Posting this message in regards to the Flywheel explosion last Saturday by our HA/GR. I've never used the Jalopy Journal before and signed on just to post this. I was the driver of the car that blew up. It was the scariest thing that's ever happened to me on the track ever. I still can't believe the scope of what happened or how lucky everybody is that nobody got hurt or worse! Just luck and that's it. I was pretty stunned from the accident and not until later did the reality part set in. I had no idea that parts got out as far as they did and actually did damage until later that night when I talked to other friends that were there. We did have a very nice 1/4" steel scattershield, top and bottom per the rules. Problem was that the 3/8" grade 8 bolts that hold the bottom piece on sheared away, letting pieces get out to the side and underneath. The flywheel was stock, but magnafluxed and balanced when we built the mill. It came apart when shifting to high gear. 5800 rpm. Homemade scattershields can't be trusted obviously. that's why we have SEMA and SFI. As to the folks who's truck was damaged I am very sorry for that, If I'd known who you were at the time I would have surely spoken to you and appologized in person and so would have the track personel. Nobody from the track came over to see us either. Not to inspect the car for possible rule changes (which needs to be done) or to check on me or to relay a damage report. I don't think I was laughing in up about anything either, that sounds like drunk bullshit. It was a very grim event for me and I was just thankful I had feet left to walk on, though they were quite sore. I love dragracing and the fans that come to watch, but we all sign that sheet accepting the inherent dangers that come with this sport and have to live with the results, whether it's crippled feet or a broken mirror. I don't want people thinking that our team is a bunch of jerks that don't care about anybody else, it's just not true. It would be very difficult to live with the thought that I did something that led to injury or death to an innocent bystander, that really freaked me out. We built these Hambsters to re-live the old days, now we've experienced the old days first hand with this flywheel deal and I don't like it. I'm through with it, can't afford all the trick clutch stuff to do it right. Let us run automatics! And to the guys that said we thought it was funny, go have another beer.
You got the old days part right. But to say no one from the track checked on you is not true. The driver was our first concern, and the EMT's went down and stayed until the car was moved. I talked to them and I have all of the parts we picked up, including the bottom part of the "scatter shield" and the sheered 3/8's bolts. I also have 10 to 15 holes in my track from the size of a golfball up to a softball. The rule change is this; No cast flywheels and APPROVED scatter shields only. We run 65 to 70 events a year, we see alot of stuff, we don't see a lot of stick shift cars anymore, but we have always had a scatter shield rule. P.S. Just talked to my tech man and his partner. They said they were there before the EMT's.
First I am glad that you are OK and understand how you may have been shaken up. You may be new to this board but if you stay a while you will find out that there is no better place to learn and make friends. We all take care of one another and when something happens they are always there to lend a hand. I accept your apology,and as I said before glad and thankful no one was hurt. My truck was the one that got hit. Robert
Install an automatic--no more problems.--Race in Tulsa 14--15 times a year. Currently have 3 302 Jimmy's all run Powerglides none have ever had a driveline problem. Race them,take them home,bring them back out for the next race- No driveline maintence.
Just to throw my 2 cents in. I was in your pit for a bit about the time you were getting out of your fire suit I didn't see you crack a smile much less laughing and joking about it. Glad you got out with both of your feet and nobody got killed. Looked like some serious carnage inside the car.
After 2 weeks of running my Slant 6 powered HA/GR I took the stick setup out and put in an automatic. I learned what was required for a slant 6, from their website and it takes a lot of money to build a safe driveline. Even though NHRA permits stock components up to 11.49 e.t.'s and home made scattershields, in a car where the driver's legs straddle the trans/bell housing it isn't good enough, in my humble opinion. I think this event supports that. I hope Ron is doing well at home and am sure glad the driver and others were not hurt.
You are right, guys were right down there to help me. I didn't mean to forget about that. I just thought there might be some investigation later on or if somebody got hurt in the stands I would be told. I had no idea how bad it really was until much later. We are very lucky there was no bloodshed. I'm sorry I boogered up the track. I sure would like to see a movie of this deal. I'd almost swear it lifted the rear of the car off the ground!
Sorry Robert. I really felt like quitting, but I'm too hardcore Hot Rodder to quit. The car is hurt really bad. Lot's of hard work and handmade parts down the drain. Right now me and the guys are too busy to rebuild but when we do, and run a stick, it will have a blowproof flywheel and a commercial clutch can so this can't ever happen again. She was really haul'n ass when it came apart too, best run ever. I'm glad nobody got a 5lb chunk of cast iron in their body! Tell Your truck I'm sorry I pierced it's ear!
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