Race 232

[440_Magnum]

Re: Race 232

I'm puzzuled as to why the Merlins decided to run well this weekend? Mike Barrow and Nixon didn't just wake up and figure out how to make them fast and reliable.

I sure must view the world in an entirely different way than some people do.

Those guys have put years of work into what they do, of course they didn't just "wake up and figure" something out, they've been "figuring" on it for a long time. They only get ONE real-world test session per year, so it takes a while to understand what's failing, make changes, and see if the changes are effective or not. Oh, and one "test engine" costs exactly what one race engine costs, because they're one and the same! Not to mention that the days of sacrificing 60 year old parts for the sake of a test are long gone. I couldn't do what those guys do... I'd be one giant walking ulcer with hands and feet if I had to endure that much stress in the spotlight once per year.

If you want to attribute anything to "luck," its NOT the fact that Dago Red and Strega ran well, its that Voodoo blew up. Just like it was bad luck that Ridge Runner III burned a piston the year Dan had her wound up and passed the Buick in a "stocker." Just like it was bad luck that the Buick made metal this year.

[Peashooter]

Re: Race 232

Groupie comment aside, opinions on the paint job are subjective and lots of us happen to like it.

I love the colors, I just wish the trim stripe ran along the fuselage, not up at an angle. And I can do without the "fire/kelp". I'd love to see her test flown at PRS next year and tweaked until Reno '09.

[DWYER]

Re: Race 232

I love the colors, I just wish the trim stripe ran along the fuselage, not up at an angle. And I can do without the "fire/kelp". I'd love to see her test flown at PRS next year and tweaked until Reno '09.

I agree. Also the purple flame/stripe down the side needs to thin down sooner. The light purple flames might look better if they were ghost white. The light purple is just weird. I don't mean to sound negative though. It is a big improvement over last year.

[John H]

Re: Race 232

"If another engine fails on 232 he's done?" I don't beleive that!! He's got the resources to race 3 planes. they all look meticulously maintained. I'll buy the ignition problem story.

Yea that makes no sense to me either. Surely Mike is prepared to deal with blown engines as they are going to happen sooner or later, even with a round engine up front. I wonder why Mike doesnt have a canopy over his pit area as that surely provides a more comfortable work environment for the crew. He's the only big gun running up front that doesn't do that.

John