NHRA changes needed for next year-add on

[Lynn A McCarty]

1.) Aftermarket casting's improvement addressed with real numbers.

2.) If an aftermarket casting exists then acceptance given due consideration HP assigned where appropriate to gain reasonable access for racers.

3.) AHFS done with an engine family curve with upper and lower limits established using valid statistical methods (Upper limits are not to be compared to averages, the current method statistically invalid.)

4.) HP factors assigned to engines based on statistical curves (High School Statistics)

5.) HP adders be done with real numbers. (10 years of constant 4-6HP doesn't cut it. One engine actually got 5HP off, and then subsequently 18HP added, how so? )

6.) Bogus intake runner cc numbers all evaluated. (Some divisions gave away as many as 38 ccs over stock, many routinely gave 10-15ccs, others got 1cc, zero parity in this give away)

7.) 1.0 weight breaks in stock and super stock(0.5 breaks added only when it makes sense)(percentage weight adder for sticks to combine with automatics. This must be evaluated for a sliding scale relative to cubic inches.) GT cars to start at 7.0 New GT class at 6.0 for old hypo factory engines only (Boss 429's, Hemis, High Riser Fords, LT-1 SBC, L-88's, Tunnel Port Fords, Tunnel Port Pontiacs, AMC dual quads, W-30 Olds, Stage II Buicks, 440 6pacs, 421 Pontiac SDs, 340 6-PACs, others? (all aftermarket heads/blocks all accepted to keep cost down.)

8.) Porting allowed in stock with no epoxy or welding. Alum heads compared for angle milling, welding with a stock casing for compliance. CC rule applies (This will only work if cc numbers are completely redone)

9.) If race is limited on entry, then only one car entry allowed per driver(second driver same team, ok).

10.) Heads up racing all Events only if 1-7 is followed. All cars run class, if no class opponent, then they run against the others against their index no breakout. (regular eliminator to follow on Sunday, these runs can be substituted for practice runs if need be)

11.) Tech done on protest with Real money to protest, and do it right. Cheating will stop instantly, racers wont protest unless they are willing to lose the big cash, and racers found legal will go home compensated. Records, random compliance done as time, weather conditions, personnel is allowed.

12.) HP committee to be made up of Engine Builders, Racers, NHRA officials in equal numbers. Minutes taken and published.

Advantages:

Parity
Compliance
Return to performance, possible sponsor involvement(all left to support NMCA, NMRA etc)
Maintain bracket Eliminator
Less time/more excitement
Fan approval
Return of way cool performance cars now deleted from competition

Not getting all the cool cars/engines back into action is punishable by 30 minutes of listening to Biden, Hillary, and Odumass argue what they wont do in Pakistan. A horrible fate for anyone with an IQ over 50.

Lynn

[Super Sport]

Everyones personal agenda will have to wait till 2009. Unless they were submitted "IN WRITING" to NHRA prior to July 30th, they are just talk. How do I know this? Last week I called Glendora with an idea for Stock. I was told 2008 rule changes are now in committee and are being fine tuned.

P.S. to Dick and Lynn, You guys did to put your ideas in writing and sent them directly to NHRA didn't you?

[Dick Butler]

Yes, Thanks I did.
I know many people have not had the time to submit the ideas they support but part of my selling my cars and limiting my personal racing has been to work towards getting some of the issues presented here in writing for NHRA committees to discuss and raising all the prize money I have been able to give out to the racers in TOP/SS and TOP/STK.
50$ entry at TOP/SS level has paid over $2000 to run 3 rounds. Pretty good money and a LOT of fun. R/U got $1000 or more. First round winners at least won entry and usually $100.
Remember that everyone has a way they like to race, Heads up class, or dial in. Both should continue to be a part of the program so everyone can have their way to race.
It seems an effort to stand up for Heads up S and SS racing has to be put forward or without input to the committees they will "assume" Sportsman Heads up Class racing isnt important to anyone including the racers. There has been comment to that effect from some people regarding spectator interest in S and SS racing. In my opinion Recreate the Class racing day excitement of Many full classes with 6 or 8 cars and the Spectators will return (if advertised)
Disclaimer: A non racer trying to help Class racers get more times to race class again.

[Rich Biebel]

For the UMTEENTH TIME Stock& Super Stock racing nearly died in the 70's due to a number of things. One of them is HEADS-UP racing. Right now car counts are high in some divisions but promote changes that make heads-up races more likely and those same car counts will dwindle. Young guys racing with 2 steps and buttons can win.....old guys with piles of money can't dominate.....keep harping on the heads-up form of racing and pretty soon it will look like SS eliminator in 1975...NOBODY SHOWS UP. You can't sell heads-up racing to anyone but a select few that want it and can afford it. What is the car count for Top Stock or Top SS? I know how many cars run Top stock and Jr. Stock around here. Is it fun? I'm sure it is because nothing beats a heads-up race but if that is all there was going on racing in Stock and SS would be DEAD! I have an EFI stocker. It is not nearly as fast as some others in the class. If you are successful in lobbying for changes that make it like the "old days"...I would be out of this category quickly. Win class or qualify in order to have a chance to win an eliminator...NO THANKS. Work endlessly and spend piles of money to keep up with the class leaders, NO THANKS. I can work now to try and get my car better. All the while I still can go to a race knowing I can still actually win. Under the Dick Butler promoted version of Stock or Super Stock I cannot. You will lose countless participants promoting this form of racing and gain very little in sponsor and spectator appeal. The clock cannot be turned backwards. Car companies are not coming back to support drag racing. Sponsors kick in a few dollars here and there for various races but for the most part they are backing other categories. Why? If you don't know why your not being realistic. Open one edition of Nat'l Dragster and count how many ads are aimed at various categories of cars OTHER than Stock and SS........How many 500+ cube engines do Stockers need? Answer NONE......How many sets of Big Duke heads do SS'ers need? answer NONE. How many delay boxes can All of Stock and SS buy and use legally...answer NONE...are you getting the pictiure now Dick...sorry but I think I had to many beers watching the Nascar race...pretty cool though with Harvick and Montoya almost going at it!!!!!!!

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by Rod Sintheblock

Thats a pretty good post that you just made there dude!

Thanks...I get wound up and keep in mind I didn't just fall off a turnip truck! 5 beers and I get pretty tuned up and like to say what I think.......I got more and it's cold!

[pauldilcher]

Rich , Well Said. This Guy Does Not Even Know What Year He Won His Class In At Indy. Way Would We Want Him Running The Show ?

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by pauldilcher

Rich , Well Said. This Guy Does Not Even Know What Year He Won His Class In At Indy. Way Would We Want Him Running The Show ?

Thanks Paul. I have nothing but respect for the guys who raced the stock and SS classes since day one. I did not. My budget couldn't afford it. I started there but was forced to run various other categories. I won in those categories but always appreciate the real classes where I came from. The reason the bracket and super class engines I build run better than some others is because of my Class racing background. I love class racing but unfortunately it is a categorie that can cause it's own demise. Lets make it so we can all race.... The biggest probelm with this form of racing is the rules are arbitrary. If a car has a favorable HP rating it's fast. If it has a lousy HP rating it's a turd. Where does the HP rating come from and how did it get to the number it is at...well the answer is it makes very little sense and never has. The AHFS was an effort to try and make things more equitable and all kinds of guys bash the effort to death. What a joke. From what I have read Bob Lang had a lot to do with forming the AHFS.....this man works hartder than anyone I'ver ver seen that worked for NHRA and he gets bashed by certain racers. The bitching by Stock racers is unbelievable. No buttons. AHFS sucks, the track is crap, we don't get enough runs.We need more tech. enforce the rules...on and on and on. It's a wonder that Stock still even exists. When the hell was the last time they made a '441 cylinder head? For god sakes they were on '69 vehicles and that was 37 years ago! We are lucky the category even is still tolerated with all the bitching going on. Yes it is a big part of how it all started and was a huge part in the development of the sport, but times change and we need to recoginze these changes.... Man I am really rambling now, but it feels good......