Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Are you really a white guy?.....Eddie we love ya no matter what color you are......

anyway....Jason.....our cars run fairly fast and I have no plans on making them any faster....the speed thing is self governing.....we don't think the cars would be as competitive if they were faster.....

and 1 more thing Jason....when our cars come off the stop.....they run pretty good...its still a pretty good ride...I like it........Eddie loves it....

oh yea one more....I wasn't that nervous with the 217 mph sc car.....but the 201 mph sg car got my attention....I couldn't believe he got a hold of the track way out there....incredible....when one of the guys on this board raced him...he said he looked back and didn't see him....womped a couple of times...looked back and he was past him with the chutes out...........incredible.....

cbs

wow.....

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

I know the feeling! The difference is the guy going by me wasn't doing 201 mph, he was doing 170 mph!

Well, I've got to get back to work too to keep the money coming in so that I can keep giving it to my engine builder...:rolleyes:

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Oh, and by the way, have a great (and safe) 4th everyone, and good luck to all of you that will be racing!

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

"Eddie Loves it "

If there was a stronger word than Love I would use it ,,,,,,,

It is not boering , it gets your attention , and for a Grand Pa ,,, It is a rush !!! ,,,,when you see me , I'll bend over for a good kick in the A_ _ for not switching to a big block years ago !!!


One thing I would change If I was Mr. NHRA :)
I would not put or tell folks what the reaction time was ,,,, Think about it ???
You would have to really be a driver !!!! My 2 Cents !!

Colorful Racer

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

you know every year I used to say....we need a little more..just a little more....

but I haven't said that in a few years....the durability of 1200 hp is a lot less than 800 hp...so its much more work and expense....but a lot of fun....

have a great 4th......

CBS...

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

S/st 10.00 back half cars only? Why back half cars only. Maybe we should change and run to a 1000ft that would change everything. If you want to run wide open there is two other classes that offer that. Stock and super stock ( Jeff d.)


The back half only was to keep the playfeild even,a full chassis car is alot more repeatable,and also would keep the 150plus cars in SG where they belong.

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Sorry bryan, i thought you were going in a different direction with that comment. I run a mustang with 10.5 tires and somewhat stock suspension. And the car only runs 10.00-10.20 depending on weather. And 131-135 mph. I've been doing this for about 9 years and love it. Just leave the .90 classes the same.


Have a great 4th everyone.


See you guys in stanton next weekend


jeff d.
37

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

First off.......Jason.....please stop saying the same thing OVER AND OVER again with these HUGE posts. I stopped reading your responses, they are redundant and too much reading. Short and sweet and to the point.

As far as this situation goes....why not educate the fans instead of just sending out .90 classes. Maybe a TV show on .90 racing to explain what REALLY goes into racing these classes. I know when I explain to the novice race fans their head spins when I get into weather stations, throttle stops, ratios and finish line racing.

Obviously there is alot more than meets the eye and lets expose Throttle Stop racing for what it Really is. We could get alot more personal and industry exposure with a simple TV show series showing off sportsman racing.

LETS DO IT!

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

I might as well make some enemies:D
I won my first try at H/R at Byron in 04. NO throttle stop( just a mechanical limiter),NO delay box!:eek: I ran 7.00 on the index twice through the day.It was a blast! I LOVE the heads up pro tree.
After that I put in a linkage stop & box. It was boring, & the best I could muster was a r/u at Cordova. I found it easier to run the number with the limiter!
I sold the Red 65 442 in dec along with the stop & box, In favor of the current car. So far it has run a best of 10.909 & come later in the year ,if the weather is nice enough to run consistent 10.9's I will try S/St at Earlville.
Yeah the national events everyone takes a break when john force is done, but at the divisional events, the classes people watch are super/stock & T/S, & afc & tad if they're there. There's my 2cents.

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

The stands empty out after top alcahol anything. The balance of Sportsman Racing is for racers and the most educated of fans. We could find plenty of people whom don't like bikes for example, but the guy or gal on the bike does. I beleive this to be the point. Super class racing is not intended to be fan freindly. It is supposed to be difficult, which it is. hAPPY 4TH TO ALL.

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Dearest Moderator,

If you don't like my posts, then don't read them. How's that for short and sweet?

Yours truly,

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

[QUOTE=Tom DePascale;74290]Tom,

My car may be uglier, but my flames are nicer and I can get away with saying that because the Moderator did them! Luck for you I want to drive your dragster, or I would comment on how your car should have 4x4 air brushed on your tail gate!

P.S. nice wheels, I heard Centerline was giving those away in the 70's as a truck promo, how did you turn the 8 lugs into 5?

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but I am new to the forum and wanted to comment.

As was mentioned before, Super-Gas used to be more of a crowd favorite back in the 1980's. I have photos of me going rounds at the 1988 Seafair Nationals, and even in the early rounds there were plenty of people in the stands. By the later rounds, the stands were packed and I even saw plenty of flashbulbs as I did my burnout and stage. Was it purely because the cars looked more like a decent heads-up race? I think it was, at least in part. The crowds are bigger overall these days, and maybe they could care less, but I think it was cool for people to watch the same cars they see at a weekly bracket race, but at the national event.

As mentioned, all the cars back then were either using a bolt or a Dedenbear-type stop activated in high gear. The quicker the car was capable of running, the slower the trap speed. I think the spectators didn't care because they got to see heads up, wheelstanding launches. I personally liked it because I was able to field a competitive car on a starving college student's budget! Mine was one of the quicker cars (probably could run a 9.20 if I changed the gears), which meant that the other cars were catching up to me all the time, but I always had a heck of an override to use to take the stripe.

I am in the process of rebuilding my car, and am still torn about this whole massive MPH deal. I can probably set it up to run a reasonable mph, but I'm not sure I want to do that. I've been pleased to see that Ted Seipel and others have had reasonable success racing the "old school" way. I guess if I had my way I'd probably institute a speed limit on the .90 classes, but that's my selfish response so I can just set my car up the way I raced it 18-20 years ago!

Regards,

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

After reading all 11 pages of the other forum's thread which led to this thread, I have a couple of thoughts/questions for those who are currently racing .90 classes.

I remember when NHRA banned stutter boxes (I think it was in the 1988 or 1989 season). I was told that it was for two reasons: 1) They didn't like the way it made the cars sound (looking/sounding like they were broken & misfiring for a few seconds), and 2) They did not want everyone making big horsepower cars to run massive speeds (both for safety and racer cost issues). Obviously #1 is arguably happening anyway, and #2 definitely is.

So now my question - if NHRA banned timed throttle stops and shifters (made you shift manually) for the .90 classes (you could still run a throttle stop but it must be activated by the shifter), would you keep racing?

Would you prefer it over the current rules?

Would your answer be the same if you didn't have a ton of cash invested in your current setup?

Regards,

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

How would you activate a throttle stop by the shifter?

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Just a roller microswitch which turns off the stop when you shift (manually) into high gear. Mine is mounted where I can reach it easily, and I use the same switch as an override button to take the stripe if necessary.

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

I'm not sure if it matters much if you have a timer do it, or a switch, but in any event I would keep .90 racing even if they did away with delay boxes and you had to shift yourself. I went bracket racing this weekend and it made me realize how much fun class racing is. I guess as long as we are all playing by the same rules, what ever it is, it is!

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

All I can say on this subject ,,,, is If you gona go to a gunfight ,,, you better take a real gun !!

I've been fighting with a knife ( Small Block Chevy ) for the last few years and getting killed , regardless of how good I could use my knife ,,,This year I went out and bought the same gun as the winners on this board ( A REAL BIG BLOCK ) :)

and I got to tell you I won my share of gunfights and plan on winning more next year as I learn how
to use this new LARGE gun !!!

Bottom line and it took me a while to get there ( I'm a stubborn Engineer ) but if you can't beat them,,
Join them or at least get on the same playing field .......

Colorful Big Block Beliver Racer

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Eddie,
Was it just the issue of judging the stripe while being chased down? Or are there other factors?

How much mph are you turning now versus before?

Would you keep racing if they implemented the rules I mentioned above?

Regards,

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

i agree total will y--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

170 SC
160 SG
130 SST (500 cubic in limit, lol)

Go back to old throttle stop running from shifter where you going full throttle till high gear and take timers away, will not have a mph PROBLEM AT ALL!

If anybody was around when Pro Gas/Super Gas first came out fans loved it, side by side racing all the way down the track and nobody could tell when the throttle stops came on.

Here's who it hurt companys selling timers (yawnnnnn) all these companys selling big motors to go big speeds (you want to go big speed, run Top)

Who this would help........anybody watching, Super classes are hard to tell spector joe watching why they come almost to a stop before going again past the tree.
Ok, thats my 2 cents, but it will never happen, like everything else, poltics rules.

TAKE TIMERS AWAY!!!!!!!!!
Do away with RT's during eliminations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ou joe.

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

I say leave the class racing alone. Maybe it's because I'm finally figuring it out, and have a car that is pretty consistant. I won 3 rounds at US Nationals in S/G back in '06. I think it was the first rounds I had ever won in that class, so needless to say, I got pretty lucky. If it wasn't for getting to jumpy on the line and going .141 red I think, might have gone more rounds. Two cars later, and I'm finally winning rounds on a consistant basis. If only I could cut consistant lights, I'd be golden. I am also a fast car now, which might help. Running about 162mph. I do know several people that have done very well, and they are running flat out to get to 9.90. One of them won 6 rounds at US Nationals, beeting Mike Ruff in round 4, and Dan Fletcher in round 5, by not letting Fletcher play his staging games. http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCSt...r2007#indextop

Personally, I like watching the sportsman races more. This year at US Nationals, I think I watched Saturday night qualifying, and that was the only pro runs I saw. The .90 classes I think are more fun that bracket because it's a lot harder to figure out. I have even run on the throttle stop to go bracket racing, just to mess with people. You also run into a lot more side by side racing with the .90 classes. I love being bumper to bumper with someone going down the track and daring each other to take the stripe. Last year I hated being in a 7.60 dragster, bracket racing against 12 second cars. You come up on them so fast, you don't know who is going to take the stripe.

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

I was just watching some show about the mob, and they were interviewing this infamous mob assassin. What made him particularly interesting was that he did all his killing with a knife. His comment: "Anybody can kill with a gun. It takes a REAL man to kill somebody with a knife."

I totally agree. ;)

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

BANG!! That's the sound of the guy with the knife hitting the floor as he walks toward you.

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

"thats a double edged sword...! "

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Do we have to start this stuff so early.....can't we wait till the middle of winter.....I think if a vote was taken....it would be a landslide for timers....

and the bigger the gun ...the better.....

although Gary kind if makes me nervous with his scenario....

CBS

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Well said my friend! :)

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Yeah, but I only have a knife, and I can't afford a gun right now, so I want to talk everyone else into trading their guns in for knives ;) Ironically, I have many more shooting trophies than racing trophies from the past 10 years!

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

The funny thing is that its usually the Italians that bring the knife to the gun fight! Didn't any of you see The Untouchables?

So, how come that's not true in D1???

And actually "Thud" is the sound of the guy hitting the floor. "Bang" is the sound right before!

Down with timers! Speed limits! Outlaw big blocks!

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

On a slightly more serious note, how about a weight break for small blocks? There are already weight breaks in place in S/G for 4-cyl and 6-cyl engines (I don't think I've ever seen one run though). So, how about anyone under a 400 cid limit gets a 200 lb. weight break (2600 lbs. - same as IHRA Hot Rod)?

I'm not saying it will happen because all you big block wussies will start whining about it, but it's just a thought....

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

There was a really nice 6 cylinder box Nova that ran D1 in S/G in late 90s ,early 00s, unique sound for sure.

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

But what about for S/G? Several people have suggested that I run my car in S/ST, but I would need about 550 lbs of ballast to make weight, even with an iron-block big block. Then again, I'll bet it would hook anywhere with that much lead over the rear tires ;)

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Oh, I would put the 200 lb. weight break in for S/C, S/G, and S/St. I would put an additional weight break in for doorslammers in S/C, but they can't hit the current minimum weight anyway, and it would be silly IMHO to make 99% of the cars (dragsters) add weight.

But again, this is just my $0.02 being the SUUUUUUUPER GEEEENIUS (said in my best Wiley E. Coyote voice) that I am...

As for adding 550 lbs. of ballast to your car so that you can run it in S/St, good luck with that! I had to add a little over 200 lbs. and that was a challenge....

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

I remember a guy who ran a plain white Brogie in D7 S/ST back in the late 80's and early 90's. He made a huge rear bumper out of about 5" diameter round tubing, and rumor had it that it was completely lead filled. I can't remember if I saw him run that car after they bumped the min from 2500 lbs to 2800 lbs.

My car still doesn't have a chute or wheelie bars, so I could add those for some of the weight, but nowhere near the S/ST requirements!

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Well, a 5" diameter bar that was 5 ft. long would be almost 500 lbs. For suspension performance purposes, I can't say that I'd want 500 lbs. hanging off 2 ft. behind the centerline of the rear axle, but you could probably make it work. You'd better just have some serious supports holding that cantilevered load on the car (according to NHRA rules, it would need twenty 5/8" diameter bolts...I think...it's two 5/8" bolts per 50 lbs., right?)

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

.....and there you have it!

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Nope, it's only two ½" bolts per 100 lbs, so he only needed 10 bolts or so ;) IIRC the guy's first name was Blair. Does anyone else on here remember that car?

I see that only 500 lbs can be removable, but the balance can be bolted on and have the nuts welded to the bolts. Not that I would really consider it, but I have provision in my chassis for 200 lbs of removable ballast, plus using a factory rear Vega hatch (which added around 60 lbs IIRC). I remember adding it all on at a race to see if I could get to the 2500 lbs limit (at the time) of S/ST.

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Gary, that was Greg and Ernie Horrocks Nova, but it had 180 degree headers on it that made it sound like a six. ....... Some of us "old timers" remember when Larry Morgan briefly ran his 4 cyl Fiero comp car in S/G....... Personally, the class has evolved to what it is over the years due to many factors. ......There is no one perfect way to either run the 90 classes or to regulate them . What we have now is'nt perfect, but it works most of the time. ...........Natural selection and economy will somewhat slow the classes over time as the higher cost and increased maintance of going fast catch up with us. ......I've noticed a number of cars that got a little more conservative with speed this year, mine included, altho the loss of 70 cubes at E-town had a lot to do with that ! .......Tom

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Um yeah, has anyone seen that there is a small block in the D1 Super Gas Top 5 points? It's all about doing the best with what you have case closed.

Kelli
1236 S/ST
1836 S/G

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Isn't all still all about the index.......?....minimum weight & go .90.........small block / big block.........as long as it runs the number........... I guess thats why they have top sportsman.....for people who just want to go quick & fast......people laugh at me because i only go 137 mph. & on a good day do it with a .90. I always buy the first round qualifing sheet from draw..................and for some odd reason the number one qualifier usually goes 9.90...........................if you qualified on mph, that could make a difference..............

Re: An Idiots Guide to Super Class Racing
 

Exactly!