Has anyone changed their mind about AA/SA index?

[Bruce Noland]

One racer attempted to qualify at Indy with a very fast car and couldn't get on the final sheet. Sure it's a fun class/index to run all out and not worry about a HP hit. But isn't it time to rethink that (new car) index for the AA classes?

[Mickey Whaley]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

One racer attempted to qualify at Indy with a very fast car and couldn't get on the final sheet. Sure it's a fun class/index to run all out and not worry about a HP hit. But isn't it time to rethink that (new car) index for the AA classes?

HAHAHA while your at it i want some HP off my combo so i can qualify

[Mike Carr]

Originally Posted by Bruce Noland

One racer attempted to qualify at Indy with a very fast car and couldn't get on the final sheet. Sure it's a fun class/index to run all out and not worry about a HP hit. But isn't it time to rethink that (new car) index for the AA classes?

If you look at the way the other Classes from A/SA to O/SA are, yes.

A/SA 11.00
B/SA 11.25 (.25 slower)
C/SA 11.40 (.15 slower)
D/SA 11.55
E/SA 11.70
F/SA 11.85
G/SA 12.00
and goes in .15 increments all the way down to O/SA 13.15. Then P/SA is 13.45, when they start the one-pound weight breaks.

So, based on the numbers, AA/SA Index should be 10.75-10.85 range, to 'fall in line' with the other Indexes. Currently it's four tenths quicker (10.60) than A/SA. I know several AA racers asked for a tougher index, to be able to race more flat-out, but it bites them at places like Indy.

[Mike Keener]

I beat this issue to death last year and got chastised for it by it from respected racers from Div 1 to Div 7 and several in between.

Leave it alone they said!

Even when I made this very same point about falling in line with the A index most of the hitters seemed to want an exhibition class- and said hey- if you can't qualify in AA then just run A. I then pointed out that some of these cars get very-very heavy in A as a result, etc, etc, but it didn't matter. The nay sayers all stuck to their guns and so here we are.

I have said it before, and I will say it again, these indexes are wrong for reasons described above, and for maximum spectator appeal there also needs to be a consolidation of sticks and autos in this class. If these changes were ever brought about AA/S would make a far more interesting class within Stock Eliminator. Not to mention it would be every bit as exciting to watch as any of the Factory Shootout Classes and wouldn't have the burden of attempting to make it fair between NA, Blower/SC, and V10 combos.

I'm not trying to antagonize or anger anyone who doesn't agree with me. I have a dog in both fights, am a huge fan of continued success within Stock Eliminator, and will continue to support it no matter which way this issue turns out. But yes, I think if changes were implemented this class could really help the older muscle cars within this eliminator really shine, and this is a great time to re-open this discussion.

[Pistol Pete]

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

If you look at the way the other Classes from A/SA to O/SA are, yes.

A/SA 11.00
B/SA 11.25 (.25 slower)
C/SA 11.40 (.15 slower)
D/SA 11.55
E/SA 11.70
F/SA 11.85
G/SA 12.00
and goes in .15 increments all the way down to O/SA 13.15. Then P/SA is 13.45, when they start the one-pound weight breaks.

So, based on the numbers, AA/SA Index should be 10.75-10.85 range, to 'fall in line' with the other Indexes. Currently it's four tenths quicker (10.60) than A/SA. I know several AA racers asked for a tougher index, to be able to race more flat-out, but it bites them at places like Indy.

Mike Carr
The K/SA index is 12.65
The L/SA index is. 12.70
Do not understand that.

[Mike Carr]

Originally Posted by Pistol Pete

Mike Carr
The K/SA index is 12.65
The L/SA index is. 12.70
Do not understand that.

Yes, I forgot K and L were close together. The rest are all .15 apart. I don't know why K and L are so close.

[Alan Roehrich]

When those who campaigned for AA/SA and AA/S were asked by NHRA officials (I won't say who) what the index should be, everyone I know who answered agreed on 10.90, which was, at the time, 0.35 and 0.40 quicker than the next lower classes. The idea being to let people go out and turn the cars loose. However, that was a year or two before the indexes were lowered by 0.30 across the board. The AA classes were requested by and for people running traditional big HP cars, such as the Street Hemi, the 427 Fords, and the 427 and 454 Chevrolet engines rated at 425HP or higher. However, the indexes were lower after the new factory race cars were introduced in the regular classes. Well, we got what we asked for, and we've lived with it. Yes, it would be nice to see the index for AA back up around 10.80 or 10.90, but it is what it is.

[Greenlight]

I agree with Bruce on this one. Let's look at the facts.

Using Nitro Joe stats, when you look at the quickest runs in all Auto Trans Stock classes you will note that the AA/SA cars have not been able to run as far under the index as all the other classes.

When you look at the NHRA HP ratings of the cars in AA/SA, they range from 381 to 450 HP. That means to jump from A/SA (11.00) to AA/SA (10.60) these cars can remove anywhere from 381/2 = 190.5 lbs. to 450/2 = 225 lbs.. For that weight advantage they have an index that is 0.40 seconds quicker.

Who is willing to give up 0.40 seconds for 200 lbs.?????? Raise your hand !!!!

I think 11.00 - 0.25 = 10.75 would be a lot more reasonable.

Take a look at the cars that have jumped around from A/SA to AA/SA. They have not been able to run as far under the index in AA as they can in A.

[Billy Nees]

Ya know, it's kinda-sorta funny how all the classes from L on down lose a tenth, in the grand scheme of things, and nobody complains!

[Greenlight]

????

L/sa 12.70 -----
m/sa 12.85 -.15
n/sa 13.00 -.15
o/sa 13.15 -.15
p/sa 13.45 -.30
q/sa 13.80 -.35
r/sa 14.05 -.25
t/sa 14.40 -.35
u/sa 14.85 -.45
v/sa 15.50 -.65
w/sa 16.65 -.1.15