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Prick ears are nothing new, occasionally medieval manuscripts will talk of dogs with prick ears (q.v. Le Levrier niais, Bib. Natl. MS 12203a). However, it was with Downing in 1977 that the track world became aware of the efficacy of the prick ear. When coming into the first turn, the dogs must jockey for position, and decrease speed dramatically, so as not to go sailing off into the paddock area. Keith Dillon felt that what was needed was an air-brake system, similar to what was being employed on the Air Force's new F-15. Downing was the first and finest product of Dillon's directed breeding. Downing was able to sustain higher speeds further into the first turn, thus being able to pass the other dogs as they slowed. At the critical point, Downing huge ears would pop straight up off his head, providing critical air resistance and slowing his speed dramatically, allowing him to make the turn. Eyewitnesses at the Hollywoodian in 1977 reported the "ka-WHUMP" of Downing's ears coming up was audible over the entire track. Invariably he lead races coming out of the second turn, and dominated down the backstretch. Tragically, it was an ear accident that cut Downing's career short. During a training race, Downing entered the first turn, but only his left ear deployed, the right ear, ironically, in a perfect rosette. The unstable aerodynamics of his half-deployed braking system pulled his head first down, then up over his left shoulder. Downing courageously avoided the traffic of the other dogs and attempted an emergency stop. Unfortunately, it was too late and Downing smashed through the outside rail, spun across an open area, and came to rest in a sno-cone concession. Downing did survive the accident, which Richard Petty compared to his dramatic turn two disaster at Darlington in 1967, however his hock was shattered and he could never race again. Keith Dillon, undaunted, pressed onward with his breeding program, producing Perceive, Nicky Finn, Keefer, Understood, and a host of others with the revolutionary air-brake system. Mr. Dillon was sued by McDonnell Douglas (designers and manufacturers of the F-15) for copyright infringement in 1980. The case is now in its 11th set of appeals, and is expected to reach the Supreme Court by about 2007. In other legal battles, the owner of the sno-cone concession was awarded $.75 in compensatory damages, and $11.7 million for pain and suffering.
DYNO-MUTT
SYSTEMS Using
the most advanced breakthroughs in genetic engineering, the discarded
design, and aged superstructure of a test vehicle codename "Lindsey
Party", Dyno-Mutt Systems, Inc. research teams have been at
work. Background investigations show that this vehicle is a direct modification
(mod. 4) of the land speed record holding "Downing" design.
Having no desire to experience the tragic structural failure and "crash
and burn" (see Ear
Aerodynamics,
above) due to improper air scoop deployment, we have made the
following changes.
Actual performance testing was held recently in a remote area (56?)
In New Mexico and military installations of southern Colorado.
It was there that the Lindsey upheld the field of honor (mom's
apple pie, yadda, yadda, yadda) and we found that the system works.
One point yet to be solved by our team is that every time we are
ready to leave the test sites, we are told to get "BOB".
After five recurring "Get the BOB" we really think we should
look into this. Strange. Yours at DYNO-MUTT SYSTEMS, INC., Robert J. Summerhill President & King
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