The Great 1/8 mile vs 1/4 mile Racing Debate

[442OLDS]

Which would you rather race your Stock or Super Stock car on?

[Jim Kaekel]

1/4 mile is the better race, without a doubt. In my opinion, 1/8 mile is tougher to win at with less time for decision making at top end. It also takes alot of the "speed thrill" out of the equation, particulary in a Stocker. Personally, since I do this sport for the enjoyment, I have little use for 1/8 mile racing.

[Brandon Peterson]

Being located in central North Carolina 1/8 mile racing is about your only option....there are quarter mile tracks around but 1/8 mile is still what most run on a bracket program..... I love 1/4 mile racing just as much as 1/8 racing....there is a different speed factor but there are other things that make 1/8 racing just as exciting as 1/4 mile racing.....i dont own a NHRA legal stocker so my options are limited to about 3 to 4 quarter mile races a year with IHRA......but it doesnt matter to me which one i do you still gotta drive both ends of the track...

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by Brandon Peterson

Being located in central North Carolina 1/8 mile racing is about your only option....there are quarter mile tracks around but 1/8 mile is still what most run on a bracket program..... I love 1/4 mile racing just as much as 1/8 racing....there is a different speed factor but there are other things that make 1/8 racing just as exciting as 1/4 mile racing.....i dont own a NHRA legal stocker so my options are limited to about 3 to 4 quarter mile races a year with IHRA......but it doesnt matter to me which one i do you still gotta drive both ends of the track...

In IHRA D-1 you better like both! The 1/8 mile is harder for me at the moment due to top end coming up so quick and a lack of an actual stripe on the finish line at a lot of the 1/8 mile tracks increases the challenge. That said, the 1/8 is a lot easier to dial your car, and all things being equal you decide the race at the start line. 1/8 mile is easier on gas, the equipment. If all the tracks had the "good" timing systems painted their finish lines in addition to the cones I think that a lot of guys would be pretty indifferent.

As my opponent Jim Marshall who I broke against at Skyview in the 1/8 mile so perfectly put it....For us(racers) it just doesn't get any better than this.......And that would apply to 1/8 mile, 1/4 mile, when it rains, etc.

I know it has been said time and time again by many more experienced at this than myself, but if racing brings you joy then the distance doesn't matter. I will say this, in my opinion you would be hard pressed to run into a nicer group of people than at the dragstrips.

Eric

[Jack Matyas]

Don't get me wrong -- 1/4 mile is my first choice and always will be -- that being said lets look at what happens racing the eighth -- get a light and run to the stripe.. period .No time for games --i.e.-- click it at 1000' or some other place -- no coasting - no bogus dials etc- with 1/8 mile racing there is just no time for extras and that appeals to me..................I guess the "Young Guns" could do some of that stuff in the 1/8 but at my age walking and chewing gum at the same time is tough.........BTW , for those of you that know me well -- I spent the first 10 years racing at a track that was a little less that an 1/8 -- but back then they didn't use "dials" .

[Brandon Peterson]

youd be suprised at some of the games being played on 1/8 mile tracks i saw plenty this weekend at piedmont......i love drag racing and it makes no matter to me what length of track i race at i just wanna race nad have fun.......i runnered up at Maryland 2 years ago at my second natl ever and second time running 1/4 mile racing...it was a blast and i look forward to the 1/4 mile races i go to....you diff. have more time to make something happen o nthe other end but you also have more time to watch yourself get beat i know that for a fact....it aint pretty watching someone ride beside you from before the 1000 ft to the 1/4 mile mark...lol

[JOE FIANO STK1267]

I'd rather race 1/8 mile, after last weekend at pittsburg IT WAS SOOOO HOT!!!!!!!! i couln't wait to get out of the car,with the new rules of race pants,its hot inside the car,1/4 mile is fun too,but hard on parts when your buzzing 7500 rpm or better,just my $.2 joe fiano g/cm 1267

[Larry Hill]

Lets Race

[Ed Fernandez]

In 2007 I went to my 1st IHRA race,a double at MIR.I r/u both days thanks to the Bertozzi/Hudlow
team.I was more comfortable at 1/8 mile due to what the Capt. said about mph.Definately easier to judge the fast cars.
Also how many S/SSers are set up to run the 1/8 mile?Most qualify ay .60-.50 under in the 1/8.

[treessavoy]

What difference does it make....just race!

If you want to go fast go to Bonneville, if your racing 1/4 mile you're already racing 1/8 and my car only picks up about 14 mph on the quarter.

Jim R