2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

I would like to clarify some questions with the 2023 AHFS.
I talked to a lot of people lately and most are not quite sure how this really works.

Here is a short and sweet version of the New AHFS Guidelines.

New AHFS Guidelines

1. ALL runs under -0.65 the index will NOT be used to compute year end averages on any combinations (this essentially eliminates half of all competitors competing in STK/SS)

2. ALL runs over -0.65 under the index will count towards computing the year end average for each engine combination. Your best qualifying run at each event(including C1 class runoffs), all other class runoffs and elimination runs will be counted in the review data.

NOTE: All NHRA National Opens and Jegs All-Star runs do not count towards the year end review data

3. There is no more “Mineshaft” rule.

4. Two one second under runs on any combination, regardless of the class, will trigger a year end review

5. The automatic HP threshold has been raised from -1.20 under the index to -1.30 under the index. This will initiate a minimum 5.25% increase in HP and/or -0.25 change in index the Monday after the event which the run occurred.

6. If the engine combination is reviewed at the end of the season and found to be over -0.85 under in any individual class and/or across the entire engine combination family a HP increase and/or index decrease will be initiated.

7. If the engine combination reviewed is deemed to be over -0.85 under, the FASTEST run made by that combination throughout the year will be used to calculate the HP increase and or index decrease. (ie. Engine avg. is -0.856 under but the fastest run was -1.17 under, a 2.25% increase in HP and/or 0.10 decrease in index will be initiated)

NOTE: A realistic minimum run data threshold should be implemented immediately. Looking at the statistics curtesy of Nitro Joe’s Statistics. A -0.50 under the index minimum run data threshold would be more conducive to calculate engine combination run data averages.


I hope this makes it easier to understand. Below is the link to the NHRA AHFS as it is written.
https://www.nhraracer.com/content/ge...633&zoneid=132


If you would like to receive Div 1 SRAC emails and updates, please email me at Marty@RinehartsPerformance.com with your Name, Class, NHRA#.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Kudos and nice work Marty for the Cliff Notes explanation above. Now THIS is the type of help that we need from the SRAC reps! Thanks.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

I would like to take this opportunity to Thank all the D1 racers that voted for Marty Rinehart. Thank You, Thank You , Thank You ….

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Marty,
Thank you for your great work. If I missed it, will Indy 2023 be AHFS free and unaccountable?

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Thank you Frank,
At this time, Indy will be included in the HP review data for STK/SS.

What is everyone’s opinion on this subject?
AHFS at Indy or No?

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Where I believe this is heading is towards a true performance based heads up system after this is "sorted out" in a year or two. So instead of class only heads up runs, ALL of eliminations can be heads up runs. Isn't this the way it should be anyway? Bobby F, Your thoughts? You should be rewarded for choosing the best car for the best class and doing the best you can at building it.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

They need to eliminate the AHFS for all class run offs. It has nothing to do with points. It’s what heads up class racing is about. Who has the fastest. Not who can figure out the best way to slow their car down. Put the fun in class run offs. I know racers that have the best parts, spent tons of cash to have a fast car and will still not run fast in class eliminations due to the present rules. And I don’t blame them. Just my opinion.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

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Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

They do tear downs at D1 opens every time a record is set in Canada.Seen it done many times.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

I was at Firebird Raceway near Boise and watched class run offs last year. It is run off the class index and is fun to watch, I stand about the 1200 foot mark. I will be there again this year and plan on seeing some great racing. See you all there.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

I don't often post here but I have a question. What would be the problem with making the review trigger for two runs at -1.1 instead of -1.0. Even after seeing the first couple of races this year it is pretty clear to me the recent changes made to the AHFS are not the answer. Cars are running slower. They did increase the instant trigger to -1.3.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

The fast run triggers the amount of HP you get. The glory will be very short lived for some as by year end they will be moving a class. There is a rule in place and it will be way too late for some to see the value in .70 under runs. I hate to quote Al Corda again but it is free to pay attention

Under Index Horsepower Increase

1.000-1.099 1.25% 1.00 under

1.100-1.199 2.25% 1.10 under

1.200-1.249 3.25%

1.250-1.299 4.25%

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Just to be clear!

This is not being brought up to stir the pot, it is simply to educate some of the racers who weren’t paying attention to the consequences of going fast. Hence, getting HP added to their combination.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

It looks like that if you aren't willing to slow down and bracket race , you will certainly get HP at the end of the year.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Class Racing used to be like wearing a Banana Hammock and now it's more like wearing a Potato Sack.

Let it fly my brothers and deal with it.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

After you my friend!

Tim Stickles

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Who's going to buy your stuff when your down 20 HP and running slow ?? The AHFS was created to equal out some soft combos ,but now it's not the soft combos that will get hit , it will be the combos that people have spend a lot of money and hard work developing new parts and technology to go fast. The new AHFS is going to hit a lot of combos --.85 or more under and using the fastest run for the year of that combo to determine how much !! ( BAD IDEA )

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

All this rule has done is turn all of us into .something racers without electronics. -.65 or -.70 doesn’t matter. I was told that the purpose of the rule was to try and put performance back into Stock & Super Stock. Looks like that’s working out really well. Seems to have had the exact opposite effect! Mike McMahan 2543 H/ SA

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

How about this for a novel idea, work the AHFS backwards. Let the fast combos go as fast as they want with no penalty. Since we have the HP welfare system in effect anyway and many fast Racers are very good at manipulating it why doesn't NHRA just keep track of the slow combos and in an expedited fashion (not once a year) give them back HP to let them be more competitive. If a combo's average is less than -.65/-.75 and the overall average is -.85/-.95 then give the combo back the HP that it needs to BE a -.85/-.95 player in one shot.
BUT, if a Racer gets caught sandbagging or gets caught with any kind of a throttle-stop in the car, he gets tossed for that race and has to take his points but loses his grade point.
Fast guys get to go fast, slow guys get to go faster, everybody's happy!
(Yeah right, the person who can make every Racer happy should stop wasting his time and cure cancer and end all war!)

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

What difference does it make? There is no motive to go fast anymore.
How about no AHFS or accountability for heads up runs, class eliminations and Indy?

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Frank - that's exactly the problem , work to go fast just to get penalized , not because you have a soft combo , but because you put the time and effort (money) to go fast . This new AHFS is going to hurt class racing !!!

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

How about no dial ins, first to the finish line wins?...

....and if you go more than .x under you get hp instantly.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Kinda like the way it was done in the 1960s!

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Billy's concept is worth pursuing but those who possess power would not feel their supremacy when the underlings are happy. It's human nature which has not changed ever.

AHFS now in place makes some sense if the object is to get soft combos in line by creating pain for going fast or slowing down. I spent more effort developing a slow tune it is really frustrating.

What makes no sense is including Class Eliminations from 2nd round to the final. This is in conflict with the NHRA own rule.


"No runs made during exempt events, National Opens, test and tune, time trials, 1/8^th mile events or races within a race (i.e. Jegs Allstar eliminations, Stock / Super Stock Combos or other races that are not part of a season long points championship) are included in any review"


Class Eliminations score no championship points or have any impact other than 1st round.

Class eliminations at LODRS and National Events from 2nd round to the finals should not be part of the data base these runs score no points or influence points.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Every time I read a post stating "I am fast because of hard work and time", I laugh. Did anyone think maybe this will help the class as there is no Need to Port and Mill the crap out of heads, use pistons with wrong ring package, light weight crank/rods with small journals, etc. It might just Bring it back to "Stock" racing. Before anyone posts they are going -1.00 under without doing what I stated please just stop.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

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Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Didn't seem to be too much of a deterrent for quite a few in Belle Rose.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

In case you don't already do so, it might be wise to review the Classification Guide for your combo for hp adjustments that did not appear in the LATEST UPDATES section on nhraracer.com. I know.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Yes,they have factored engines effective 01/01/23 without notifying us.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

They told me Stock was it difficult to understand , I guess they were correct.

Steve Teeter Stk 620

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

Marty,
That was an excellent post, well written and informative. That's exactly why I supported the guys voting for you in Division 1. I knew they'd be getting a great representative. And they did.


The rest here is NOT directed to Marty.

As far as it goes, it looks a lot like NHRA is seriously penalizing guys who have something that runs. That hit in Marty's example is pretty harsh.

And you know, my junk ran 1.00 under, and it did NOT have anything illegal in it. The idea that anything that runs 1.00 under must be illegal is total crap.

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

As we have just had experience with this at the Baby Gators I would like to give our explanation to the way it played out. First and most important to the scenario is that my son has only been racing for the last year and a half. He is 21 years old. There were 3 cars in our class and with an index of 11.00 he won the first round but went 9.984 for the first trigger. So now he is in the final against a very good competitor. So my choice was to protect the combo and deny him his first shot at a possible Wally or do you let him race for it???

Re: 2023 AHFS system "cliff note version"
 

:DAs a father I think you made a very good call. Your son now has a class winner Wally. Kudos to him on a job well done.