AHFS Question

[Chuck Norton]

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

This just means that the system is activated and a review will happen. It does not mean that a HP change WILL happen. It just means there will be a review of the combo. They then take all the other runs for that combo in consideration and the class average and then decide the proper course.

Jim, your interpretation is exactly the way the system has functioned for almost 10 years. Like it or hate it, the AHFS has survived long enough for most of us to have a feel for how it works. I can think of more than half-a-dozen very well-known NHRA officials who have been involved with administering the system and, it has served a purpose. The question seems to be, what constitutes a "trigger." The language of the original rule is vague and allows for a range of interpretations. The overwhelming preponderance of racers who have contacted me today have been working under the impression that one racer can only accumulate one trigger at a given event. I don't know how it was intended to operate but I believe that is the way it has worked since the words were written.

The issues that are puzzling to me are: 1. Who decided that the official interpretation should be changed? One person? Two persons? A committee of persons? 2. Why was it deemed important to change it? Does the system work too well? Not well enough? Not at all? 3. When was the decision made? In February? In April? In mid-July? 4. Who knew that the interpretation had been changed? The tech department? The RAC? Glen Gray? Anyone? 5. Did anyone stop to think that racers should be informed at any point along the way? If not, why not?

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Chuck Norton

Jim, your interpretation is exactly the way the system has functioned for almost 10 years. Like it or hate it, the AHFS has survived long enough for most of us to have a feel for how it works. I can think of more than half-a-dozen very well-known NHRA officials who have been involved with administering the system and, it has served a purpose. The question seems to be, what constitutes a "trigger." The language of the original rule is vague and allows for a range of interpretations. The overwhelming preponderance of racers who have contacted me today have been working under the impression that one racer can only accumulate one trigger at a given event. I don't know how it was intended to operate but I believe that is the way it has worked since the words were written.

The issues that are puzzling to me are: 1. Who decided that the official interpretation should be changed? One person? Two persons? A committee of persons? 2. Why was it deemed important to change it? Does the system work too well? Not well enough? Not at all? 3. When was the decision made? In February? In April? In mid-July? 4. Who knew that the interpretation had been changed? The tech department? The RAC? Glen Gray? Anyone? 5. Did anyone stop to think that racers should be informed at any point along the way? If not, why not?

Chuck -- You bring to light five very good questions but the next important question is -- how the hell are we ever going to get straight answers -- and from whom will they come ? With the HP Committee now more or less disbanded who is left ...................

[Sean Cour]

So, let's say I make two runs in class at over 1.15 under. But in eliminations I dial her back and run four rounds at .70-.80 under. Does this mean that all my runs count towards my combo, and if yes, it shouldn't receive any horsepower? If all my runs don't count, why not?

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Sean Cour

So, let's say I make two runs in class at over 1.15 under. But in eliminations I dial her back and run four rounds at .70-.80 under. Does this mean that all my runs count towards my combo, and if yes, it shouldn't receive any horsepower? If all my runs don't count, why not?

Sean ,That's a damn good question.

Rich, Obscure combos? I resemble that remark!

[Jeff Teuton]

Obviously there is a problem. Greg Hill had it right. One person and get one review point at one event. Two people can get two at one event. One person can do it at 2 events and get the review. I have followed this system since it's inception and that has been the way it was always done. Sean, your fastest run at a National Event is only what goes in the system. To offset your average, you would have to go slow every run at a National Event. Points Races only get hp if 1.40 under run. This is all fixable, just needs a little help. But it needs to be fixed before a buncha races are run, or don't make any till yearend. Or something.

[Sean Cour]

Jeff, I understand what you're saying, but according to some of the latest h.p. refactoring, the way you described (that's the way I understood it) is not how it is being run now. I am now just trying to understand the "latest enhancement" and how it is being played.

[Jeff Teuton]

I think all the members or the 'committee' have been contacted about various mistakes. I have been passing them along. Unfortunately I remember all too well the teardown at Indy of everything we had there(as many as four) for making suggestions. And it went on for several years. The good part is it's fixable, and we need a clear understanding of the system (which, like it or not, I thought we had).

[bsa633]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

. Sean, your fastest run at a National Event is only what goes in the system. To offset your average, you would have to go slow every run at a National Event.

That is sort of how it looks the way Sorensons have raced the last couple of years...even if that's not the reason . ..

[Adger Smith]

It is also what The Fletch did to save B/SA a few years ago when another racer was going to hit the combo he ran. He ran quite a few races going less than .65 under to lower the class avg. It is just a way to work the system to save a HP hit.(or index) To lower the class avg. After 2 different + 1.15 runs just put the ego away for going fast and run a little quicker than .5 on every run at a few National Events. Jeff was right about the trigger being at two events for one person and both triggers at one event for 2. That is the way it was told to me by a former member of the AHFS administration commitee a few years ago when I ask him to hold a private class on AHFS. Understanding the system has kept me from doing a second index Kill on the class I run. I guess I had better be careful If there has been a change in the way the new group is applying the system.

[bill dedman]

Tom Mook said, "bill dedman, I thought they took the hp. off Fred Henson's hemi,"

They did take SOME HP off, but what about all the damage that was done between the time they "awarded" this HP and the time they took it off?

I don't remember exactly when they added that HP, but it's been a while.

In the meantime, Fred has installed a 4-speed to change classes ($$$$$) to try to keep the car competitive and reportedly had a lot of trouble getting the car down the strip. The engine in question was eventually installed in a different chassis (a B-Body) and sold to another racer.

That's just what FRED did. I don't know anything about the other E-Body Hemi racers that suffered under this NHRA "mistake", but your implication that everything is OK now, since NHRA removed that HP doesn't address the whole picture. And, who's to say it won't happen again, to somebody else?

Who was it that said "You can't fix stupid"??? Hmmmmm....