index lowering

StockerStang912 · 11-09-2024, 03:32 PM

I'm sure many feel constrained by the AFHS rules and trying to manage a combo's horsepower and lowering indexes are a way to accommodate that. I don't necessarily see where this encourages more actual heads-up ...certainly less 1,000 foot or detuned qualifying, but doesn't really move the needle in the "spirit" of heads-up class races.

I'd rather see consideration for class consolidation (i.e. sticks and autos combined into 1, reduced weight breaks, etc.) if the goal is to encourage heads up racing. But if most racers really don't want this and it's more important to try and qualify better, than the index piece is a good solution for that. Just depends on what goal is trying to be accomplished.

As far as new blood, S/SS is a really tough sell to a younger crowd even though it's an awesome class (I'm 37 which puts me on the real "young" side of the curve). It's expensive, nuanced, sort-of-performance-but-not and really tough to win. I don't think lowering indexes helps draw more participation, but also don't think it matters much as 2 tenths are not keeping 50 new cars from being built...lot of other things would impact the challenging draw for younger people.

11-09-2024, 03:32 PM	#11
StockerStang912 Junior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 15 Likes: 1 Liked 20 Times in 6 Posts	Re: index lowering I'm sure many feel constrained by the AFHS rules and trying to manage a combo's horsepower and lowering indexes are a way to accommodate that. I don't necessarily see where this encourages more actual heads-up ...certainly less 1,000 foot or detuned qualifying, but doesn't really move the needle in the "spirit" of heads-up class races. I'd rather see consideration for class consolidation (i.e. sticks and autos combined into 1, reduced weight breaks, etc.) if the goal is to encourage heads up racing. But if most racers really don't want this and it's more important to try and qualify better, than the index piece is a good solution for that. Just depends on what goal is trying to be accomplished. As far as new blood, S/SS is a really tough sell to a younger crowd even though it's an awesome class (I'm 37 which puts me on the real "young" side of the curve). It's expensive, nuanced, sort-of-performance-but-not and really tough to win. I don't think lowering indexes helps draw more participation, but also don't think it matters much as 2 tenths are not keeping 50 new cars from being built...lot of other things would impact the challenging draw for younger people. __________________ Greg Viscome 193 GT/QA