So.. Why aren't RACERS trying to set National records!?

[Jim Caughlin]

NHRA doesn't even consider them important enough to list them in Nat'l Dragster. That, along with the two year rule made me decide it wasn't worth my time.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

[tommy d]

As a teenager I would read the NHRA records page so often that I had many of your names and hometowns memorized. Miss that about the DRAGSTER.

[bubski]

Bubski is thinking the problem is class racing has been overtaken by bracket racers looking for a a sitting duck who just wants a personal best ET for whatever conditions may be be !! Not very many racers left who would stay in it all the way to see if they made a positive move in Performance !! The bracket people figured this out quick and made it less desirable to work on your combo or for that matter to care about national records , that drove the record setting performance mentality out of class racing for the most part . Sure theres still guys working their AZZ off to be the best in their class but most of the time their just along for the ride with the shoe polish like the bracket guys !! Racing just like politics !! NO real leaders just politicians !! And not many real racers just bracket guys !! Nothing against bracket guys they play the rules given to them and Stock and Super Stock are pretty much the same as bracket 2 nowadays !!

[Billy Nees]

Ya know, there's "car guys" and "racers". Every once-in-a-while there will be a guy who's both but not very often.
There's not many "car guys" left. I guess they've all gotten old and gone streetrodding (ugh).

[GUMP]

I think the fact that the records are no longer published has had a big impact.

The NHRA makes a huge deal about Pro records being broken, but has gone in the opposite direction with Stock and Super Stock.

[Mike Pearson]

On the racer side lots of us stock and super stock racers are getting older. I will be 64 this year. Early on in my career I was able to set the record in my car a couple of times. Right now I dont even know if there is a record in my class or if it is at the minimum. Personally I dont want to run qualifying all day then tear my engine down to do tech then put the thing back together to race the next day. I do build my own engines and am perfectly capable of doing that. Just dont care to. I am sure there are some that buy their engines and have never taken one apart and reassembled it to race the next morning.
Now at the D2 races we have been running one or two rounds on Saturday afternoon/evening so that eliminates the record setting and tear down. I cant remember the last time I saw someone tearing down to set a record. Especially an old guy like me.

[Brett C]

ZERO incentive!

[Glenn Briglio]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

On the racer side lots of us stock and super stock racers are getting older. I will be 64 this year. Early on in my career I was able to set the record in my car a couple of times. Right now I dont even know if there is a record in my class or if it is at the minimum. Personally I dont want to run qualifying all day then tear my engine down to do tech then put the thing back together to race the next day. I do build my own engines and am perfectly capable of doing that. Just dont care to. I am sure there are some that buy their engines and have never taken one apart and reassembled it to race the next morning.
Now at the D2 races we have been running one or two rounds on Saturday afternoon/evening so that eliminates the record setting and tear down. I cant remember the last time I saw someone tearing down to set a record. Especially an old guy like me.

In division 1 we have open races to be able to set a record. I did set a record and went thru the full teardown procedure. I was by myself and it took me a full 12 hours to teardown and put back together. I'm right there in age and it took all I had to do it. I set my mind to do it and glad I did. Now I won't be doing it again this year but glad to have great tech people to get it done. I did have help moving my car back to my trailer from a great Hoven family!

[Frank Castros]

If one did want to set a record wouldn't a National Open be the best time to do so?

[Robin Lawrence]

I have wondered the same thing. I know that the technical expertise and manpower is getting slim. We are blessed in Division 3 to still have the people that can perform a thorough teardown.

Since I was recently the subject of their inspection we chatted about this at Norwalk during a break in their duties. National points, contingency, the list in National Dragster were mentioned. I also think that many racers(Bracket racers? LOL) are not wanting to tear down and put their stuff back together. They have their engine builders for that. I was amused by the big name builders in the barn at Indy in the past. .

I wonder also if NHRA see's National Record program as not cost effective. As in the return really doesn't justify the expense. I get it. At some point these classes evolve. New ideas and fresh thinking. If the competitors don't care why should they.

It has always been one thing that I admired. Another goal at some point.

Robin