Random thought about the *HRA

[Myron Piatek]

Got your point. Guess it's an insurance thing.

[gumbalaya]

I basically grew up at the Orlando dragstrip, and like going there for races because it's easy to get to & it's fast, but I'm surprised that they are putting on a Nitro Jam event at Orlando, AND running the full 1/4 mile.

One of the reasons NHRA went to the "Regional" format with the TAF & TAFC guys is that they hated running at tracks like Orlando that have short shut-off areas, citing safety concerns.

A lot of Sportsman guys have ended up in the woods at the end of the track, not to mention guys going 250mph+, an insurance company underwriting an event would definitely take that into consideration.

Did OSW acquire some adjacent property and extend the shut-off area?

[Ron Ortiz]

This is kind of what I was talking about. Some tracks run 1/8 and some 1/4. Some tracks are 1/4 mile but run 1/8 instead. Like Bradenton.

Insurance is a key factor, that is why I was wondering why don't they run 1,000 ft. Would insurance be less? It would accommodate cars that run either 1/8 or 1/4.

I definitely prefer 1/4, but my car parts like 1/8.

novassdude, I asked drag racers because most of them are nuts for even being in this sport, but they all believe that they are logical.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA logical, Ha Ha Ha

[HR9121]

I understand some are not capable of running 1/4 for safety reasons, like most in my area. I would think if they are capable, they would be money ahead to get the insurance and run it 1/4. Could be wrong on this but I would think the extra cars you would draw would offset the insurance. I could be way off, Michael Beard would probably have more input on numbers like that.

[Mike Pearson]

IHRA has run 1/4 mile at Bradenton in the past at pro am events. There were about the same number of cars no matter what the length track we were running on. I don't understand why some don't want to run 1/8th mile. Personally I like it. its easier on your equipment and it actually will make you better at driving the stripe because you have to make your decisions much faster as to lift of leg it out the back door. We all have 1/8 mile numbers for data.
It will be interesting to see if Bradenton goes NHRA and if they give them a points race. it is a nice facility but short on pit space for a big points race turn out.

[Ed Wright]

I personally won't go to an 1/8th mile race. I don't see the "makes you a better driver" part. Easier to "drive the stripe" at 105 than 135. I find it boring. Bad enough we are bracket racing now anyway.

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

I personally won't go to an 1/8th mile race. I don't see the "makes you a better driver" part. Easier to "drive the stripe" at 105 than 135. I find it boring. Bad enough we are bracket racing now anyway.

The stripe comes up much faster time wise in the 1/8 you only have about 5 1/2 seconds to make your decision. It has certainly helped me judge the stripe better. we race quite a bit of 1/8 mile with IHRA and the SSSSA here in Fla. I just like to race so I go to both. The IHRA races that I go to are all regular NHRA guys too so its pretty much the same group. We have about an equal amount of IHRA and NHRA races here in FL. Its not better or worse just fun to get out and race. Its been a tough year for me engine wise. 3 major engine failures in the past year so I will be happy to be able to get back out to the track at the beginning of the year.

[C and W Racing]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

I personally won't go to an 1/8th mile race. I don't see the "makes you a better driver" part. Easier to "drive the stripe" at 105 than 135. I find it boring. Bad enough we are bracket racing now anyway.

That is the very reason I do not go to IHRA events. I quit bracket racing for the very same reason. I used to support the southeast Super Gas Association, but quit going to those races as well when it became all 1/8th mile. The Super Gas Association thought that they would increase their car counts by going to 1/8th mile 6.40 index. They thought it would bring in the IHRA cars that weren't licensed for NHRA. In reality they went from 35-40 cars an event to barely getting 16 because the 1/4 mile guys quit coming. They also had to go to buy backs ( which is something I don't like to see in Super class racing ) just to be able to pay the purse. Yet they still fail to see the light and go back to what made the association in the first place.
Chuck

[tim worner]

Gee I wonder where the "1/4 mile" guys go or do they just not race? Seems to me if you like to race you race 1/5 mi 1/8 mile 1/4 mile whatever mile.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Easier to "drive the stripe" at 105 than 135.

Incorrect. At higher speeds, cars cover more distance per time. The faster you go, the easier it is. Junior Dragsters driving the stripe to .00x are VERY impressive.

I've raced 1/8th, 1000', and 1/4. It's all good. 1000' is my favorite... best of both worlds, closer handicaps than 1/4, more speed than 1/8th. Seriously, cars are just riding after 1000'. It's not a big deal. They'd have to come up with all new indexes to implement S/SS on 1000', however, so it's unlikely. Race distance is typically predicated on whatever the fastest class on the property is.