRA is going to have a zero tolerance policy for any fuel below 50 deg. in the lanes.
     
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  2. tjenna

    tjenna Top Alcohol

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    Was it from the weather?
     
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  3. DOUG GORDON

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    Weather?

    I would not think it was from the weather since no one else had a problem.
     
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  4. backmotor

    backmotor Owner/Crewchief/Test Pilot

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    That is really too bad (heard it was off by 1/2 of a degree :rolleyes:) Cherissa was just starting to run good, she had a career best run earlier in the day too. She is very sweet (and beautiful too ;)) I got to meet her, when her dad Ron Griffis of Innovative Chassis, built my rear engine funny car chassis, they are a really nice family, and do awesome work :cool:
     
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  5. bruce mullins

    bruce mullins Top Dragster

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    i know I don't have a horse in this race, but 50 degrees doesn't mean 49.
     
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  6. underby6

    underby6 Active Member

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    I was in the lanes when they were backed out. I had the chance to meet John, super nice guy, I haven't met Cherissa. I didn't see the temp. gun but was told by Jim Collins personally that he would have worked with them if it was close. I agree with Bruce, 50 degrees means 50 degrees. My alky has to be 100% pure, I have to weigh a certain amount, o.d., rear gear, etc. etc... How pissed would an A/Fuel or even a B/AD competitor be if I was just a bit on the illegal side of the rules for previous mentioned rules....and I beat them....think they'd just "let it go"?

    Brandon Booher
    NHRA TAD #35

    As far as running before and being legal, they didn't check fuel before the run in qualifying.
     
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    Last edited: Mar 17, 2010
  7. backmotor

    backmotor Owner/Crewchief/Test Pilot

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    I didn't mean the ruling was unfair at all, I agree 50* means 50*, just said it was a shame, she ran good earlier without being illegal, so why push the limits to the extreme ??
     
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  8. secondwindracing

    secondwindracing top alcohol

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    Well said Brandon..also car is lookin good..see ya Dave
     
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  9. rperea

    rperea New Member

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    Some one please tell me that the NHRA was not using a IR gun on a reflective aluminum tank or fuel line to check temperature and subsequently D.Q. this team?
     
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  10. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
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    temp

    I was told by Collins that the fuel was cold enough there was nothing that could be done in the lanes and there was no way for him to let it pass. It definitely wasn't .5 degrees.

    They check fuel temp with the Anton Paar nitro checker they check fuel with on the top end.

    If you're going to play the chill game and push it that close to 50, well it might bite you if you're not careful.

    Last year the game was to see who could build the coldest freezer. This year the game might be something to maintain about 45 degrees. You had better have a good chart on how quick your fuel is going to heat up vs ambient.

    It's definitely something to play around with in the shop. I'd have something rigged up to put some quick heat in the tank, if needed. Even if it was an inverter and a hair dryer.
     
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  11. backmotor

    backmotor Owner/Crewchief/Test Pilot

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    I wasn't there, I got 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) hand information :rolleyes: I'm glad it was more than just a 1/2 of a degree, and they were willing to work with them if it was 'close' to being legal :cool:
     
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  12. underby6

    underby6 Active Member

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    I'm assuming "work with them" meant if it's not 50 by the time you have to fire you're dq'd. As strict/tough as a guy that J.C. is, I don't see him letting that slide.

    Brandon Booher
    NHRA TAD #35
     
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  13. rperea

    rperea New Member

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    Thanks Will for the info. The Anton Paar Nitro Hydrometer would be a fare way to check temps as it is the same tool/thermometer that is used for correcting the specific gravity to determine the % nitro.
     
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  14. jeffj

    jeffj Member

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    Now I'm certainly no rules expert, but my read of the rule is that under 50* fuel in the lanes is illegal. Warming it up after it is found to be illegal does nothing since you are to be DQ'ed on the spot.
    To make a comparison, why don't I bolt on a C blower, and if caught I'll be allowed to simply change it for a D in the lanes before we run. Everbody good with that?
    Jeff Johnsen
     
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  15. jeffj

    jeffj Member

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    If you tow out of the pit area with fuel under 50* you know you are illegal, you are just hoping not to get caught.
    Jeff Johnsen
     
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  16. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
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    temp

    I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt that the teams that got DQ'ed had faulty temp equipment. The only rational explaination, they thought their fuel was up to temp.

    On the same note, that's why we always check every jug of fuel before we put it in the car. Been there, done that, got DQ'd on bad fuel, got the shirt...
     
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  17. jeffj

    jeffj Member

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    Will, earlier you said that it was not close; that Collins told you it was too cold to be fixed in the staging lanes. Last temp info on DRC indicated 68* ambient temp. Fuel didn't cool itself. I see in the National points that they were both given first round loss points; from my point of view a disqualification like this should result in the race counting in the total but forfiture of all points.
    As an aside, I note that the rule book prohibits insulating fuel tanks and lines but I see some cars wraped in insulation in the staging lanes. Is that "legal?"
    JeffJ
     
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  18. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
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    temp

    I'm just saying I don't think it's too far fetched a thermometer could be off 5 degrees. Hell look at everyone's weather station, they're all different, probably +/- 5 degrees. The thermometer that matters is the one in Collins' hand.
     
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  19. Randy G.

    Randy G. Top Alcohol

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    Steve Harker's and mine are dead nuts.:D

    .
     
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  20. '66 Vette

    '66 Vette New Member

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    Sorry to hear about your nuts.

    You can always play golf..... :D

    I agree with Jeff. Wrong is wrong.
     
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