Re: Factory Showdown at INDY
 

The new cars in Stock is proof. And you have no proof they didn't because they don't allow shills in on company business.

Re: Factory Showdown at INDY
 

They NHRA changed the rules on the 50 car build it was 50 of each combo, nut like the COPOs no manuals or 3 speeds built just listed on paper and not 50 of each combos. Or like the Fords one one engine combo and 3 paper engine combos that you couldn't even a compelte engine from the dealer.

Re: Factory Showdown at INDY
 

Look at my response on page 12, that was the first race for that car. As far as the qualifying times are concerned, I was up against the #1 qualifier in D/SA first round, he was up against #5, it seems that I had my car on kill and he did not, there's no reason to run 1.00 under if it's not necessary to win.

Re: Factory Showdown at INDY
 

I see now where they have changed the index to 9.90. What is the purpose of the index anyway? If its a heads up type formate, or is it because they only want people that can run at least 9.90 or quicker to even get into the showdown? Or do you have to be able to run x amount under the index to get into the showdown?
Chuck

Re: Factory Showdown at INDY
 

All Stockers, regardless of Class/Index, need to run so far under to make the final eliminations (128 car qualified field). In 2004, it took -1.051 (-.751 under the current Indexes) to make the field. 180 or so Stockers were there that year. Last year, only 140 showed, the bump spot was -.617 under to qualify.

I think making the Index 9.90 is a bit more fair. At 9.70, it would have almost taken an 8 second run just to qualify for the "big show".

Re: Factory Showdown at INDY
 

But in this everyone is the same index. So how many spots they are running 16/32 etc. wouldn't matter if a person was 1.20 under or 1.20 over if it was top spots you're in. Just like all other heads up classes. The only reason I see having an index at all is to utilize the AHFS instead developing a rules committee with representatives from each camp to make weight adjustments to even the field. Outside of that no reason to have an index IMO.

Re: Factory Showdown at INDY
 

I have to ask you how you feel about the 1970 Camaro 350 ci 360 HP combination? In 1970 it was given a 10 HP gift over the Corvette (in regards to the classification). In the early 2000's it was given an even bigger gift by the NHRA when it was reduced to 325 HP. You seem to run at the front in D/SA with that combination, so that is why I ask.

(My thoughts are that you picked a good combination from the guide and ran with it.)

Re: Factory Showdown at INDY
 

Ask the DragPak racers that will DNQ for the event on a 9.90 Index. They might disagree with you.

Re: Factory Showdown at INDY
 

Nothing about this whole format makes sense. I'll use as an example, Mustang running in AA. AA index is 10.00, so now in order for him to race in this shootout, he looses a tenth of index as well as needing to add about 300 lbs. In a perfect world, thats 4 tenths in performance by those changes alone. The cars that were running 8.90's early in the year are now in the 9.20 to 9.30 range. Add 300 lbs and take away that tenth and guess what, now they are only 3 to 4 tenths under the index. That would be a hell of a note to race in the showdown and not even be able th qualify for the field.
Chuck

Re: Factory Showdown at INDY
 

I definitely have a good combination, I would never argue that. As far as the horsepower reduction goes, it would not be competitive at 360. I would be in B/SA at almost the same weight (3230 vs 3255), and there's no way I could run with the LS1s or a 396/375 or some of the other good B/SA combinations. Currently, my car is rated 5 less than a Corvette, but I think the Corvette would be just as fast if not faster under the index, especially since it's a stick only combination. It weighs 115 lbs less in C than I do in D, so it's only about .03 the body style would have to make up. Actually, I think my car would be faster with a stick, anyone want to donate a Jerico?

I do have one of the faster D/SA cars, but I don't think my combination is any better than some others. A 400 Pontiac rated the same and is just as good or better, hell it has 50 more cubic inches. Mine is probably better than a 396/325 or 396/350, but it's not even in the same ballpark as an LS1 in a Corvette. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any carbureted small blocks rated more than mine.