2016 Shoot Out Rules posted

[Mike Keener]

Looks like the field of cars just reduced it self by one half1

NO WAY THIS DEAL WORKS WITHOUT COMING UP WITH A SYSTEM TO SLOW THE BLOWER CARS DOWN! There is no way to stack enough weight in them for their to ever be any parity so the NA cars get screwed as a result. The fans could care less whether these cars run 7.99 or they run 8.75. It's heads up racing they want to see!

What's next when these cars exceed the roll cage rules? Who wants torch the cage out of their 150,000 car to put a funny car cage in it?

Bad idea NHRA.. This decision just cost me a ton of money. Good thing I still have my trusty 67 Camaro.

[Rat Raceway]

Bummer!

[Dick Butler]

Welcome to the SS wars of 1960s all over again. Factories get excited to win, NHRA collects more money and racers, racers get factored, new parts arrive weekly and the end is in sight again. Apples against oranges or lemons still cannot be factored to race heads up.
Not trying to rain on parade but are we really surprised by the issues? responses and problems?
Fake HP and factoring are again the problems.

[PLankford]

Are you guys sure that they are not intending to run separate 8 car fields in FS/X and FS/XX? Or possibly the fastest 8 against separate indexes? That's how a few others have interpreted the news. They still reference both and if the intent is to only take 8 cars in one class then why still reference two classes that you no longer acknowledge a distinction between?

[fredjohnston]

No mention of payout for these special quick 8 races from NHRA or any of the competitors on this board. Do you guys now worry or think about a payout and racing for a trophy is what you are after?

[Larry Hill]

So now the first alternate is the #1 qualifier, and the rest of the DNQ's get in line for all of the byes. Sounds fair to me, I think I will skip this race.

So if the DNQs go back in with the regular Stock eliminator cars, will the AHFS apply?? That would be fair!!

[Mickey Whaley]

HAHAHA what a country, has anyone ever tried a soup sandwich?

[Jesse Kershaw]

I believe the Quick 8 is the fastest from X and XX combined. Not 8 from each class.

I have significant investment in the success of the naturally aspirated class both professionally and personally. I agree that under these rules an NA car making the quick 8 is unlikely but the cars are still stock legal and if I understand correctly they can still run all-out with no penalty. FS/X will be more like a standard Class elimination assuming none of the cars make the top-8.

It is a positive sign that NHRA is trying something and bringing a new sponsor into a class. For the top 8 cars there will be much higher visibility, which ultimately will give higher visibility to all Stock cars. Why they didn't announce payouts is unclear to me but my understanding is that the reason for a sponsor was to bring payouts for the racers.

I encourage everyone who planned to run FS/X to still do so for the time being. It will give you a voice to request change. Possibly there will be a way to either elevate that class in another way or equalize the combinations such that the NA cars have a shot at the final 8.

Ford is posting $2500 for the winner of X and XX at the Factory Showdown events this year. In this way the FS/X class has a higher value than other Class wins. We are retaining the $2500 that was for the overall winner from the X vs. XX run-off, now for the winner of the top-8 run-off. We will continue to showcase all the Factory Showdown cars as best as possible through Ford's media outlets.

The format announced is not what I have discussed with many of you and was not my recommendation to NHRA, but I do see positives in their announcement and I will focus my energy on getting the most out of it for the sport and encouraging beneficial updates when I can.

There are legitimate concerns being raised and it's important to stay constructive in our criticism and positive about the good things. Change can happen as evidenced by the very existence of the Factory Showdown.

I'll see you in Gainesville!

[Mike Keener]

Jesse,

Thank you for your response and expressing your personal viewpoint as well as that of Ford Racing!

As you are aware I also have a huge personal investment in the NA part of the program and totally disagree with these new rules which virtually wash away any chance of an NA car making the quick 8.

The sad part of this story is that it such an easy fix. All they have to do is back the S/C combos off from having the ability to make an extra 200 HP more than than most had anticipated when they were created. There is no way to bring parity any other way via adding or subtracting weight until the field has been tightened.

Trust me I know from first hand experience that the fans will not care about these cars running in the 8.0's. What they will care about is a wide disparity between number 1 and number 8. All they really want is close heads up competition and they won't care if they run 8.70's as long as it's exciting. Top Stock proved this at Norwalk in 2000 when 25,000 screaming fans watched a group of great Stock Eliminator cars run heads up running 10.20's. The excitement level was so huge that the Top Fuel and Pro Stock drivers and crew members emerged from the pit areas to see what all the noise was about!

With that being said I agree with you in remaining patient and let's see how this all plays out. NHRA has taken a good first step in the right direction in their attempt to do something very positive with the Factory Hot Rods and Paul and I will continue to support the class until changes are eventually made. We will not be at Gainsville but will follow your advise and attend Englishtown, Norwalk, and Indy in support of FS/X cars.

Thanks again for your support!

[Brian4992]

I have received a few messages about rules and class structure this is really all I know:

2.2. FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN COMPETITION. The top eight (8)
racers in the Factory Stock category shall compete in an eight (8)-car
elimination bracket to be held on Saturday and Sunday of each Factory
Stock Showdown National Event. All aspects of the Factory Stock
Showdown will be directed and controlled by NHRA and all matters of
racing operations and interpretation of the rules shall be made by NHRA
in NHRA’s sole discretion. The manner in which the Factory Stock
Showdown is run and the winner is decided may be adjusted by NHRA’s
Racing Operations personnel as deemed appropriate by NHRA.

2.3. PURSE.
The purse for all Factory Stock Showdown events, except the last Factory
Stock Showdown event to be held during each year the Term (the “Finals”),shall be paid by NHRA as follows:
2016
Winner $1,500
Runner Up $1,000
Losing Semi-Finalists $700 ($350 x 2)
Losing Quarter Finalists $600 ($150 x 4)

The purse for the Finals shall be paid by NHRA as follows:
2016
Winner $2,500
Runner Up $1,500
Losing Semi-Finalists $900 ($450 x 2)
Losing Quarter Finalists $1,000 ($250 x 4)

3.1.8. Winner’s Circle at Factory Stock Showdown National Events.
NHRA will conduct “Winner’s Circle” ceremonies at the conclusion of
the Factory Stock Showdown at each Factory Stock Showdown
National Event. NHRA shall provide a Program-branded jacket and a Wally trophy to the Factory Stock Showdown champion.

I hope this clarifies some questions everyone might have.
-Brian