90-percent meh thread
I just wanted to play along with the DU fun we're having today and engage in a little self promotion.
The main point I want to emphasize, as you all get it wrong, is "90-percent" is a reference to the maximum amount of nitromethane fuel allowed in NHRA Professional Top Fuel Dragster and Fuel Funny Car classes.
I'm internet acquainted with a fellow that was approached by Tim McVeigh at the races and refused to sell him drums of nitro when he could not articulate his intended use of the literally rocket fuel. And reported the encounter to police and testified at the trial.
Somebody else did end up selling the stuff to him, but the results still would have been pretty tragic if no nitro was used at all.
The good news is that the nostalgia Funny Car and Front Engine Dragsters are still allowed to use the maximum percentage of nitro commercially available.
Here's a pic of the incident at the 1999 Winternationals at the historic LA Fairgrounds at Pomona that caused the rule change. NHRA bumped it down to 85% max. by the next race, and eventually went to 90% based on feedback from the racers. The owner/driver Doug Herbert lost both his teenage sons in a auto accident about five years ago and now runs a teen safe driving charity called "BRAKES".
-90% Jimmy