Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!
 

And that is the problem Jeff, the factors are over 30 years old

Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!
 

If they used the conversion factor back to Sea Level that is listed on the correction page the runs could be used. After reading the AHFS on the NHRA website, it really makes no mention of altitude tracks being excluded for the system. Although I do know that they are. Is this because it takes extra work to convert the numbers? Huummmmmmmmm

Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!
 

What factors? The altitude factors? Ask any pilot why they haven't changed. It's a constant. In fact, the altitude correction factors once applied to all tracks above 1250'. Then about the time the racers discovered the internet and started raisin' a hissy, it was raised to 1450'+ tracks. That move actually helped guys like me in Arizona (2 tracks lost their altitude "status") with fast cars because it "slowed" us down in respect to amounts below the index.

You guys always seem to forget the AHFS also allows (1) run per each half of the racing season allowable for "extreme" conditions, or words to that effect. Maybe each and every one of these steller runs in Vegas are their "extreme" condition numbers. That policy also works on the below sea level tracks.

Also, runs at corrected tracks are subject to HP adjustments. I'll let somebody else jump in with the math on that.

More than one of those that have traveled the country from high points to low points have told me the factors work. I choose to believe them. I've run downhill racing from Denver, Utah, Vegas, Arizona to California. Everything I've seen tells me the corection factors are reasonably accurate. If you don't want to accept it, prove it.

Lastly on this subject, I am all for "all count" runs towards the AHFS but keeping the same grace 2x per year on exceptional wether.

Dave, car's in the shop getting improvements here and there. Should be ready for next season.

Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!
 

Heres an example grossi ran 9.28 at indy he is there and ran a 9.31 He most likley had the welding gloves on with the dry ice hanging off the manifold like at indy so if the factor is right why didnt he go 9.40 or 9.50 if its so bad at vegas ????????????????

Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!
 

I just got home from a less than perfect weekend in Las Vegas.

Here is my opinion why everybody runs hard in Las Vegas.

The starting line in Las Vegas is one of the best we run on out here on the West Coast.
When the air is up to 3500 plus feet of Density Altitude you can really lean on the car and make it run faster relative to the corrected index than you can at sea level. You can absolutly hammer the car on the starting line and hook it up. The altitude allows you to mask chassis limitations since you don't make as much power.

I don't think Frank Grossi's car was working well at Indy. He had a new engine combination and they had not had a chance to sort it out. He is getting a handle on it now but I think there is more left yet. And if you watch he almost always has ice on it for the qualifying runs.

As far as the factoring goes? Who cares? It is an imperfect system run by imperfect people. It can never make everyone happy so either accept it or run a class where you are not subjected to it. Seems easy to me!

Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!
 

The adjustment down to sea level is the problem. How many tracks are at sea level.( Houston and No Problem are good low tracks but still a little above sea level) The tracks should IMO be set at an average track level, let's say 600 feet. By the way, what is the air in Vegas and what is the track's altitude.

Greg

Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!
 

actual track altitude at vegas is 2200-same as the deceased LACR in Palmdale-but-my street driven 4000 lb Buick ran a best at LACR one cold march night of 13.59-usually on a warm day there it was 13.80s on drag radials, spinning in low gear. I ran 13.35-13.45 at Vegas in the heat with the same car, driven to both tracks on drag radials-underscoring the above point-the starting line for a weekend bracket race at vegas was soooooo much better than most other places, it made my lazy street car look fast (er). Only place I ever ran this car that was better was Norwalk. I don actually understand how the altitude adjustment works via the NHRA adjustment. Jeff Lee, a shame you're not there this weekend-I follow your posts here to try and keep up with whats going on-love your car.

Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!
 

Good post Bryan! Hope it sinks in to the doubters and puts some of these issues to rest. Doubtful though...:(

Take a look at the race car pictures on Drag Race Central. You'll see a lot of wheels up action shots that would typically defy that you are racing at 3500+/- density altitude. I looked at the Vegas weather and noticed not only was the Density altitude corrected to around 3500' but the humidity was in the teens. Never raced on the east coast but would suspect if the density corrects to the same 3500' range then the humidity would be 3x to 4x what Vegas saw this weekend.

I've raced numerous times in Vegas in Stock but have not been there in SS yet. The track has NEVER let me down. Heck, I've never heard of anybody having a traction issue in Vegas. For the reasons cited by Bryan I suspect my ET's will be more favorable in terms of comparing to the index especially as I run a 9" slick in SS.
I noticed my friend Don Kennedy in GT/DA was within a few hundreths of his best ever ET's in Vegas this weekend, good for -1.13 under. Now I know he's been making some chassis adjustments but maybe as Bryan says, that SD455 get's tamed just the right amount with that altitude in conjunction with being on a superb track. I'll bet there's not a torquier engine in all of SS than that SD455!

So bottom line, it's more than just the factor that produces these quick ET's.

Stage1, thanks for the compliment. As I noted earlier, AMX is getting some improvements. New Advanced Clutches dual disk clutch, motor plates, ladder bars (still with 9" slicks), coil-overs, floor pans, oil pan, headers, FAST O2 sensors, and a bunch of nick-nacks. The shop I'm using is not known for fast delivery...

Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!
 

I race my street legal pump gas 4000 lb pickup at Fontana mostly. The best at Fontana is 10.99 @ 119 with a 1.59 60'. At the ET Finals in Vegas it went 11.02 @ 120.54 with a 1.51 60'. Vegas has to be the most awesome track in the country, regardless of the altitude. The only problem is the wind. It keeps changing directions in the afternoon.

Re: Vegas SS Qualifying - WOW!
 

According to Micheal Iacono his Mustang and Camaro are running about the same as they have all year,Altitude or NOT..Also most of the cars in stock I have seen run this year in person seem to be running about the same,,Altitude adjustment is saving alot of HP..