drag racing on five US

[steve y]

Did anyone catch the drag racing on five US last night? I had the TV on and not paying much notice (just nice to hear motor sport with real engines and no whinging Spaniards!) and my attention was drawn to an extended interview between the Leprachaun, Mike Dunn and John and Ashley Force, now John is never one to shrink from a quote or two but if I was not mistaken he seemed very visably moved during the interview and still in obvious pain. His recollection of the run was most moving. Does anyone else get the feeling that he may hang up his firesuit and move to team manager? I get the feeling he has realised he is not Superman! I know it has been said many times on this and other forums but I do wish him well and hope he gets up and about soon. I think they ought to bring out a cd/dvd of his interviews (although they would need a government health warning for all with a heart or nervous disorder!)
just MHO
Steve

[Jon C]

Is there any other professional sport in the world where a 35 year plus career is possible? NHRA, (and, to a certain extent Europe) is going to have an issue soon when all the 'baby-boomers' finally hit 60 plus and can continue no longer. Thank heavens for the Junior Dragster programmes on both sides of the atlantic, eh?

[Barry B]

I though the poor fella looked gaunt and, like Steve said, in some considerable pain. The extent of his injuries seem quite severe to me and, if I were him, I'd be grateful just to be able to walk again, let alone climb aboard a funny car. It wouldn't durprise me in the slightest if he called it a draw and quit. It's like PBR (Professional bull riders)a young man's game so fair play to ol' man Bernstein for getting out of his old heap without a scratch.

[MotorPsycho]

Jon C said:

Is there any other professional sport in the world where a 35 year plus career is possible? NHRA, (and, to a certain extent Europe) is going to have an issue soon when all the 'baby-boomers' finally hit 60 plus and can continue no longer. Thank heavens for the Junior Dragster programmes on both sides of the atlantic, eh?

at the risk of a possible flaming just how many people have actually gone on to drive something after they leave Junior Dragster? Joe, Stuart Morrice and myself, thats about it, a few more will move up in the next couple of years granted but nothing like the percentage of yanks that do

[Jon C]

MotorPsycho said:

Jon C said:

Is there any other professional sport in the world where a 35 year plus career is possible? NHRA, (and, to a certain extent Europe) is going to have an issue soon when all the 'baby-boomers' finally hit 60 plus and can continue no longer. Thank heavens for the Junior Dragster programmes on both sides of the atlantic, eh?

at the risk of a possible flaming just how many people have actually gone on to drive something after they leave Junior Dragster? Joe, Stuart Morrice and myself, thats about it, a few more will move up in the next couple of years granted but nothing like the percentage of yanks that do

For sure, though Susanne Callin, Timo Habermann and Linda Thun Tonseth are three others off the top of my head. That is not to say that those named wouldn't have made it anyway. In America, the JD's have been established a lot longer than over here, so the 'trickle' effect has had longer to work. As you say, there are several JD racers who are clearly destined for bigger things.

[MotorPsycho]

Fair point, I didn't think about European's, theres plenty more of them

[Eurodragster.com]

MotorPsycho said:

Fair point, I didn't think about European's, theres plenty more of them

2007 NDRS Super Street Champion Jennifer Gustafsson...

[Benni]

There are more, even in germany.
Dennis Habermann (CE), Robin Sattler (CE Mantorp 07 winner), Patricia Kaestner (SC),
a young lady from the mountain part of europe will join in 08,
plus there are some more germans wanting to join in the "Senior" fun,
as soon as a) they reach 17/have the license or b)the parents can afford another racecar, bigger transporter etc etc.
It seems though, after their time in a JD, no one wants to run doorslammers or altereds...
regards,
Benni

[peterwalters]

Meeee!

...get well soon John!

[MotorPsycho]

Benni said:

It seems though, after their time in a JD, no one wants to run doorslammers or altereds...
regards,
Benni

there's a couple

Edited by MotorPsycho on Wednesday 24th October 15:23

[peterwalters]

Benni said:

It seems though, after their time in a JD, no one wants to run doorslammers or altereds

One of the main reasons is that....after juniors you need a full driving licence to drive a front engine race car. But if you have a jd licence you can go into a rail/rear engine dragster at 16.

Pete