Lets talk NHRA Stk/SS with Lonnie Grim - Ideas - Comments

[BILL TAYLOR]

Originally Posted by 1347

I have mixed feelings on raising entry fee. I know class racing isn't for the budget minded, but an extra 100 on top of 6+ dollars a gallon for fuel is a hard hit at this time. I also oppose dropping 3rd round money.

I would rather increase the quota where you have to qualify to get in, that would bring more money in, and would bring the performance back into a performance based class if you have to step it up to get in.

I would also like to see points or money awarded to #1 qualifiers and setting the record. Also I still can't understand why no one has asked why we can't get records published in ND even if its only twice a year. I did send a couple emails last year but they never got answered.

There are several things that keep me from running Nationals. The wasted week, the price, being treated like fill-in, and the "combos". Would it really hurt their budget to give out a few more Wallys? Bill Taylor B/S 1005.

[countrypuppy4865]

1. I think it’s going to be tough to increase entries. I think the idea of making it 64 qualified field and accepting 80 for quota then use additional money to go to purse. However, any idea here will have its drawback. You have qualified field people will complain they can’t qualify. You increase entry it will be too expensive. We may need to start some polls that require name car number and membership to vote on some of these topics.
2. -1.30 is fine and one review is fine. By giving points for records and qualifying, that would give incentive and help the ahfs work. How about green hat like the pros get for #1 to go with points? Of course $$ would be nice too but would almost need a sponsor to do that which has been done at divisionals.
3. Indifferent on all class winners getting in I can see both arguments. Fwd car comes in wins class going -.50 and qualifies but #129 is a competitive C/SA that’s -.90 but doesn’t get to race. On the other hand the fwd car did win class.
4. Shipping weights. This has a major effect on a lot of people. There are plenty of shipping weights incorrect for a variety of reasons (paper cars, wrong info submitted, or just errors) NHRA accepted the weights so it’s not racers faults for following the guide. Making changes to weight would force some out of their current classes. To me if you do away with it there’s no more arguing what weight is correct and what weight isn’t. I would be willing to bet not many cars would move a significant amount. Ones that have shipping weights that are close to correct probably can’t get light enough to move two classes from their current class. Let’s take a popular car for example 69 Camaro 350 255hp combo. Minimum in F is 3110. I’m not very familiar with the weights of these cars personally, but just from talking with others most can’t get near that minimum. Another argument is a heavy driver may only be able to fit the heaviest class and he may want to run a little another class up. Or vice versa, a very light driver may not want to add a bunch of weight.

Regardless of the outcome of any of this at the end of the day you have to play by their rules, but if changes are made it should be because the vast majority wants the changes.

[B Parker]

Most class eliminations are being done at Divisional's this year. And if it's at a National with a small quota you would get to run in the eliminator anyway. Indy may be the only race that this could affect those solo combo's. But the last 2 years at Indy every class winner qualified. Don't see the need to change this.

I know several will not be in favor of raising the instant hit to 1.30 under. How about it stay's at 1.20 unless it's a mine shaft race and then it goes to 1.30 under.

The index's are soft and have been for several years now. I know we don't want to discourage any new racers and those that for whatever reason can't get their car to go faster. The index's should really get lowered by 2 or 3 tenths. But to not discourage those that can't get their car to go that fast at least look at 1 tenth lowering. It would also help bring the AHFS up to date with all the enhancements NHRA has given most of us the last 15 years. BP

[Billy Nees]

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[B Parker]

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[Billy Nees]

Agreed! We'll talk soon!

[SS734]

How does shipping weights matter if the the factored HP ratings are wrong?

[TERRY HEMBREE]

How about the tech department making some effort to clarify issues presented to it. I ask in writing last January about a clarification and have never got a response. Problem is I was told before I sent it that I probably would not get a response.

[Alan Nyhus]

I know I'll take some flack for this, but here goes.

I'd advocate moving Stock, Super Stock, Comp, etc. out of the National Events.

Instead, have every division hold a Sportsman National event. The Sportsman racers would be the show, not the filler. There could be a World Champion crowned based on points earned at these Sportsman National event, class eliminations could be run at every one of these Sportsman National events, no ridiculous quotas, etc, etc.

Way more on the 'Plus' side of the paper than the 'Negative'.

Race safe! -Al

[J.R. Haddad]

One thing that I would like to see is the "Movement" of quotas. We are told the quotas are for TV times & considerations, then NHRA has timed how
many cars they can run etc. and still be on time for their live broadcasts.
Case in point, the New England Nationals. Stock has been full for a while,
and a lot of people have done a lot of work to try to get in. Meanwhile, S/S
is at 31 (minus 29), Super Comp is at 42 (minus 18) Super Gas is at 15!!
(minus 45), Super Street is at 32, (minus 13), and Top Sportsman is at 10,
(minus 26) for a total of 131 Minus Entry's!! Now, can we not take 5 entry's
from each class, or 5x5 =25, and reallot those to Stock? I don't care what kind of accounting you use, more entry's means more money, more money is better than less money( I took a college course and they told me that).
You would now have more money, happier racers saying nicer things about their racing experience, who knows, with a happier group saying nicer things, it might inspire someone to build a car!! And to keep the costs down for our non-profit sanctioning body, I will manage it for free for one year, after that I get 10% of any additional funds I am able to bring in.

J.R.