"WHAT IF" part 4

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by art leong

And personally I think there is quite a bit of fan appeal. When a car like mine runs a SS/AM car and gets a 5 second head start. There is a lot of anticipation as the SS/AM is going 65 mph faster than me at the stripe.
In my view that is good racing.
I only wish nhra would run qualifying off the index. That would give people a reason to watch stock and super stock.

Thanks for bringing that up, Art. That was going to be in my next post.

I would hope a new association would be better at promoting fast vs slower, handicap racing.
First thing you do is run time trials off the index with a staggered head start. It takes no longer for both cars to complete the quarter mile. What it does, is give spectators and racers alike, a preview of what our actual races look like. Plus ,it's good practice for the racers.
There is nothing so boring ,even for me, as two days of time trials , waiting for the lower class car to complete his run. Imagine what the casual spectator thinks.
Now, watch what happens during actual eliminations with the big head starts. Half the spectators stand up and cheer for the slower, underdog car, and the other half cheers for the come from behind rocketship A or B car.
It's all in the presentation, and the capability of the announcer at hand.

FWD cars- This calls for a different post. Still working on that.

[Dick Butler]

Art, Not to drag this out but did you answer my question?
If you had a choice in a drag racing organization of qualifying at NHRA or IHRA meet and earning nothing or possibly racing for $!000 every time you raced which would you chose?

This is not about doing away with anyone, any car or transmission. I understood it to be about doing something which could HELP Drag racing,in general. Maybe help get sponsors? maybe get people to watch and get sponsors to notice Stk or SS as a place to PAY money for winning or sponsoring.

The Date of the racing isnt at issue only the numbers of classes.( which affects the above)

[art leong]

Dick if what you are saying is true.
Then Top Stock should be equal to or better than building a better mousetrap.
"Your" opinion is there are to many classes. But you know what they say about opinions.
Have you ever thought about the possibility that a manufacturer would rather be able to sell his wares to a larger segment of cars, rather than just a few?
As far as money is concerned sure I'd like more of it. BUT If I had to spend $15,000 to make $1000 you can keep it
How about you build a Prostocker they will pay you $1500 get to qualify. And no Challengers or blown Mustangs

[Ed Wright]

[QUOTE] I only wish nhra would run qualifying off the index. That would give people a reason to watch stock and super stock. [QUOTE]

Div 4 does that a lot. Makes it more interesting for sure. And unless you can run more than 1.4 under, no reason to not go flat out. It's like Pat's CIC race, with no index penalty or money. A few do sandbag in qualifying to end up at the bottom when everybody knows they are faster. Guess I'm too dumb to understand why that is.

Still looks like a bracket race from the grandstands.

[udog1]

Yak , I'll wait for that post @ add my opinion. FWD Race cars!!!!!!!!!

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Because all you do is "BITCH AND COMPLAIN" and do your really think for a second that anyone in the grand stands likes to watch a FWD car or even cares?. Be honest..... I doubt it. Be happy with what you have now. The average spectator wants to see a show of some sort for his dollar. Without spectators you have nothing. Thats exactly why they vacate the stands when you guys run. They have better things to do and are not interested. You can quote me all you want as I just dont care anymore. I went thru this crap when Top Stock was started years ago with all of the whinning and complainning and I just dont need it or you. Have a nice life.

Terry,

With all due respect for your thoughts, my performance at, and the fans apparent groans after I lost my '06 quarters race to Ryan McClannahan (Mile Highs) as told me by other racers, should beg to differ with your thoughts of fans not caring about watching FWD race cars...don't believe me, call Bruce Kamada @ Bandimere Speedway, and ask him about his comments about me after my .006 package in Rd three at the race, and them talking about me again after round three was over (I heard that myself as I was cooling my car down). Not all fans share those thoughts of yours about fwd's or the whole category...

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

15 to 15.75 or so. There are some really cool stuff that runs U and V. I used to love (still do) the old Oldsmobiles like the ones that Jack Mullin's and Racing Head Service (Ivars Smeltniks) ran. Tom Goulds Corvair is an icon and he can still kick butt at his age. I hope to have his health when I get there. Im partial because Ive done his heads (for free) since the middle/late 70's and they have ALWAYS passed NHRA and IHRA tech. I did Bill Drevo's Citation X-11 (front wheel drive by the way) heads (in the stone age-early eighties) when he set the NHRA record at Rockingham years ago so YES I like the slower cars also. I also think Clayton Wrights U/SA wagon is one sweet ride and have thought about a 60 Chebbie wagon like Captian Jacks for myself now that the 3 speed is legal but that is a lot of weight to haul to the track. Think what you want about me but I like ALL stockers and most S/S cars. I remember when being a member of "The SLUG ARMY" was a badge to be worn proudly and not a put down as some seem to think.. I guess that was before your time and several others on here.

Terry,

Now that I read this post of yours, I'll cut you some slack on your other thoughts, and I'm glad that you help Bill Drevo's Citation be the record holder/divisional race winner it was. However, I still feel that fans love us too...not all of them are nitro injected!!!

[Dick Butler]

Art, Thanks for the response. In this time of economic pressure sponsors for EVERYthing are few and far between. They are Drained trying to cover the NHRA official costs.
TOP/STK and JR/STK had racers willing to run for their entry back never mind sponsors. They Love the racing heads up. The were quoted as the "most fun Ive had in Years"
Div 3 is willing to run it if someone else organizes it since today there are only 10 -12 cars that can fit easily.
Div 1 had one extra sponsor, IHRA Div 9 has guys who run it. The Economy in general is stopping converts from moving motor HP or Body to get there. If It could be officially accepted and run it WOULD work better. Look at the Hemi Shoot out the racers them selves created it and Chrysler Sponsored it.NHRA liked the MOPAR label and probably benefited other ways too.
If you could race for the $1000 continuosly and sponsors began adding contingency money and your class only got to run eliminator for your ENTRY money wouldnt the long run expenditure of $15,000 for a new car that fit the race become mildly interesting?
Thanks again. The Whole discussion is good.

[XSTOCKER]

http://ahradragracing.com/

[art leong]

Originally Posted by XSTOCKER

http://ahradragracing.com/

That association seems to be strictly bracket racing, no real classes only et brackets.
And I presume a level playing field.