[BringBackWilkesboro]

Shortly after the end of the '06 Nascar season, Gregg Biffle dislocated his shoulder in a firey crash during a Las Vegas tire test. I havent seen video of the crash, but by the sound of it, it could have been worse, and in many cases it has. Billy Wade, a promising driver much like Biffle is, was killed in a Daytona test crash in 1965. I also recall Jimmy Pardue being killed in maybe the worst wreck in Nascar's history testing at Charlotte I believe. Sure, drivers have to test, they have to get on the right track for the upcoming season, but they need to realize that its is only testing and they shouldnt jump into this so fast, especially this year, when they will be in a completely new car that no one is familiar with at times.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

Shortly after the end of the '06 Nascar season, Gregg Biffle dislocated his shoulder in a firey crash during a Las Vegas tire test. I havent seen video of the crash, but by the sound of it, it could have been worse, and in many cases it has. Billy Wade, a promising driver much like Biffle is, was killed in a Daytona test crash in 1965. I also recall Jimmy Pardue being killed in maybe the worst wreck in Nascar's history testing at Charlotte I believe. Sure, drivers have to test, they have to get on the right track for the upcoming season, but they need to realize that its is only testing and they shouldnt jump into this so fast, especially this year, when they will be in a completely new car that no one is familiar with at times.

Very true BBW. Was he lettin it all hang out? I hadn't heard the full story. I heard the part where Bush stopped to get him out.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Very true BBW. Was he lettin it all hang out? I hadn't heard the full story. I heard the part where Bush stopped to get him out.

Im not sure how hard he was pushing, but it was a tire test. There's a good chance he was trying to abuse those tires as much as he could.

[Bob Tanner]

I can usually think of some possible solution to about any problem in NASCAR. However, this testing thing has always stymied me. I guess that it kinda like being a test pilot who first takes up a new plane, or a redesigned version of one. The engineers can come up with the new chassis changes or the nre tire compounds but it takes someone to go out there and see exactly where the breaking point is.

Besides Billy Wade, Neil Bonnett was killed tested a new car for Jim Finch at Daytona. Marshall Teague was killed testing an Indy Speedway car, also at Daytona. Two Indy drivers who come to mind that died testing at Indy were Tony Bettenhausen and the Novi's number one driver, Chet Miller.

I agree with N. Wilks. It's a necessary evil.

[LSC9901]

I also would agree that testing is necessary and at times can be evil. Another point to add is that while testing tires it might be the time to test new and better driver safety equipment. Improvements to the driver compartment are always needed. What better time to test them.

[wingkey1]

There are two very important reasons to test. Perhaps the two most important.

1. To avoid killing yourself
2. To avoid the losing

The variables in a tire test are staggering in number. Experience sets the priority. Ya try to hit the right ones (variables) both individually then, and this is where the exponential gets crazy, in combination. Even with much time and experience it is not possible to test all scenarios and some anticipated results must be extrapolated from the data you do have. Things we considered at what would have to be at best the very minor, minor leagues:

* Temperature - track, air, tire, sun in, sun out, humidity
* Caster, camber, stagger, lead (as in "crabbing" the right front ahead of the left)
* Pressures - starting, 5 lap, 10 lap, etc.)
* Weight distribution
* Gear
* Springs
* Shocks and associated rebound settings
* The track - length, bank, turn radius
* etc., etc., etc.

At some point during testing the driver will indeed "let it all hang" or touch/find what feels to be the absolute edge. Typically upon reaching what feels to be "gut perfect". It'll only last for a bit thought because within a lap or two, maybe only a turn or two, much has changed. Tire temperatures have changed, as have circumference (sp?), sidewall flex, and more.

This is the stuff that really makes the sport (for me). Loved to hear that driver getting back to me during the test. You could hear their heart rate in the voice. Great stuff.

[SherryAnn]

I thought it was great that another driver helped him out of it. I would have been scared out of my mind!