[SPS]

Lot of stuff here to look at.
I'll start with the stick vs automatic at the same index.

Look at the super mod and mod class rules. The automatics get a 5% reduction in weight over a similarly classed stick car.
This rule has been in effect for years and was refined to this point to be competitive for both.
Heck, I'm probably one of the only guys that ever did this test back to back on the same day and track. And that was with a manual shifted trans.
A monkey can drive a clutchless, so the 5% may not be enough, but it sure would be a good place to start.

NHRA appears to be blind to this minor change that would satisfy all. Especially before the smart guys all buy clutchless 5 speeds and make the others look dumb.

I also think the "automatic factoring" system is broken.
No way there should be such a spread in hp between the stick and auto combos.
The motor on the dyno has absolutely no idea which car its going into and what trans is being used.
HP is HP. Simple .
When the powers in charge get some real data (flow testing and dyno figures), then and only then will you have real data to go by.

Yea, I'm only dreaming......but it will be the correct way to factor all motors.
Then the guy who works the hardest and gets results should and will be the fastest. (theoretically speaking).

Oh, yea....take the damn 1000' numbers off the time tickets too.
No more game players.

FJ