How competitive are you?

[Dick Butler]

Would you build a car and race if only 4 classes existed? Would you race if you had to run the same thing others race to fit a class? or is your competitive feeling a cheaper car that can win on a dial in rather than heads up being faster, quicker, more able to drive than another on the tree?
If NHRA or (?) held races which were planned to feature Heads up 3 or 4 class races to increase the crowd appeal would you support the concept or? for the good of class racing?
Hold off on the money comments about people who can afford more expensive cars. Consider a less expensive car but the SAME cars in one class.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Would you build a car and race if only 4 classes existed? Would you race if you had to run the same thing others race to fit a class? or is your competitive feeling a cheaper car that can win on a dial in rather than heads up being faster, quicker, more able to drive than another on the tree?
If NHRA or (?) held races which were planned to feature Heads up 3 or 4 class races to increase the crowd appeal would you support the concept or? for the good of class racing?
Hold off on the money comments about people who can afford more expensive cars. Consider a less expensive car but the SAME cars in one class.

The definition of insanity goes something like this, "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result".
Question 1, yes, I'd race a wheelbarrow full of rocks if that's all we could race.
Question 2, yes, if I had to but this is a trick question. Is everybody racing the SAME thing and using the SAME rules? I doubt it.
Question 3, I don't see what you're asking.
Question 4, isn't that what the ADRL, etc, etc, is doing? You want to increase crowd appeal? Have the drivers stand on top of their cars, light themselves on fire and scream "look at me". See if you can get Michael Beard to explain "International Pro Stock to you.

[Michael Beard]

How competitive are you?

Depends on the day.

See if you can get Michael Beard to explain "International Pro Stock to you.

Just off the top of my head, if I recall, it's basically small-motor Pro Stock with rules like the K/A Comp class. Every manufacturer makes a car and engine combination that fits. "Real" cars that everyday people buy the standard production car versions of. Wide variety, countless options, and modern technology applicable to their factory counterparts develops a broader interest from builders, engineers, and fan base alike.

Ive always thought group A B C Together D E F , G H I , and so on and so on. More heads up races.

I've long advocated for a logical consolidation and/or adjustment of weight breaks, and integration of sticks & automatics for the same reason. There'd still be plenty of bracket racing, but more heads-up racing would lead to more research and development, more sales for manufacturers, and a more effective AHFS. -- Delicious irony, coming from a bracket racer! LOL

Would you build a car and race if only 4 classes existed?

Depends on what they were and what format. If it wasn't my thing, and there was a market for additional classes or types of racing, then I would create the desired class(es) and format myself to fill that hole in the market.

If NHRA or (?) held races which were planned to feature Heads up 3 or 4 class races to increase the crowd appeal would you support the concept or? for the good of class racing?

Anyone that's been here for any length of time understands what you're getting at. No need to beat around the bush. Just offer the detailed proposal, and go from there.

[Dave Ribeiro]

Dick,

Don't you think the sport is dying fast enough for you !!!! What about the little guy who still wants to race but doesn't have the Big bucks ... Your seeing the car counts going down fast enough without heads-up Racing ?
I think it's time for you to get another idea like AHRA ( heads-up only ), hope you have lots of money ???? Give it a Rest, when is your Racecar coming out to the Track anyway ???... Billy, you are Right On Again !!!!!
I think racers would like to see Sticks & Auto combined first and see how that goes ? Remember Car counts are important to all kinds of Racing, when it comes to pay-outs ... Let's try to help Racing, not kill it ....

[Bob Bender]

X2, Dave

[RonTheAnnouncer]

IHRA tried something like that in the pre-Bader years. Got rid of Stock, Superstock, Modified, etc, and made .90 classes from 7.90 to 12.90. It didn't go so well in the end. If you are talking true "heads up" no breakout racing, then each class will become the playground of maybe 1/2 dozen cars, and the rest of the guys will park their cars or go buy a boat or take up golf.

[John Kelley]

Originally Posted by RonTheAnnouncer

IHRA tried something like that in the pre-Bader years. Got rid of Stock, Superstock, Modified, etc, and made .90 classes from 7.90 to 12.90. It didn't go so well in the end. If you are talking true "heads up" no breakout racing, then each class will become the playground of maybe 1/2 dozen cars, and the rest of the guys will park their cars or go buy a boat or take up golf.

That was during the "Little Billy" Meyer's rein.....

[Dave Ribeiro]

John, Bob,Ron......and everyone else ...

History does try to repeat ..... We have enough rules & changes, let's enforce the ones we have first ... Let's just Race ....

[Dick Butler]

Just a series of questions because I am still interested in trying to help with a track which is finding Heads up attracts spectators. I am trying to substitute NHRA class cars into their program for the street racers so NHRA racers would have a alternative place to race and maybe it would spread. How about TOP/SS cars or TOP/STK cars with factored in New cars?or just new mustang meets? Or Camaro meet?

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by A56

Ive always thought group A B C Together D E F , G H I , and so on and so on. More heads up races. Im too competitive when it comes to class or heads up racing. Since I was 16 years old all I did was try and make my car go faster. In the same paragraph, im not competitive at all in bracket races, sadly, I dont even try very hard.


Mark Lelchook
F/SA D/ED

Sounds like we're from the same mold. And it goes all the way back to my first bike. Always challenging and beating the other kids in the neighborhood.
Every since I went to the first Top/Stock races I've wanted and sounded off on the idea of combining in groups of three for more heads up races. Seems to fall on deaf ears as most Class Racers are only concerned about themselves, their car, and their perceived advantages.

From Michael Beard:
I've long advocated for a logical consolidation and/or adjustment of weight breaks, and integration of sticks & automatics for the same reason. There'd still be plenty of bracket racing, but more heads-up racing would lead to more research and development, more sales for manufacturers, and a more effective AHFS.

I contacted NHRA about combining sticks & autos and I was told "the majority were not in favor of this". I've never been asked or polled and I don't know of any NHRA members that have been asked. But it's funny that everybody I ask seems in favor of combing sticks and autos.
More heads up races with a fairly adjusted AHFS will save Class Racing.
Less heads up races with an unfairly adjusted AHFS will kill Class Racing.