Racing fairness versus Circus attendance

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by danny waters sr

IHRA -.3 Index will not help draw high car count.I thought this was to get as many cars as you can and already this idea would just run more cars off.Remember some cars before NHRA 's gift could at least race as all some could do was run only 3 under. Just my . 02

dw, I was really reffering to that for Q32 or CIC race where there is a large disparity in index. For class you would have to run a seperate class for IHRA and NHRA cars i would think.

[stefan callender]

Last year at the Dutch Classic, Maple Grove was handing out flyers for a race they wanted to put together called the Blue Collar Nationals, what happened to that??? Sounds alot like what you guys want to do.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Chad Rhodes

dw, I was really reffering to that for Q32 or CIC race where there is a large disparity in index. For class you would have to run a seperate class for IHRA and NHRA cars i would think.

Just use the IHRA index and add the odd class that NHRA has vs what IHRA does not have. No way would using 2 seperate index systems work for the same class structure. Mass confusion would set in. How hard is that to do?

[Michael Beard]

If they can put on a couple of big foot brake bracket races at Bristol, then the two biggest obstacles to doing a big class event at Bristol, Norwalk, or Charlotte, would be the sanctioning body and getting the racers to "walk the walk" and show up.

Charlotte is cost-prohibitive. I know people who have tried to rent the facility there, and the cost is astronomical because they "can't afford to open the gates for less than $XX,XXX" due to their overhead. That place is a tax writeoff. They just want to use their palace a few times a year for their huge events, and that's it.

Bristol is extremely expensive, too, and the only way that the World Footbrake Challenge works there is due to buybacks. Even with 200+ cars, they're probably about break-even without buybacks. And round money doesn't start until 4th round. Completely apples and oranges.

Norwalk's got an extensive show-filled season schedule. Would be tough to get the weekend you'd want, and although it'd have to be pricey, too, I know that Bader had expressed an interest in doing something like the USCN after Alex pulled off the first one. I could talk to Bill and just stick the toe in the water.

Just use the IHRA index and add the odd class that NHRA has vs what IHRA does not have. No way would using 2 seperate index systems work for the same class structure. Mass confusion would set in. How hard is that to do?

I believe the USCN used the NHRA weight breaks, combinations, and indexes whenever possible, and just had IHRA version available in U and V where the weight breaks were different. IHRA still uses what could be called "the old NHRA indexes", and still has the Truck and Fuel-Injected classes (which I believe was the case at the USCN as well), as well as all of the FWD classes. IHRA also has AA/FI for the CJ's and DP's. I think it would make sense to use the IHRA categories and indexes (i.e., the old NHRA categories and indexes), and use the NHRA HP factors for everybody, as it's readily available online. Agree/disagree?

- NHRA indexes, current or old?
- separate FI and Truck classes or not?
- new or old FWD class structure?
- separate classes for CJ's DP's? (RUMOR in another thread this may be coming next year... who knows?)

[Mike Carr]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

I believe the USCN used the NHRA weight breaks, combinations, and indexes whenever possible, and just had IHRA version available in U and V where the weight breaks were different. IHRA still uses what could be called "the old NHRA indexes", and still has the Truck and Fuel-Injected classes (which I believe was the case at the USCN as well), as well as all of the FWD classes. IHRA also has AA/FI for the CJ's and DP's. I think it would make sense to use the IHRA categories and indexes (i.e., the old NHRA categories and indexes), and use the NHRA HP factors for everybody, as it's readily available online. Agree/disagree?

- NHRA indexes, current or old?
- separate FI and Truck classes or not?
- new or old FWD class structure?
- separate classes for CJ's DP's? (RUMOR in another thread this may be coming next year... who knows?)

I would go with using the IHRA Classes and Indexes, since they were all the same in NHRA/IHRA until 2003 (truck, FWD, etc). Keeping the FI classes would allow the older cars a chance at winning Class. Exceptions would be SS/AH, SS/EX, etc...classes IHRA does not have yet. The few SS/FS and SS/GS cars (Art, Tim, Stover, Wollett, Dowty and Nelson and anyone else I may be forgetting) could run the corresponding IHRA classes (SS/EC and SS/FC, what they used to be in NHRA). NHRA horsepower should be used, IMO, since some of them are rated higher (read--fairer) in NHRA. Use the 16 FWD classes IHRA has, and that NHRA had until 2003 (I can see a BuffDaddy vs DuckMan race in FF/SA ) I think that covers most of the issues of Classes. A qualified Tech person (actually several) would be a must. A few names that come to mind offhand are Terry Bell, Travis MIller, Duane Eiskant. Also good people to help run the race (Dave Ley, NitroJoe, etc. I'd volunteer to help, but it might cut into my racing and/or schmoozing time LOL). Since IHRA has AA/FI (7.50-7.99 pounds), maybe add a BB/FI, CC/FI and DD/FI, could be .5 or full pound difference.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

I would go with using the IHRA Classes and Indexes, since they were all the same in NHRA/IHRA until 2003 (truck, FWD, etc). Keeping the FI classes would allow the older cars a chance at winning Class. Exceptions would be SS/AH, SS/EX, etc...classes IHRA does not have yet. The few SS/FS and SS/GS cars (Art, Tim, Stover, Wollett, Dowty and Nelson and anyone else I may be forgetting) could run the corresponding IHRA classes (SS/EC and SS/FC, what they used to be in NHRA). NHRA horsepower should be used, IMO, since some of them are rated higher (read--fairer) in NHRA. Use the 16 FWD classes IHRA has, and that NHRA had until 2003 (I can see a BuffDaddy vs DuckMan race in FF/SA ) I think that covers most of the issues of Classes. A qualified Tech person (actually several) would be a must. A few names that come to mind offhand are Terry Bell, Travis MIller, Duane Eiskant. Also good people to help run the race (Dave Ley, NitroJoe, etc. I'd volunteer to help, but it might cut into my racing and/or schmoozing time LOL). Since IHRA has AA/FI (7.50-7.99 pounds), maybe add a BB/FI, CC/FI and DD/FI, could be .5 or full pound difference.

Im pretty sure NHRA wouldnt allow any of thier tech people to help as in the case of the first USCN. Red worked the starting line and pretty much told them to shove it. He is a GREAT starting line person (Much better than Rick (Fuel Queer) Sturit (sp ?). Duane may be un avaliable due to circumstances beyond his control????. Im not sure if I have the desire or the health anymore. 15 hour days on yor feet in the heat are for younger and healthier people. Id love to see Wesley be involved but??????

[Adger Smith]

Don't rule Wesley out. I've been told he doesn't work for NHRA any more. I believe he is an employee of the Div 4 Tech dept IE: Chuck Nelson. I'm pretty sure he has been doing Tech work for some other organizations. Maybe Fun Ford? I'll get a chance to ask when we work the Engine Masters Challenge. I'm also pretty sure the program would have to be "right" for him to participate.