Topic: Angie Smith and Gaige H. NHRA Pro Stock Bike

[Don R]

 Did anyone see both of them lock up the front wheels at the top end of the track? Angie took a nasty spill and is hospitalized with broken feet and road rash. Gaige on the V&H bike did the same thing but was able to recover and not go down.
 We ran 175 there and didn't think the shutdown was short but that's where a Mustang Super Gas car backed over the front end of our dragster in the staging lanes. We only got the one run. 
 
 

[Don R]

 Matt Smith is PO'ed, NHRA held onto the bike and had even moved it off premises. Other wrecked vehicles that weekend were checked out and promptly returned to the owners.

https://www.competitionplus.com/drag-racing/news/nhra-still-holding-angie-smith%E2%80%99s-bike

 The last word is they will return the bike at the next race. NHRA also required Smith to download the data recorder for them. Matt says the bike contains parts that are not available anywhere right now. I'm not the biggest Matt smith fan but I do think it looks like he's being treated unfairly.
 I wouldn't be surprised to see parachutes on the pro stock bikes next year.

[Don R]

 The rumor is that NHRA isn't pleased with Matt Smith using a blocker rider (Chip Ellis and/or Joey Gladstone) to try to beat their opponents but take a dive if he races Matt. Everyone knows there are team orders but you're not supposed to say it on camera.

[Bailgang]

The rumor is that NHRA isn't pleased with Matt Smith using a blocker rider (Chip Ellis and/or Joey Gladstone) to try to beat their opponents but take a dive if he races Matt. Everyone knows there are team orders but you're not supposed to say it on camera.

That's precisely why I haven't paid much attention to the NHRA in a long time. Not picking on John Force but I remember seeing a race between him and one of his team cars, in that instance it was Force who took the dive but the dive was so blatant that the Pedregon brothers literally came unglued on camera.

[NitroHunter]

I'm surprised they're still allowed to wear featherweight footwear. The scuff protection is minimal at best, and foot/bone support virtually nonexistent during a high speed get off as demonstrated once again by Angie's injuries. Cory Reed had actively campaigned for NHRA mandated boots after his accident two years ago. Nobody expects to fall off riding in a strait line, but that same reasoning could be applied to wearing helmets.
At one time I wore a pair of our Top Fuel drivers shoes, the ones he wore under the fireproof boots, man they were blue suede super thin and looked really cool. But I went back to boots after a few outings for the ankle support I needed.
Still got those b*tchin shoes though. 

[Don R]

 We were racing for a Super Comp championship one year. The family team we were up against the last weekend brought extra cars. and put their backup driver in the points car. (Allowed in the association) They were smart enough to qualify a couple team cars near the 8.90 number and others .2 under the index to help them with the ladder pairings. Whenever anyone raced their points car, there were always mysterious trans brake problems on the starting line.
 Anyway, without laboring the point we finished second for the year with no gimmies.

[Don R]

 They did get the bike back. I haven't heard about any rule infractions found. I did hear that the replay on TV was heavily edited. I'm not sure what part they cut out, maybe the wreck itself.

[Don R]

  The announcers mentioned some teams making a mockery of the nhra eliminations by having team vehicles take a dive. I'm sure they were referring to Matt Smith openly admitting doing it.

[Don R]

  Apparently, Chase Van Zant had a get off last friday too. He exposed the workings in his knee after hitting bumps on the track. Matt Hagan said the bumps were so bad they were breaking the fuel pumps off of their funny car engine every pass. Dang NHRA.

[Don R]

 NHRA finally mentioned Chase VanZant being out due to a racing injury. The boot guy that runs pro stock car is making some custom riding boots, some bike guys are mentioning road racing motorcycle boots already exist that provide the protection.
  Angie made an easy pass for the points since they didn't have a full field without her. That gave V&H a freebie in round 1 since she couldn't really race. The team vehicle laydowns continued in pro stock car and bike. V&H didn't Eddie K. hasn't gotten his 50th win and likely won't unless Gaige breaks or something.

[Don R]

 Kelly Clontz was the latest rider to lock a front tire and go down. There is talk about anti-lock brakes and/or parachutes for next year. I've been a fan since they are sponsored by my union.

[Don R]

 There is talk Eddie may not ride next year. Too valuable in the shop. 

[Don R]

 The latest Cycledrag rumor is that Ricky Gadson test rode Eddie K's bike at Pomona and went faster than Eddie. He might be the next new V&H guy.
  I got a kick out of the Hayabusa turbo exhibition bike that was way faster than the pro-stock bikes and street legal.

[dragracer]

Richard rode the bike. Not Ricky. Richard is Rickys nephew. I'm happy for the young man. He's very talented and would bring valuable insight to the team. He's also capable of  assisting tuning and maintenance.

[Don R]

Thanks for the correction, I must have misread it.
 Edit: NHRA had it wrong on a ladder chart too, I wonder if that's what I saw on cycle drag?

[dragracer]

Chris Moore was the street bike pilot. He's also the first street bike to yo break into the 5's in the 1/4 mile. He's also from SC and owns a motorcycle dealership in the Greer/Spartanburg area. I watched him grow up racing a dirt bike and then outlaw pro street so he's no novice to the sport.

[dusterdude]

Frank,if you watched him grow up,that means you're old...lol.

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[Don R]

 As an old guy, I can say it's better to get to be an old guy than not get old.

 I saw an interview with Matt Smith, he said they are going back to the V twins. (Buell)? He might consider running a Suzuki again when they get a one-piece crankshaft. His current setup eats too many bottom end parts that are too expensive and difficult to get.  I was under the impression there were one-part cranks already but maybe not. He clearly thinks V&H get too much input on the rules.