Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland
Some things to consider about the "harder to win with a slower car" and "more sensitive to . . . " observations: First, in this era of technology (weather stations, ET predicting software, etc.), there is the possibility of better tools to help with the dialing of those cars. It may be that the current products have some built in limitations that make them not as applicable as they could be, but the possibility for more accurate analysis is available. Secondly, there are a gazillion late model high-tech small engined cars out there that aren't in the classification guide. Now NHRA is not going to voluntarily put out the effort to get them listed, but somebody could do all the legwork. Granted most are FWD, but NHRA could also respond to increased participation with expanding the coverage of those classes again. The fields are ripe for a new definition of "Jr Stock". Considering the potential of some of those combinations, the ability to have a car with little modification that would be competitive is certainly possible. Thirdly, if half the effort had been put into the accumulation of knowledge and technique of racing slower, mostly environment-sensitive cars as has been put into racing big power cars, the ability to step into a competitive and winning slower car would be easier and more attractive. That can be overcome and is a mission for somebody.
Another nickel on the soapbox.
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Again well said Dwight, the way I see it, if Jody Lang can do it, then anybody can do it, as long as they're willing & able to apply theirselves to what they're racing like he has for so many years...Jody's winning to day (even in spite of the DP's and the CJ's), with the same Malibu wagon he won the '98 & '99 Mopar Mile High's with. Every time Jody wins (especially against those cars that are 3sec.'s quicker than his), then I know that I can do it too, so I know it can be done...other fwd and slower roller racers have one numerous elimination heats against the faster cars as well, so as far as I'm concerned the equipment is here. Although NHRA has allowed the faster cars things to help make them faster like wheelie bars, and different valves/springs, and other engine components that weren't legal in Stock 30yrs ago, they haven't been so liberal with the fwd cars (like giving FI cars like mine an option to replace their factory systems, with earlier production carbureted induction systems, to possibly improve their cars ability to be more competitive w/o the expensive FI systems). Why not NHRA? You guys want to know why I've been so much of an advocate of IHRA this year, that's one of the biggest reasons why...they make it easier for the faster cars to be even faster, but they haven't offered options to us slower roller (and especially fwd) racers to help make our cars quicker and more competitive too...what's fair about that???
Dwight, I could only hope that racers interested in some newer (against the norm combos), will get their oem stats and send them to NHRA just like I did, because prior to my desire to get my car to be a stocker, it wasn't in the classification guide either. The Late Great Founder of NHRA "Wally Parks", was the proponent of fwd racing in Stock Eliminator. He's sadly gone, and it's beginning to show with how the fwd & all class racers are being treated...NHRA didn't need to go to such extremes with class consolidation, but carbureted racers are paying for it when racing FI cars, and fwd's didn't need to go from 16, down to 5...8 would've been a sacrifice too, but it would've made more sense!
To whoever (in another thread earlier this year) said NHRA reads these posts, I hope you're right, because I want them to know how I feel about their apparent lack of caring for us sportsman class racers who want to compete at the national/divisional events they offer, but every year it seems that they're showing that they don't give a damn about us...adding these new sportsman classes (that aren't rules restricted), raising our competition costs, not talking to ESPN about getting shows like "Inside Drag Racing" back (thus allowing our cars to be seen again like they used to be 5yrs ago), yet claiming to support sportsman racing...words are one thing, but actions are something else, and those actions aren't very supportive IMHO!!!
Finally, if NHRA really cares about us sportsman racers, then they should reduce our competiton costs...our purse sizes (with contingencies included), are down so the entry fees, and registration costs should be down too...especially until America gets back to work again...that sounds fair to me!
My .02 x's 2!