Parachute recommendation.

[bharmon77]

What Simpson parachute would someone recommend for a 200 mph lakester? 10', 12', crossform?? I would like to limit this to Simpson for now, if there is some reason why I should not consider this brand please advise. I never argue with success or experience!

BHarmon
Still chiseling away in Ohio!

[Sumner]

It is also going to depend on the cars weight.  They should tell you what you need.  I'd call them and also call Stroud and get recommendations from both and see who you feel more comfortable with,

Sum

[bharmon77]

Thanks Sum, isn't it kind of early out west?

BHarmon

[jimmy six]

My only advise would be to remind whoever you are going to call that this is not for a drag strip and you have a little more room. A hard hitting chute will just about yank you out of a seat over 200. Cross forms are hard to choke down and tri-forms are easier. Good luck

[Rick Byrnes]

I'm in agreement with JD
Whomever you talk to needs to know vehicle weight, and speeds expected, and really needs to understand Bonneville, and how to safely slow down our cars.

My view, if you are building a 200 MPH car, design the safety for 300 MPH, or 50% more mass than you expect.

The most reasonable manufacturer relative to how they listen, is  Stroud.  Bob Stroud also the only real formally educated "engineer"  in the slew of people that make parachutes. (that I know of).
His claim also is that he jumps out of airplanes with his product made by his people in Ok City.  Not necessarily the same parachutes as he makes for us but......

When it comes to parachutes and/or belts I trust his recommendations and very seldom will deviate.

I have used Deist on the Merkur
Stroud on the linerwannabe.
and Stroud on the Fuel Cell Ford Fusion.

Rick

[836dstr]

I agree with JD about the ease of packing a Tri-form. I use a Stroud and found Bob Stroud very helpful. He even answers the phone himself!

The longer the shroud lines (within reason) the softer the hit, but more difficult to pack in a small bag.

It's interesting being at the finish line at El Mirage and seeing the rear end of some race cars being yanked around (including off the ground) by big chutes and short shrouds. Mounting location could be another factor.

Tom

[bharmon77]

Thank you for the help, I did call Simpson and Stroud as you suggested and it was obvious that Simpson tech Line really had no idea what I needed or how make a good recommendation. On the other hand I did get a complete explination of what I needed from Stroud. Every corner that I turn I find that this is like no other race car that I have ever been involved with before!

Thank you,
BHarmon

[SPARKY]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtGmGTHK6qc  this has a video of one of Strouds

[bharmon77]

Thank you Sparky I watches the video and I didn't expect the Stroud chute to look quite like that. I am convinced to call Bob Stroud when I get my car weighed and give him a complete description, I know that he builds a very specific cute for the application. I will order a chute from him. By the way your car sure goes straight!

Thank you again,
Bruce Harmon still chiseling away in Ohio.

[Stainless1]

By the way your car sure goes straight!

Bruce Harmon still chiseling away in Ohio.

Bruce, here is why you want a good chute, Sparky again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPnvgj1Bdgk&feature=related

[Sumner]

By the way your car sure goes straight!

Bruce Harmon still chiseling away in Ohio.

Bruce, here is why you want a good chute, Sparky again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPnvgj1Bdgk&feature=related

Yep and a good one from Stroud has saved Hooley's butt twice.  We can't think of anyway that Bob could have designed a better chute for the Stude.  I'll get his chutes for my lakester.

2006 -- A view of the 223 mph spin from the rear camera.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CU59SUocJoA

2007's Friday's aborted backup run with a spin at about 225 to 230 mph

http://www.youtube.com/jp.swf?video_id=VyWUfWaWEDQ&eurl=&iurl=http%3A//img.youtube.com/vi/VyWUfWaWEDQ/default.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskJt-jgG709YPCBCF6T4oIeZ

2006 Good overall event coverage and has part of Hooley's Spin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eixUJA-scBU&mode=related&search=

Of course the idea is to not spin, but your chute is the best safety device you have if the car gets out of shape.  Don't be afraid to use it as it is better to abort the run and go back and get in line than to go home with a broken car or worst.  The chances of saving a car once it gets very far out of shape is slim to none, use the chute.

c ya,

Sum

[SPARKY]

It can go straight when I have a dry hard track, as the video show we dont always have that !!!!!  lol - --  it is a ribbon---they are softer at high speeds---doesn work well on short tracks at lower speed as I experienced at El M under 2!---

I pourposely didn't get the chute out on the second run to see if the tail feathers would keep it from going around---I sure continue to  pay the price for that pice of knowledge as it continues to contribute to my education!!!!!!!!!!