01] We got tips from chassis builder Grant Downing at Worsham Racing. He says at pro-level events such as the NHRA Mellow Yellow Drag Racing Series, after a car makes the turn out off the track, a track worker will usually grab the chute off the ground, roll it up, and set it on the rear of the car.
02] Grab the chute, stretch it out on the ground, and then walk back to the rear of the car. Grab the top shroud line and use that as your guide to unravel the others. By holding the top line in your hand as you walk to the end of the chute, you can quickly untangle all the other lines.
03] Now grab all of the chute panels off the ground, taking each skirt band so you can hold all four panels in one hand.
04] Stack them together like this.
05] You can fold the rest of the chute away from the car or walk the panels back to the rear of the car.
06] Fold the panel stack in half lengthwise once, and then fold the panels again in an S-shape.
07] Next, grab the chute lines and roll them up like a garden hose, laying the roll right on the last panel fold.
08] Then fold the panel pack once more onto the roll of chute lines.
09] Load the assembly into the chute bag with as much of the chute line inside as possible to reduce the risk of it getting caught in the wheelie bar.
10] Place the pilot chute on top of the chute pack, applying pressure to the spring so you can close the chute bag.
11] Insert the packing cord into the pack using a short piece of string to help thread the cord through the chute-bag panels.
12] Thread the cord through the grommets in the top and bottom panels.
13] Next, thread the cord through the left and right panel grommets.
14] Thread the chute release cable through the end loop of the packing cord.
15] Pull the string out of the packing cord in the opposite direction of the release cable, minimizing the risk of pulling the cable out of the packing-cord end loop. The release cable will hold the chute bag closed until the driver yanks on the control lever inside the cockpit of the car.
16] During transport, a cable tie or a small screwdriver placed into the end loop of the packing cord will prevent an accidental chute deployment.
Care and Maintenance
The chute should remain unpacked between races. If left packed for long periods of time, moisture will deteriorate the chute, and the compressed chute will wedge itself into the pack and will not deploy properly, if at all, even with a spring launcher. Store the chute in a dry location out of the sunlight. A milk crate is the perfect container. You can machine-wash the chute with a mild detergent, but it must be hand-dried.
Contacts
Worsham Racing Incorporated; Orange, California; 714.974.1394
