Why are Opens random pairings?
 

I don't understand why National Opens where there is no AHFS are random pairing first round with no heads up match ups possible. I mean it's contradictory. You can consider it one of the only races where performance can run free and wild but for what benefit? Aside from setting records

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Years ago our Division Director didn't want his crew working hard so he made first round random .Also because it was random he didn't want guys ( or gals) chasing people around to get them heads-up. With a ladder this would become harder to do but it probably won't ever change .

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

We ran the D2 National Open in Reynolds, GA yesterday and all classes except .90 classes were qualified and then laddered.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Must be what Division you're in. Laddered here in D5.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

In division three there are no heads-up races in the first round at opens. One the tech official stands just before you leave the staging area to make sure that will not happen. The ladder is set after that based on how far under the index you go.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

I have noticed at our Fall Classic National open here in Div. 3 that many cars are entered for the grading point and leave after entering. Especially if the weather is a little sketchy for Sunday. It also is so much faster for the tech guys to do the random paring. I have never heard any racers complain about it.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

I know in D5 it’s always laddered, otherwise might as well go run pro et.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Brent just wondering when was the last time one of your front wheel drive cars had a heads up run. LOL .The reason they have all run first rounds at National opens in div.3 is to save time by not giving 10 cars bye runs. And by the way when Pro et is run at a National open it pays way more ( and less of an entry fee) than Stock and SS. Go figure.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Thanks Jack. But it seems like a laziness excuse for DD from back then. Since when is what we do easy? I'm now insulted that this was the reason. We work hard spend tons of time and money to go fast then hit the TnT day at an open and run hard in Q1 & Q2 just to have first round be run like Wednesday night street race at your local track?

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

In D1 there would be tons of bye runs, we have a lot of cars and many come to see how fast they can go or to set a record or to get a grade point. Often after that they skip the eliminator. Personally I like it, gives the crew a break which they deserve and gets the eliminator done earlier.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

I could see this as a time saver only, in D5 our national opens get about 80 - 100 S/SS cars and will pull ladders A - D into the lanes, that requires time to pair etc.

Random pairing saves a lot of time, but does kind of draw back from the basis of the S/SS class, qualify, ladder and have the potential of a heads-up run.

I do see the point of the track however, lots of time and manpower saved by not pairing cars.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Who gets the bye in round one and why? Who gets the next bye and why? Everyone needs to know all the rules that are changed from the NHRA norm.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

I dont remember if its best reaction time for the first round bye, but the ladder gets set for second round by who goes farthest under like normal. And there are heads ups second round on

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

They pull someone from the front and pull them off to the side. Odd number of cars the one pulled out gets it. They make a ladder after first round. Works just fine.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

So the person with the best reaction time gets the bye, I can’t find it in the rules. And the and the next bye goes to fastest under index of the first rounds winners. So round one the bye run racer can’t red light or brake out and he is furthest under the index. Two bye runs before anyone else is considered.
This happened at a race at Bowling Green. Everybody got cheated by the race director. Reaction time plays a big part in our sport, but not for setting up the ladder.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Second Rd pairings are All first rd winners by how far under your index you ran gets
put on the ladder.
If there is a even number of cars for Rd 2 than naturally there is NO bye run.
In Div 1 that’s how it was done.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

If you opponent is in the same class just ask if he wants a heads up. Dial 8.00 and first to finish line wins.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

If you want RT to set the bye first round have a practice tree tournament. It has no place in NHRA racing for determining bye runs.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

I knew how it was done I just thought it was dumb. If it's a time saver it only saves time rd1. The confusion of trying to find a ladder after rd1 is mind boggling. It's just such a dumb excuse for a performance based class. Try explaining it to a novice fan that has a fledgling interest in following class racing. It was a lazy way to do it and is just wrong

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

I think another reason in D1 was to let everyone race the eliminator. 25 30 years ago it was quite common at the Dutch for instance to have 140-150 cars.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

You do understand that if it is a 32/64/128 car field. That 1st round will have as many pairs race as all of the other round together will have pairs race.



Stan

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

I understand all of that. Believe me, I'm not as novice as you may think. Designated pairs also is supposed to save time. How much actual time does it really save? Most of us know who we have Rd1 and also know or have heard if our opponent had left or hurt his car.
Defending it because it's how it's been done for however long is just The Emperors New Clothes mentality. They don't do it in some other divisions. The rules change often but for some reason this "house rule" is not changing. I have little interest in opens because of this rule and how it conflicts with being able to run as fast as you can without penalty

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Isn't the run as fast as you can without penalty really more about qualifying?

If 1st round pairs was base off of a "Q" ladder just how much faster could you run in 1st round than random pairing?

Stan

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

D5 to my memory has always been laddered. But I do have a question about index hit in opens. So does it count as far HP adds. With the new system it is somewhat confusing and I am easily confused....lol

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Larry, every division director has his own way of operating first round at National Opens. I recall the race at BG. Quite a surprise that a racer who I admire and respect tremendously received a bye run first and second round. REMEMBER, everything is at the discretion of the division director..:)

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Event: Throughout this Rulebook, there is reference to “event” or “events.” Wherever this term is used, it is intended to refer to two types of drag racing activities: (1) NHRA events, which are those events that NHRA conducts. These include but are not limited to events such as NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series events, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events, National Opens, and the like; and (2) drag racing events conducted at NHRA member tracks which NHRA does not conduct but that are conducted in accordance with NHRA Rules.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Thanks Ron. If it’s an Open it should follow the same Rules, and not the whim of someone else.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

back in the 60's early 70's it was random pairings almost everywhere.

Re: Why are Opens random pairings?
 

Last time we ran at Reynolds, yep, they were on a ladder. However, when we got to Rockingham, with about 80 Stock entries, drum roll, no ladder. Just random pairs with no heads up. Laziness?