True Horsepower Classes in NHRA

[Jim D'Amore]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

Jim,

The HP rating that NHRA places on any combo is just a factor. Not the actual HP developed by the engine. It is used for comparison only. You can tell the spectators what your actual HP really is if you choose to. My car is rated at 295 factory and 313 NHRA factored HP and actually makes about 615.

Mike,


Thank you for the reply, so your saying they compare them to what the factory said the original power was? If its just a number they throw out there to say how much your car has to weigh, then I would like to keep away from Horsepower being added when running the cars to their full potential.


Most of the cars we work on are already in the highest class now called FS/A. The index on that is 9.70, to keep it an average of .85 under the index means you have to run no faster than an 8.85. Our cars will run 8.40's. There is no class above this for us to go faster. It still would be cool to see the cars rated for what they really make.


Jim D'Amore