Over at the NHRA.com site, one of my favorites, I read that the NHRA Technical Services is making all Top Fuel cars run what they're calling the "Electrimotion Safety Shutoff Controller". This new rule will be in effect for the 2009 NHRA Drag Race season. The Electrimotion Safety Shutoff Controller was designed by Dave Leahy of Electrimotion of Delaware, Ohio. Electrimotion.com has a very detailed explanation of what the box does detailed on his website in Adobe pdf form. Download the info here: Drag Race Safety Device info. The basics are that the device will: Sense manifold burst panel failure Activates the fuel shutoff, Shuts off ignition, and Deploys parachutes Pretty cool, but am I the only one that's thinking, "Its about time!" I almost can't watch drag racing since the death of Eric Medlen. I never knew him, but he seemed like a nice guy and as part of the Force Racing team, I always routed for him. Then John Force got seriously hurt and next Scott Kalitta died. I don't know all the facts, but shortening the track wouldn't have saved Scott. Shutting off the fuel and...

You'll never guess who's a new member at Ford's media site? MyRideisMe! We'll keep an eye on what's happening with the performance cars and racing action over at the Ford site and post it here so you won't have to look around. This first story hits close to home for me. When Eric Medlen died I had trouble watching drag racing. I've always liked John Force so I cheered for his teammates as well. Eric just seemed like a good guy from watching him in interviews too. That whole incident hit me hard.The John Force Racing team reaction was over the top. They've re-examined EVERYTHING about safety in their funny cars and is doing the right thing by sharing all of the data with the NHRA and the other racing teams. The latest step is illustrated in this story from Ford Media. At Force's request (I'll bet) Ford's doing the in depth engineering study needed to make sure these 7000 HP monsters are as safe as they can be. Great work guys! Courtesy of Ford's Media: DEARBORN, Mich. – Accelerating safety development in the sport of drag racing, the...