Altitude adjusted tracks
 

I was wondering how NHRA figures out records set at altitude adjusted tracks. I'm thinking if records set at these tracks are accepted, it must be an accurate formula to employ.

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

SWAG=Scientific Wild Assed Guess

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

I think it was NHRA Darrell Zimmerman that originally used the corrections and the reason was that if there were no corrections at any altitude track a racer would "never" have a chance to set a national record like at below seal level tracks in corrected altitude so in fairness NHRA decided to have the corrections done base on a lot of comparisons . The altitude corrections are right on when corrected to sea level ,if you think it is easy to run at a High altitude track I welcome you to go to Denver and see just how hard it is to make your car run at 9,000 corrected ft ,get in shape cause your body even can't breathe . Ask Bobby Warren how hard it is to run on the Hill at Denver . He knows as he as ran there a lot . I remember in the late 70s or early 80;s not sure when Bobby was at Denver and he ask Herman Chapman how to make his car run at this altitude , I seemed to recall Bobby changed just about everything in his to car ,not much helped . Now there is great air at Denver just like when there is below sea level air at sea level tracks FYI The Correction are dead on NHRA did Good

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

of course we don't get a correction factor when its 4000DA at a track with a real altitude of 6', but when the DA is 3000' at a 5000actual altitude track you can set a record that can't be duplicated. There have been records set at altitude tracks that were wayyy off from what anyone had actually run at a "non factored" track.

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

Chad,
That is funny, but it is a little better than a SWAG.
There are formulas.
Have a chat with Patrick Hale.
A while back he had a discussion on the Comp Forum about what and how NHRA implemented their adjusted numbers. If memory doesn't fail me he even had figured out a better, more accurate formula.
Stockerstang,
In my early years I was associated with aviation. The aviation world has some pretty good ways of calculation power loss for altitude. Think what happens when you need full power to take off at an altitude airport. It takes a lot less power to fly in than to fly out.

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

When the air is good at Denver say corrected to around 5,000 ft that is when records are set , now when the air is good at a sea level say 200 feet corrected or better that is when records are set also . I would have to say that most of the time the correction factor is dead on . and as usual any one who wants to Go to A High altitude track to set a record i suspect you should just like when the air is good at a sea level track same Great air different altitude

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

Hey guys, thanks for the info. glad to know calculations NHRA uses are 'dead balls accurate' LOL. Was curious and am happy to know this.

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

No disrespect Don, but I just have to wonder what it is that gives you such a different outlook on life than 99% of the others on this forum? Politics, racing, etc. it doesn't seem to matter. You have an unusual thought process. Not bad, just interestingly unusual. Jim

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

This is the current correction list..
Some tracks are no longer NHRA...and some are gone..... :-(

http://www.nhra.net/tech_specs/altitude.html

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

I have run my super stock car all of this great nation and have set records at both altitude and sea level. When comes down to it it is all about air you get good air in denver you run fast just the same if you get good air at Atco. You still have to have a good car and have your tune right. If I remember right the chart used by nhra was aviation and about power loss due to altitude. The corection factors may be alittle off but remember NHRA is in charge of it and to get them to get it right might take years. All I can say it is close and we that race stock superstock have a lot more things to worry about than this. Tom

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

Jim :

Thanks for the complement . I most of the time try and look at both sides of a situation and come up with a positive answer, based on My experiences . I know I am not always right just like everyone else is not always right but I still will give my humble opinion. I really try and not get personal in my posts unless it it politics and then I can and will get personal and vocal . I try not to really worry about situations i have no control over ,but still discuss them,but never get upset over them and I am for ever the enternal optimistic and positive person most of the time lol:D:):eek:

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

Thought I might weigh in on the altitude adjusted tracks. In past years I tried to set a record early in the year to get my tear down out of the way. It seemed that I was one of those cars that got torn down a lot.
However in recent years every class that my car fits into have records that have been set at altitude, and so far under that you can't set a record without getting horse power. On a side note, last year I did the western swing for the first. At Denver we had 90 plus degree weather and 10000 foot air. I went 1.41 under on my third run and only leaned the secondarys. Needless to say I'm not crying for those who run at altitude. We get mine shaft conditions and get to shut off at a 1000 ft they get the same conditions and get records so low there unattainable at sea level.

Doug Patrick
Stk 2033:rolleyes:

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

What constitutes an altitude correction?How many actual feet up?

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

Historically at Denver there is always certain combinations that really work and fly at that track . sticks really like it there as you will always see a huge amount of stick cars running very good also the big cubic inch cars do well as well as the old tractor pull motors Pontiacs with all their torque and of course the exception to the rules that just have a good tune up or a bogus combination LOl

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

The track must be 1500ft or more. Bristol is 1480 and does get a correction but used to get .2 before they changed to 1500ft.

Re: Altitude adjusted tracks
 

Very good post Doug, you're car is very fast, altitude or not....

Wade