2011 Stock/Super Stock Rule Changes

[Mike Carr]

Here's an off-the-wall idea (or maybe not).

This was proposed several years ago for bracket racing (It may have been by the late Steve Taylor). Best total package wins, and there are no more redlights or breakouts ever. Just the closest total package to .000 wins. Example:

Me, in DF/S, dialed 15.05. An opponent in a B/SA dialed 10.50.
My reaction time -.002. Opponents RT .010
My ET 15.048. My opponent 10.512

My total package is -.004. Opponent is .022

Under the proposed system, I would be the winner, since my total run was closer to perfect (.000 package) than my opponent's.

That should get some opinions flowing.


As for the worst redlight, it would be of great benefit to me to see it changed, as I have always been THE slowest Stocker on the property at every race I've ever ran at in my career, except four ('04 and '06 Dutch, '02 Delmar and '02 Atco LODRS). If NHRA/IHRA were to go to the worst redlight loses, hey, great. It would be of help to me and all slow cars. I'd be in favor of it. If they don't change it, I am ok with it, too. Would it bring me out of retirement if it was changed? No. NHRA and IHRA have much bigger overall issues that I have a problem with than the redlight rule. If they were to fix those, then maybe you'd see me back. Yes, the current redlight rule does favor the faster car, but I knew the rules coming in, fair or not. This argument comes up once a year it seems (usually by Dedman). One can make the argument for and against both the slower car, and faster car, and who has the advantage.

Faster car:
-gets to leave last
-has the race in front of them the whole way
-has a car that is not affected as much by weather/wind changes
-has parts readily available more so than some slower/older cars

Slower car:
-gets to leave first with no distractions
-a slow(er) car will usually hook better, and is not totally dependant on a good starting line
-usually costs less than a big-block or late model fast car
-likely has a softer HP factor and can run further under (in some cases)

That's the beauty of Class Racing. There is something for everyone. Bracket racing artists, go-fast guys, record chasers, whatever tickles your fancy. Stock has 51 (now 52 in 2011) classes. S/S has many more (80+, I believe). Almost anyone can find something to race, based on personal preferance. Why people constantly want to change it dramatically is beyond me. If it is in the intent of being safer, more cost-effective, and in the spirit of fairer competition (whether it's putting the new cars in FX classes, reducing HP for older cars, changing the redlight rule, etc etc), I am 100% in favor of it. In the grand scheme of things, my opinion(s) don't mean jack squat. I don't race anymore, and don't intend to in the near future, unless things change within the sanctioning bodies. Then I can again become a current racer and can have ACTUAL input.