New rules for 2010?

[Sean Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

Pandora's Box, unfortunately... not only the "grey area" (?) stuff, but also the loosening of rules over the years, superceded parts, etc... it's not that Stockers are that amazing to run under Super Stock indexes, it's that they've become so much more like Super Stockers!



I've advocated numerous times, and always been summarily ignored: We have *years* of data on the books already. Run all the figures based on a -1.000 trigger and factor EVERYBODY once right now, and then you'd hardly have to touch anything for years! Simply factoring cars properly would get rid of a lot of issues with crazy -1.40 under runs, 1000' racing, and on and on.



Precisely that: Just an example, and one that does not translate across the board. The Mirada I was driving in Super Stock last year is among the best Stockers in the country, yet it only ran .15-.20 under the Super Stock index. Stock and Super Stock really are two different animals, and shouldn't readily be compared. Some Super Stock combinations are extremely difficult to make run that far under.


My opinion is that by combining a large number of classes (weight breaks, trans?) and thus generating a much higher probability of having a heads-up race, you incentivize those "bottom feeder" -.50 under cars some are so concerned with to "work on their cars" or "spend money" (whichever you subscribe to)... as opposed to simply legislating them into doing so.

Excellent points as always, Michael.

Although I disagree on the raising the trigger. I feel like that just benefits the people who bend the rules (i'll put it more diplomatically this time).

I 100% agree with your idea of moving the trigger to 1.00 and factoring EVERYBODY at once. That would work well. But it seems like the vast majority of class racers don't think they should get h.p. no matter how fast they run. And in the interest of disclosure, it would benefit me as well. Only a few people are running the 300hp 350 (290 hp factor). And I don't think any of them run under a second. So naturally, I support this!

[Jim Storms]

I think we need "Gaynors" thoughts on all this?

[Dion Hildebrandt]

SEAN Says "I 100% agree with your idea of moving the trigger to 1.00 and factoring EVERYBODY at once. That would work well. But it seems like the vast majority of class racers don't think they should get h.p. no matter how fast they run. And in the interest of disclosure, it would benefit me as well. Only a few people are running the 300hp 350 (290 hp factor). And I don't think any of them run under a second. So naturally, I support this!"

MICHAEL Says "Which reminds me of another suggestion I've made before: Each class should have a minimum AND maximum weight. If you're running heavy enough to run the next class, then you should be required to run that class. This is actually born out by the rulebook labeling classes as 10.00 - 10.49, 10.50 - 10.99, etc... NOT 10.00 and up, 10.50 and up, etc.

Consider:
- Min & Max weights
- combined classes (1.0 weight breaks, sticks & autos, or both)
Results in:
- cars no longer running 200lbs heavy
- more heads-up runs
- cars will quickly factor themselves to realistic numbers
- guys can still get started in Stock relatively easily with the "soft" indexes, but are incentivized to make their cars faster.


In all fairness, again, I'm not campaigning for these things... just academic discussion. Doesn't bother me either way if they adopt these things or not. It *would* bother me if they dropped all the indexes .50, as it effectively legislates cars out that are not hurting anything (In fact, quite the opposite... easy pickin's, right?) "


I am also a slow guy (only .25 under) running the 300/290 sbc 350 and was pretty concerned when the rumored drop of the index was reported, it would mean i am no longer able to run under. I agree that the trigger should be 1.00 as Michael has stated for the reasons stated, it will benefit me as Sean stated. As was mentioned dropping index .5 means guys like me are on the sidelines till more 'work' can be done to the combo. I am one of the so called 'young guns' in these parts and I could probably puke 15- 20 grand at my ride and be fast, but then getting to the track becomes a problem. I dont know about anybody else but at the end of the day, headsup or heavy hitter ,i have the biggest SH** EATING grin on my face when i am able to hang hoops and let the fruits of my labour bring a win OR a loss after all it is fun right? at this point i dont really believe further rule changes or additions will fix the problem, Mr. Beard is correct take all retro performances and analyze what is right in front of all our eyes