Watch what you wish for...

Chad Rhodes · 10-21-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

You're absolutely wrong here too, Jim. There are only a very few GM EFI cars that can even run AA/S or AA/SA. Only the high HP LSx cars can get in. AA classes had nothing to do with GM EFI cars, nothing at all. The people who asked for it didn't have a GM EFI car in the bunch. It was mostly big block Chevy racers, with a few Chrysler racers and a couple of Ford racers. Trust me, I was there.

Alan is correct. It was absolutely ridiculous to have to add 300 lbs to a 427 vette or camaro, or street hemi, just to run the top class in stock. That was why alot of us wanted to have AA, it reduces parts breakage, and yes it gave the really fast guys a place to hide. As for hiding from fast cars, thats not really an issues. there are just as many fast AA/SA cars as fast A/SA cars at most races.

Bruce Noland · 10-21-2009, 12:38 PM

Guys, there were over a dozen big block guys asking for the AA classes but their words were falling on deaf ears until the OEMs got involved. The 10.90 index told the story - it left many of the guys who had been asking for the AA class scratching their heads until word got out about the new cars.

Alan Roehrich · 10-21-2009, 12:55 PM

Bruce, there is no doubt that the OEM's getting involved boosted the chances of getting the AA classes. However, we ran AA for a year before the Fords and Chryslers were accepted by NHRA (all of 2008).

Further, when AA was actually formed, many, including myself, were emailed directly by NHRA, asking us what the index should be. The current index of 10.90 was ALMOST universally accepted, the majority agreed on it. The exceptions were those who were worried that the index being that low would make it difficult to qualify at Indy, which was true. The idea behind the index being 10.90 was to allow the fast cars to actually go really fast before even hitting the evaluation trigger, much less getting instant HP.

In any event, although a few (myself included) have stated that the Cobra Jets and the Drag Pack Challengers have a ridiculously soft factor, NONE have said they wish we had not asked for, and been given, the AA classes. Live by the sword, die by the sword. We can all live with it, even if we don't like it at all. And despite the ridiculous factors, we wecome new cars into the class. We wish they were correctly factored, but still, welcome to the party.

Bruce Noland · 10-21-2009, 02:10 PM

Alan, the 2008's were being discussed from 2007 forward. nhra staff had visited with the OEMs before the 2008 season began. I believe the Mopars were meant to be the first out.

Yes, nhra did ask what the index should be but I remember the wow factor when nhra announced the 10.90 factor. Maybe we can find some old posts on the subject.

bill dedman · 10-22-2009, 10:51 PM

Out of all the Drag Pack Challengers that have been built and are being built, has ANYBODY chosen to run the 360 Magnum motor, or, are they ALL HEMIS????

Just curious...

countrypuppy4865 · 10-24-2009, 09:43 AM

Bill,
As far as I know everyone running now is running the Hemi. I think a few 360's will show up next year. They should be a force to be reckoned with.

10-21-2009, 12:38 PM	#2
Bruce Noland VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,855 Likes: 83 Liked 444 Times in 145 Posts	Re: Watch what you wish for... Guys, there were over a dozen big block guys asking for the AA classes but their words were falling on deaf ears until the OEMs got involved. The 10.90 index told the story - it left many of the guys who had been asking for the AA class scratching their heads until word got out about the new cars. __________________ Bruce Noland 1788 STK

10-21-2009, 12:55 PM	#3
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1,507 Liked 1,647 Times in 379 Posts	Re: Watch what you wish for... Bruce, there is no doubt that the OEM's getting involved boosted the chances of getting the AA classes. However, we ran AA for a year before the Fords and Chryslers were accepted by NHRA (all of 2008). Further, when AA was actually formed, many, including myself, were emailed directly by NHRA, asking us what the index should be. The current index of 10.90 was ALMOST universally accepted, the majority agreed on it. The exceptions were those who were worried that the index being that low would make it difficult to qualify at Indy, which was true. The idea behind the index being 10.90 was to allow the fast cars to actually go really fast before even hitting the evaluation trigger, much less getting instant HP. In any event, although a few (myself included) have stated that the Cobra Jets and the Drag Pack Challengers have a ridiculously soft factor, NONE have said they wish we had not asked for, and been given, the AA classes. Live by the sword, die by the sword. We can all live with it, even if we don't like it at all. And despite the ridiculous factors, we wecome new cars into the class. We wish they were correctly factored, but still, welcome to the party. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

10-21-2009, 02:10 PM	#4
Bruce Noland VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,855 Likes: 83 Liked 444 Times in 145 Posts	Re: Watch what you wish for... Alan, the 2008's were being discussed from 2007 forward. nhra staff had visited with the OEMs before the 2008 season began. I believe the Mopars were meant to be the first out. Yes, nhra did ask what the index should be but I remember the wow factor when nhra announced the 10.90 factor. Maybe we can find some old posts on the subject. __________________ Bruce Noland 1788 STK Last edited by Bruce Noland; 10-21-2009 at 02:15 PM.

10-22-2009, 10:51 PM	#5
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Watch what you wish for... Out of all the Drag Pack Challengers that have been built and are being built, has ANYBODY chosen to run the 360 Magnum motor, or, are they ALL HEMIS???? Just curious... __________________ Bill

10-24-2009, 09:43 AM	#6
countrypuppy4865 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Donaldsonville, LA Posts: 977 Likes: 17 Liked 227 Times in 69 Posts	Re: Watch what you wish for... Bill, As far as I know everyone running now is running the Hemi. I think a few 360's will show up next year. They should be a force to be reckoned with. __________________ Jimmy "Cooter" Hidalgo, Jr. 4865 E/SA '04 GTO 4865 SS/GA '99 Firebird