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

[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.