IHRA vs NHRA

[Larry Munk]

NHRA now has crate motor, neither the new blown Mustang or the race pac Challanger have any relatioship to what I can pick up at the dealer tonight and drive home. Just it's factory backed cratemotor. So the door is open, let's see where it goes.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

I think Larry's point that there are combinations never factory-produced permitted in Stock. I'm not a big fan of the Crates, but they are there and we have to run against them same as we do against NHRA-legal cars (meaning shoe polish). Never kept me home from an IHRA race, although some racers won't. Some "racers" (and I hesitate to use that word) still have the idea that if it's not an NHRA National or Divisional, it's not worth attending. Which always seemed stupid to me. There are good and bad points to both NHRA and IHRA, and probably just about every other racing series has their faults, even our own S/SS Associations that are around. It's nice to have the choice to run any/all that we want, even if we may not agree with certain aspects of the organization. Maybe some more folks will try IHRA this season and the future.

Mike and Larry....NHRA stock is full of combos that were never produced by the factory. (Shelbys, 1X4 Hemi, Hemi station wagons, the hood on your 'Cuda, etc) and what about the newer GT rules in S/S. Its almost like Heavy Eliminator these days. So whats this "purest" crap. Larry as far as I know the only Vega running in IHRA has a small block in it. Theres LOTS of UN-pure combos in both associations so who gives a flying one. Its just an excuse to not run one association or the other as either someone feels its lowering ones self or its to expensive to buy a number and membership. I realize the fact of one association not having tracks closer than the other but all this purest crap is just so much BS.

[danny waters sr]

The Vega has a 350 crate motor. The 502 is not allowed in the vega . The weight break will not let it figure in such a lite car. However there is a 502 "77" vette and a "70" nova running the 502 version crate motor. These motors and cars do have specs to go by and this also sales a lot of crate motors . I have had fans ask me about this class and engines . Ther response at first is they did not know you could get this type engine from your dealership. You wuold be surprised to see how many crate motors are out there on the street from all dealerships.If you ever watch a car show or auction , just listen to the amount of vehicles that the owners say they have a so and so crate motor. This idea sold a lot of crate motors for Ford ,GM. and Chrysler.Just my $2.00 worth ! !

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Paul Precht

Running IHRA was less of a challenge for me. My first IHRA Nat was at Epping and there were about 32 cars. I lost fourth round. My first NHRA Nat was the Keystones and I qualified 130 out of about 155 cars. I never got to run the show. They took one alternate and I sat there knowing I had to put up a much bigger fight to play this game.. Bigger challenge = more satisfaction, Paul.

So you're saying you'd rather pay $200 plus dollars to not qualify and say hey I didn't qualify at an NHRA race than pay $150 and have a chance at getting paid. Yeah that makes alot of sense to me. If you are such a good racer why don't you try some of those also rans down in the Carolina's see what happens. Better yet, how about you line up beside Anthony Bertozzi, seems to me he has multiple championships in IHRA and has championship in NHRA. I think this dispproves your rationale about the IHRA but then everyone is entitled to an opinion.

[joe176]

Originally Posted by boster58

I like IHRA and all of the people involved . They treated all racers fairly and the rules were the same for everyone. With IHRA over the last few years the amount of races available has decreased to the point were it's hard to race a full schedule. I live in the Washington DC area and last year we attend ,both MIR races , Rockingham and Pittsburgh (4) . I also like 1/4 mile racing just a personal choice. With NHRA from where I live you have , Maple Grove (3), Atco (3) , Englishtown (2), Cecil County (1) all within 3 hours. Then you have Bristol (2), Norwalk (2) and Charlotte (1) all within 7hrs. then within 12 hours with NHRA you add another 10 racetrack to race at .

IHRA runs a good show and you can talk to the people running the show at the races , you cant do that at NHRA Tom Compton nor Danny Gracia will speak to you . Arron , Skooter and Mike Baker are in the pits talking to racer and anyone can speak to them and voice any concern they have . To me this is the big difference with IHRA s NHRA . IHRA just need more race to attend on the east coast and the racer will come and support them .

Bo Kenney

Bo your 100% right....If IHRA had more races in the northeast I know I would attend.

[Harry 6674]

As there are no ihra tracks on the west coast I have not been to one of their races so I have a question. If two stockers from the same class race each other is first to the stripe wins or is it still shoe polish racing?

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by Harry 6674

As there are no ihra tracks on the west coast I have not been to one of their races so I have a question. If two stockers from the same class race each other is first to the stripe wins or is it still shoe polish racing?

To elaborate a bit:

Like-classed cars in eliminations as well as the few events that have specified class eliminations are heads-up.

The World Fianals for the championship as well as the Summit All-Stars and Moser Axle Mania Shootouts are dial-in only. I believe that IHRA feels that after working all year (including possible heads-up runs), to qualify for them, the opportunity to win in those programs shouldn't be cut short by the bad luck of another like-classed car or possible last minute "class adjustment" by a competitor, which puts most emphasis on driving ability rather than resources. Sponsors may have also had an opinion on the matter.

Tear-downs for heads-up runs they do run appear to be considered only under protest or special circumstances. But they have weighed and checked fuel in most, if not all instances that I've seen with occasional "surprise" checks for different things other times. Record runs are certified only if the engine has been torn down and sealed. Usually just the top comes off.

[Mark Callanan]

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

To elaborate a bit:

Like-classed cars in eliminations as well as the few events that have specified class eliminations are heads-up.

The World Fianals for the championship as well as the Summit All-Stars and Moser Axle Mania Shootouts are dial-in only. I believe that IHRA feels that after working all year (including possible heads-up runs), to qualify for them, the opportunity to win in those programs shouldn't be cut short by the bad luck of another like-classed car or possible last minute "class adjustment" by a competitor, which puts most emphasis on driving ability rather than resources. Sponsors may have also had an opinion on the matter.

Tear-downs for heads-up runs they do run appear to be considered only under protest or special circumstances. But they have weighed and checked fuel in most, if not all instances that I've seen with occasional "surprise" checks for different things other times. Record runs are certified only if the engine has been torn down and sealed. Usually just the top comes off.

Myron

I understand IHRA is doing what they can to keep their deal going
But their format takes away from what Class racing is about
You need to have heads up runs as that is part of class racing
If not what is the point...

[Brandon Peterson]

I think you mis-understood Myron....IHRA always has heads up runs in eleminations for div and natl events....they do not run heads up if 2 competitors are in the same class in any of the special program races...like the moser axle mania shootout which is run with stock all the way to poss having to run a top dragster or quick rod....also no head s up runs in the allstar shootout as that is a bonus race for 5k for the top 8 in the world the previous year....and also the new champions race at the world finals ..will also not be heads up for class cars as they see its not fair for some reason in a tournament style race.....but any other races if your h/sa and he is h/sa or whatever..then its off the index first to the stripe....plus weight and fuel checks.....

[Brandon Peterson]

i do agree with Larry on the new mopars being crate like....i work at a chrysler dealer and those motors do not resemble what you buy in one of those cars