DR AG I LLU S TR ATED ROUN DTABLE
Balancing
Performance
and Safety
Thoughts on maintaining
the balance from inside
and outside the car
BY JO S H H ACH AT
T
he ultimate goal in drag racing is to win and to
do that, pushing the envelope as far as performance is not
just necessary; it’s usually required. But in making advance-
ments – and sometimes at a rapid rate – those associat-
ed with the sport know that safety must not be left behind.
Drag Illustrated spoke with drag radial
standout Lyle Barnett, who is currently thriving
while driving Jason Digby’s Dodge Dart, and Al
Billes, a former standout Pro Mod driver who is
now a crew chief and tuner to top names in the
class, about the balance of performance and safety.
In this discussion, each took a different angle
when it comes to safety and performance. After
his own harrowing crash and fire at No Mercy
in 2015, Barnett talked about the importance
of trying to be as safe as possible when it comes
to the driver’s own protective gear. He stressed
how vital it is for drivers to hold themselves ac-
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countable, while Billes also focused on the driver.
His viewpoint, however, was more on the actual
aspect of driving and how critical it is for the
driver to be in tune with everything going on in
the car and during the run. Both talked about the
importance of safety, making sure it stays on a
parallel course with performance and the aspects
that go into ensuring it happens.
When you hear about performance and
safety, what is your ideal balance as you try
to push forward in terms of performance but
also make sure there is still a strong concen-
tration on safety?
Lyle Barnett: I’m now a firm believer in the
belief that there’s no such thing as too much
(safety). I started bracket racing when I was 15
years old and I still wore a full one-piece suit,
driving shoes and driving gloves, and a full-face
helmet. I consider that the minimum now. At
the time, my dad put me in what I should have
been in and maybe a little more. I have a whole
new respect for safety after what happened and
what I went through.
Doing a little bracket racing now when I’m not
in Jason Digby’s car, I’ll still wear my (SFI)-20
jacket and pants, and my gloves. I still probably
go a little overboard according to some, but as far
as the balance, I don’t care what you’re driving; if
you’re in something that’s considered a race car
and something crazy happens or you’re on fire, in
my opinion, no matter what you’re driving there’s
no such thing as too much (safety).
As far as the heads-up drivers go, you’re an
idiot if you think it’s okay to get in one of those
cars with anything better than (SFI) 5 on. You’re
a glutton for punishment and there’s just no sense
for it. I know what it costs to build one of those
cars and if you can afford to compete at that level,
you can afford a firesuit that’s a (SFI)-15 or a 20.
You think you’ll have enough on until it happens
to you and then you won’t think that anymore, I
can promise you that.
Issue 121