Ahfs

Angelo DiTocco · 10-20-2010, 07:55 PM

Lynn
Some may remember that I made a similar suggestion a while back during the pre-ahfs days. At the time, nhra was batting around the idea of an automatic factoring system partially so that they put in place a set system that was not open to claims of unfairness and/or favoritism & also at the same time place the culpability of getting horsepower in the hands of the racers.

I discussed with several tech folks, the possibility of using past qualifying data to run "standard distributions".... which would as you say, generate a "bell curve".

The problem though, with this is this assumption is.... Your analysis is only as reliable as the data that goes into it.... This would only be a completely fair comparison if variables such as equal preparation of engines.... and the certainty that everyone in the data set were running all out.... and we know this can't be assured.

In NHRA's defense... At the time they did listen and discuss this possibility at length ... however due to the difficulty or even impossibility of contolling for these variables they didn't feel it could work, and I can't say I don't agree. Once the ahfs was born and racers were slowing their stuff down.... the qualifying data became even more unreliable. Ultimately they wanted the racers to be in control of their destiny with regard to factoring.... and they got what they wanted... good or bad... better or worse.

What has happened with the new influx of the Factory Cars will probably (in my opinion) result in separate or new classes for these cars..... until they beat each other up and get HP to bring them in line... at which point they can be reabsorbed (sounds like something out of Star Trek) back into the traditional classes. This seems like the most viable solution to the problem.

Wow - its only 8PM and the Yankee game is over.... I can actually go to bed at a reasonable time.

10-20-2010, 07:55 PM	#4
Angelo DiTocco Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NY, NY Posts: 750 Likes: 175 Liked 189 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Ahfs Lynn Some may remember that I made a similar suggestion a while back during the pre-ahfs days. At the time, nhra was batting around the idea of an automatic factoring system partially so that they put in place a set system that was not open to claims of unfairness and/or favoritism & also at the same time place the culpability of getting horsepower in the hands of the racers. I discussed with several tech folks, the possibility of using past qualifying data to run "standard distributions".... which would as you say, generate a "bell curve". The problem though, with this is this assumption is.... Your analysis is only as reliable as the data that goes into it.... This would only be a completely fair comparison if variables such as equal preparation of engines.... and the certainty that everyone in the data set were running all out.... and we know this can't be assured. In NHRA's defense... At the time they did listen and discuss this possibility at length ... however due to the difficulty or even impossibility of contolling for these variables they didn't feel it could work, and I can't say I don't agree. Once the ahfs was born and racers were slowing their stuff down.... the qualifying data became even more unreliable. Ultimately they wanted the racers to be in control of their destiny with regard to factoring.... and they got what they wanted... good or bad... better or worse. What has happened with the new influx of the Factory Cars will probably (in my opinion) result in separate or new classes for these cars..... until they beat each other up and get HP to bring them in line... at which point they can be reabsorbed (sounds like something out of Star Trek) back into the traditional classes. This seems like the most viable solution to the problem. Wow - its only 8PM and the Yankee game is over.... I can actually go to bed at a reasonable time. __________________ Angelo DiTocco '98 Firebird SS/HA '98 Firebird B/SA Last edited by Angelo DiTocco; 10-20-2010 at 09:27 PM.