HP Changes Posted, AFHS Changes for 2015

[Nick Heath]

http://www.nhraracer.com/default.asp

AHFS Changes:

To decrease the potential for horsepower/index adjustments when favorable atmospheric (i.e. “mineshaft”) and/or track conditions may have contributed to extraordinary performance the NHRA has developed a system to protect the racers’ horsepower/indexes. If at the conclusion of qualifying the first competitor in the bottom half of the field is -.850 seconds or more under the class index, the Q and E Data will not be used for the mid-year and year end reviews. This will only apply to qualified fields of 32 or more cars. Automatic changes due to runs of -1.20 or more under the respective index will still count at these events. At any event where the Factory Showdown is held, no runs by Showdown cars will be used in the mineshaft calculations.

In addition, the combination must NOT make two runs of 0.650 or quicker or any run 0.850 or quicker during the past two (2) review periods, for the review to continue. Once a combination receives a horsepower increase it is not eligible for a decrease for three (3) years.

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by Nick Heath

http://www.nhraracer.com/default.asp

AHFS Changes:

Hmm, if these don't go in effect until Jan 1, 2015 then my math says I should have gotten 3hp back this last review.

[Bryan Worner]

This Mineshaft rule will almost never come into play in Super Stock! Look at all of the races in "good air" last year, where has the top of the bottom half been .850 under? I saw Indy was "mineshaft" but that's about it.

My suggestion was, "if it's mineshaft for Comp, it's mineshaft for all categories!" Others had that opinion also, but I guess the powers that be thought that would be too simple.

[Marty Buth]

Does this mean that the Indy U.S. Nationals will be considered "mine shaft" conditions? It took more than .850 under the index to make the 128 car field.

[Nitro Joe Jackson]

just glad I don't have to keep track of who is getting hp'ed anymore way to confusing.

[Mike Carr]

Marty, I would say yes. Only the 1-.200 (excluding FSS) penalty is in effect there, the way I read it.

Bryan, I would agree. Mineshaft for Comp = mineshaft for everyone. But Comp uses -.61 under for the first car in the bottom half (11 in a 20 car field,. 17 in a 32 car field, etc). I'm not sure what number would be fair to use. -.61 would make a lot of races 'mineshaft'. -.85, like you said, only Indy might make that cut and 1-2 others. It took -.882 to MAKE the show at Indy in Stock. Not sure what a fair number would be; maybe -.75. Just some more fun stuff to debate before Pomona.