Do you believe that the NHRA techs are doing their job?

[Adger Smith]

Scott,
The condition of the SSX class indexes are the results of being hit by at least 4 racers that can and do and have gone fast. This has been an evolution of many years. They are an example of how the AHFS works when you have guys that go out and run fast. I'm pretty sure the inequalities you see in traditional SS and GT classes are the same results of AHFS adjustments. So, are you saying the AHFS isn't working? Are you proposing that NHRA goes back to the old way with a HP committee that equalizes all classes with internal politics and the stroke of a pen? (thats not for me... no more socialism)
By the way the credit for modifying the X indexes in the last 10 years goes to:
Tim Cole SS/AX
Rich Oakes SS/CX
In SS/ BX I can't remember if it was Josh Edwards or Tibor who relocated the index. It was Ray Vierheller that worked on SS/BX before those two, (same car that Tibor and Josh use)

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Dave Ley from Div. 1 and Travis from Div. 3 are among the best NHRA has on staff.

I'll agree, and add Wesley Roberson, and Harry Ferrari.

[mtkawboy]

Weve gone from a buddy getting DQd at Indy for class in the late 70's for 1 TRW pushrod mixed in accidently with the other stockers {huge perfomance advantage there } to $4500 cylinder heads on stockers, a giant leap for all mankind. Im sure the techs have their hands tied by NHRA's lawyers, thats just my opinion anyway. Talk about a thankless job !

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

I'll agree, and add Wesley Roberson, and Harry Ferrari.

Absolutely!

Also Don, even he still won't talk to me.

[Stocker 449]

I do agree that the NHRA Techs are doing thier job. The stock/superstock techs are amongs the hardest working people at an event. I do not travel much, however I do know that the tech officials here in Division 4 are definately hard working people. These people definately do not do this to get rich by any means, your looking at just a hair above minimum wage. Yes, the rules have definately been laxed throughout the years. They enforce the rules as they are told to do so by NHRA regardless of thier judgement on certain rules. If you have a problem with a certain tech official let the Tech Director of the certain division know. Not all people are going to know every last thing for every single car. Normally some new type of information that is brought to an official, is going to be welcomed with open arms (granted that it is done correctly). More types of cars have entered the playing field since the 1970s, as well as different generations that view rules differently.

With that being said, I once again say that yes, they are definately doing thier job to the best of thier abilities. There will be more knowledgable people than others on certain subjects, but not everyone can be perfect.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

I'll agree, and add Wesley Roberson, and Harry Ferrari.

But Wesley dosent work National events anymore but yes he is good....one of the best. I enjoyed working with him back in the early 70's . Im not familiar with Ferrari.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

But Wesley dosent work National events anymore. I'm not familiar with Ferrari.

There's a reason for that. I'm not telling. Harry has been around long enough he said he knew Jimmy Bridges when he was slow. Redman is no dummy, either.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

There's a reason for that. I'm not telling. Harry has been around long enough he said he knew Jimmy Bridges when he was slow. Redman is no dummy, either.

I know the reason also and Im not telling either.....lol.

[Toyotakid]

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

Scott,
So, are you saying the AHFS isn't working? Are you proposing that NHRA goes back to the old way with a HP committee that equalizes all classes with internal politics and the stroke of a pen? (thats not for me... no more socialism)

That is great information on the MX history, and I definitely don’t want to get into making Stock / Super Stock political. However, it does not make sense that a reasonable index factor cannot be implemented without stifling hard work and ingenuity. I am making the trip to Indy this year and I know I will not qualify given the rules I have to play with. Scion wants us there so we will go ... but how do you explain to a sponsor you did not qualify or even have the chance to do so because of rules?

[dwydendorf]

I think that the NHRA Techs are doing as much as they can given the era in which they are teching in the cars. Back in the 1970's when I went to Indy, a friend was having his C/SM Mustang teched in at the Nationals and a tech guy looked over his carb. The tech guy said to Marty Barrett (NHRA"S Division 3 Tech Director at the time) hey Marty, what is this carb? He proceeded to say a Ford Part number and Marty Barrett said " thats a 735 cfm 428 CJ carb. Do you guys know you can run a little bigger carb and how valuable that is to a restoration guy." Marty knew most of the Ford parts because he worked in a Dealership as a parts guy and was also fimilar with many of the Musclecars of that era like many of the older tech guys today. In 2010, many of the younger guys didn't grow up in that era so it is hard for them to know every detail of what was factory available and what wasn't. Given the era and circumstances the tech guys have to deal with now , I think they do a pretty good job.