More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

"BMPDave
DRR Trophy
Posted January 14, 2011 03:26 PM
Great news from the NHRA meeting we are attending - Division 2 will be adding NHRA Unleashed 10.0, 11.0 and 12.0 index classes to the Lucas Oil Races!! Win a Wally and race for Division Championship!!

All races within Div. 2 will have the 3 index classes."


Just saw this posted on another site. As if there were not enough classes running LODRS events already.

Let's hear everyone's thoughts on this.




Hey Dan Moore, you're #1. :D

RIP Mark Graham

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

hows this goin to work with 3 day event, let alone a 2 day event.
If this is true, I'm glad i have a 44ft trailer..........now i can squeeze the mustang in front of the fairlane. Maybe I can get dad to drive again :D

Is this for real???:confused:

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

The guy that posted it on another site is the manager at Bradenton, so I assume it is true. I just don't see them doing this without cutting time runs and qualifying passes for all classes and who knows, some unfortunate class or 2 may see their first round on Friday?

I just don't see it working on a Fri-Sat-Sun schedule, but then my opinion may not be worth much since I sat out last year and will probably do the same this year. It should be interesting though.



Hey Dan Moore, you're #1. :D

RIP Mark Graham

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Opposed to this on many points. If any issues (like Bradenton last year) it just puts them that much further behind on getting time trials and eliminations complete. They specifically have events just for those racers, why mix it with racers who have a whole different mindset and objectives. D2 racers pay $160 while Unleashed racers pay entries considerably less at the Unleashed events, will they do the same at D2 races while running for essentially the same purse? I really want to see more info on this but it seems to be like they are saying "hey, we are going to run a big bracket race in the middle of your points race". I have bracket raced for 30 years but they are completely different deals and deserve different venues to suit everyone.

The .90 guys will have a fit with this one...

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

I think it is stupid. Unless they do this on Saturday evening afer TT are done.
Pic this
Friday
TT
Friday night Unleash TT
Saturday TT
Saturday night Unleash final eliminations
with some Pro Mod/10.5/jet car or something to bring in som fans
Sunday
Finish race

They would'nt do this because it makes sense.

Some else posted it will cut back on TT How many do you need?
I went to commerce in sept and they did 6.
Come On.
Chip Johnson

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Chip, it was me that posted the idea of reduced time trial passes. Commerce over the years has been the least supported race here in Div 2. I'm not knocking your observation, but that's not the model race to judge this situation by. The real test would be the first race of the year in Feb. at Bradenton and/or the race at SGMP one week before the Gatornationals. Those 2 races will have the highest numbers of racers showing up here in Div 2.

Another example would be the traditional last race of the season at Silver Dollar. For a couple of years the S.E. Super Gas Association had scheduled with the track to hold a seperate race for the S/G racers and their association on Sat. evening and I can't recall them actually getting a race completed as planned the last few years.




Hey Dan Moore, you're #1. :D

RIP Mark Graham

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Joe,
I understand. Everyone said Atlanta was way down. I don't see why they need these classes , unless it would be for an after hours event.
Chip

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

It's the beginning of the end for .90 racin.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

The dumbing down of class and heads up racing...and I mean that as no disrespect to bracket racers, since IR1. But when I want to go to a bracket race, that's what I do, when I want to run class (stock or S/ST) then that's what I do. This is simply NHRA trying to make drag racing appeal to a broader audience, one that has no appreciation for what class and heads up racers have invested or what they are trying to accomplish. It will eliminate tech, teardown, scales, fuel check, etc so it lowers their cost of doing a program. It's the old "Give them a Wally and they will come" to draw bracket racers and at the expense of everyone else. So with my stocker, why would I put runs on a valuable motor to run against a guy who buys his from Pep Boy's or puts it together on the ground. If this is what our new Division director has brought with him he is sealing his fate with the class faithful. Even though Unleashed ran events at Indy and Columbus last year I'm wagering they can't get away with it in D3. I'll repeat an earlier post, NHRA has conceded the Southeast to IHRA.

Still waiting to see what the program/purse is before making my final decision on D2 races for me this year.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Has anyone confirmed this Rumor ????

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

I tried to log onto the live D2 banquet last night but on an iPad I couldn't because of Apple's "no flashplayer" deal. Hopefully someone who attended will chime in what was said or keep an eye on Bradenton's website to see what pops up there since it's less than a month away and that's where the rumor came from apparently.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Chuck;

No confirmation yet. With Div 2 having the track operators meeting and banquet this weekend, and Monday being a national holiday, if this is correct it will probably hit the Div 2 web site Tuesday or Wednesday.

Below is the link where I found this information.

http://drr.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/t...2/m/4427046495




Hey Dan Moore, you're #1. :D

RIP Mark Graham

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

South Georgia and Silver Dollar both posted it on their Facebook pages.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

So it is, hate it when you have to have Facebook to get news, guess I'll just be newsless. And your opinion as a serious .90 racer?

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

I am kind of confused on this whole deal.... Adding the Unleashed indexes to the Div. series is not really a big deal, I would imagine they chose these classes to start because they have had a good car count at their events. What I dont understand is why some on here are calling them "Bracket cars" ?... There is a BIG difference to a "index car" and a "Bracket car".

I think with the dwindling number of traveling super class cars they may feel that opening up the rules and leveling the playing field with out all the driving aids will be the way to go. I just wish they would have opted for one of the faster classes as well like the 8.50 or 9.0 deal.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Jim;

Like you, I also have not stepped up to the 21st century and become a Facebook user either. However, Silver Dollar has put this information on their web site. I would take that as being pretty much "official". :(




Hey Dan Moore, you're #1. :D

RIP Mark Graham

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

They are bracket races, same deal as the 6.50 and 7.00 classes already being conducted as part of the bracket programs including divisional ET championships. Again, I bracket race, just think mixing bracket and class races at the Division races diminishes both.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Freddie;

I'd say the biggest deal of this would be time, I mean time to run all the classes during a decent hour when the track conditions would be safe. I remember back in '04 or '05 at SGMP when there was a rain delay and T/S was getting their qualifying run at 10 o'clock at night. The dew had started to fall and I saw Dave Saul and Edwin Stewart both crash their cars within a short period of time. Question is, just how much more stuff can be added in the given amount of time to run one of these events?

Like some seem to think, this may be the direction NHRA wants to move to at the expense of dropping the traditional classes they already have in place. If I wanted to race the "Unleashed" style of index racing I can do that once a month at Gainesville, only 45 minutes from my house. That's not what I built my car for and not what I want to do.




Hey Dan Moore, you're #1. :D

RIP Mark Graham

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Glad I don't run D2.....................

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

In my opinion, this is more writing on the wall of the demise of Super class racing - and possibly Stock/Superstock as well.

Fans don't watch any of the above. Tech and management of all the S/SS classes is very resource intense.

So invent no-electronics index racing. Now whether you're an 8.0 roadster in Supergas or a 14.0 1984 Mustang, NHRA doesn't have to care. And fans see side-by-side pro tree launches with what LOOKS like two all out passes and gives down-to-the-wire finishes.

I started saying this last Summer. Let's see how far it goes before people start hearing me.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

So then all of the .90 classes are bracket classes as well then right? Not trying to be funny here, but what is the difference of a .90 car with all the electronics to run a INDEX or a car without the electronic aids to run a INDEX???? I can tell you real simple, The DRIVER.

I do both, and yes it is tough in either deal, but really there are no major differences other than the no electronics and the new indexes allow the use of N2O.

I can remember a time when N2O was allowed in the super classes, so is this NHRA trying to fix the mess they created by allowing the electronics? who knows what those people think.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Joe: I agree these events are already under a big time constraint "IF" anything happens. I am not in the loop as to why these changes happen, but have seen for some time, all the divisional races suffering from lack of participation. The addition of T/S, T/D was a huge boost for NHRA, maybe they are looking to see if this will be the next big thing and eventually replace some of the existing classes, like Comp, or the .90 classes. Who knows, but look at it this way if these new index classes bring in even 20 cars per class that is an additional 10k in income to each event. May make up for some of the other classes who are normally suffering.

Maybe if NHRA spent the time and effort to educate the fans on the .90 racing, they would be more accepted, but Im sure in the end you will find it is just easier to replace them with a format that people can understand.... Again this is just my take on it, and not an official word in any way.....

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

J Matt, I have a question for you. If the 8.5 class was offered at Division 3 races, would you run the 9.90 Super gas class of go for the 8.5 unleashed class?:o

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Coming to a Dx race near you!

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Man I hope not, the snow mobiles are bad enough.

Plus the oil downs from all the NOS equipped cars..but I guess they would be required to run diapers. I do agree about the time restraints seems there's not enough time for what's going on now...

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Just got an email back from our D4 Director. He said NO additional classes in D4. He said he hadn't heard about this before. I sent him this link.

http://www.silverdollarraceway.com/

Dan Foley

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Could be that this is a trial run to see if it flies with the racers, D2 has fewer Divisionals, probably no National Opens (strong rumor SGMP will no longer host the after Thanksgiving open) plus our new director's marketing background, racer alignment with IHRA in the Southeast, etc. probably makes it the logical place for NHRA to try it. Whenever the entry fee, purse, and time slots for the Unleashed classes is publicized that will say a lot about how serious they are.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Tough question. I've run both and I like both. I'd probably stay in 9.90 until I saw the tide turning. Then if the tea leaves say no-electronics really is the replacement, I'd switch over to 8.50 instead.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

And stock, S/S, and Comp also !

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

looks like D4 all year

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

This is the kind of thing that makes me not miss racing near as much. Drag racing was built on class racing and now its being pushed out because its easier to just run bracket races. Nascar forgot their roots and is paying a price for it now. NHRA is following suit.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Maybe i'm off base here but the Unleashed classes are closer to the way the .90 classes started than the .90 classes that are run today. I understand time constraints and agree that they more than likely don't need to be at divisionals, but to be a .90 racer and call them bracket racing is like the pot calling the kettle black.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

IMO..................DUMB.........now we will be racing on Mondays. I was at the awards banquet / wind bag fest / last night and this was was brushed over and never soaked in. Very bad move. The Champions wern't the wind bags but the Old racers giving out awards to each other.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

I wonder how much the bald guy got for cancelling pinks!

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

I wonder how the index racers will like the NHRA schedule of making races last for 3-4 days. I'm betting that the car counts will be low after the first few races drag out until Mondays. That's why not everyone with a 8.90 or 9.90 capable car doesn't run the divisional races now.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Last year when I read the rules you didn't need a NHRA license , be a member, or have NHRA permanent number to run the Unlease event. According to Silver Dollars site they are going to use Unleased rules for the index classes. I wonder how many rules will get changed.

How do you run a 10.0 index without gettiing thrown out if you don't have a license and the tubes aren't SFI tagged if you just happen to run .001 under the index.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

Unleashed DID require all applicable licenses/certs/membership/SFI equipment, etc. But if you're in a 10.00 class or slower you don't need any of that. And if a car without a chassis cert ran 9.999 and won on a double breakout against a chassis-certed car with competition-licensed driver, I'd assume the legal combo should be able to protest and take the win.

My car was certed to 8.50 and I ran the 8.50 index. I fully expected someone to protest me if I won on a double breakout situation by running 8.499 or quicker.

But this year I'm coming back and my car will be a 7.50 cert again, so no worries here.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

x2! I guess too many .90 racers don't remember what the classes were like at their inception. And as sacrilegious as it is considered on this forum, I would welcome a chance to run no-electronics versions of index racing.

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

I'll run some 10.00 races because I have a car to do it with.
I was there when S/G started. I tested converters and fluid exaust trannys to get an advantage. I won some races. The guys that want to go back, want to go back with the equipment they have today except the things they think have changed the sport. They want the nice new racetracks and the big slicks but not electronics. The new timers and time slips that go to the ten thou. I remember racing douglas ga. and albany and savahna ga. I remember getting out of the car and going to the bottom of the tower and getting my time slip out of the can they drop down by a string. I did win some races but I don't want to go back. When you guys get back there gas won't be $ 1.00 per gallon.
I love racing and I'll race till I die whatever they do, and Ill try to win races so change whatever you want and come over and say hello when you get to the track. I'll be there. Gene

Re: More classes added to Div 2 LODRS events
 

I won a double-under at the 10.0 Unleashed in Gainesville (my Nova has no cert) against a full-cage car and didn't get protested. But maybe that was she was parked across the aisle, all the way from Canada, and we worked on her car all night the night before to swap out a broken transmission. Sportsmanship runs both ways. I don't know what the "official" policy is on that. NMCA always used a 1% courtesy (e.g. 9.91 was OK in a 10.0 index, but 9.89 got tossed).

If you really want to kick the hornet's nest of high-end throttle stop racers, name the classes for marketing - Nostalgia Super Gas = 10.0, Nostalgia Super Street = 11.0, Super X = 12.0.