faster car = more consistent?
 

Few weeks ago saw a '79 Dodge Colt on Ebay. Wow!, it was a car show car, RWD stick-1.6 liter! (get thinking what class is below W)? But, then again other than wagons, the big body cars don't seem to have much representation either--a' la Ford Torino's, etc. Struggling with why some combo's under the rules, generally speaking, just don't make good race cars -but, I wish I knew more as to why it seems that way?

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

People would rather be driving the chase car, not the one being chased...
Mike A114

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

faster car is less affected by weather changes - very generically if air changes by 1%: 1% of 8 seconds is less movement than 1% of 12 seconds.

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

I wish somebody would tell Jody Lang ...


Ron

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

Considering wind changes and time between runs 1% is a pretty modest change. You could easily see 5-10 times that. Wind was always my biggest concern running in G. When running my chassis Avenger in Super Street I frequently had a MPH advantage and didn’t seem near as affected by wind.

Ron, if we all could drive the stripe like Jody or Dan then it really wouldn’t matter would it? LOL

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

T, In my opinion, any car should be consistent , if it runs smooth and has a good driver
The variables are usually wheel spin , weather, (including wind).
I never bought too much into the " more time on track equals more inconsistency" theory. The car has to be predictable, and that's up to the driver /crew.

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

I agree.
More important than consistency is predictability.

However, predictability is derived from a lot of testing under various conditions. Lots of variables. And it also relies heavily on consistency.

Bottom line....predictability does not come cheap

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

Agree ^^

However my bank account dictates how fast I go, so I have focused more on learning all the advantages of being the slower car 80 % of the time in Stock and 100 % of the time in SS.

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

Mr T , I think you will find that most folks that can afford the NHRA BS of 5-6 divisionals to get into a national , that costs more and pays less, can probable afford an 11 second or faster too. It's just more fun , to most.
You will see more of the budget built, slower cars over at the independent S/SS races.
Some of them do quite well over there ;-)

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

Good one Ron, that tested my bladder control!

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

LOL
Mike A114

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

Personally....I have much more success in our 12 plus second Aspen than my 10 Sec Demon in Stock Eliminator. The Wagon is more predictable and
tougher for a lot of the fast cars to drive the finish against it. In the three National Races this year that I have run in eliminator......I have been down to last four
twice (More due to Wagon's consistent/predictable performance than this 70 year old Diabetic's skill set).


My 02......Your experiences will Vary!

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

You can win races in any car. The slower cars I have driven are very predictable, but you have to get good with understanding how the wind and weather affects them. You get good at dialing honest when you are getting chased all of the time. I think the faster cars are easier to a point when conditions are changing because you have an option of dialing a bit soft and playing the stripe without looking over your shoulder. Any car can win, fast or slow. Takes practice. Of course there are people like Jody that turn getting chased into an art! I don't know if anyone can teach that. LOL

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

Wind is the biggest problem.

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

Boy is that the truth with the Wagon and Pickup stockers!

Re: faster car = more consistent?
 

hmm..now that's a good point to consider- for me...In my limited experience, knowing I am going first (since pretty much having the slowest stick car/truck), I felt, like I had an advantage at the tree concentration wise...Anyway, hopes on buying low mile '12-14 stick mustang for next year, might have to retire probably, before I do any real class racing...thanks for the replies my Regards=Respect.
Another thing is the level of consistency or package at an NHRA level is Extra-ordinary!