A short continuation of my "VENT" before Indy !!

[Lew Silverman]

So are we saying that there is NO performance advantage to racing a stick over an automatic (or vice versa)? And after we "combine" all of the like-factored vehicles into one class, what do we do when a single vehicle does enter an event where Class Eliminations are being contested?

If the reason that the "Combo" programs were started was as Jeff said, to economize on the expenditures for trophies and contingencies payments, then how about a frame-able certificate for all of the regular class winners. Keep giving the "special classes" and Stock Eliminator winners the "Wally". And isn't a product purchase and usage required to collect a contingency payment from the Manufacturer? What does it matter how many cars are in a certain class if you're using and advertising a Manufacturer's product?

Why are we (they) complicating this?

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Lew Silverman

So are we saying that there is NO performance advantage to racing a stick over an automatic (or vice versa)? And after we "combine" all of the like-factored vehicles into one class, what do we do when a single vehicle does enter an event where Class Eliminations are being contested?

If the reason that the "Combo" programs were started was as Jeff said, to economize on the expenditures for trophies and contingencies payments, then how about a frame-able certificate for all of the regular class winners. Keep giving the "special classes" and Stock Eliminator winners the "Wally". And isn't a product purchase and usage required to collect a contingency payment from the Manufacturer? What does it matter how many cars are in a certain class if you're using and advertising a Manufacturer's product?

Why are we (they) complicating this?

To answer your question about the advantage It depends greatly on each combination. In my case 4 cyl FWD. If I put in a manual trans I would pick up from .3 to .5 (thats tenths not hundreths) With a manual I can get a 4.12 final drive ratio. With the automatic the best (other than custom one of gears) . I can use is 3.72.
NHRA is blaming the combo classes on the manufacturers. But in real life it's about saving trophies. They fail to realize a lot of cars (at over $300 a car) don't show because of their desision.

[Jeff Lee]

If you go through the Nitro Joe stats, you will see a majority of classes that differentiate between the auto and stick trans by class, the auto trans racers are the quickest of the two.

[Andrew Hill]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

If you go through the Nitro Joe stats, you will see a majority of classes that differentiate between the auto and stick trans by class, the auto trans racers are the quickest of the two.

One of the main reasons for that is a lot more people race automatics, plus they are more likely to have heads up, so they need to spend the money to go faster.

I have no problem combining automatics with sticks, but if they do, they need to get a few of the horsepower factors in line (i.e. LS1).

[Ed Carpenter]

This thread is just another reminder that you will never get enough people to agree on something to get it done. Since I've been on CL I've seen tons of ideas about all kinds of things. Its always the same some for it most against it and the rest just don't care. I just don't see anything ever getting done. Debating ideas is always good but there never is a consensus on anything proposed. My .02

[Monte Howard]

Still trying to wrap my mind around the idea that auto trans are faster than stick.
Why did Wescott go to stick then?

[Rod Greene]

Seems to me the AH cars got less HP with the stick therefore lighter weight. No Brainer. With all the e-shift autos and air shifters any monkey can drive an automatic just stab and steer.

[Monte Howard]

The AH cars have the same rating for the auto as the stick, that is why I used them as a example.

[Lew Silverman]

Originally Posted by Rod Greene

Seems to me the AH cars got less HP with the stick therefore lighter weight. No Brainer. With all the e-shift autos and air shifters any monkey can drive an automatic just stab and steer.

Did I miss a memo from Glendale? I know we get a 3-speed next year!

Lew
(definitely NOT a monkey!)

Did any guys that signed this race that weekend? What person in their right mind who loves class racing would sign this crap? Class and dial in should never be mentioned in the same sentence.


QUOTE=louie conkey;346142]I had my petition at Indy and got quite a few signatures on it. I will bring it to the JEG’s race in Columbus as due to the shortened Indy event I didn’t get to some racers who wanted to sign it. Now some people on this site are talking about combining stick and automatic classes into one. It still is wrong. I’m sure it will happen soon, if we don’t make our voices heard. Free Speech you know.

If NHRA continues the “Combo” run-off, I think it should be off a dial-in not off the indexes. See the Combo Race at Indy, where in the automatic class a truck ran at 1.55 under the index and in the stick class a J/S was a second under. Other cars had no chance to run against them unless they would break or red light. (I know that’s the case in any match-up but Really!)

Find me in Columbus or I can find you to sign my petition in an attempt to be heard to stop the way NHRA is insisting on doing this “COMBO” RACE.[/QUOTE]