Indy Tear Down

[Jeff Teuton]

It was not what you would call an exciting day. We tore down one V10 (BB/SA) and one 6.1 Hemi (A/S). All OK. Nothing worth a discussion (that means we left some). But in my observation when I took a break from checking head gaskets for NHRA (just trying to be helpful) there were a couple of things that made no sense. There was a 440-6 Challenger B/SA, Div 5 car, qualified middle of the pack in the always popular B/SA, lost first round. It had the old steel heads (some new Edlebrocks were allowed recently). Why in the world was that car there? And your astute reporter noticed some other stuff that one must wonder just what are the qualifications for teardown; go fast (not in that instance), win class (not in that instance), got some new parts (no 1970 ain't new parts). And there were several other cars that I don't really know what was to be learned from taking them apart. Then in Super Stock in SS/DA which we have a car in, Allen Wade (might be Alan) 69 Camaro 396 (I guess), Div 3, beautiful car, qualified No 5 in a 5 car field. Lost first round of class. What's the point? I mean a 69 Camaro. How many 69 Camaros have been looked at; how many that did not run to the front. And not very fast on that day. (Sorry Alan). Everyone was very courtious (and so was I), and that's a job with all that iron apart in the hot weather. Seems there would be some sort of logical order to this stuff. I just don't understand the purpose to take down the low qualifiers or folks that didn't even runner up in class. Of course like Forrest says, ' I'm not a smart man'. But I do know what smart is. Someone help me in my time of mental distress. I guess next year all 5 will come down. And I must report that everyone's head gasket was ok.

[boster]

Jeff , how about this one , car win's class SS/AAA and goes more then 1.25 under the index . Get's the index hit 2 tenths and does not have to tear down . Whats up with that ?

[Dave Casey]

I like the way they do it, it is random, and that way racers never know and will not manipulate the system to their advantage. You just gotta assume that you will be in teardown and if not then you get a day to relax. There has never been a test ,be it goin fast or whatever that got you into the barn. The closest thing was when all class winners were taken apart 10-20 years ago.

[Jeff Teuton]

Dave, I understand your point and it is well taken. But I must disagree. Unlike Obama, there should now be some rhyme or reason to do anything. There are virtually no inspections other than National Records or protests. If the car has little or no effect on the class or eliminations, then there is no point. And as pointed out by booster, anytime something like that occurs (1.20 under), there should be an inspection. I fully understand the new parts, new total car, new motor (like the new 426) where 1 passed and 1 failed, or if someone is playing games out there inspections are the aforementioned 'rhyme or reason' to tear someone down. I don't mean this as a fault of NHRA or anyone involved, but it is 2013 and even I have to change (according to my wife anyway). I also understand there must be regulation because it would be "Racers Gone Wild" if there wasn't. Must be some middle ground here somewhere. I missed a whole half day of drinking beer and visiting because of that. Whole Half Day. "English Gone Wild'.

[GTX5877]

I was always under the assumption they wanted to see what 'stock' really looked like

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by boster

Jeff , how about this one , car win's class SS/AAA and goes more then 1.25 under the index . Get's the index hit 2 tenths and does not have to tear down . Whats up with that ?

I think anytime index or HP rating is going to be affected, mandatory teardown should commence.

[Wade_Owens]

Originally Posted by GTX5877

I was always under the assumption they wanted to see what 'stock' really looked like

Now remember, "stock" is different from factory! LOL!!

Wade

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

I think anytime index or HP rating is going to be affected, mandatory teardown should commence.

At Gainesville I went 1.26 under fast enough to get 2 tenths off my index. Drove right to Danny Gracia after weighing and fuel check. Fully figuring to get checked. My car is only fifteen minutes work for the teardown crew half hour to 40 minutes for me, just pump it and measure wheelbase and overhang.
He told me he would let me know the next day (during eliminations?). I checked back with him the next day he said no tear down.

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Wade_Owens

Now remember, "stock" is different from factory! LOL!!

Wade

D1 tech once threw me out for to little compression. Their books showed .004 out of the bore, I was .030 down the bore.
Another time their numbers in the book were off (by .375) for deck height. It would have been impossible to start the motor with their specs. I pulled a piston to show them And the director went through the diatribe about "stocker" pistons not always checking legal.
Went right over his head when I explained these were stock (put in by the factory on the assembly line) pistons unaltered never out of the motor before. And if they were not legal what the heck was.
California okayed it the next week. But I was not allowed to race the race, and they never refunded my entry fee.

[Stock4106]

Jeff, I agree with you that looking at most cars isn't necessary. However, with the AHFS, every car that qualifies affects the overall average for their combination and we should know it is legal.