New cars, old cars and horsepower ratings.

[Marvin Robinson]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

As I stated, NHRA is not going to step on the toes of the OEM and the new Super Cars. Again, that is my opinion. Like it or not, the AHFS is the platform these cars were built on and approved by NHRA. The OEM's submitted some HP figures and NHRA rejected some and negotiated on the others. I can't see NHRA doing anything on these cars other than allowing the AHFS to do it's job.
A keystroke will reduce the HP on the older cars. Me, personally, it wouldn't matter what defines "older" cars. I mentioned previously 1992 (Pre-LT-1 SBC) but if 2008 (First Drag-Paks), fine. Either 1992 or 2008 seems reasonable to me.

Jeff, if it's that easy to re factor the older cars, that would be the preferable route, everyone gets lighter, and maybe a little less breakage, too. I personally would welcome the opportunity for new/old to race heads up in a fair contest.

[Marvin Robinson]

Originally Posted by Marvin Robinson

AMEN... we keep coming to the same conclusion. The BIG problem is the HP factor for the newer cars.

If factoring the "older" cars is as easy as Jeff describes in his following post, lighten 'em up to even up the competition, and I think most of the S/SS community would be behind this move. Fair heads up runs is what we're after.....

[Lew Silverman]

Any idea how long everyone thinks the AHFS is going to fix the under-rated New Cars?

If the New Cars have us covered by so much, why would they need to run so quick as to trigger an AHFS review?

So unless they have to run heads-up, and someone wants to make a performance statement, how long until the AHFS "works"?

Lew

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Marvin Robinson

but I think adding HP to the newer cars is a far simpler, easier and fair way to balance, compared to making changes to hundreds of older cars

If NHRA adds HP to the newer combos(without the AHFS) it will push the newer combos into a lesser amount of classes and for some combos right out of Stock into SS. The manufacturers want to be in as many classes as they can be, not just the top 1 or 2.
I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for any changes.

[Ed Wright]

I agree with Billy.

[Todd Hoven]

Its simple, the manufactures do not want old cars beating the new ones. Its bad for the business of selling new cars. NHRA does not want us , we don't pad their pockets like the big three. Every year the new cars will get superceeded with parts to keep the HP ratings low enough to maitain their dominance over the old ones. Nobody who has any power to controll this cares about us. The faster people come to realize this, the better. NHRA does not want us here anymore. Same thing happend in 1972. Instead of kicking old cars out of the guide, they will just make us irrelavent, and obsolete. Its on its way..

[Barry Polley]

The fastest way to get older cars competitive again is give back index or take away HP. It will increase car counts, put folks back in the seats and not just driver seats. Yeah the fast guys will fly but it will bring up the entire class. It should be done across the board. Comp, SS and Stock. I don't agree with the swapping of power plants. That's SS and should stay there.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven

Its simple, the manufactures do not want old cars beating the new ones. Its bad for the business of selling new cars. NHRA does not want us , we don't pad their pockets like the big three. Every year the new cars will get superceeded with parts to keep the HP ratings low enough to maitain their dominance over the old ones. Nobody who has any power to controll this cares about us. The faster people come to realize this, the better. NHRA does not want us here anymore. Same thing happend in 1972. Instead of kicking old cars out of the guide, they will just make us irrelavent, and obsolete. Its on its way..

"BINGO" You hit the nail right on the head.

[Jeff Lee]

BINGO I think your wrong. There is a monetary interest for NHRA in keeping S/SS and there sure isn't enough of a Pro field to keep the track temperatures up all day. Nor is there now or in the future enough 2008+ Super Cars to carry the banner.
But if your looking to get out (or stay out), then yea, it's all a miserable failure and you can justify your position.

[Todd Hoven]

I'm not giving up Jeff. I have nowhere else to go. I love banging gears and the NHRA experence. National events, Class and the Prestege of racing our sport. If I have to take beatings from the new cars for the rest of my time class racing so be it. I just dont have to like it.
I've spent a year trying to get a replacement head for my car. Edlebrock and NHRA basically have told me to Jump in a lake. Anytime we ask for help on parts its a big no. Everybody in the eliminator has a replacement aluminum head except for round port Pontiacs, and I bet the castings we have to buy are more expensive than anyone else in the eliminator. You should know you have owned a few of those type of cars.
I hear everybody brain storming about how to make things right. Untill I hear someone from higher up make a statement that supports the older cars at all, or acknowledge that there is a serious imbalance between the super cars, and the production/traditional cars I'm not getting cheery about it. Suggestions to run cratemotors, new motors, nitrous, superchargers. Turbine engines, take 20 HP off of everybody, will not change the situation.
It seems to me that NHRA dosent have the same opinion that some of us do.
The new cars are very good for the sport, and for the future. I just wish it was a closer balance between us...