Part of what hurt drag racing

Dick Butler · 09-18-2014, 03:26 PM

mike pearson, if the classes were based on seconds then there were break outs Right?They could "pedal"it at the end to win?

Rognelson: Class racing is wonderful if you have a one combo class. The minute someone finds a loop hole car or bogus motor end of story. I raced GT/AA for several years and it was great. Only two combinations were running and they were a coin flip on hp rating. Then Small block combination runnin1000 lb lighter same class. Then bogus Truck motor. Result several years of fewer equivalent cars to race for trophy.
IF one motor per class or based on lb per cubic inch same specs that is REAL class racing....
Also Class racing with current rules can be very expensive due to wild equipment and machining available.

randy wilson · 09-18-2014, 03:36 PM

Brodie spec. Same head flow, all 3 manufacturers.

Mike Pearson · 09-18-2014, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

mike pearson, if the classes were based on seconds then there were break outs Right?They could "pedal"it at the end to win?

Rognelson: Class racing is wonderful if you have a one combo class. The minute someone finds a loop hole car or bogus motor end of story. I raced GT/AA for several years and it was great. Only two combinations were running and they were a coin flip on hp rating. Then Small block combination runnin1000 lb lighter same class. Then bogus Truck motor. Result several years of fewer equivalent cars to race for trophy.
IF one motor per class or based on lb per cubic inch same specs that is REAL class racing....
Also Class racing with current rules can be very expensive due to wild equipment and machining available.

Yes they could peddle it but both cars leave at the same time and run hard to the end. Not like the Super categories' that use the electronic throttle stops that bog at the start. plus with the 3 classes you fall into the one that is closest to your target number. They are definitely entry level classes. and heads up. The index thing just keeps the cost down. What you are talking about is heads up no break out. It could be done but the cost would be very high to be competitive. Look at comp or any other no break out class. Huge bucks. Just look at what happened to top stock. Good for a few years then the big buck guys killed the class and now its gone

I was watching the online coverage of one of the IHRA points meets earlier this year and from watching that coverage the most boring class was the SC dragsters. They are like watching paint dry. No wheels up action. They all look the same. The stupid throttle stop thing make it even worse. Drop the indexes on the super categories by a second and a half it might be a bit more interesting.

There is no cheap way to go class racing. I am not real fast but enjoy what I do.
It all boils down to the track operators promoting the show that they already have to put some butts in the stands. No matter what kind of class you have running if there is no promotion there will be no spectator interest. When is the last time you saw any type of advertisement for a local race of any sort. Not even a mention on the sports report on the local news unless something bad happens. Its not up to the racers to promote we provide the show.

Rick Leininger Jr. · 09-20-2014, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Class racing is wonderful if you have a one combo class. The minute someone finds a loop hole car or bogus motor end of story. I raced GT/AA for several years and it was great. Only two combinations were running and they were a coin flip on hp rating. Then Small block combination runnin1000 lb lighter same class. Then bogus Truck motor. Result several years of fewer equivalent cars to race for trophy.
IF one motor per class or based on lb per cubic inch same specs that is REAL class racing....
Also Class racing with current rules can be very expensive due to wild equipment and machining available.

What combo did you run in GT/AA? How quick?

What is the "bogus Truck motor" combo?

What is the one single combo that should be the only one allowed in GT/AA?

What is the one single combo that should only be allowed in each of the other 25 GT classes?

What "wild equipment and machining" are you referring to?

Just trying to learn.......

Dick Butler · 09-21-2014, 10:42 AM

Well I can answer honestly fearing despite the fact I fear that the wording of the questions points to you thinking I think only one car should be legal for GT/AA or other GT classes.
I ran 454/425 hp at 3610 lb. My best winning time for class was 9.51 when all the cars were basically the same motors or the 454 oval port motors which ran very similar et.
This was class winning time my last year at Indy. This car could still race class but without much chance of winning.

454 low compression truck motor which was able to run 8.60s to 70s. That makes it seem bogus in factoring. Someone else might remember the hp rating. Smart find by the builder but points out the fallacy of using HP for classification in the long run.

I say no to a single combo in GT/AA question since that is not current rules but .... Might be helpful to make it so the racing does not involve another 30K motor every year and complete changes of combination to be able to compete.

25GT classes -Same answer.... Not current rules.....

Wild equipment and machining--- Honda rod bearings, oversided cams. Ported Heads and manifolds. Exotic materials....

Many successful racers love things the way they are. That is fine. I believe the rules should be simplified for ONE or two classes for growth of class racing. Aging racers points to need for entry level for new people who might not have parents currently involved.

Rick Leininger Jr. · 09-27-2014, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

454 low compression truck motor which was able to run 8.60s to 70s.

Wild equipment and machining--- Honda rod bearings, oversided cams. Ported Heads and manifolds. Exotic materials....

8.60's in GT/AA? I'd sure like to know what year/factory hp that 454 combo is?

Anyone know?

Honda bearings in Super Stock? Wow

What's an oversided cam?

Ported heads and manifolds have been around a long time in Super Stock haven't they?

What exotic material is being used? You don't have to tell me what it's being used for, I know some things need to be kept to yourself.

Thanks

09-18-2014, 03:26 PM	#1
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Part of what hurt drag racing mike pearson, if the classes were based on seconds then there were break outs Right?They could "pedal"it at the end to win? Rognelson: Class racing is wonderful if you have a one combo class. The minute someone finds a loop hole car or bogus motor end of story. I raced GT/AA for several years and it was great. Only two combinations were running and they were a coin flip on hp rating. Then Small block combination runnin1000 lb lighter same class. Then bogus Truck motor. Result several years of fewer equivalent cars to race for trophy. IF one motor per class or based on lb per cubic inch same specs that is REAL class racing.... Also Class racing with current rules can be very expensive due to wild equipment and machining available.

09-18-2014, 03:36 PM	#2
randy wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N/A Posts: 882 Likes: 0 Liked 22 Times in 22 Posts	Re: Part of what hurt drag racing Brodie spec. Same head flow, all 3 manufacturers. __________________ don,t have one

09-21-2014, 10:42 AM	#5
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Part of what hurt drag racing Well I can answer honestly fearing despite the fact I fear that the wording of the questions points to you thinking I think only one car should be legal for GT/AA or other GT classes. I ran 454/425 hp at 3610 lb. My best winning time for class was 9.51 when all the cars were basically the same motors or the 454 oval port motors which ran very similar et. This was class winning time my last year at Indy. This car could still race class but without much chance of winning. 454 low compression truck motor which was able to run 8.60s to 70s. That makes it seem bogus in factoring. Someone else might remember the hp rating. Smart find by the builder but points out the fallacy of using HP for classification in the long run. I say no to a single combo in GT/AA question since that is not current rules but .... Might be helpful to make it so the racing does not involve another 30K motor every year and complete changes of combination to be able to compete. 25GT classes -Same answer.... Not current rules..... Wild equipment and machining--- Honda rod bearings, oversided cams. Ported Heads and manifolds. Exotic materials.... Many successful racers love things the way they are. That is fine. I believe the rules should be simplified for ONE or two classes for growth of class racing. Aging racers points to need for entry level for new people who might not have parents currently involved. Last edited by Dick Butler; 09-21-2014 at 10:45 AM.