Bob Shaw is a bad man

Evan Smith · 03-26-2009, 01:16 PM

Billy,

I know this is long, but you asked. No one liked the old system (human input) because people stated that favorites were played, and no one seems to like the current system (alleged automatic system) because it doesn't work as effectively as it should. My opinion is that it should be a combination of both, as this is the only way to make the minute and major changes in a reasonable amount of time. And no one wants to hear this, but EVERY run needs to count so NHRA can gather real data, not sandbagging data from national events. Most of us run far more opens and points races so that is where the data should come from. Many racers only run two, maybe three, nationals a year, if any, so it becomes easy to hold back. If all the runs counted then you could only hold back so much and the AHFS would be working it's magic every race weekend.

I have had numerous conversations with NHRA officials about hp factoring. For instance I argued that the 440-6 should carry the same hp factor for the Cuda/Challenger as is does for the B-body. It is the exact same engine in both, but the B-body carries 417, I believe the Cuda/Challenger is 406 or 407. If Bruce's 350 (leaf-spring Camaro) and a Corvette are counted together with totally dissimilar engine setback and suspension, how could they not count the Cuda/Challenger and the B-body with similar engine/trans layout? All I got when I laid this logic on them is "that hp change was done before the new system was in place so we can't do anything about it." Come on, it is their sand box, they can do whatever they want. The idea is to keep racing fair and both of those combos should race with the same HP, whether it is 407 or 417. I'm beginning to think no one at NHRA wants to solve the real problems we are facing.

I'm not here to bash NHRA, but the fact remains that it wouldn't take a big effort to improve things. I tried like hell to work on the triggers and got nowhere. I tried to allow us to have more than 100 lbs removable weight and got nowhere. If you can move three classes, who cares if the weight is welded in or bolted in properly? The problem is we need someone in NHRA to be in COMMAND of the Stock/Super Stock rules and hp factoring. All it takes is NHRA to assign this position to an intelligent soul who understands our cars and what it is like to tow to a race, to spend money and race these classes. Then this person can work with the SRAC members to make simple but effective decisions. But sadly, I just don't see this happening.

Evan

03-26-2009, 01:16 PM	#29
Evan Smith Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Tampa Posts: 400 Likes: 7 Liked 115 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Bob Shaw is a bad man Billy, I know this is long, but you asked. No one liked the old system (human input) because people stated that favorites were played, and no one seems to like the current system (alleged automatic system) because it doesn't work as effectively as it should. My opinion is that it should be a combination of both, as this is the only way to make the minute and major changes in a reasonable amount of time. And no one wants to hear this, but EVERY run needs to count so NHRA can gather real data, not sandbagging data from national events. Most of us run far more opens and points races so that is where the data should come from. Many racers only run two, maybe three, nationals a year, if any, so it becomes easy to hold back. If all the runs counted then you could only hold back so much and the AHFS would be working it's magic every race weekend. I have had numerous conversations with NHRA officials about hp factoring. For instance I argued that the 440-6 should carry the same hp factor for the Cuda/Challenger as is does for the B-body. It is the exact same engine in both, but the B-body carries 417, I believe the Cuda/Challenger is 406 or 407. If Bruce's 350 (leaf-spring Camaro) and a Corvette are counted together with totally dissimilar engine setback and suspension, how could they not count the Cuda/Challenger and the B-body with similar engine/trans layout? All I got when I laid this logic on them is "that hp change was done before the new system was in place so we can't do anything about it." Come on, it is their sand box, they can do whatever they want. The idea is to keep racing fair and both of those combos should race with the same HP, whether it is 407 or 417. I'm beginning to think no one at NHRA wants to solve the real problems we are facing. I'm not here to bash NHRA, but the fact remains that it wouldn't take a big effort to improve things. I tried like hell to work on the triggers and got nowhere. I tried to allow us to have more than 100 lbs removable weight and got nowhere. If you can move three classes, who cares if the weight is welded in or bolted in properly? The problem is we need someone in NHRA to be in COMMAND of the Stock/Super Stock rules and hp factoring. All it takes is NHRA to assign this position to an intelligent soul who understands our cars and what it is like to tow to a race, to spend money and race these classes. Then this person can work with the SRAC members to make simple but effective decisions. But sadly, I just don't see this happening. Evan __________________ Evan Smith 1798 STK Last edited by Evan Smith; 03-26-2009 at 01:19 PM.