Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

In August of 2009 in Brainerd, Luke Bogacki entered a 1970 Nova 402 in AA/SA. The Nova at that time was a natural B/SA car allowing it to also run A/SA or C/SA. He made qualifying runs in AA/SA, then was disqualified for entering the car in the wrong class and was not allowed to race.

This week at Reading, PA, Wayne Totaro entered his 2002 Formula Firebird as a Firehawk. A couple of problems I see is that in the Stock Car Classification Guide, there is not a listing for a Firehawk in 2002. The other problem is he ran the car with a fresh air hood as a Formula which is a natural CC/SA car. So the car can also run A/SA or BB/SA, not B/SA. If he wanted to run the car as a Formula, he would have to put the heavier flat hood on, then the car would fit B/SA. He was allowed to compete in B/SA first round.

To me, it looks like there was no difference. One got sent home and the other got to race.

I feel it is up to the competitor to make sure that he is entering the car in the correct class. Most all Stock Eliminator racers knew that the LS1s just got 12 HP. from Mattingly's performance at Columbus. You would think that NHRA Tech Dept. would have been more than aware of this and would have double-checked for correct class.

I don't know if this will change the outcome of the race, but one thing is for certain--he was in the wrong class if he had a Formula Firebird with a fresh air hood.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

hey larry can any LS1 cars run c/sa any more!

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Flat hood Formulas and Ram Air Trans Ams can run C/SA plus the Camaros.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Sammy just what Kile said.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Why are the 2002 hood's 282 pounds ( flat & ram air ) different on the formula and 120 pounds different on the trans am's. Tom

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

I noticed the same thing Mr. Larry. It's up to the racer to know their car!

Tom, to answer your question about the shipping weight, that is the weight GM submitted for that particular car. There were definitely differences in weight on these cars for example from firebird to trans am, stronger shocks were needed for the trans am hatch because it's that much heavier, heavier wheels, ground effects, etc. I don't know the true difference in the amount of the weight, but there is definitely a difference.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

If Totaro had done any of the following at this race, it would be an even bigger deal: 1) Won class, 2) Went rounds, or 3) Kept someone from qualifying...

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

If Wayne was in the correct class, no C/SA heads up first round. It does make a difference.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Larry,

Seems that no one who was at the race wants to touch this one and the simple fact is that a mistake was made. The engine got horsepower 3 weeks ago and some people don't stare at the Classification Guides all day long. Everyone was just happy to get in their cars and go racing with the weather that was coming. The heads-up between Bubba and Bertozzi was awesome and neither one of them sat there and said "hey, this sucks, maybe we wouldn't have been here if Totaro was in A". Mistakes are made all day long at the racetrack and this one got through the cracks. How about if a racer tries to drive his competitor into the gravel in the shutdown area cause he is a jack-***? The mistake would be not kicking that competitor out for a year. There are bigger thing to worry about then a guy running at the legal B weight with a car even though his factor is 7.99 simply because of a mistake at a race we were lucky to even get in. If someone at the track who was actually racing had an issue, they should have spoke to the NHRA staff about it.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

And that young man, is why we have some of the problems that we do in Stock and SS. Noone is willing to stand up and be counted.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

All I can say is this , at Indy this year in round 4 of Qualifying I was pulled and told I was in the wrong class with my CJ after tech and 3 rounds of qualifying and made to change classes , put on a parachute and told if I went faster then 8.50 I could not race do to the roll cage not being good to 7.50 all of which I did .

The next week cars were in the wrong classes at Etown and no one said anything . The rules should be the same for everyone Period with no excuse on why it happened .

If someone tries to run you in the gravel they should be tossed for at least a year.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Larry, I am not trying to make excuses for NHRA, but it did slip through. I think it may have been because of how we were tech. Instead of driving our cars through the mud and the rain. All cars were tech in at our trailers. I thought at the time it was a great idea and my hat is off to the NHRA tech department. It may have changed the ladder, but I think its understandable that it happen. I am sure it will be corrected for the next race.

As far as I am concerned NHRA tech department did a great job for this race given the conditions we had to race in.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Oh well , nobody's perfect (except maybe .......) lol......

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

I agree. It's between Wayne and nhra now.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Larry, call Wayne and talk to him about it. I'm sure he'll welcome your comments.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

To All Stock Eliminator entrants at the Auto Parts Nationals:
I have competed in B/SA for almost 4 years with the same Pontiac Firebird. When the HP was adjusted from 369 to 381, three weeks ago, I added the necessary 100 lbs. I was not aware that the factor had changed to 7.99 for this combo. I realize that this is my error for not looking at the classification guide, after the change and I am not making any excuses. On Saturday morning I was approached by NHRA tech officials and after a short examination of my car, I was advised that in order to compete in B/SA, I would need to change to Trans AM trim, or compete in A or CC. Due to the short week I plan to compete in A/SA at the Dutch!
I am sorry if this mistake has caused any inconvenience to any fellow racers.
If you have any questions, please feel free to stop by and see me at the Dutch or call me at 410-800-7317. I don't believe in hiding behind a computer!

There is a difference, Luke is younger and a much better driver.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Just what I thought. Thanks for the explanation. Good luck at the Dutch.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Don't know Wayne...but that's a stand up answer.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

I had dinner with Wayne and other div 1 racers thursday night and I can tell you it was a honest mistake. Wayne is a stand up guy.

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

The tech guys at NHRA did a hell of a job getting the cars teched in considering all of the weather issues that we had. It was a mess.........this race always has its issues with weather.

Jerry

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Larry,
Wayne is a great honest guy who made a mistake, the truth of the matter is that he went across the scales at the correct B weight .. 2 tons LOL

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

You're right Chuck. Was great seeing you and having a Shady Maple dinner together with everyone. I'll try and get out your way next year if I'm not bankrupt by then! LOL.

Restoring a '65 Impala SS 396 convertible over the winter and trying to get my new piece ready for the race car............$$$$$$$$$$$

Jerry

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Like wise Jerry, good luck on your project, win the Dutch and then you will have lots of $$$ to come out this way ... lol

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

Well said, Chuck!

Re: Totaro and Bogacki? Is there a difference?
 

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