There was high drama before the semifinals as top qualifier Robert Hight and his Auto Club of Southern California team struggled to get their Ford Mustang ready for the race. Hight suffered a big fire after the finish line in the quarterfinals and hit both retaining walls before coming to a stop in the top end sand trap. He was uninjured but his car was in shambles.
The entire John Force Racing operation scrambled to get Hight's car ready and they made it up to the starting line in time to race a very patient Head but had to shut the engine off before making a burnout when fluid was discovered leaking from the motor.
The car burnt to the ground, and the team completely striped the car down to the chassis to re-wire and replace the hoses and cables in the car, along with everythign else. they succeeeded in the complete teardown and rebuild in the alotted 75 minutes given to the teams for a regular turnaround. They planned to pack the car up, but in the intrest of the fans and TV, went ahead and rebuilt the car, even with a tweaked frame from hitting both retaining walls.
I'll post the video and imagery tomorrow if it's uploaded.
The entire John Force Racing operation scrambled to get Hight's car ready and they made it up to the starting line in time to race a very patient Head but had to shut the engine off before making a burnout when fluid was discovered leaking from the motor.
The car burnt to the ground, and the team completely striped the car down to the chassis to re-wire and replace the hoses and cables in the car, along with everythign else. they succeeeded in the complete teardown and rebuild in the alotted 75 minutes given to the teams for a regular turnaround. They planned to pack the car up, but in the intrest of the fans and TV, went ahead and rebuilt the car, even with a tweaked frame from hitting both retaining walls.
I'll post the video and imagery tomorrow if it's uploaded.
