Heads up class clarification

[JP1738]

Couple of things here given this is semi-related and I don't want to start yet another thread elsewhere:

If I were to run someone in the same class as me, but one is an auto and the other is a stick, is it still heads up? I don't think they run class with each other, but I didn't know how it applied during the race.

Also, where are the procedures for the actual race itself defined? As in, where does it say it's a handicapped start bracket race, must dial at least your index, heads up run if you match up with someone in your same class? I just looked through the rulebook on Stock and it really doesn't describe the actual running of the race with any detail. I understand how the class is run at this point, but I'd love to find an official NHRA resource that describes it more officially that I can point others to who have questions about the class.

[Doug Hoven]

Originally Posted by JP1738

If I were to run someone in the same class as me, but one is an auto and the other is a stick, is it still heads up? I don't think they run class with each other, but I didn't know how it applied during the race.

No, not even in what is considered a class "combo" would a stick and auto car run heads up. If there is only one car in some classes, they run a class "combo," which is heads up, handicapped start based off the indexes of the respective cars. This can be very good fun to watch. As for the other questions you have, on page 1 of section 11A of the rulebook it states "Category is based on a handicap start using the NHRA index
system; breakout rules apply." I have not "mastered" my way around the rulebook, but I'm sure it is spelled out in there somewhere. Also being part of the "slow car" against the index club, take special care to notice your potential first round opponents between qualifying runs. I've noticed a pattern in D1 of where other "F/SA" cars in my case usually end up after being 2/2 for getting a heads up race first round. Personally, I'd rather bracket race a "hitter" first round than have a heads up run with someone that has me covered by half a second, but that's just me.

[Glenn Briglio]

Originally Posted by Doug Hoven

No, not even in what is considered a class "combo" would a stick and auto car run heads up. If there is only one car in some classes, they run a class "combo," which is heads up, handicapped start based off the indexes of the respective cars. This can be very good fun to watch. As for the other questions you have, on page 1 of section 11A of the rulebook it states "Category is based on a handicap start using the NHRA index
system; breakout rules apply." I have not "mastered" my way around the rulebook, but I'm sure it is spelled out in there somewhere. Also being part of the "slow car" against the index club, take special care to notice your potential first round opponents between qualifying runs. I've noticed a pattern in D1 of where other "F/SA" cars in my case usually end up after being 2/2 for getting a heads up race first round. Personally, I'd rather bracket race a "hitter" first round than have a heads up run with someone that has me covered by half a second, but that's just me.

What about the FWD classes that run stick and automatic in the same class ?

[Doug Hoven]

Originally Posted by Glenn Briglio

What about the FWD classes that run stick and automatic in the same class ?

Billy is going to be disappointed when he see's that I forgot about him. I'm not sure about factory stock, being that they don't have separate classes for stick/auto either, but FWD do run together. FWD stick cars must add 100lb to the class weight to make it "even."

[Dan Bennett]

There a lot of procedures not mentioned in the rulebook.

When I was writing for Super Stock and researching the nitrous issue, I was lucky enough to come across something I'd never seen. It was an internal NHRA book published for NHRA officials/employees and was never released to the membership. It wasn't on the production level of the rulebook, but just a bunch of typed pages on normal paper. I can't remember if it was bound or just stapled together.

It contained things like what you're wondering about along with a lot more things that covered a lot of race and tech etc, procedures that at the time were what we were all used to but weren't in the rulebook.

I can't remember the title of the thing though something on the order of General Procedures comes to mind. Sadly. it disappeared during a move a long time ago. Wish I still had it and I honestly don't know if such a thing still exists.

[Adub464Q]

Originally Posted by Dan Bennett

There a lot of procedures not mentioned in the rulebook.

When I was writing for Super Stock and researching the nitrous issue, I was lucky enough to come across something I'd never seen. It was an internal NHRA book published for NHRA officials/employees and was never released to the membership. It wasn't on the production level of the rulebook, but just a bunch of typed pages on normal paper. I can't remember if it was bound or just stapled together.

It contained things like what you're wondering about along with a lot more things that covered a lot of race and tech etc, procedures that at the time were what we were all used to but weren't in the rulebook.

I can't remember the title of the thing though something on the order of General Procedures comes to mind. Sadly. it disappeared during a move a long time ago. Wish I still had it and I honestly don't know if such a thing still exists.

This is the tech policies and procedure manual, I do not believe it exists anymore within Tech in my discussions. There was an initiative to write most of the manuals content into the rulebook. I could be wrong and it still exists, but I believe that Tim White wanted to do away with the manual and only have the rulebook.

There is a policy manual that exists in the tower of races for the race/division director.

[JP1738]

Originally Posted by Adub464Q

This is the tech policies and procedure manual, I do not believe it exists anymore within Tech in my discussions. There was an initiative to write most of the manuals content into the rulebook. I could be wrong and it still exists, but I believe that Tim White wanted to do away with the manual and only have the rulebook.

There is a policy manual that exists in the tower of races for the race/division director.

I wish it wasn't shrouded in secrecy. I think racers should have access to that information too. A little bit of transparency goes a long way. Also, if you ever wanted to get into class racing, without a knowledgeable person that's already participating, you wouldn't be able to learn squat.

[Todd Gross]

Factory Stock runs manuals and automatics together .

[SS3860]

SS/AH runs stick and auto