NHRA letter on AHFS....

[Wade_Owens]

Dear NHRA and Tech Dept,

I’m writing you this letter in hopes of getting you to reconsider some of the policies concerning AHFS and the 1.00 under trigger at all races.

I have always loved Stock and Super Stock racing. I would go every week to our local track, hoping that SS/K car would be there or some other class guy who had to test before a “big race”. Then, when I raced my own car in SS during the mid 1990’s, it was a dream come true. I still believe these are the coolest race cars ever. But, I feel NHRA has lost touch with what some of its racers wants.

As you are well aware, the AHFS was modified over the winter, due largely in part to the Drag Packs and Cobra Jets. I feel like when Indy qualifying was over, it left a big black mark on the low horsepower factors, necessitating the change. But, the system was and is flawed because it still can be manipulated. Take a look at how many guys have slowed their car down because of this. Many are now in protect mode, to save their factor. Most believe a heads up may come some day, and want to be ready for the challenge. In classes where performance is supposed to shine, it has been dulled significantly by the trigger and AHFS. To me, it IS still a performance based eliminator, otherwise, why do we qualify? Why not just go to an all run and random pairings with no heads ups? You know as well as I do this
would be the end of Class racing.

NHRA told us that you, along with the manufacturers had to restructure the payouts to save class racing. But, it really goes deeper than that. With the current damper on showing your cars potential, why would I call my converter guy and spend $1000 to gain a few more hundreths? Why call the cam guy and spend $900 on that updated cam and lifters? Why spend the $200 extra bucks on axles for the real light stuff? All of the above support class winners. As far as it goes, why work to do ANYTHING to improve the car. Don’t you think the class sponsors want us spending our money with them? Why would they want to consider continuing support if they thought we weren’t going to buy anything, possibly for years? Come on guys, this is what would really upset the manufacturers and maybe cause them to pull their sponsorship money. 75% off the time, I had to race someone in class. I do realize how much the companies were spending and often wondered how they could do it. Some of them raised prices to offset cost of class winners, some put a time limit on your product purchase, still others require the proof of purchase. All are fine with me, as long as they pay as promised and I always look at who supports us before I buy any item for the car. But what if we didn’t buy anything?

I’m not saying for a second that there shouldn’t be some attempt at parity. What I am saying is there should be a way to keep the performance aspect going, too. Someone mentioned about giving bonus points to the top 3 or 5 qualifiers of each event. This would definitely be interesting towards the end of the year. I can see guys taking hits for the much needed points. Also noted was giving bonus points for setting the record. Same deal, could make for some interesting scenarios come fall.

I would like to see you guys lift the trigger and eliminate AHFS data for the SportsNationals races. (Its only 3 races a year) Why? This is supposed to be for the backbone sportsman. With no Alcohol cars present, the show becomes the Stock and Super Stock class runoffs. Wouldn’t you want it to showcase how fast these cars can go and how hard some of the owners have worked to get them there? All of the “old timers” talk about beating so and so or how bad so and so beat me one time. NONE of them say “he lifted at 1000’”. You would still have all of the other races, Nationals, Divisionals and Opens to calculate your data. But, this would give the performance oriented guys a place to stretch their legs, show off or stroke their egos, or whatever, depending on who is telling the story.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I really do enjoy class racing and want to see it around for many years to come. Please look out for our best interest along with the manufacturers and yours.

See you at the races,
Wade Owens

Above is a copy of a letter I sent to NHRA Tech. I would like some feedback on what you guys think too. I would hope this will stay a positive discussion, but, I'm also a realist.

[CBS]

Nice letter Wade....there has to be somewhere that we can go fast.....and it's only 3 races a year.....guys would go just because of that.....I know our car seems to be running about the same as last year (120 pounds lighter) not sure why....lol

Rock
SS/CA

[Michael Beard]

If cars were factored properly to begin with, we wouldn't need the AHFS, and people could run it all out.

[Jim Wahl]

A little off subject but....... Len Imbrogno told me several years ago after the NHRA saw how successful the Cajun SportsNationals Race was that the goal was to put one Sportsman SportsNational Race in every Division. I guess that went out the window when they ran Len off. Jim

[Ed Fernandez]

Nice letter with good points made.Please don't take my points as criticism.I don't think the upper echelon of NHRA is going to change the way things are running as far as the structure of S/SS.The present fan structure at national events are focused on the fuel cars.
Notice the stands empty out as soon as T/F and F/C finish.
Also the structure of the currant AHFS seems to be to their liking.Only recently have some of the new cars started to show the potential they're capable of.
As far as class payouts I think the sponsors are really showing the effects of the economy,the roadblocks put up in front of them by NHRA in the way of fees and over the years the growth in numbers of races they have to be committed to in maying postings available.Remember in the 60s and 70s how many major races did they post contingency for.There were also way less companies out there making race parts,so they got a larger market share.
Lastly you have a different cross section of racers now in S/SS.Now you have diehard
go fast guys,bracket racers,casual (as in attending 2-3 races a year),etc.
I'd love to have things revert back to a simpler racing structure,but I think it's just a natural
progression of progress that we're seeing in all forms of racing.
Remember when NASCAR was all a bunch of good ol' tobacco chewers,with some moonshiners mixed in for good measure?
The preceeding was written with apologies to all that think I'm just whiney old ba$tard.

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

If cars were factored properly to begin with, we wouldn't need the AHFS, and people could run it all out.

The 800 pound gorilla is in the room! Jim

.

[Chuck Norton]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

The preceeding was written with apologies to all that think I'm just whiney old ba$tard.

To quote that eminent philosopher, Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Rule #6: Never apologize. It's a sign of weakness.

[Dennis P Chapman]

[QUOTE=Ed Fernandez;266484]Nice letter with good points made.Please don't take my points as criticism.I don't think the upper echelon of NHRA is going to change the way things are running as far as the structure of S/SS.The present fan structure at national events are focused on the fuel cars.
Notice the stands empty out as soon as T/F and F/C finish.
Also the structure of the currant AHFS seems to be to their liking.Only recently have some of the new cars started to show the potential they're capable of.
As far as class payouts I think the sponsors are really showing the effects of the economy,the roadblocks put up in front of them by NHRA in the way of fees and over the years the growth in numbers of races they have to be committed to in maying postings available.Remember in the 60s and 70s how many major races did they post contingency for.There were also way less companies out there making race parts,so they got a larger market share.
Lastly you have a different cross section of racers now in S/SS.Now you have diehard
go fast guys,bracket racers,casual (as in attending 2-3 races a year),etc.
I'd love to have things revert back to a simpler racing structure,but I think it's just a natural
progression of progress that we're seeing in all forms of racing.
Remember when NASCAR was all a bunch of good ol' tobacco chewers,with some moonshiners mixed in for good measure?
The preceeding was written with apologies to all that think I'm just whiney old ba$tard.
You are old Ed Lol
Very good letter Wade I hope it works.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Chuck Norton

To quote that eminent philosopher, Leroy Jethro Gibbs: Rule #6: Never apologize. It's a sign of weakness.

And he got it from Captain Nathan Brittles.













Played by John Wayne, in the cavalry classic "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon".

[Ed Fernandez]

I follow the philosophies of Rufus T. Firefly and Col. Jeffrey T Spaulding.With a bit of
Otis P. Driftwood for good measure.