Indy Question
 

I was looking at the qualifying sheet from last years SS class. It took basically 9 tenths under the index to qualify for the 128 car field. IF you win your class do they automatically put you in the field or are you on the trailer home if you do not run the number.

Re: Indy Question
 

I believe it was changed to the fastest 128 last year. No more inserting class winners.

Re: Indy Question
 

Fastest 128 cars now, no running -0.55 under and have an automatic bid, you got to have oats to get into the big dance.

But who knows, rules could change again unknowing, lol

Re: Indy Question
 

They just RAISED the SS/EX index by three tenths.A .55 under before is now .85 under.That might make the field now.

Re: Indy Question
 

Nitro Joe I sent you an email, did you not get it???

Re: Indy Question
 

Yeah, that was a rule change they actually posted.....unlike the MAJOR change to the AHFS!!!

Re: Indy Question
 

Yes, Bobby, i sent a reply back the other day, said i would get into it after i send stats to printer for August issue.

Re: Indy Question
 

Scott. One thing to remember is that at least one of the qualifying shots is early in the morning in the cool air. Makes it a little easier.

Re: Indy Question
 

Scott, too bad you're not in the field, because if you were and made another 9.57 run, you'd be in for sure because that's -.93 under your now 10.50 index...that's cool! At least you'd be able to win your class, and be in the big dance after tech!!! I think last years #128q was -0.885...you would've been either 106th or 107th (granted that's using your new index, and not last years). Heck Scott, with that early morning run that Art spoke of, you just might run a 9.40, or even a 9.30...how would you like that???

It'll be interesting to see what the bumps are for Stock & Super Stock this year? However, unless/until that rule changes back to the original/old standard, you won't see me there (especially until I can freshen up the motor) and I've noticed that there's no DF/S cars entered so far this year either...Hey Marion, that's your home track where's your Toronado??? There may be only 22 vacancy's left until the full racing field of 128 is met, however there's 74 openings until the quota is met, so you have a plenty of openings left to fill...if you can and want to that is???

Re: Indy Question
 

Yes, IF I could run that number again that would be enough to get in the program. The 9.57 was run under the old Sport Compact rules @ 11 lbs per inch. The Super Stock rules have us running at 11.5 lbs which ends up being 90 lbs more. That is why I have only been able to muster a high 9.60 pass and why they raised the index a bit. IF I can run a 9.65 (.03 better that the current record) that is only .85 under and not good enough for the show. I am willing to make the trip but the numbers dont add up. Also, our class is the only one that has to be faster than the weight break before ours. (SS/BX 11 lbs per inch = 10.85, SS/EX 11.5 lbs per inch = 10.50) I am not complaining by any means as I am grateful to have a place to run with all you guys, but at least put me on the same playing field ... AND I would take the weight out an run BX but I am not allowed in that class.

Re: Indy Question
 

Isn't EX a power adder class? Really not sure but I seem to recall reading that somewhere. Hopefully the Wed. morning weather will be good, my junk don't like hot weather.Joe

Re: Indy Question
 

Joe............Your "junk" seems like it is quite fast right now. I think you will be fine. Good luck out there!

Bob

Re: Indy Question
 

Nope, no power adders here! :) We are 11.5 lbs per inch, normally aspirated (carb or injection), manually shifted only (5 fwd. speeds max), front wheel drive only. I did a spread sheet on all of the Super Stock classes, index vs. national record and the average record is 1.22 under the index (not including any classes without a record). Unfortuanately I cant attach it here but the data is there. What was really interesting is that the HP to weight breaks are not evenly distributed and the classes that do not have records seem to have a disproportionally bad index to play with. I guess that is why most of these have lied dormant for sometimes several years. Hey, just an observation from the new guy ...

Re: Indy Question
 

Sorry Scott I thought that class was for "hair dryer" cars. There does seem to be somewhat of a weight break issue for EX. Hopefully NHRA will work with you and anyone else running the class. Good luck. Joe P.S. looks pretty fast to me FWIW

Re: Indy Question
 

BTW, it is very nice to meet a fellow MX class racer, hope we end up at the same event sometime so we can chat more!

Take care and good luck!

Re: Indy Question
 

Hey Jerry,

SS/CX is one of the indexes that is WAY out of whack in relaton to AX to BX for horsepower. It makes sense now as you say it got hit for an index adjustment. Since it has not had a record holder since 2008, how long before they give you some index back? Here is the way I see it @
AX - 8.5 lbs per inch = 9.80 index
BX - 11.0 lbs per inch = 10.85 index
the index differential from AX to BX is + .21 per .5 lbs on the index. IF you add the same .21 per .5 lbs from BX to CX shouldnt the index be 11.48 instead of 11.10. If I was looking at running the MX class I would definately choose AX or BX because they are much friendlier to the racer.

Now look at EX in relation to BX
BX - 11.0 lbs per inch = 10.85 index
EX - 11.5 lbs per inch = 10.50 index
In theory because the class is .5 lbs per inch heavier should it not be that the index is slower than BX because we carry more weight but they have us .35 faster and before the adjustment .65 faster ...

Am I looking at this wrong Jerry?

Re: Indy Question
 

Perhaps that .85 under wouldn't be good enough, but it would be close enough to just about make it worthwhile to try, especially based on last years 128th qualifier only being .035 quicker? If I had the bucks and knew for sure that my car could run 85 under (even though stock needed -0.933 under to make the grade last year), then I'd give it a try just because this is Indy. However since you'd be towing over 2100 miles (one way) to get out there, I'd hope that you'd catch some of that early morning air that my fwd bud Art spoke of earlier in this thread, because that could help get you over the hump?

The field may be full, but if you have the time to go there and your accomodations are lined up, I'd keep my eyes open that some cancellations will come up and pounce on one (I just saw a thread on a SS opening earlier today per Patsy, but I think it was filled, so there could be more forthcoming?), because that would be cool if you got to go there (and especially if you qualified for the big show too!), so good luck with that Scott!

p.s. Stay after those Glendora guys, because I think that's wacked too that your EX index is quicker than the BX index as well...It took me nearly 5yrs for the 20hp to be removed from my hp factor, so hopefully yours can be done much quicker, since you're out there more???

Re: Indy Question
 

Probably had something to do with Oakes and Adger Smith running easy 9.80's with their Chevy's in SS/CX and SS/DS that got the indexes killed, and rightfully so. It chased me and my Buick V-6 right out of there.
Tim Cole's been some 8.50's in AX, holds the record at 8.68.
Those Chevy's are BAD.

Re: Indy Question
 

Jerry,
You forgot about the 12 lb per cu in class, SS/DS, w/ 750 carb. I had the mis-fortune to hit that index by .15 in 2004 at Montgomery.(ran 9.80's back then) Back then I was running a P/G & I learned to play the index game after that big hit. I almost hit it again this year @ Div 4 Memphis 9.86 (1.33 under, too close) in 3,700 DA air. I really didn't think it was on a good run & would do that in those conditions. Wish I could go to Indy, looks like I had the tuneup for Indy type air. The quickest I've ever run in SS/DS was testing a DC carb. The air was at 900 DA. It was within a tick or two of Scotts 9.57. We don't get good air but a couple of times a year down here in Texas so I've tried to make it run good in bad air. There are still a few of us guys that like to thrash these little V-6 engines. Still a few left in comp too. Scott, it's Nice they let you have a place to play after shutting down Sport Compact series. Welcome

Re: Indy Question
 

Scott,
I'm not up much on the S/C rules (SS/EX) but what is keeping you from running SS/BX? I'm also not up on the construction of your car for SS/EX.
Is the Alky fuel the only issue? Is it FWD in a RWD class? A quick scan of the rule book didn't show me many differences in the classes.


Sorry John... I didn't intend to run any one out of a class. I can't speak for the others, but I head my head up my "Arse" when I did in the SS/DS index.

Re: Indy Question
 

Hi Adger. I think one of the reasons for the stiff index is the methanol. Maybe if Scott lobbied nhra for a softer index and the use of race gas it might work. They really don't have anything to compare it to because of the methanol.

Re: Indy Question
 

Adger, we talked about this before. My combo wouldn't run with yours or Oakes but that's MY problem, not yours.
I always wanted to build a 327/250 anyway.

Re: Indy Question
 

I hadn't mentioned the BX record first I can't even think of reaching it, unless I fell off a cliff. When Mr. Oakes set it @ 9.6?? I thought I MAY be able to hit it, after the run out west I said forget it. Second my old stuff just can't run with the G.M. stuff period! Joe P.S. I sure wish Ford would come out with some new technology stuff for the V6, how 'bout it Ford got your ears on?

Re: Indy Question
 

Jerry, Joe & John,
Yes, John I remember talking about your V-6 program. The Buick V-6 program was the first. Time marches on and things improved. I was reading these posts and it flashed across my brain that us Super Stock V-6 racers have engine programs with history.(not the comp guys, they usually build all new) If they could talk it would be interesting to here their life story. Joe has Ford stuff that came from??? I'm sure Jerry & John's Buick engines had a racing life before they got them. I also know the programs Tim Cole, Steve McCreary,Ed Newton, Rich Oakes & Tibor Kadar all have an interesting history. Take my Splayed Valve Chevy V-6. In '99 I bought, from Scooter Anderson, the complete program Vinny Barone & Sal Biondo used to win the Comp Championship in the mid 90's (I think 96 or 97). I got the complete C/SR and the makings of 2 other engines. Spare parts out the wa-zoo. I'm still using the extra pistons that were with the package deal. I've only bought a few valves and some fresh rods to keep my program going. If you guys are anything like me you are working on your race program as money and time permits. I like to tinker with the combination, Just a little more here and there, Thats the nature of what we are all doing. Trying to get the most out of what we have. For each one of us success is measured in a different way. Some of us just want to get to the track. Seems ALL of us want the quickest E.T.!! Ed needs a new car. I need to fix my tow truck and do some updates on my car. (at least fix 1/4" of the wheelbase!) :~) Now if I will just get off this computer and get to work I might make a race or two this year. OK Guys, Whats the history of your ride? Good stories anyone?

Re: Indy Question
 

I started with the V6 stuff out of neccesity, after Modified was killed in IHRA I found myself with a perfectly good car with nowhere to race it. After studying the rule book I found that if I put a V6 in the Stang I could run an X class. Well the internet is a good thing I started looking for V6 stuff and found a guy in Conneticut, who had enough stuff for 2 engines. Been through a few changes, some good some bad, had Mike lyons do me a set of heads that was a big gain, thanks Mike, Custom pistons billet cams different rocker ratios ect. This is all old Busch grand national stuff they ran back in the 80's and early 90's so it's pretty old technology, it's all Ford SVO stuff so it seems to be pretty durable. Would really like to have some modern cylinder head castings to work with, but I think the last heads were cast in 92. I really like running the V6 stuff it's different and man do the necks snap around when you drive through the pits, most people don't believe me when I tell them it's a 6 cyl. they always ask,Turbo, Nitrous and shake their heads when I say no. Joe