What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

After the recent discussion on the other thread, I figured I'd start a poll and see how people voted. Hopefully I'll get this poll to work correctly.

Regards,

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

I'd start watching them again instead of going to the can or for a hotdog.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Give us a break.

Don't you have something else to complain about?

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Unfortunately, NHRA would never take away, any electronics for fear that they would kill the goose that laid the golden egg. I once enjoyed Super Gas or Super Comp but hate to try to explain to a young novice spectator why did the car stall and all of a sudden pick up again. Last week-end at the Virginia National I enjoyed watching a competitor in Super Comp going 218 mph with his alcohol supercharged big block, he would gently leave the starting line sit for about 4.5 second dead in the water and then all of a sudden take off like a bat out of hell! Racer who race in super comp should be worried about how fan have no interest in their cars, I know I would. Look how stock has brought new fans with their super competitive time (wheel stand doesn't hurt either) the different body styles and so on. Nobody want's to see or pay to watch dragster that could be operated by Nintendo teenagers from the stand. NHRA better wake up, I can remember talking with Steve Cohen at Sanair during his Championship year all he had was a reaction timer and a simple bolt limiting the throttle. Claude Ruel L1108stk

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Can you explain to a novice why one car leaves before the other. No one watches any sportsman class , get use to it.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

I try and stay away from these topics........but.........
*I like things just the way they are, I do not feel it has anything to do with spectators. I do not feel NHRA will ban timers either. I enjoy explaining how the throttle stops work and the purpose of them. People I explain it to thinks it's cool to have all that technology in our sport. The neve new it was that complex.
I feel lucky and thank God every day just for letting me still be able to do what I enjoy doing! I have always believed that if you don't like the play ground you are playing in find another one. If you can't, quit playing. For those who do not know me I race a 167mph (tops) super comp dragster and bracket race. Do I want to go faster? Hell yes, but I race within my means and have a "Blast" doing it.
Sorry to carry on like this, this is just my opinion and it's 4:30am and felt like doing it:)

BB

* Disclaimer; I am in no way to be held responsible for this post, it is for entertainment purposes only

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Well said BB, even if it was 4:30am.................

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Well said!

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

LOL!!!!!!! I am going to buy a Crew Chief Pro this winter just because you had enough ball to say that! (and because i really want one)

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

I am going to get blasted for this one..... Claude- when is the last time someone told you they went to a National event to watch stock that wasn't already affiliated with someone racing? I am a Super Class racer, and I do enjoy watching my friends in Stock and Super Stock. But lets get it straight, the fans do not come to watch us ( us being any of the sportsman ranks ) at a National event. I have seen a lot of discussions on this on all of the websites lately. Funny thing, most of the complainers are either not Super Class competitors or they are plain just not that great of racer. If your thing is Stock, race stock, and complain about what you don't like there. If your thing is Comp, Alcohol, bikes, TD, TS, what ever it is.... stick to complaining about your class...

I don't know Steve Cohen personally, but have seen his accomplishments, hell of a racer.. but do you think he would go back to the bolt? I used the bolt my first couple of years and did well, but I am not going back to it..

One last thing and I am done.... I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD GO BACK TO WATCHING TV ON A 17" SCREEN WITH ANTENNAS AND THROW OUT NEW TECHNOLOGY BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS HOW THEY WORK AND NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD THEM. I FOR ONE AM ON MY WAY TO THE DUMP WITH MY DIGITAL TV.... Kidding of course...

I just can't leave it alone.... I tried to stop at one last thing but I can't...

If you complainers get this hing pushed through, (which you won't) What do we do with the 3000-4000 Throttle stops and timers? 1,500,000.00 to 2,000,000.00 in electronics in the recylce bin? Then what will you complain about next? Our shifters? Our delay boxes?

Laughing to hard to continue...

My 2 cents...

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Maybe they should bann shoepolish.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Just to clarify - the way I phrased this poll it was not intended to cover throttle stops, only timers. In other words, you would still be able to use your throttle stop, but it would need to be activated either manually or by a shifter which is not timer-based. I just wanted to see how many people like the high-mph racing the way it is today, versus the way it was at the inception of the super categories.

Regards,

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Mike ... for someone who hasn't raced in 12 years your starting off good.
Are you still dating Tonya Harding???? LOL

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

If not, Hook him up with Loraina Bobitt!

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Fixed!

Probably see the word " POLL" and got ya all excited .......eah!

http://forums.tdiclub.com/image.php?...ine=1198360446




http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1930/2popcorn6ih.gif

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Ouch! Better watch out or I'll send her to your pit area at the next race!

Just for the record, it's been 15 years since I last ran a national event! I ran Boise LODRS the next year and broke a motor, and haven't run the car since. I have been bracket racing for the last 2 years though (and watched at a couple of LODRS races), so I figured out how to find the track again. Hopefully I'll re-debut the car at Boise next spring, but I'm still not sure if I'll follow the current standard or slow my car down to 125 mph at 9.90.

Regards,

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Interesting results so far. Half the people would like the change and keep racing their current class. The other half would resort to violence.

And then there's a couple of weirdos in there that would race T/S, or worse, sell their nice stuff and pay off bills! :p

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

One last thing and I am done.... I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD GO BACK TO WATCHING TV ON A 17" SCREEN WITH ANTENNAS AND THROW OUT NEW TECHNOLOGY BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS HOW THEY WORK AND NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD THEM. I FOR ONE AM ON MY WAY TO THE DUMP WITH MY DIGITAL TV.... Kidding of course...



WOW! That says it best! Way to go Jim.

P.S. Who cares about spectators anyway? I dont. I like racing, (sportsman only),not trying to be some kind of a star.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

They don't care about any goose. No goose ever laid an egg that was golden anyway.

Why do you hate to explain something to someone. Let me guess, you don't understand it, can't afford it, or you are being lazy. Let's take a poll.

I ran the 218 mph car at a race, very fun. He had me by 48 mph at the finish line but I got there first.

I see the same amount of spectators in the stands in both classes so you stockers should be worried, not us. We have twice as many competitors in our classes normally also. Besides we are nearly twice as fast ( 218 fastest vs. 120 - not even close ).

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

A friend of mine does not like super class racing. He feels NHRA should have a heads up door class based on weight to cubic inches. First one to take the stripe wins.
I told him NHRA has this class. It's called Pro Stock. He didn't like my answer.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Stocker guys make NHRA employees HAVE TO WORK!
Plus all the crying and accusing each other of CHEATING all the time,

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

I personally have not done alot of super class racing, but I have helped a few friends with thiers. I have learned alot about how all the timers, stops, and everything else you need to accuratly predict that perfect run, and its alot of fun. I also enjoy Super Stock racing, it takes alot to make a car run far enough under the index to even think about getting competetive. Thats why lately I have been just bracket racing, kinda sneeking up on my combination. I am planning on racing a few Super Street events next year, and still enjoy watching the Super Gas/Comp cars maybe soon I will get mine to go a little faster and step up.

Locally alot of our racing seems to be going to heads up index racing, its ok, but with the breakout rule, its just like running any of the super classes without electronics.

I dont think you will see NHRA do away with any electronics at this point, they had a chance several years ago and didnt. There is too much revenue, and sponsor $$$ to NHRA for the sportsman racer from these companies, and NHRA is all about the $$$.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

This is the part that always puzzled me, after they swiftly banned stutter boxes back in the late 80's. Back then I was told by an NHRA official that they did not like the boxes because they made it appear that the car was broken, and that they did not want the super classes to become dominated by high-dollar big inch engines in the quest for the highest mph. Has anyone heard another reason for the stutter box ban?

Regards,

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

everybody has their opinion on things.....but what is the issue with the timer.....is it because they make guys that really don't have a chance to win competitive.....or is it because it allows guys that can afford some horsepower to go faster than they do....what is the issue...it looks to me like the guys that don't like them are the guys not racing much (outside of Bill Jackson...and he's old school and would be competitive either way)...and somehow the outlawing of timers would allow them to race...

why are we talking about this...go race NMRA or NMCA and race the 10 cars for the title....

CBS

almost Jason like

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Banning timers would do nothing for the sport or for the spectators. The smart racers would still figure out ways to run the number with big speed. i believe the biggest problem with watching any of the sportsman or professional classes is the stands are at the wrong end of the track. put them at the finish line as well as the pro pits. faster turn-around time, less distance to travel through spectators etc.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

a nut & bolt deadman stop worked years ago.......no timer, no delay box....

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Its the cost of racing thats gonna kill the sportsman, purses never change, we have to fight to get our contingency, entry fees go up, fuel, bigger trailer , r/v etc.
Its very hard to go backwards or downsize once you have a rv and "required" perks etc.
Gotta give Michael Beard a lot of credit, keeps a heavy race schedule, uses pickup & trailer, keeps costs down. I miss the days when I had my van and open trailer, going to a race was just getting in the van and go. Tougher today.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

I think the point about the timers is twofold:

1) For the racer, the timers allowed people to spend more money and have a car with an inherent advantage. Put another way, it significantly increased the cost of fielding a competitive car. Yes, we all know that you just need to cut a good light and run a 9.900 and cut a 0.000 light, but we also know that coming from behind provides a significant advantage when judging the stripe. If it were not an advantage, then why do so few people run the "old school" low-mph way?

2) We have all heard complaints of spectators that they don't like watching the .90 classes because of the timers. Some have pointed out that many spectators are just there to watch the nitro classes anyway, but I know that there were more spectators watching S/G at the national events back in the 80's (somewhere in a box I have photos of several nationals with full stands behind my car). Maybe the spectators have just changed, but they definitely watched us back then.

Regards,

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

What makes .90 classes hard to watch is not the delay boxes, it is the size of the delay. Lower the indexes so that the cars do not appear to break off the line and they will be much more interesting to watch, maybe even more fun to do.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Hey Mike....WE ARE NOT RACING IN THE 80'S ANYMORE!!! Get up to date!!!
STOP WHINNING and get your bucket of bolts out and show us how you did it in the 80's.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Timing chains and weird popping noises were the main reasons I heard. Since they did not have diapers back then NHRA hated to clean up the oil when the timing chains broke. I remember one in particular that oiled the track from 200 ft to the turn off. It looked like someone blew the timing cover off with a shotgun.

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Don't forget the flat washers and locking nuts you use for a timer!

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Its a natural progression to go faster.....live with it....We didn't buy big Reher Morrison engines overnight....we worked up to them....little by little....we started with a 427....and every year we stepped it up.... I can't go the same speed year after year...but some people don't mind it....(there are plenty of slower cars that are competitive)......the timers or engine size is not the problem...its going to the races and payouts................if you want to race in the past....go ahead....its not my problem........ ....Lets talk about something that is constructive...like payouts....class rotation...schedules.....points formats...etc...the timer discussion is a waste of keystrokes...8.90 and 9.90 are the strongest of the classes in NHRA...go to the super stock forum and suggest delay boxes.....see how that goes for ya...

CBS
(you can see I'm a little stressed these days)

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

what we need is a 9.90 8.90 7.90 10.90 out the door

asta

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

I didn't think I was whining, just having an interesting discussion! My car will be out there soon enough.

My guess is that if you lowered the indexes, you'd still get guys trying to be the top speed in the class. In other words, they would just find the next class that they can make the weight limit and still run ludicrous speeds.

Wow, I hadn't heard about that part! I had some friends (John Hyland & family) that ran the stutter boxes until the ban, but I don't recall them destroying anything like that. They always had top dollar stuff, so they probably had Jesels or something which took the abuse.

I agree with the desire to go faster, but we all have our financial limits (or at least I do). The part I don't like about the timers is that it requires you to spend more money to be competitive in the class. In other words, it provides a distinct advantage to those who spend the most money. As you probably remember from the old days of Super-Gas, there were plenty of lower-dollar racers doing well. Sure, there were plenty of high-dollar cars being towed behind Class 6 trucks, but there were several people with open trailers and low-buck cars who did quite well (Dan Divita, Kris LaPoint, Seipel family).

It is interesting that the poll is running almost even. Maybe NHRA can create a new/old class, kind of like "Coke Classsic", with rules to have us racing the old way ;)

Regards,

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

the problem is they want less classes not more......what is this distinct advantage thing.....the good racers win no matter what the rules are...or how fast the cars are.....what do you think, we just decided to spend more money on our motors....we worked hard to scrape the money together to make them faster....If you don't like what you have...figure out how to change it....changing the rules to suite yourself is not gonna do it....move on.....change the subject....I'm done

CBS

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Please can someone put the rock over mikes hole. Who let him out?

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

The judge in the divorce hearing!

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

I can't stay out of this anymore. I run a dragster that runs under 160mph. It's called a racer on a budget! We're out there and don't mind being chased! We are competitive! Bring on those 190mph dragsters! Drop changing the classes and start arguing about payouts and entry fees!
If you feel you can't be competitive in your current class because it's too expensive or whatever, maybe think about sticking to bracket racing or arm chair racing. Whatever fits.
By the way, my slow dragster breaks less than alot of the fast ones! LOL

Re: What would you do if the NHRA banned timers in .90 (Super) class racing?
 

Maybe it's a pipe dream, but I was thinking that a class which had more spectator interest would be more likely to have a decent payout/entry ratio. When I lived in Eastern NC I ran a few bracket races in my daily driver. These were little unsanctioned tracks, but the payout appeared to be more than the entry fee total. They also charged almost as much to watch as they did to race, and packed the stands. I guess it helps to be the only game in town besides cow tipping, but people really got into watching old fashioned bracket racing.

I'm not about to petition NHRA or anything like that, but I did want to get an idea of how the racers felt about the current state of .90 racing.

I may end up a first round duck, but I'll be out there next year running really slow mph in S/G, and I'll be having fun regardless of the outcome. Okay, I'll have a little more fun if I happen to beat some really high mph cars...