Is there a supreme tech god for Stock and Super/Stock
 

Is there a person in the NHRA or IHRA that is availible 24-7 to answer a tech question that tech officials are not in agreement on during a race? Kinda like an on duty director that could make a judgement call, an end of the line tech official. Or is (Bruce or Pat NHRA) and (Hank or Mike IHRA) that person and availible 24-7 under a secret number? Is there a master rule book/on line progran that gets much more involved, and deeper into the subject matter. I always hear the east coast, west cost rule book thing. Also the fact that people run things for years and get thru tech, then all of a sudden....can't use that! WTH! It seems like there would be a "master manual" (for tech officials) to help standardize and provide consistancy to minimize an incorrect interpitation of a rule. It would be nice to call in a question to D-1 and get the exact same answer from D-7. If they had a master program in print or online for the tech officals....it could be that way. And it should be that way, because D-1 folks race in D-7 and vis-versa. In defense of the tech departments, there is so much to know with S and S/S. There needs to be a place to go for the true facts. Also updates, rule changes, amendments, and tech bulletins could be viewed in just a few seconds online. I feel this would level the playing field, and allow the racers to proceed with more confidence in the rules enforcement. What's not to like?

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Is there a supreme tech god for Stock and Super/Stock
 

Great idea, Wade!

Now let's see who steps up to make it a reality!

Lew

Re: Is there a supreme tech god for Stock and Super/Stock
 

Good luck with that one..lol rule book says subject to change on a LOT of the pages...
DW your" un-official"......

Re: Is there a supreme tech god for Stock and Super/Stock
 

A rulebook is subject to interpretation by the tech officials and racers alike. I think it's impossible to make wording that would cover all situations. It's like the tax code...all interpreted in different ways. And it's all legal until you get caught! lol

Re: Is there a supreme tech god for Stock and Super/Stock
 

Wade, I think some of the Tech guys live for the "gray areas" of the rulebook. What can you do......get a letter of approval for every nut bolt and washer on your car?
I like the concept that you propose and I think Wesley could handle that job, but he doesn't deserve the grief. It's going to take a real glutton for punishment and a strong personality to take that job. TP

Re: Is there a supreme tech god for Stock and Super/Stock
 

I think it would be tough for sure. The way Wesley explained it to me "If the rule book does'nt say you can.....you can't". This would alleviate the gray area because the rule book would have to say you can directly. The issue with that would be, the ability to be innovative. And in most cases at the upper end of innovation means $$$$. I just feel that if a racer was to bring something new to the table that had not been seen by tech before, it would be nice if a supreme ruling could be made. And if it was accepted, a revised/adjusted rule could be put into the master book and/or online for all tech officials to view. This would just be an attempt to keep everyone on the same page as far as rules enforcement!

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Is there a supreme tech god for Stock and Super/Stock
 

Key words in the rulebook are "any" and "only". I personally wouldn't have a problem with the aluminum 3rd members for 9" Ford users, and, so what if it is aftermarket. That's what this industry is driven by....the aftermarket!
But.....if the 2011 Drag Packs can use a Ford 9" does that allow all Mopar racers that option? If Tech is getting spread too thin then maybe they need to pick their battles and start by the using the word "any" a little bit more in the rulebook.

When was the last time someone collected protest money? Just curios.

TP

Re: Is there a supreme tech god for Stock and Super/Stock
 

As far as safety there should never be any grey areas, but from a mechanical standpoint there are so many different cars and combinations I sure it is very difficult to cover any and all situations. I think NHRA has done as much as they can when it comes to engine specs for each combo ... from runner volumes, valve sizes, stroke, bore, piston/rod weight, (things you can measure) but after that some things you just can't measure and put in the rule book. Those other specs are left up to interpretation by each tech. I am not saying this is right or wrong, but those are the facts. Hence, left coast, right coast rules.

What I would like to see for any 'ruling' or interpretation by any tech person would be that they should fill out some kind of form or paper work defining the situation or infraction, what they ruled and why and file it in a NHRA data base for future reference. Then they could review this data base info and come up with more of a base line for setting the rules. Over time they could minimize the 'grey areas'. But this takes time and effort and I am not sure they have the staff or time to do it.

Re: Is there a supreme tech god for Stock and Super/Stock
 

There is no performance advantage to the aluminum chunk ,other than a few pounds that will have to be made up anyway. ...So why not allow them.
The "9"inch housing some Drag Pak cars are using only utilizes the housing stamping . It has a different mounting flange that accepts the Mopar 8 3/4" aluminum chunk [good luck getting one!], not the Ford 9'" chunk.

Re: Is there a supreme tech god for Stock and Super/Stock
 

Wade, Very good idea but Glendora, now Indy and there lies another problem. Where will Danny be ? The way I see it 2 of the best, Travis Miller and Wesley Robenson have been belittled, forced to change their decisions and had their pay cut. When you have 2 tech men with the knowledge of these 2 have why not use them ? Instead they are pushed farther away. Wesley had more info on HP for the AHFS but was removed from the committee. I do not think NHRA can handle a national scale rule book when it comes to Stock and SS, there pick of the week check at national events is about as far as they can go. Real tech done at Indy often is changed by Danny, if the head guy runs the ship and continues to do so Stock and SS are doomed, the rules have been diluted to a point of no return.