Medlen investigation, funeral, JFR to skip houston

Magnethead

Magnethead

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http://www.nhra.com/content/news/19287.htm

The team still is evaluating what occurred in the accident that caused the severe closed head injury that resulted in Medlen's death. The JFR crew chiefs, headed by Medlen's father, John, will be working closely with NHRA, the Professional Racers Owners Organization, and the team's vendors to evaluate the series of events that caused a tire blowout and an extreme vibration beyond anything previously recorded in the sport.
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http://www.nhra.com/apcm/apcmviewercache.asp?a=19282&z=7'

apparently something just flat went mechanically wrong, broke a chassis member in the driver's compartment, which then punctured the tire. JFR is inspecting all cars and will not return to competition until the details and fixes and resolved and implemented.
 
There was an update today...

http://www.nitromater.com/nhra/5954-team-force-continues-evaluate-data-wont-compete-houston.html

http://www.dragracingonline.com/agent1320/2007/1320-ix_3-41.html

In an interview on Sirius Satellite Radio NASCAR channel 128’s “Driver’s Seat” today (March 30) Dr. John Melvin, a Biomedical Research Scientist who has recently retired from General Motors and who developed a crash data recorder for Indy cars that measured acceleration data from crashes, said that he had examined the remains of Eric Medlen’s chassis along with members of the NHRA including Graham Light, and told interviewer John Kernan that probably Eric Medlen was “shaken” to death.

Graham Light, NHRA Sr. VP Racing Operations, passed that information along at the drivers meeting at Houston Raceway Park today. Dr. Melvin further stated in the interview that a lab at Wayne State University that specializes in investigating these kinds of crashes will be studying this crash starting next month.[3/30/2007]
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“In yesterday’s Burk’s Blast, I speculated that Eric Medlen had a chassis failure that caused his accident during testing at Gainesville. I now know without question that the team’s Murf McKinney chassis DID NOT fail prior to the tire failing. Further, I talked personally with Goodyear’s spokesman who told me that the tire was in Akron still being examined by their scientists and engineers to determine exactly why the tire failed.

“A spokesman from John Force Racing told DRO, ‘We have only begun evaluation and no summary has been made and testing is not completed.’ We regret any grief the statement may have caused JFR or McKinney Chassis.” -- Jeff Burk, Editor[3/30/2007]
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So, basically, in typical NHRA and auto-racing fashion, nobody will know except the investigators what really happened.
 
maybe a belt broke in the tire. of course im not an engineer so i dont know.
 
On the qualifying show, Warren Johnson suggested that an engineer or 3 get involved. Another driver (Jim Head) said that as much money as JFR has at it's disposal, it wouldn't be surprising if they hired a few scientists and engineers to investigate it, along with Goodyear inspecting the tire back at Akron, and the people at WSU inspecting the chassis.

Jim Head also said he spoke to some people in the IRL and has some ideas for improving safety in the ****pit.
 
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