Super class survey

[roseracing]

Originally Posted by Terry Edwards

Hi guys and gals. For those who don't know me, I am the D5 super class rep. I would like to give my input on a few things.
First of all, the email that was sent out to the super class racers stated that the Sportsman Advisory Council felt there is a need to lower the indexes. That is not actually true. The council agreed that a vote should be conducted to include all racers' input on if the indexes should be lowered, and we unanimously said yes to an online poll.

I took an unofficial poll at the Topeka division race in August in which I handed out ballots in the staging lanes. Racers returned their vote on some of the same issues you are voting on now. The overall results just to let you know were:

• Index change?.. 75 voted no (leave it be) and 8 voted yes (lower it)
• Super Street racers able to run 2 classes?.. 58 voted yes (change the rule) and 25 voted no (leave it alone)

As you can see, only about one third of the super class racers in attendence responded. I hope there are more that speak their mind to the online poll. Also, all my fellow D5 racers need to vote again on the online poll. I don't want them to think they have already voted from the unofficial survey I took.

I am not going to give my opinion on here. There are pros and cons to both sides. I will just vote on what I think will be best for the sport on the online poll. Thanks, Terry

We had all 3 of our D5 Super class cars in Topeka and we all 3 voted. Terry does a GREAT job as our D5 Super Class representative. Thank you Terry for taking the time to hand out all those ballots. We appreciate you and your time. I was lucky enough to meet Rock at the Chicago all-star race and after reading all of his posts, he's obviously very good at it too. So, thank you to our Super Class reps for, at least, getting this out to let every racer vote on it.

There are some great ideas being passed around on here and some insane ideas. Just so you know, our S/G car could probably run 8.90 and our S/C car could run the 7.90. But, my S/ST car can only run 10.57 flat out. Here are some things to remember.

1. No matter what you do, you will not get more people in the stands for Super Class racing. (Unless you run a free beer special for those sitting in the stands while the Super Classes run).

2. If NHRA does make an index change, some racers will have to change some things and spend more money (me included). So be it. It happens. If some choose to step back and quit, that stinks. But again, so be it. It happens. As Steve Cohen said, this is a step in the right direction (unlike Stock & S/Stock).

3. What will changing the names of the classes accomplish?

4. Banning electronics from Super Classes? That seems like a step in the wrong direction (even though Jason Oldfield may disagree). If it's available and affordable - then why not allow it? It makes for closer racing. Just my opinion. (And yes Jason, our closest race is 4.5 hours away. No local tracks close to us either. Check it out, my zip code is 68776).

5. Capping the MPH is an easy idea "on paper" (and not a bad idea), but almost unrealistic (per Chris Williams post). That will never happen.

6. Splitting the 9.90 class into 2 classes (one for door cars and one for roadsters) is a different idea. Let me take that idea one step further and simply allow the Super Gas "roadsters" to race in Top Sportsman.

So here's what I voted. Leave everything alone (including the Scotty Rule). And here's why.

Super Comp - No need to speed up that class. If they want to go faster, go race Top Dragster. If they do anything, put all the dragsters in one class and dial your own index (No slower than 8.90) and race on whatever tree you want.

Super Gas - If there is any class that would warrant a change in index, it would be Super Gas. Do I think it needs one? No. But, this is the class that's the most out of hand. What's the correct remedy? IDK, I guess look at #6 above. Allow the "roadsters" to run in Top Sportsman. BUT, the only way to make that work is to significantly raise the Top Sportsman payout. Otherwise, why would the "roadsters" want to change classes?

Super Street - Since I can only run a 10.57 flat out, I say leave it. I'm probably being selfish with this one, but I guess that's my right.

Here's to hoping every Super Class racer gets what they want - a safe and healthy 2011 racing season full of many wins. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Thanks,
Brad Rose