Time to Revisit the Super Times?

HR9121 · 12-08-2011, 04:08 PM

Two things I don't understand is why does everyone think the current system is broke when these classes continue to have the most cars in them and second I don't really care if there is soul in the stands, its not a parade and your not waving at the crowd going down the track. I don't care who's watching and hope the guy in the other lane ain't paying too close attention either. I'm a slow car at around 128 and the other guys can go 170 for all I care, I don't think there's an advantage either way because you can't tell me he can judge me any better than I can him. Heck most of the time I feel like I have the advantage I've had more trouble with cars closer to my speed than anyone else.

Jeff Beckman · 12-08-2011, 05:01 PM

Sorry Chris but I too dont see the need for change in the end I will adapt to whatever target we get.

Only if NHRA could profit from a change will we ever see one.

Plenty of cars show up to lay down rubber before the pros, and we buy that rubber and pay a majority of the insr and other related expense. We are Dumb Asses in this sense.

Fans come to see the circus, not you or me.

I could care less if anyone is in the stands, I am not John Force niether are you. Thats the wrong reason to race. Like Rock has said, knowing great friends from all over this great country is a very rewarding reason to race. Beating your pears who you know have game, bonus. Having FUN, the only reason to spend this money and work this hard. Others Hunt/Fish or play with balls (whatever) we do this.

Pay Out should be our only mutual platform for revision.

I feel like the Purse and only the purse is worthy of any big Change, not freakin OBAMANATION change either, its already a pathetic payout.

But hey, I cant let Jason Yak this much and not offer my 02!

Merry Christmas to you all, Jeff

CBS · 12-08-2011, 07:42 PM

Plus NHRA loves us.....we don't bitch.....they check for a helmet and let us race.....like Jeff said...the only thing to talk about is the payout.....

Rock Haas

Chuck Westcott · 12-08-2011, 08:20 PM

Cabin Fever is coming early !

Cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in a small space, with nothing to do, for an extended period (as in a simple country vacation cottage during a long rain or snow). Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, paranoia, irrational frustration with everyday objects, forgetfulness, laughter, excessive sleeping, distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow or dark

Michael Pliska · 12-08-2011, 08:32 PM

Well said Jason and Bill. I've brought up the same thing, and been thoroughly chastised for having the audacity to question the status quo.

As far as whether the .90 classes have ever drawn a crowd, here is a late round at the 1988 Seattle national:

I have another photo somewhere taken by someone in the stands in this picture, and you can see the larger stands on the other side of the track are completely packed. Is the lack of fans only because of the timed throttle stops? Probably not, but it sure doesn't help. You guys keep bringing up payouts. As I learned in the small outlaw tracks in the South (where the weekly payouts rival an LODRS win), the key to higher payouts is to have something the spectators want to see. In those small towns in the South, even bracket racing was fun to watch. Maybe we should be thinking of something that will draw them back to the stands.

Jeff Beckman · 12-08-2011, 10:54 PM

I am curious, other than adding a 7.900 class etc, what Ideas or what would all of you do or change? How would you reinvent drag racing? What fresh new stand filling thoughts does anyone have? I am not trying to stir the pot here. I agree in the days gone by the stands were full, people were easier to entertain, thier choises were less, but now, we do need a future. So what is it?

SuperCompDiv3 · 12-09-2011, 01:01 AM

All good points but the bottom line is there is nothing wrong with the system.

Too many racers go by the saying: If it isn't broken, then fix it until it is.

So many things are more important right now.

Rollins_2241 · 12-09-2011, 09:11 AM

Flame suit on.

It's time to phase out the throttle stops - besides there are better ways to do it now that don't sacrifice as much accuracy and don't have the "spectator problem" of "broken" cars.

Here's my new slate. Tell them it's coming 1/1/2013.

Outlaw Super Comp - 7.60 index, dragsters OK, nitrous OK, delay OK, no SLE or stops, .4 pro tree (not .370). Older slower cars can step up with an add-on nitrous system, fast current cars can make the break or slow it down a bit, safety rules don't require the Advanced ET stuff.

Outlaw Super Gas - 8.60 index, left steer, nitrous OK, delay OK, no SLE/stops, .4 pro tree. Same deal for the current crop from fast S/G cars to low 9-second bracket cars wanting to give it a try.

Outlaw Super Street - 10.00 index, doors and a roof, nitrous OK, no delay, no stops, .4 pro tree. Same rules as Unleashed and Div. 2 10.00 index.

11.00 and 12.00 index just like Unleashed/Div. 2, just as they are now, entry-level classes for no-box no-stop racers on a .5 pro tree.

12-08-2011, 04:08 PM	#1
HR9121 Live Reporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 3,467 Likes: 146 Liked 3,363 Times in 731 Posts	Re: Time to Revisit the Super Times? Two things I don't understand is why does everyone think the current system is broke when these classes continue to have the most cars in them and second I don't really care if there is soul in the stands, its not a parade and your not waving at the crowd going down the track. I don't care who's watching and hope the guy in the other lane ain't paying too close attention either. I'm a slow car at around 128 and the other guys can go 170 for all I care, I don't think there's an advantage either way because you can't tell me he can judge me any better than I can him. Heck most of the time I feel like I have the advantage I've had more trouble with cars closer to my speed than anyone else. __________________ James Williamson W200 J/SA. SS/JA

12-08-2011, 05:01 PM	#2
Jeff Beckman Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 308 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Time to Revisit the Super Times? Sorry Chris but I too dont see the need for change in the end I will adapt to whatever target we get. Only if NHRA could profit from a change will we ever see one. Plenty of cars show up to lay down rubber before the pros, and we buy that rubber and pay a majority of the insr and other related expense. We are Dumb Asses in this sense. Fans come to see the circus, not you or me. I could care less if anyone is in the stands, I am not John Force niether are you. Thats the wrong reason to race. Like Rock has said, knowing great friends from all over this great country is a very rewarding reason to race. Beating your pears who you know have game, bonus. Having FUN, the only reason to spend this money and work this hard. Others Hunt/Fish or play with balls (whatever) we do this. Pay Out should be our only mutual platform for revision. I feel like the Purse and only the purse is worthy of any big Change, not freakin OBAMANATION change either, its already a pathetic payout. But hey, I cant let Jason Yak this much and not offer my 02! Merry Christmas to you all, Jeff __________________ Jeff Beckman 318J ET, SG 318T SC

12-08-2011, 07:42 PM	#3
CBS VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Commerce, Mi Posts: 1,387 Likes: 1 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Time to Revisit the Super Times? Plus NHRA loves us.....we don't bitch.....they check for a helmet and let us race.....like Jeff said...the only thing to talk about is the payout..... Rock Haas

12-08-2011, 08:20 PM	#4
Chuck Westcott Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brownsburg,Indiana Posts: 326 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Time to Revisit the Super Times? Cabin Fever is coming early ! Cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated and/or shut in a small space, with nothing to do, for an extended period (as in a simple country vacation cottage during a long rain or snow). Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, paranoia, irrational frustration with everyday objects, forgetfulness, laughter, excessive sleeping, distrust of anyone they are with, and an urge to go outside even in the rain, snow or dark __________________ Chuck Westcott- S/C -S/G 225

12-08-2011, 08:32 PM	#5
Michael Pliska Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Happy Valley, OR Posts: 260 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Time to Revisit the Super Times? Well said Jason and Bill. I've brought up the same thing, and been thoroughly chastised for having the audacity to question the status quo. As far as whether the .90 classes have ever drawn a crowd, here is a late round at the 1988 Seattle national: I have another photo somewhere taken by someone in the stands in this picture, and you can see the larger stands on the other side of the track are completely packed. Is the lack of fans only because of the timed throttle stops? Probably not, but it sure doesn't help. You guys keep bringing up payouts. As I learned in the small outlaw tracks in the South (where the weekly payouts rival an LODRS win), the key to higher payouts is to have something the spectators want to see. In those small towns in the South, even bracket racing was fun to watch. Maybe we should be thinking of something that will draw them back to the stands. __________________ Michael Pliska 643 S/G

12-08-2011, 10:54 PM	#6
Jeff Beckman Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 308 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Time to Revisit the Super Times? I am curious, other than adding a 7.900 class etc, what Ideas or what would all of you do or change? How would you reinvent drag racing? What fresh new stand filling thoughts does anyone have? I am not trying to stir the pot here. I agree in the days gone by the stands were full, people were easier to entertain, thier choises were less, but now, we do need a future. So what is it? __________________ Jeff Beckman 318J ET, SG 318T SC

12-09-2011, 01:01 AM	#7
SuperCompDiv3 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 29 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Time to Revisit the Super Times? All good points but the bottom line is there is nothing wrong with the system. Too many racers go by the saying: If it isn't broken, then fix it until it is. So many things are more important right now.

12-09-2011, 09:11 AM	#8
Rollins_2241 Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 170 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Time to Revisit the Super Times? Flame suit on. It's time to phase out the throttle stops - besides there are better ways to do it now that don't sacrifice as much accuracy and don't have the "spectator problem" of "broken" cars. Here's my new slate. Tell them it's coming 1/1/2013. Outlaw Super Comp - 7.60 index, dragsters OK, nitrous OK, delay OK, no SLE or stops, .4 pro tree (not .370). Older slower cars can step up with an add-on nitrous system, fast current cars can make the break or slow it down a bit, safety rules don't require the Advanced ET stuff. Outlaw Super Gas - 8.60 index, left steer, nitrous OK, delay OK, no SLE/stops, .4 pro tree. Same deal for the current crop from fast S/G cars to low 9-second bracket cars wanting to give it a try. Outlaw Super Street - 10.00 index, doors and a roof, nitrous OK, no delay, no stops, .4 pro tree. Same rules as Unleashed and Div. 2 10.00 index. 11.00 and 12.00 index just like Unleashed/Div. 2, just as they are now, entry-level classes for no-box no-stop racers on a .5 pro tree.