Indy

[Mike Jones]

Does it make sense to retain the AHFS for the Eliminator, but remove it for Class?

[MR DERBY CITY]

The sport would be served better if WE , the racers, left our AGENDAS in the trailers as we entered the track at INDY....INDY was forever , SO SPECIAL ....but now it’s just another race, and doesn’t deserve AHFS dispensation. .......

[SS/GSI]

To me the answer is simple; however requires more work for NHRA and perhaps given the shrinking and aging population of our tech department, rising costs of operations and logistics for NHRA, it might not be realistic.

More Class Runoffs and more heads ups. Whether the class runoffs are at divisionals or nationals, we need more of them. The more we have, the higher likelihood of the AHFS working. There will be a greater potential of competitors going a second under thus more combinations being reviewed semi annually.

Case in point the "Baby Gators 2021" where almost 200 racers showed up to run for $1200.00 while an hour down the road there was a Stock/Super Stock race on for $10,000.00 which only two dozen racers attended...why? The reason why is because we still want to run for the trophy(Wally), and even though lots of competitors say they race for $$$ or complain about payouts, races which include class runoffs well out attend the ones without them.

Bring back class racing, and even if the entry fees have to be increased to supplemented or offset the costs incurred by NHRA, they will still be attended in higher numbers than those without.

As for the heads up factor, I don't know if going to a 1lbs weight break only, combining sticks and autos or any other combining of classes is the right or wrong decision.

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by SS/GSI

To me the answer is simple; however requires more work for NHRA and perhaps given the shrinking and aging population of our tech department, rising costs of operations and logistics for NHRA, it might not be realistic.

More Class Runoffs and more heads ups. Whether the class runoffs are at divisionals or nationals, we need more of them. The more we have, the higher likelihood of the AHFS working. There will be a greater potential of competitors going a second under thus more combinations being reviewed semi annually.

Case in point the "Baby Gators 2021" where almost 200 racers showed up to run for $1200.00 while an hour down the road there was a Stock/Super Stock race on for $10,000.00 which only two dozen racers attended...why? The reason why is because we still want to run for the trophy(Wally), and even though lots of competitors say they race for $$$ or complain about payouts, races which include class runoffs well out attend the ones without them.

Bring back class racing, and even if the entry fees have to be increased to supplemented or offset the costs incurred by NHRA, they will still be attended in higher numbers than those without.

As for the heads up factor, I don't know if going to a 1lbs weight break only, combining sticks and autos or any other combining of classes is the right or wrong decision.

Also if you plan to try and attend any national events you need grade points. Only place to get those is at the divisional or national open races. Too bad that race was on top of the Baby Gators. If it was another weekend it would have had plenty of cars.

[rboyle]

I ran Indy the last 2 years and aside from the Covid abbreviated version this past year where it was 1 qualifier and fastest pair run for class championship, it has been a great race. 2019 threatened to be tear down barn city. It got watered down when NHRA didn't bring tents to conduct more tear downs but the threat was real. I think the AHFS which burned me this year needs no modification. It sucks but it works. Having it at Indy will hurt some racers. I'm sure we'll see a lot of 1000' runs and hard braking penalties.
Indy will always remain special because it is one of the only National Events where you have a qualified field with alternates.
There is also the almost definite chance that it will be a mineshaft race. The bump the last few years has been -.85 so having 61 or more cars hitting -.85 is almost a given.

[Stephen & Horace Johnson]

So will indy 21 be run like indy 20? Quickest car in 2nd round of qualifier is class winner ?

[james schaechter]

https://classracer.com/classforum/sh...t=19643&page=2

Charley, you make some good points.I don’t agree with all of them. I do think that the core issue is that NHRA execs barely tolerate us. If there were more incentives to perform like points for top qualifiers, setting records and more heads up opportunities that would help.

And Charley- Glad to see you have had a change of heart on making AHFS work! LOL

[Larry Hill]

Indy needs to be two Q runs on Wednesday, we have to get our extra fifty dollars worth. Q3 Thursday morning and then Class to completion for stock. Friday will be S/S day with the Hemi shootout. That schedule worked for years and a big reason attendance was so high, it's not broke so please don't fix it.

I have not been class winner at Indy very often but when anyone can wade through 8 to 12 of the best cars in class, pass tech, receive the trophy, and have your picture taken, there is nothing like it.

If you think about it, having Class winner bump ins and the AHFS at Indy would make for a very interesting weekend!!!!

[Superfan1]

Originally Posted by Stephen & Horace Johnson

So will indy 21 be run like indy 20? Quickest car in 2nd round of qualifier is class winner ?

Stephen, last year the 2 quickest cars from Q1 ran each other in Q2 for the class trophy.
However, last year Indy was only a 4 day race (Thursday-Sunday). This year Indy is a 5 day race (Wednesday-Sunday), so I am hoping for a return to a more normal Indy Sportsman schedule with qualifying on Wednesday and class on Thursday for Stock and on Friday for Super Stock.