Ford CJ's and Mopar DP's NHRA is now on the case

[James L Miller]

Originally Posted by GUMP

My point exactly. The HP numbers in the guide are a factor. They haven't been real HP numbers in a long time.

Why should they reflect current power levels? If you keep adding power to every engine combo, pretty soon the top class cars will be made illegal since the weight/power ratio will bump them out of SS/AA and AA/SA, etc. Pretty soon the Hemis, 427 Camaros, Shelby Mustangs, etc. would be bumped out if the HP factor was put in line with current power levels. A SS/AH Hemi is now over 1000HP in a 3000 pound car. I'm sure most of the big block engines would be in the same situation. Would you want a 350 Camaro racing in SS/AA with the big block combos not legal anymore? This would be an extreme case, but shows the potential for class creep.

I always thought that NHRA and IHRA should keep one engine combo at a constant power level and all the rest moved up and down to even the playing field. My choice would have been the Race Hemi's at 500 HP, but the SS/AH cars are now at 507. I think the 500 HP number reflected the power level of a 1964 Race Hemi when it left the factory in 1964. Food for thought and strictly my opinion (which I'm sure doesn't count for anything). Thanks for listening to an old goober.