Stock Eliminator Indexes from 1972 to Present
 

When did NHRA start using Indexes instead of national Records?

Where and How can I get the Stock Index's for each year since that point?

D

Re: Stock Eliminator Indexes from 1972 to Present
 

1975...with the new "par" system.. A/Dragster was the fastest handicap class..so it was .00
then each slower class was a + number...indicating the spot given
1976 ,I believe , they were converted to an actual fixed time for traversing the quarter mile
(as in today's K/SA ; 12.65)

They went up .2 ,about 20 years ago , then down .3 , a few years back.
Basically ,they are about the same as almost 40 years ago.
But back then ,if you could run .3 under , you had a fast car.
.5 under, a rocketship !

Re: Stock Eliminator Indexes from 1972 to Present
 

Dan,

I believe the index system as we know it. Came about in 1977. Which incidentily started to become the year when most tracks began switching from a class format to an almost exclusive bracket format.

1972 was the year I believe that Jr Stock was eliminated, the remaining "legal" cars laid the ground for Super Stock. The version of Stock we have today was morphed from a more pure version of what was once Stock. You're an old hand and know this as well (probably better) than I do. Of course we ran off National Records up to the age of the index.

Both systems have/had their drawbacks. With the system of today, a car must be able to run a second or more under, or you can forget competing on a national level. In the old days, a car had to be fast enough to run "real close" to the record or barely under. The real headache to that system was when someone would blow your record away. That could turn some really good cars into, essentialy useless heaps good for nothing but scrap. You still had smart guys who knew how to protect both their records and the combinations, as you still do today under the index system.

I have an old ND from 1979, bought it at a swap meet because it lists my buddies car when they set their last stock national record. I had the fortune to have put a lot of time in that car as well. So, it's my only claim to what it meant to set a record in those days. We set a number of them in both NHRA and IHRA in the mid 70's. If you want I could type the index's out and send them to you?

Re: Stock Eliminator Indexes from 1972 to Present
 

Thanks Mark, always appreciate your explanation, can we expect a U/S at the U.S. Nationals from Arizona soon? Claude Ruel

Re: Stock Eliminator Indexes from 1972 to Present
 

In the late 70's the B/SA index was 11.52.
Our 1970 Hemi Challenger convertable weighed 3910 with driver.

Re: Stock Eliminator Indexes from 1972 to Present
 

And in 2009 B/SA was 11.55.

Re: Stock Eliminator Indexes from 1972 to Present
 

I know that in May and June 1972 the O/Stock minimum was 17.4. Weight break was 24 lbs/hp., which is W/Stock today. But 6 's were allowed back then - today W/Stock is 4 cylinders only in NHRA.
I ran a best of 17.6 with my 65 Bel Air 4 door with a 230, which was good enough to win Stock Eliminator at Island one Saturday night.

Re: Stock Eliminator Indexes from 1972 to Present
 

Wow thanks for the information.
Yes please send the indexes.

My G Pure Stocker index under NHRA would be 13.75.
About where Q/SA would be.
Wanted to see if they changed much over the years.
Do know HP changed back and forth.

Re: Stock Eliminator Indexes from 1972 to Present
 

Dan,

Here's the index as of March 1979. I also have a 1977 rule book, came from Dick Butler's shop. Tod got it for me last year. Rules then were pretty much what IHRA Pure Stock is today, with some exception maybe.

Another wrinkle to the old system, Maybe those with better memories than myself can confirm this. Occasionally, someone would set a record for a lower class. Causing some havoc forcing a lower class to spot a higher class. I may be wrong on this? I do know it has happened under the present system but the index nulled it for other cars in the class.

Re: Stock Eliminator Indexes from 1972 to Present
 

In 1972 NHRA added the Stockers to Super Stock and expended the classes down to SS/U. In December 1971 I did the 9" tire test for Firestone at Gainesville with my SS/GA Mustang. I never expected to hook up with the 9" tire but to my surprise I went quicker on the 9" over the 11.5" Firestone.