Competition Do we need Cages'

[Jim Fulmer]

Watch the vid of Derrick Dodge crash and you tell me.



http://www.inlandchrysler.com/videos.htm



Jim

 

[Bobcat698]

I think its a good idea! Wow what a wreck!

 

[crawler]

He was very fortunate it look like.



I always recommend at least a 6 point to anybody getting even remotely serios on the track. My rule of thumb is this; If you run slicks then you should have a few bars wrapped around you.



My little truck (ABBY as we call it) has a 14 point (really a 10 with extra bars for strength)



It's worth the peace of mind. The cage in ABBY doesn't interfere with entrance or exit of the vehicle and is not uncomfortable in any shape form or fasion.



There comes a point where you need to decide if YOU have enough safety equipment. The rules at the strip were not intended for trucks (or anything with this weight or overall size/height). We are much more likely to roll one over than a car running the same times/speeds.



Everybody on the boards should see this video as a reminder as to why so many guys on here preach about safety equipment.



It very well may save your life one day.



~Wes~

 

[crawler]

Here's a pic from the inside of ABBY.



This is the minimum that I was comfortable with for what my intentions are for this truck.





#ad




~Wes~

 

[Oasis-3]

What Happened

Hope the driver was ok.

Anyone know what happened to make the truck go out of control?

Good Post





Thanks

Cliff

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Hope the driver was ok.

Anyone know what happened to make the truck go out of control?

Good Post





Thanks

Cliff

My guess is it blew a Freeze plug and watered the tires down, I've done it but it wasn't that wild of a ride, then he over corrected intially.



Jim

 

[rockjeep73]

My initial thought was that the rearend locked up?

 

[Timebomb]

WOW... ... . nasty, Looks like it dumped something water/oil and got loose. Besides a cage a diper on the engine and trans is a good idea as well.

 

[crawler]

My guess would be blown freeze plug and then watered down the track because of it.



~Wes~

 

[massdiesel]

He lost a headgasket

 

[JasonCzerak]

11.99 and faster

I though was the rule to have a roll cage in any vehicle (expect snowmobiles and bikes and what not) if you running faster then 11. 99?

 

[crawler]

Thanks MASS for the story.



About the 11. 99 rule.



NHRA changed their rule to 11. 49 for a 6 point Roll Bar

and 9. 99 for a cage (I know the 11. 49 is right the 9. 99 I'm pretty sure is right)



~Wes~

 

[JasonCzerak]

Was that truck a low 11 truck? looks like he would of been well into the 11's had he had traction.

 

[MDW]

Losing a freeze plug late in the run can be nerve racking:

http://www.hotroddiesels.com/media/1187HRP.wmv

 

[crawler]

Just a few thoughts for everybody reading this to chew on:



Although we now know the cause of this accident. Here are a few things that could potentially cause the same type of wreck.



Blown Headgasket

Blown Freeze Plug

53 Block crack

Blown coolant hose

Blown radiator

Severely cracked head



Broken ring/pinion

seized motor

rod/rod bolt failure

transmission failure





There are more, but the point is this: Any of the above failures could cause loss of control by either wetting/oiling down the track or by locking up the tires and causing loss of traction.



We all need to keep this in mind when we're building our high horsepower trucks. Safety is far more important than we often realize.



~Wes~

 

[MDW]

Well said.

 

[Timbeaux38]

where did the vid go?

 

[bubba1]

sorry guys I have suspended the viewing of the video I had actually forgot it was on the site so when I posted the site for other members to see my winter project, the phone calls have been endless, my appoligies to the Derrick crew, their was no intentions to spot light anything or any one.

 

[9 Lives]

What would be the main cause of loosing freeze plugs?

 

[Morse]

I never saw the video, but was he OK?