Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

I'm sure it's not probable, maybe not even possible, but if the Class Competitors would cooperate with the NHRA officials and come to the lanes when called, maybe Class Eliminations could be run out by class instead of random class car pairings. It would provide a much more exciting race for viewing by spectators.....

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

Agreed.

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

I will do my part to be "on time"

Everyone likes a good Show

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

I love the idea, sounds very exciting.

How would it be arranged???

Would they start with the slowest class first or with the fastest class.

If they started with the slowest class first, the momentum would build to the fast cars.

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

I agree 100%

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That would be great but they never call my class. I have to go up and wait 2 hours.

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

I guess I don't understand why you don't come when called. Is there some sort of 'competitive strategy' I'm missing?

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

Because there’s a traffic jam with 180 cars.
Good luck with pairing. There is No. REDMAN.

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

I know a former World Champ who would make people wait, if he could. It might get under your skin.
He could also drive :D

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

I was just getting ready to add that first NHRA needs to assign staging lane workers who understand what a "Class" is; especially at the U S Nats. At least for the last two years.

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

I agree about the traffic jam.
Now that the days of pouring water are long gone I think it would make things a lot smoother if we could use our chillers in the staging lanes.
No golf carts in the lanes the chillers have to run on there own battery or the car battery and everyone could just go to there classes lane and prepare there.

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

Just my 2 cents.......

If they started at AAAAAAAA/FS and went to the slowest class entered ZF/S and made a list by class, they could divide it by the number of cars and not necessarily by class per say.....

Call the slowest 45 + or - to the lanes and once they got sorted or started racing you call the next 45 + or -, on and on and on....

I know that it sounds so simple that a caveman could it, but I have faith in my fellow racers that they won't like it...

Thanks for listening and have a nice day,
Bob

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

Back in my days, we assembled by class, cooled down in the lanes, then Jerry Stein and Dave Lebrun figured out the rest!

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

It all has to do with numbers.If they have a class like L/SA with 2 cars they go ahead and run them to get it out of the way.Other higher classes with more cars like B/SA thru H/SA, can have a dozen or more cars that take longer to assemble.It is confusing like when they start running a combo class race and they run a pair,and then go to another class.

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How do you get the former world champs to staging in a timely manor for class?

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So glad you mentioned it, as I was wondering the same thing. Seems there are always one or two that "hang back" wanting to be in the last couple pairs.

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

Maybe a mind game if you are a former world champ or "hitter." Forces your competitor to think longer combined with visual recognition of who they have to race ?

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

You start running without them. They may start to wake up a little earlier!!

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There needs to be a time clock. Example...first call says you have 15 minutes to be in lanes; second call 10 minutes; last call 5 minutes. If you're not there and paired up you go back to the trailer, no exceptions, excuses, reasons, or other wise. Again....EXAMPLE....I'm sure there is a better way?

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

What Brett said!

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Very simple. Stock to the lanes. The lanes will close at 9:07(or whatever). Anyone that gets there after that is sent back to the pits.
After a few racers miss their runs the problem will be solved. It is ridiculous watching Stock and SS dribbling into the lanes holding up the whole event. I am surprised NHRA has put up with it this long.

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

It's easy (it worked just fine for years until a few fast cars got upset in round 1 of class)

#1... get rid of laddered fields for class... (worst change in class racing ever)
#2... bring back AFHS for this race
#3... pre-plan class order... "post an order" and run without someone who is not there when it is their turn
#4... As Mike said, chillers ok (no golf carts)
#5... Need staging officials that know the class racers
#6... get rid of laddered fields for class... (worst change in class racing ever)

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

How about the SRAC addressing the issue.

I like the ladder for class, the top qualifier is in line for the first bye if they can get to it. It takes away all confusion of who is paired up.

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Run without them !

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Amen Brett !! And God Bless America to you.

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Many years ago at the local track (IRP at the time) when stock and super stock was run every weekend they did just that. In fact they would close off the rear of the lanes with saw horses and trust me, you didn't want to let Marty Barrett catch you trying to sneak past them!

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

Was at Indy many years ago and two SS/AH cars were stuck in 8.90 dragster traffic and the NHRA official came down and sent them back even though we could see them from the stands. IIRC even the big guy from down south couldn't get them to realize the issue. I like the time limits and groupings, also need to make sure the "roads" aren't blocked.

Best thing to get spectators to watch qualifying? Run cars off of the index rather than current both green according to friends we bring. Nothing kills them more than sitting in the sun watching 2 cars cross the finish line 6 seconds apart. (Would also make sandbagging at the 1000' mark more visible for the casual, aka "Fuel car", fan)

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

From Bob D:

best thing to get spectators to watch qualifying? Run cars off of the index rather than current both green according to friends we bring. Nothing kills them more than sitting in the sun watching 2 cars cross the finish line 6 seconds apart. (would also make sandbagging at the 1000' mark more visible for the casual, aka "fuel car", fan)



X100

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

As always, there's lots of problems, I was simply commenting that it would be much more fun to watch class if the classes ran as classes, not as different class pairs.... My idea was this : #1 - You call the cars to lanes by class. #2 - You use every other staging lane. EXAMPLE : "All A/SA cars to lane #1." All B/SA cars to lane #3". "ALL C/SA cars to lane #5 ..and so on. The cars line up bumper to bumper leaving enough room to pull out between them... As all the A/SA cars are paired in lane #1 they pull into lane #2. Likewise all the paired B/SA cars pull into lane #4. Continuing on through all the classes. Here's the kicker - When the lane of paired cars is empty, that round of class is over. (I wonder if anybody will hold back?) I think this would work pretty smooth. With Texting, PA Systems, Officials on pit bikes, and the fact that most guys pit with like class buddies, I don't think communication is a problem even at Indy. Might even stop the traffic jams at the entrance to the lanes. Just my .02.

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

Great idea Brett.

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I agree with Jim Bailey. Who wants to watch a/s, then j/s, then d/s. This is not neuroscience, guys. This needs to be done anytime class eliminations are contested.

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I have a CD from Indy 2004, and the classes were run pretty much in order.
Who decided to not do it that way now?
It can't be the TV deal on Thursday at Indy, is it?

This really isn't that hard. Everyone already knows who they're racing.
Make the call ..."A-H Stock stick..You run in 15 minutes"..Wait 5 minutes.."All remaining stick cars..15 minutes til tee time". 20 minutes after the call , you close the back of the lanes. No more stick cars allowed in. You snooze , you lose. Meanwhile they have called A-D/SA. Same deal.. After the stick cars start running, you pull back the rope and let the automatic cars in. A goes to lane 1, B to 2 ,etc.
All you need is for NHRA to care enough to do it.

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I always wondered why they went away from calling the clashes in order. The first time we ran at indy it was so organized in 2004, but the last one we ran (2014) it was a cluster#### in the lanes

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Ummm, duh.....obviously it's because of the former world champs.....

Re: Indy Class ...Enhanced !
 

Its on the racers. Everyone is trying to cool down their cars but that has to stop when we're called to the lanes. The nhra crew wants everyone to have their opportunity to race and will not pull a class out if one car is missing or not accounted for. Get up there and be ready to race!

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Your last sentence says it all !

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And to make it a point to have enough staff on hand to be able to do it.

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You have a CD from Indy 2004?? I need a copy. Do you know where I can get one??

Good luck herding the cats!

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No sure who did it. Maybe Bill Bureski. He did the USCN I in 2001.
I don't have it with me so it will be a few months before I can look for it.

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But But Billy.....That would cost them some extra money. Have to pay for all the new VP's you know !