Wondering what stock racers think

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Gary Parker

Alan...
I know there are many that can go 1 second under. Most because of hard work. Just do not think it is right we get horsepower for all our hard work. Like I said the AHFS was for new cars rated way off and the under rated combos that have never been factored. If not lowering the indexes, raise the trigger. There are some combos that are hard to make run a second under. But over time most should be able to run pretty good if worked on. They take horsepower off cars that do not go fast. I wonder if some of those combos have not been thrashed on. Its easier to run slow and let NHRA take horsepower off. I know no answer is easy. But I was wondering how people with race cars felt. As we have been told for my 40 years of running stock. We are a performance based class. Thanks Alan

Fair enough Gary.


My only question is, and again, not arguing, where does it stop?


Meaning, you worked hard to get to 1.00 under. But the reason is, you're never satisfied (mark of a good racer, never satisfied, always looking for that next 0.05) with how fast you are. So, when you get to 1.25 under, what then?


I agree, it IS, or maybe is supposed to be, we sure wish it was, a performance based class.


I'm asking "where does it stop?" because that's what a lot of people are going to want to know. When are you going to no longer ask for a lower index, or a higher trigger?


And honestly, I think that you're far better off, and more likely to get more people on board, in asking for the AHFS to be modified.


Maybe change the "look at the combination" trigger from 0.85 under to 1.05 under, and bump the instant to 1.25 under. It doesn't lower the indexes, so people struggling, for what ever reason, won't complain.

[stock1080]

If you have noticed at all the stock and super stock races. The ages of the people in the staging lanes are not getting any younger. Since Stock and Super stock is now just bracket racing, except for the few heads up at times. Why do you think that the local racers at all the tracks we are "guest" at don't want to build "class cars"? I think it's because of the cost of going "fast". If we had more "players" maybe the payouts and the Decal monies would be more. The whole system is broken. NHRA adds HP to a combo that goes to fast? WHAT? With no teardown! I say raise the trigger. Teardown for the combo that does go over. For racers that want to go fast, go! For people that don't want to spend the monies or don't have the time to test can still race. More racers, more entry fee, more pay out. Thanks for listening,

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Barry, I can't disagree with anything that you have said here. My issue with the indexes and the AHFS in the state they are in is that they are basically forcing any Newbies or Wannabees to race a new car, a 396, an LS or an LT-1. There's not much room to race some of the older combos that used to be interesting AND competitive. The AHFS helped the 302 FFFords and that was all. A suggestion made to the NHRA by Dwight, Yac and I to give obsolete and non-competitive combos back a significant but reasonable amount of HP fell on deaf ears. Oh well, that's for another thread.

Now, I want all of you "Bad Boys and Big Money Boys" to think about this idea for just a few seconds before you have to run back out to the shop to find more HP or call your Brokers to find more money;

Do away with the AHFS and Indexes as we know them.
All non-competitive combos get 15-20% HP reduction immediately.
At Indy, all Class Winners automatically qualify for the field, the rest of the 128 cars are furthest under the RECORD.
Class Winning ET BECOMES the RECORD. If no-one in Class, then previous record stands.
Following season (starting at the WinterNationals), the RECORD becomes the INDEX. The RECORD stands for 1 season (Winters to World Finals) but is set every year at Indy.
Anyone running under the RECORD at any NHRA sanctioned Event during the course of the year is subject to immediate tear-down AND HP hit.

Do this and I guarantee you that you'll find out just who the "Bad Boys" are out there.
I can also guarantee you that there will be a lot more diversity in Stock Eliminator and a lot less empty Classes at Indy.

I like the idea about a reduction for all non competitive combos.

I would describe a "non competitive combo" is any any combo that cannot run the slowest ( under index ) in the qualified field at the US Nationals.

Last year in Stock # 128 was .893 under.
There's the benchmark.

If no one with that combo can run .893 under then it qualifies for a reduction ( reduction % would be based on how much slower the combo actually runs)


Just my .02c

[Daran Summerton]

After taking a hit last season I am all for 1.20 instant hp and flushing everything else.

[GUMP]

I wish they would raise the hit from 1.20 in mineshaft conditions.

[B Parker]

I hope more real racers give feed back. Alan and Billy I'd be happy with doing either changing the index's or the AHFS. Alan I hope to make it to Bowling Green and Indy. Stop by and say hi if you go. Barry

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Race Clean

It's simple, just add a triple A Class at the top of the chain again and give everyone that should have more HP exactly just that,(with a full tech inspection of course) it seems to be to easy to protect combos with averages, loose that!
With one more Class you have room to move everyone thats need to be moved up one class and the Indexes are not lowered for any odd combo's.
It's had been said Stock is no way near what was intended and I agree to much goodies have been given, It's greed driven,everyone want's something for there combo without thinking about the long run,and NHRA just didn't stand it's grounds on this. (either)I am surprised there still is a Stock Class considering how close it is to SS.
My personal take on when the downfall started is actually when they allowed the combo's to move up one class, then the good combos took over most of the classes and many up to then decent car got somewhat obsolete(Bad for the Car count I think, not everyone want's a Camaro,believe it or not),I am pretty sure someone now gonna say, work on your stuff but we all know that ain't always the problem
And after the the hp committee "lost their job" this was over in my opinion!

I know this does nothing for the really slow guys,I think we can't do much for them until this turns to a real bracket racing.

Good.......No a great post. You pretty much nailed it ! My only question is where are you going to find room on your wind shields and side glass for all of the "A"'s sooner or later ? AAA/SA !

[Michael K]

Many good points made. My only concern is that it's tough enough to build your own car even without someone always trying to move the goal posts.

[Cotten]

Originally Posted by ALMACK

I like the idea about a reduction for all non competitive combos.

I would describe a "non competitive combo" is any any combo that cannot run the slowest ( under index ) in the qualified field at the US Nationals.

Last year in Stock # 128 was .893 under.
There's the benchmark.

If no one with that combo can run .893 under then it qualifies for a reduction ( reduction % would be based on how much slower the combo actually runs)


Just my .02c

I think this is a good idea.

If a racer goes to the effort to bring a combo to Indy, where everyone is running as fast as they can, and fails to qualify I think an instant reduction is justified.

I also agree with Daran that if mineshaft conditions are met then the 1.20 trigger should not be in effect.

[MEXJOE]

I like, 1.20 under mandatory Tear-down and IF found to be within the rules. Then give the HP.