Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I was looking at the records page in my latest national dragster. It's ridiculous how many minimum's are there in Stock and Super stock. Nhra needs to do something to encourage racers to want to set records. I have just a few ideas.

1. Earn 20 points for setting records (One per calendar year)
2. Earn 250.00 for setting record(One per calendar year)
3. Free products from companies (Nhra would find companies to participate)
4.Nhra devotes one full page in dragster for anyone setting records( That way the car and driver are recognized plus they could include all the people(I.e. Engine builders etc to promote products used on the race car)

Guys and gals this is just some ideas I was thinking about while I'm still laid up recovering from back surgery. I don't know why this couldn't be done. Hell last year little ole me(nobody knows who I am) raised over 7000.00 in cash,products and services for the K Shootout from 23 companies. If I can raise that type money etc surely Nhra can.

Just my .02

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I've always thought the same thing just needs to be something for setting one to encourage people to do it !

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Back when I set mine, it was 2 rounds worth of points for an ET record you didn't already hold, one round points if you bumped your own ET record. MPH record was one round's points. Back then, we got 100 per round won. You could set it as many times a year you felt like.

I don't think they want to bother with tear downs on S & SS cars if they can get out of it.
Red Anderson had me scared to death first time. LOL

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Ed, I'm still scared of Red.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I learned if you are always legal, and don't try to sneak things by him, he was a great guy. I was 23 first time I raced a points race. Had to pull a valve cover so he could check the head casting number, felt the sides of the block for motor mount bosses, made me take the plastic line off my fuel pressure gauge, outside the car, in front of the windshield. That was a common thing at that time. The car in the tech line that went right through in front of me with no comment had the same thing. I can't argue about that plastic line now. I was fairly monkey-see-monkey-do back then. Just trying to do what the "fast guys" did. :-) After tearing me down the 2nd time, and passing easily, he would actually smile at me sometimes. LOL
Wesely was a whole lot like him. If your stuff is right, both were your friend. If you couldn't keep your stuff right, well........

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I agree. There should be some points reward for the performance end of things. Not mandatory, but it could add some excitement to the points deal.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Great post Ed. You have some great ideas, and yes, if some racers can get together, and generate some sponsor participation, there is no reason NHRA shouldn't be able and willing to do it.

I still believe that the performance part of the class is very important, and it does not have to drive the cost through the roof. Performance can be emphasized and rewarded without making it prohibitively expensive. I do not think a mostly "bracket" format is the best thing for the health of the class. The "bracket" part of it has its place, but it should be co-existing with the performance side, and not the other way around.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

All you get now from NHRA is a paper trophy.

On the NHRA site, and in National Dragster, you don't even get to list your sponsor anymore.

Seems like National Dragster could donate a half page at least once every 3 months and list the 1/8th mile records.

All we get now for 1/8th mile is a semi-hidden page on NHRA's site:

http://www.nhra.com/points/national-records.aspx

( Upper left : click on 1/8th records then click on SS or Stock )


edit;

Here is the direct link to the 1/8th mile records...notice how the sponsors are listed on the same line as the driver's name and hometown.

http://www.nhra.net/stats/stk_rec_e.txt ( stock)

http://www.nhra.net/stats/ss_rec_e.txt ( Super Stock )

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Use to be setting a National Record was held in esteem.
Sure wish IHRA and NHRA would bring that back.
At one time you got some Points.

FWIW I like looking at the National Records.
They are bragging rights and that is important.
Having National Record Holder posted on a car is an image builder for the Sport.
Racing fans passing will see that signature.

It is one of the few selling features we can offer in Sportsman Racing.

Dab of intrigue here and there is fun !!!!.
Especially if a few racers start busting arse to win a class.
Few years back it was R/SA and Q/SA.

Got to bring back making National Records SPECIAL !!

my 2 cents

D

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

At the World Finals in 1971 after every qualifying attempt I was weighed and they checked the fuel even though I wasn't going quick enough to qualify. I finally asked why and they said I was going over the MPH record. The et slip said it was a little over 116 but at sea level it was 121.39 for a new record. I had to take my Cobra Jet apart and it was legal even though I didn't qualify. All I got was my name in National Dragster as the SS/GA mph record holder.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I think one of the reasons there are so many minimums is because there are so many classes.

I wouldn't think sponsors would want to commit to paying every time a record was set because the potential payout could be huge. Even $100 per class that's ~170 classes in Stock and SS, right? Big commitment, especially when several classes might not really have more than a couple cars competing in a given season.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Just curious how did they used to get through events in a weekend? Didn't they used to get 128+ cars in each category?

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Bobby, They didn't have 200 Super cars, for one thing.
We used to have to load the cars and take them to the motels to work on them.
It was not unusual to go to the motel, have dinner, then change a cam, or trans., or ring and pinion, and have it all done by dark.
That would be just about impossible to do today.
Very few had motor homes either, so the after hours socializing and cookouts didn't occur.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I like your idea Ed !!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Correct.
All under the record runs at Amarillo were the new record, after teardown. Even just the MPH record. (Been there, done that. Got the free T shirts)
If you think about it, it made sense, seeing it was the top 5 points earners in each category , each division, who were invited to attend The Finals.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

This issue should be addressed by NHRA and to go further, if a competitor goes under the record, take him apart and make him the record holder. Points should be awarded for et and mph records. Give the accomplishment an incentive and let's see where it goes.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I have been going after NHRA class records for the past 3 seasons, knowing up front the most I can gain is a paper trophy and a micro size line in their bi-weekly publication.
For me it all about the challenge and (hopefully) the sense of accomplishment if all goes as planned.

I know it is alot of work for the NHRA techs to check all that stuff.

I have only torn down a 4 cylinder Stocker for inspection, but those guys have to be familiar with all families of engines from several different manufacturers as well as all the stock and ss rules.

That's a bunch to keep up with.
Hats off to them.

edit: Yes, it would be nice to get something more than just a piece of paper for all the work.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

There are still a lot of senior S-S/S racers out there. Many are not as sharp on the Eliminator side (bracket side) of racing for one reason or another. But a lot of these folks are very sharp on the cars performance. It would be wonderful if there was a way for these folks to leave some kind of mark on their racing career. They may only go a few rounds in the eliminator, but the possibility of setting a record could go a long way to keeping some of these folks around. Now, if there is some type of reward/award for this then it's even better. Some cash... some points... some ink... It's a great idea, and another way to hold onto what real racing is in my opinion. It seems to me that like everything else in our country... S-S/S is getting watered down, and it just don't taste the same and folks don't quite like it the same. The only thing that never gets watered down is your entry cost. We know that polical correctness is alive and well in dragracing with respect to the Ford, GM, and Mopar. Let's acknowlege personal achievement before it gets to the point where no body cares because "everybody gets a trophy" like kids sports... and the sport dies completely

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

accidental double post

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

points and a couple bucks would be fine with me.
3x nhra record holder 08 cobra jet
2hrs to tear it down
4hrs to screw it back together

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Come on now, we set more records than that. We did set records in 3 Different classes with the same car though. Lol
Chuck

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

plus 2 1/8 mile : )

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

no AHFS at INDY or events that have class run off it doesn't make any cent's

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Being a Division 4 car. Back in the day tear down with Red and Wesley. You could race anywhere. Just saying. Anyone agree

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Chuck Anderson also

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

You are correct Bobby B
Thorough and very well checked.
As good as any other division and they carried respect for their work..
Wade, good point.
Some us old guys need to leave something.
Right now there is no reason to try to race a maxed out "Hi Strung" combination that can set records.
The AHFS has limited everything to 1.00 or less under.
Most guys just race in bracket mode.
NHRA needs to put something out there, as such, Dangle the Carrot

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Chuck Nelson?

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I have set 5 IHRA records and eventually going to be have NHRA combo together if I am able to set NHRA records I will set them even if all I get is paper trophy,if could get more than that it would be great.
Mike Taylor3601

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I think the AHFS is the primary reason most racers don't try to set records anymore.
Set a record, get hit with horsepower, your record never even makes it to the Dragster.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

IHRA used to award 5 points (max. 2x per year) for setting a record. People used to set records all the time. Used to be that the Top 10 in points had to come apart *sometime* during the year. Setting records and getting points worked hand-in-hand with that.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I saw all the hard work you did Mike 2 years ago @ London setting the D/PS record, only to not have your name on IHRA's site or in their magazine.
Did you ever get anything for setting the record ?

IHRA hasn't updated the Stock records for a long time.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

I think one of the reasons that NHRA quit giving points for records was that back in the good old days, people would try to drop the record by .01 at a time in order to reset the record as many times as possible. Just like today where you have people slamming on the brakes at the finish line trying to get a spot on the ladder, back then you would see a lot of records set on the brakes. It looked equally goofy to anyone in the stands trying to figure out why someone would be attempting to set a record on the brakes. I am sure the tech guys got pretty tired of tearing down the same car race after race for a .01 improvement.

On a separate note, I think the 2 year rule on retiring records is pretty dumb, a record is a record. I don't know of any other sport where a record only counts for 2 years.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Another dis-advantage at the Divisional races is that you cannot set 1/8th mile records the same time as the 1/4.

Thankfully we can do that at the National Opens.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

beg to differ we've done it at the same time

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Not done that way in Div. 4 Different Div Directors, different procedures.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

O.K.
Maybe I misunderstood then.
Or....is it a Division level decision ?

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

You do all your own tear down. All the tech guy does is measure stuff. Isn't that why we pay all this money? But if multiple small record increments by the same car was actually a problem they could just allow a driver one or two record attempts per class per year. Some kind of award system definitely needs to come back though. Should at least be awarded with a round win points equivalent. I think sponsors would be on board for something - Gift certificates of some kind wouldn't hurt.

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

It took a while to get my certificate,called 3-4 times and then called Jim Woods and he helped me get my certificate, took over a year, used to get them in 3-4 days
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

got mine in 3 weeks

Re: Setting records Nhra needs to step up
 

Wow Mike.

You really had to work for that one....twice. LOL