180 hp Caddy Motor

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

Ed,
I know! EXACTLY!!! The crafty racer is why every system man can devise will be manipulated. Even the way Farmer did it with the HP committees was unable to administer the HP & indexes in a completely fair manner.(add the human element) I agree, it isn't a perfect system, but it's what we have to work with. Take my situation. I run in 2 classes that are populated by a hand full of cars. The system is unfair to me because I can go fast. It is also unfair to the few guys that aren't as fast because my numbers can dominate. In a situation like this the system with 1 fast guy can ruin classes for many other racers. That does nothing for bringing in new competitors to replace those leaving or build the class. In fact I've already seen others leave the classes. That is why when I'm racing I'm always in tune to what is going on with the AHFS. I actually care about what I do to the classes & racers. Why should I have a bad ego trip & the results hit someone else in the pocket book? Now that I've said that watch me do something stupid at the next race I attend...Disclaimer: Up dated, fresh engine & improvememts in the drive line & no testing = something stupid on first run. :~)

I agree with Adger. I also respect Adger for his performance with standard parts and his hard work. On the other hand, in addition to what Adger stated, there is a problem with some of the parts allowed in many of what I callf the "runaway" cars.

I consider it a BIG problem in the Modified classes in SS. One single racer, that has the $$$, can get control of the class in any manner he wants. I have brought up this with NHRA and it has fallen in deaf ears. I do not have a problem when the racer uses what I call "standard" available parts. I have a problem with what I call the use of "exotic" parts. I cannot see the premise of using a part just because it is available in the manufacturers performance catalog. If this is the case, the should allow the use of the other parts such as DRCE blocks in Modified class.

IThere is a need to incorporate controls in the class in the way of components and parts used. One example is the use of the Aurora block, which I feel it does not belong in the Modified classes. The Aurora race block does not even come close to a Chevy block other than you can fit a Chevy small block crankshaft. The Aurora block needs a special adapter for the starter and bellhousing. Then when you add a Proflite, you got two adapters in the bellhousing to allow the use of the block. It also has an unusual short deck and allows the use of a 60mm camshaft core. The Aurora block is worth 60~80 HP on the dyno. However, by the time you have a race ready Aurora block, you have invested at least 6 to 8K on the block alone. My premise is that if you want to run the Aurora block, go to Comp. I can forsee one of these days, someone showing up in the class with an R08 block and telling NHRA they will sue if they get tossed.

To get costs down and reduce the runaway racers that hurt the class, there should be restrictions on the parts allowed, keeping the exotic parts out of the class. How hard it would be for NHRA to put a list of allowed cylinder heads and blocks allowed in the class?

Just my $0.05.