A little help from those smarter than me
 

As you all know, I am a common man and not the top bulb in the tree. I have been looking at FSS/A and FGT/A on the new format. Now from what I have been told, FSS//A is a 5 lb per hp class and FGT/A is 6 lb per hp class. Now from simple reading I have observed that both have an 8.80 index. Not being able to reconcile these, I appeal to my fellow racers on Class Racer for help. So help me here; a new Copo with say 450 hp might run FSS/A, but the same motor in a 69 Camaro at the same weight might run FGT/A at one lb per hp heavier, but both have an 8.80 index. If my thinking is correct (always suspect) the old car in qualifying has to run 450 lbs heavier than the new car? Someone tell me what I am missing here.

Re: A little help from those smarter than me
 

Mr Jeff, you are a funny guy, and also correct. Laid out below shows the problem is strongest @ 6#/hp class.


6.0# FSS/C 9.65 & FGT/A 8.80 = .85 Difference in index @ same race weight

6.5# FSS/D 9.90 & FGT/B 9.20 = .70

7.0# FSS/E 10.05 & FGT/C 9.55 = .50

7.5# FSS/F 10.20 & FGT/D 9.90 = .30

8.0# FSS/G 10.25 & FGT/E 10.00 = .25

The difference in FGT is crazy strong. For those who are not understanding or aware: The numbers above are basically a penalty for switching a motor into a different body with the same race weight. Now, I have switched the same drivetrain from a 3rd gen Camaro into a 05 Cavalier, and I believe it is .08 to .10 better. Unless you are switching from a 60's full size wagon, I do not see how it is possible to gain more than .15 by just switching bodies given the same weight.

Jeff had shown the problem from a weight perspective, and I have it in an index perspective. But anyway you look at it, it's not right.

Hopefully someone @ NHRA will see that there is a problem/mistake here, and fix it.

Re: A little help from those smarter than me
 

Jeff, you aren't missing anything. By bringing it up here, I expect changes will be made.

In NHRA's defense, so many combinations and car bodies. Probably requires 3 full time people at a time when all of us are trying to minimize expenses.

Re: A little help from those smarter than me
 

Could it be they want to discourage folks from putting the new engines in older cars??

Re: A little help from those smarter than me
 

I know from past years when F/GT etc was established and NHRA added 23 new SS classes bringing the total to 109 classes, NHRA used stick indexes to effect the move from GT to FGT and I got caught in a .25 change in index. I can't really tell but maybe someone could look at the indexes in the Stick classes in relation to the new classes in F/GT. The purpose was to accommodate new larger motors in other than stock bodies ( a 2010 426 in a 68 Hemi Cuda). It appears the index does not match the new classes 6.00 to 7.49. What do you think?

Re: A little help from those smarter than me
 

Seems like they could just lose the FGT classes all together.
All factory motors can run in the FSS classes and keep those indexes.
Old cars have nothing to do with this. You can run a new factory car in FGT. Just claim 1 year difference. It happens all the time

Re: A little help from those smarter than me
 

There is no reason to have separate classes for Factory bodies and/or engines in the first place. They just need to be factored properly, but no one is willing to do so. It's a farce. There's also no reason to have higher safety standards for Factory bodies and/or engines that are SLOWER than the 'traditional' cars which have lower safety standards. ...and on and on and on. The whole thing is asinine.

Re: A little help from those smarter than me
 

The easiest solution is to do away with the FGT classes and put us back into regular GT. Then allow the AHFS to take care of HP factors in the same manner that it does with the traditional SS/GT cars. If my memory is correct, there were some very fast traditional SS/GT cars at the 2016 U.S. Nationals.

Nick

Re: A little help from those smarter than me
 

I would like it better if they got rid of the GT classes altogether. Then you would have superstock and factory superstock. It would get rid of Half the classes, and allow NHRA to keep the factory cars at the top of the qualifying ladder. GT classes are outdated. It was intended for newer body style's with older motor combinations. They got rid of the 1980 and older rule years ago. Why do we even have GT classes?

Re: A little help from those smarter than me
 

good