Lets Root Cause the Detriment of Class Racing

[Signman]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Okay, I see where you're going.I really didn't notice it hurting much of anything though.

That was 12 years ago too. I just looked at St. Louis with 156 cars, and you'd have to look long and hard to find anyone who can't go 3 tenths under the current indexes.
Seems to me, if it's really supposed to be a performance eliminator, there has to be some give and take on both ends.. meaning lower the indexes X amount every few years and raise the triggers X amount to keep things balanced for the sake of progress.
Otherwise eventually, every time there's a heads up run , somebody's getting hp. Everyone else is de-tuned or ET dropping to avoid the trigger.
I know, some people want the hits...for the other combo in their class, but where will it end? With just more 1000' runs, I'd guess.
This is giving me a headache, I do know that much.

I believe lowering the indexes actually influences racers to add the expensive enhancements to make HP

In 2009 came out with my stocker after building it from scratch for 5 years. I had some good people to talk to and massaged the car front to back. Engine and trans were quality but not what would be called state of the art. After reading and hearing as well as getting solid advice to not get disappointed if it couldn't run the index it did the first run by the end of the year could go -.90, was competitive and did some damage. 2010 the index dropped .3 was able to find another .10 with -.70 the best it would go.

Well after a few races the ladder was no longer friendly and became obvious a couple of faster cars were always setting up for and easy heads up. Got tired of trying to avoid them along with some looking down their nose at me. As Gino advised several times "opened my wallet". The car was pretty well massaged as I constantly worked on it and the tune another good comment was "Frank all you need HP".

So the Italian came out........

Would not have done all the expensive "updates" if the indexes were left alone, all that happened was those who were protecting their combination sped up. My old engine could go 300 runs not vary much in HP and need a basic freshen, the good engine wants attention after every season.
Won't regret what I learned and the good people met during the process though!!