Mike Frank

[Mike Frank]

First off, thank you Rick for reaching out to me, it was good to hear your voice and your concern… It had been a long time. It has been a difficult week for me, this crash really took its toll on me. The NTSB released it’s initial report yesterday. It is just an explaination of the basic facts regarding the incident, no findings yet. However, a member of another race team, who is an excellent videographer, captured the event as it unfolded. Probably the most difinitive video evidence of the event. It can be viewed here:
http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showthread.php?t=9356

The NTSB report can be found here:

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20110917X22412&key=1

Now a couple of facts:

1. The seat did not break, the pilots normally lean forward and to the left for vision out of the cockpit and the shoulder harnesses are left unlocked to facilitate movement during the race.

2. The sudden G-load pushed the pilot flat to the floor boards, doubled over if you will. He was out of it at the very start of the climb.

3. In all likelyhood, the pitch exursion was caused by the failure of the elevator trim tab – Photographic evidence just prior to the event showed a lot of nose down trim dialed into the elevator – not something normall for the really fast racers. When the trim tab failed,the aircraft started an immediate, hard climb.

4. The tailwheel uplock on a P-51 is designed to “release/unlock” at a pitch excursion of 9 G’s.

There has been a lot of speculation as to what happened, and unfortunatley, the media has picked up on this and is running crazy with all of it. Probably the best piece of advice I can give is to wait until the final report comes out from the NTSB. They are the experts and with all of the evidence available to them, they will have the answers.

Everyone take care, race safe and remember, life is short and can be unpredictable, enjoy each and every moment you are given.

[Mike Frank]

This thread has gone to the DOGS!!!!!

[Mike Frank]

OK, thanks for the explaination Curt! From the sounds of the other posts and the pictures, I am glad I was not racing there!!!

As for out west, I am told it is great out there right now… Yes I am still here. I was all set to get moving in the next couple of weeks (building permit delays with the store pushed me back a little) but then on Friday afternoon, Hailey, one of my Great Danes (Black and White one) ran into a utility cabinet on the side of the house (full speed) and shattered her left rear knee cap. She had surgery Friday evening to wire the remaining pieces back together. The vet recommended she not move around other than to go out to the bathroom for at least the next 4 weeks, plus she will have weekly check-ups for the next 4 weeks. So until she gets cleared for the move from the vet, I am still hanging out here…

[Mike Frank]

Frye?????????????????? Frye????????????????? Frye???????????? 😆

[Mike Frank]

Garrick,

I am not familiar with Mychron, but I know that with my Alfano, you had to have the engine running ( tach pick up registering) for the lap timer to work. Try running the engine and testing the beacon…

[Mike Frank]

I can see it now… first came “Payola” then we had and still have “Motor-ola”, now coming soon, “Number-ola”! Where does it all end??? :rotate:

[Mike Frank]

You know its really deep when Great Danes are up to their @$$’es in snow when they go out to go… 😀

[Mike Frank]

I want it TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :box :box :box :box :lame

[Mike Frank]

Brian,

Would you consider changing the min. weight rule? Right now, the way it is setup it would penalize a lighter driver who might team up with a heavier driver.

Right now for a lighter driver and a heavier driver /kart combination to make weight, we would have to add a lot of weight to meet the min weight rule with the lighter driver on board. Then when the heavier driver gets into the kart to drive, they are at a big disadvantage.

Maybe compromize and do an average weight for the team, IE kart weight + driver #1 weight + driver #2 weight… then divide the total by the number of drivers and work out a fair weight for the package. That would let teams with lighter and heavier drivers minimize the amount of weight and still be competitive.

[Mike Frank]

I can come up with something…..

Maybe stuff a Great Dane or two alongside me…LOL or Scooter and Max, riding mechanics maybe?

[Mike Frank]

That depends on your point of view I guess!

[Mike Frank]

Hey Rick,

Do you need another driver?

[Mike Frank]

Day One:
:taz :bump :bump

Day Two:
:bump :bump :bump

Day Three:
:bump :bump :bump :bump :bump

Day Four:
Why isn’t anyone buying my stuff???
:bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump :bump

Continual, daily bumping = :bs:

[Mike Frank]

http://www.coloradosprintchampionship.com/contact.htm

[Mike Frank]

First off, Bandi has only run backwards (clockwise) for a CSC race one time. The normal direction is Counter Clockwise so nothing new there. As far as gearing on a built Honda CR-125, you should be somewhere around 1.65 or so. Hope this helps.

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