super stock racing?

[Jeff Lee]

Vehicles are placed in a certain class as defined by NHRA / IHRA. The class is based on weight x a horsepower that may be the factory assigned HP or it may have been adjusted up or down by NHRA / IHRA. This is determined to be the cars "natural" class. From there, the racer may choose to go up one letter designation or down one letter designation; all the while either shedding or gaining weight as defined by the rules.

Once you have established what class you are in, you race. But each class has a predetermined "index" as assigned by the sanctioning body. Let's just say your index is 11.00. Based on that, your vehicle must run 11.00 or quicker in the quarter. If you can't run 11.00, the track will dial you at 11.00 anyways. If you can only run an 11.25; your giving up .25 on your dial. Sorry, but that's not a part of bracket racing.

The car in the other lane plays by the same rules. If he has a vehicle that runs in a faster class, say his index is 10.50, then assuming your dial is 11.00, you will leave the .500 seconds before him. Now if you can run an 11.00 then great. But if you can only run 11.25 and you received an 11.00 dial anyways, well, you can see the problem you have!
But if you can both run the dial, yes, it is a bracket race and I know you understand that game.

Now, suppose you are both in the same class. You both have the same index of 11.00. You both receive the same tree and if your both exceptional racers, you leave the line together with .000 lights. Now it's up to the fastest car to win because under these circumstances, there is no break-out. First one there wins. Just like a Pro-Stock vehicle. Again, I don't see that in bracket racing.

That's how it works. As you can see, it is to your advantage to build a vehicle that will not only run the index, but surpass it. That takes time, money and skills in research and application because some vehicles are meant to be winners and some will be a dud no matter what.

To this you can set a national ET / MPH record if you are capable and you choose to do so. You must run at least .500 under your class index if the record is not "owned" or if it is owned, you must better that persons time. If you do set a record (takes two passes), you will have portions of your engine under the scrutiny of the field tech inspector. They will typically ask to see the induction, cylinder head, will check wheel base, overhang, fuel; basically anything they want to see you will provide. And it's your labor and expense. Again, don't see much of that in bracket racing!

Then there's the whole AHFS thing. In a nutshell, it's a plan that is designed to even the field so one vehicle doesn't have an advantage over everybody else. That's a whole 'nuther issue!

All this applies to both Stock and Super Stock. Put your 'Vette in Super Stock!