AHFS Changes.

Don Kennedy · 12-13-2022, 09:42 AM

Ever since the beginning of Drag racing racers have been always figuring out a way to win or beat the system it is what we all need to remember NHRA has been for us for many years regardless of what some racers think I know that NHRA makes decisions based on what is good for the racers, good for the fans and good for them as an organization, etc, now as in all cases someone will think that they have a better answer as we all are opinionated of course but NHRA has and always be around and have been very successful in providing a playing field for the racer to race . They always try to tweak the system for the Good of the majority of the racers in my opinion, now all need to let go of the Button and go to dinner I will buy maybe enjoy your ride

Doug Hoven · 12-19-2022, 04:16 PM

Just a question from a lower portion of the sheet qualifier here. How is the AHFS ever supposed to work when those with what are the arguably soft combinations in question do everything in their power to keep the system from working? Before I get the response of "just work on your car," there are a lot of combinations that no matter how much time and money you throw at them, are still going to be sitting ducks when it comes time for a heads up. Personally, I gave up on the combo in the car I have been racing because no matter how hard I tried (Including changing camshafts weekend to weekend, changing cam timing between qualifying runs, and making countless torque converter changes) I found myself trying to gain back lost ET more often than actually making any progress. Oh well, I guess those that want to try and beat the system will just have to have fun trying to bracket race a car with no timing, lots of weight, restrictor plates, throttle limiters, etc. until enough people complain to NHRA that the AHFS needs to be changed again. Or we can try out probably the best way to deter new, less wealthy racers from building a stocker and lower the indexes a few tenths. Maybe raise the entry fee while we're at it too.

RULER · 12-19-2022, 10:40 PM

Some combos are just not good too start with that’s why you have to look for something that is likely to work. You also have to be willing to spend money for the best of everything if you want to have a chance at being fast. That being said stock and super stock aren’t for everyone, if you just want to bracket race NHRA has a class for that that will save you a lot of money it’s called bracket racing, pro bracket comes to mind they run it at your local track most weekends.

Billy Nees · 12-20-2022, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RULER

Some combos are just not good too start with that’s why you have to look for something that is likely to work. You also have to be willing to spend money for the best of everything if you want to have a chance at being fast. That being said stock and super stock aren’t for everyone, if you just want to bracket race NHRA has a class for that that will save you a lot of money it’s called bracket racing, pro bracket comes to mind they run it at your local track most weekends.

Isn't the AHFS supposed to "help" the "not so good" combos (Capt. Jack's "Automatic Help For Slugs" comes to mind)? I have to say that with the time that it takes NOW to get a couple of HP off of a "not so good" combo the AHFS isn't working for them either.

I don't think, in Doug's case that it's a matter of spending money. It's more a matter of not B.S.ing the people in charge to get the "handouts" that are needed in order to go fast in S/SS in today's game (Yes, it has become a game).

"Stock and Super Stock aren't for everyone". You're right! So why aren't you explaining to the Racers who are running 375 HP Chevys, FE FFFords and BB Mopars that with all of their "handouts" and "enhancements" they've gotten out of the NHRA over the years they SHOULD be running "Pro Bracket"!

At least the kid has the scrodes to race a REAL Stocker!

Ruler, do you even race? What's your REAL NAME?

GUMP · 12-20-2022, 10:17 AM

I have it on good authority that the NHRA is looking at the combinations that haven't received HP in the last ten years...

1347 · 12-20-2022, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RULER

Some combos are just not good too start with that’s why you have to look for something that is likely to work. You also have to be willing to spend money for the best of everything if you want to have a chance at being fast. That being said stock and super stock aren’t for everyone, if you just want to bracket race NHRA has a class for that that will save you a lot of money it’s called bracket racing, pro bracket comes to mind they run it at your local track most weekends.

Yes, in some cases bracket racing is an alternative, but is that the answer for someone who doesn't have a spare 5+ thousand dollars for cylinder heads? I'm not against having modern cylinder heads, but I'm not for killing the rules so that if you dont have them, you can't run the index.

Do you have a competitive Stock/SuperStock car? Or are you another one who sits in an ivory tower telling people what they should do without getting in the game? If you dont have a car, or if you never had one, maybe you can find a forum where people will value your opinion. .

J.R. Haddad · 12-20-2022, 12:34 PM

Duane, good post. One of the things I wonder about, is what effect is
this going to have on engine builders, cylinder head people, parts manufacturers, etc. If someone has a .90 to 1.00 second under car,
they still strived to make it better, certainly in the event of a heads up
run. And lets not forget the ego factor.
Now, with that same car, and if you don't see a lot of heads up runs where
you race, I think there is less motivation to spend money, to make it faster
when for sure whatever you spend is going back to the AHFS gods at
year end. In the past you could invest(did I say invest??) in your car,
pick it up when required, and go to 1 or 2 races and run 35-45 under
and clean it up. If you 1.25 under now, it will take a few more runs to clean it up, and shooting through a narrower target( .65-.84.9). It will be interesting to see where it all settles if there are no AHFS removed races.

J.R.

12-13-2022, 09:42 AM	#1
Don Kennedy VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Portland TN Posts: 1,590 Likes: 3,876 Liked 902 Times in 237 Posts	Re: AHFS Changes. Ever since the beginning of Drag racing racers have been always figuring out a way to win or beat the system it is what we all need to remember NHRA has been for us for many years regardless of what some racers think I know that NHRA makes decisions based on what is good for the racers, good for the fans and good for them as an organization, etc, now as in all cases someone will think that they have a better answer as we all are opinionated of course but NHRA has and always be around and have been very successful in providing a playing field for the racer to race . They always try to tweak the system for the Good of the majority of the racers in my opinion, now all need to let go of the Button and go to dinner I will buy maybe enjoy your ride __________________ Don Kennedy 7701 SS

12-19-2022, 04:16 PM	#2
Doug Hoven Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Jersey Posts: 211 Likes: 189 Liked 826 Times in 163 Posts	Re: AHFS Changes. Just a question from a lower portion of the sheet qualifier here. How is the AHFS ever supposed to work when those with what are the arguably soft combinations in question do everything in their power to keep the system from working? Before I get the response of "just work on your car," there are a lot of combinations that no matter how much time and money you throw at them, are still going to be sitting ducks when it comes time for a heads up. Personally, I gave up on the combo in the car I have been racing because no matter how hard I tried (Including changing camshafts weekend to weekend, changing cam timing between qualifying runs, and making countless torque converter changes) I found myself trying to gain back lost ET more often than actually making any progress. Oh well, I guess those that want to try and beat the system will just have to have fun trying to bracket race a car with no timing, lots of weight, restrictor plates, throttle limiters, etc. until enough people complain to NHRA that the AHFS needs to be changed again. Or we can try out probably the best way to deter new, less wealthy racers from building a stocker and lower the indexes a few tenths. Maybe raise the entry fee while we're at it too. __________________ 1189 F/SA Defunzalo Racing Enterprises

12-19-2022, 10:40 PM	#3
RULER Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 221 Likes: 15 Liked 58 Times in 18 Posts	Re: AHFS Changes. Some combos are just not good too start with that’s why you have to look for something that is likely to work. You also have to be willing to spend money for the best of everything if you want to have a chance at being fast. That being said stock and super stock aren’t for everyone, if you just want to bracket race NHRA has a class for that that will save you a lot of money it’s called bracket racing, pro bracket comes to mind they run it at your local track most weekends.

12-20-2022, 10:17 AM	#5
GUMP VIP Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shelby, NC Posts: 1,817 Likes: 2,157 Liked 2,336 Times in 549 Posts	Re: AHFS Changes. I have it on good authority that the NHRA is looking at the combinations that haven't received HP in the last ten years... __________________ Daren Poole-Adams NHRA Stock/SS 2007

12-20-2022, 12:34 PM	#7
J.R. Haddad Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 784 Likes: 935 Liked 1,464 Times in 307 Posts	Re: AHFS Changes. Duane, good post. One of the things I wonder about, is what effect is this going to have on engine builders, cylinder head people, parts manufacturers, etc. If someone has a .90 to 1.00 second under car, they still strived to make it better, certainly in the event of a heads up run. And lets not forget the ego factor. Now, with that same car, and if you don't see a lot of heads up runs where you race, I think there is less motivation to spend money, to make it faster when for sure whatever you spend is going back to the AHFS gods at year end. In the past you could invest(did I say invest??) in your car, pick it up when required, and go to 1 or 2 races and run 35-45 under and clean it up. If you 1.25 under now, it will take a few more runs to clean it up, and shooting through a narrower target( .65-.84.9). It will be interesting to see where it all settles if there are no AHFS removed races. J.R.