Windows - great for computers, bad for blocks! Those cast blocks took a such a beating. The Billit units are such nice pieces, stronger (duh) and easier to weld and machine.
The concussion is really what you feel, the shock wave hitting against your chest. Oh yeah, that's just when they're running NORMALLY.
BOOM is extra loud, even with ear plugs!
Been fortunate to have only been in three bangers up close; two with the dragster and one pit incident with the funycar.
The one above was a clutch / fuel air system malfunction. Too much fuel at the hit.
By far the most SPECTACULAR incident was Friday night qualifying in Spokane at the AHRA World Finals in 2000. At the 60' marker the dual mag drive belt JUMPED TIMING. Those 44 amp mags fired the blower and manifold into quite the fireworks show. Frank, you know how close seating is to the track there, the blinding white light and BOOM got EVERYONES attention. We almost had flash burns at the starting line.
The WORST incident was in the pits, with Gary Densham Funnycar at Sonoma in 1996. Standard proceedure is to 'back down' the motor prior to starting, that is to turn the motor backwards to clear the combustion chambers of any nitro. It will explode if compressed, no spark is needed. We found out the hard way.
The car had been stored sitting on the ramp - not flat - inside the trailer overnight, fuel had leaked thru the barrel valve into the manifold. Our guys got in a hurry to warm up the car, and didn't get the motor clear. I knelt down beside the motor to look for a weeping oil line fitting as the starter cranked up.
BOOM. Blew apart the block - and part of Gary's calf. I was blown across the pit against the Mooneyes trailer. Densham was medivaced out on the helicopter.
I just had hearing issues.
My Mom & Dad were standing at the front of our pits, they wern't injured but never came to another race.
And to think they were worried when I raced motorcycles!
