Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Lee
I'm really slow here. But then I spoke to 2 other racer's who had also hashed thru this thread and they couldn't give me a definitive answer either. So regarding this thread, is the proposed AHFS trigger of -1.15 under the index by itself or in conjunction with the proposed .200 reduction of each index? And either way, are we talking about a mandatory "review" @ -1.15 or are we talking a mandatory assignment of HP @ -1.15 under? Presently it's a "review" @ 1.15 and then HP is automatically assigned in incrementals thereafter.
I'd like a definitive answer, not a speculative answer and preferably from Len.
Thank you,
Jeff Lee
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I sent the above to Len Imbrogno. His response (he asked that I share this on classracer and he would respond in a few more days):
-START-
Good to hear from you. The S/SS committee has yet to a have chance to get together to finalize anything to release to the racers regarding the AHFS. This is the point I have been trying to make to everyone. This coming week will be the first time since Pomona that key tech guys will be together, at the PRI show, to be able to discuss and review all the details, then post a finalized proposal on the NHRA website for racers to see. So far, it looks as though the review process will still be 2 runs at 1.15 (as it currently is) and it also looks like there may not be any change to the indexes for 2008. - END-
So there it is. At this point, no decisions have been made, NHRA is looking for input and it doesn't look like a .200 or any reduction in indexes. So as it is now, this very minute, the AHFS does not have anything in writing as far as changes. Because the paragraph above by Len Imbrogno is exactly what we have now.
So what is all the screaming about?
I'll give some racers (and pretend racers) something to scream about. Here's what I would like to see implemented by NHRA for 2008. All areas are designed to bring the racing back into racing and are for both Stock and SuperStock.
1) If NHRA insists to limit fields, limit the field but not the entrants.
If 200 racers want to qualify for 75 positions, let 'em fight for it.
2) Lower all indexes .500.
Yes, that will knock some out of the playing field. And maybe .500 is too harsh but it gets the point across. Some will play harder, some will never come back. Nobody ever said this was supposed to be easy and the determined will come out stronger. Isn't that what this sport was built on? By the way, my SS/H AMX has never been faster than .79 under so presently I'm not looking good under this proposal.
3) AHFS trigger set to "review" at 1.00 under index.
Yes, that will make it darn difficult to get HP if all you do is play against the AHFS. Keep reading...
4) Maximum ballast 100#.
With items #2 & #3 above, you shouldn't need 350#'s of ballast (or more) to protect yourself.
5) Combine FI cars with carb cars first, later combine stick and auto.
You'll have a lot of heads-up runs determining the overall winner. Guess that means you had better be fast or stay at home!
6) All runs @ National events count.
Translating this to todays rules, it would take a 1.500 under run to set the AHFS. Atmospheric conditions are hardly ever a factor in anybody running 1.500 under or better.
So if the mineshaft makes you run 1.00 under or better against a .500 harder index, you probably need HP anyways.
7) As stated by Evan Smith previously, points for accomplishments.
You combine all of the above and the fans have some real races to watch. It's easy to implement. Just takes a stroke of a pen. For the whinners that will inevitably get on here and complain they've spent every ounce of energy in going .500 under today and this will knock them out of the field, sorry. Historically, there was a time in Stock & SS that it was an honor just to run the index. If this is your passion, you'll find your way.
Stock has gone from a performance class where it was a training field for SS and sometimes modified and then Pro-Stock. Reputations and careers of engine builders and component manufacturers were built from this class. Eventually those that couldn't keep up started complaining (to the point the Stock class was dropped in the early '70's) and it became more of a bracket class.
Note I'm not complaining about bracket racers or bracket racing. As technology advanced and the science of the class became less secretative, NHRA tech "old guard" faded away and more liberal rules with softer indexes followed, it became increasingly easy to run very far under the index. So here we are today, almost everybody can run .75 under or greater with minimal effort.
I think the time has come that the Stock class & SS class go full circle, back to what it once was in terms of prestige. And maybe a decade or two later it will evolve the other way again.
That's my feelings on the subject. Despite a few casualties, I believe in the long run it is better for the sport.