New 2015 SS/GT rules ?

[Jeff Teuton]

No hp changes for the new GT cars. FGT/A will have the same index as GT/A which lowers the index .05 for the automatic cars. At least that is my understanding. So my 70 Duster (44 years old) with a 360 motor which was introduced in 1971 runs FGT/something or other. Any other 360 motor is in GT. Heads are different. But folks, this is SS, do what you want, just pore right. Both are Edlebrock knock offs with a Mopar casting #. It will be real nice to have your very own class to run in. I will wait for Nitro Joe's final edition to see who is going fast. This is about who NHRA thinks can go fast vs. who actually went fast during the year. I think we have 84 classes, and after this we have 107. I might be a little off on that, but very close.

[Bob Sherwood]

If there is no HP changes or index changes for the F/GT classes and you can run an old motor in the new cars or a new motor in the old cars what was gained???

[Stewart Way]

I don't think the FGT classes were added for the 16 cars currently affected. I think they were added so as the FSS cars beat up on each other and hit the HP ratings they couldn't drop back to regular SSGT at the lower HP as some traditional SS cars cars do now. Just being proactive ahead of future complaints.

[Jeff Teuton]

Bob, what was gained was: 1. New cars not in the classes with old cars, or in GT old motors also. (See number 3) 2. Automatic trans cars (which are about 90%) get hit .10 to .30 (maybe more) in FSS and FGT the way I make it because the indexes are same as comparable stick class. 3. The old cars will now attract another 200 to 400 cars back that quit cause they couldn't run with the new cars. 4. Personal agenda out of Div 2 got Mark Nowicki out of regular GT because he ran fast and programmed his racing not to get AHFS'd. Course it took 16 new classes to do this. 5. NHRA punished the cars they helped create, even though it is the largest new asset to Sportsman Racing 6. The wedge between New Car-Old Car has been driven deeper to the displeasure of the Manufacturers. 7. Used Obama methods of everyone has to be the same inspite of cost or work ethic.

[Ed Wright]

Oh Jeff! :-) "even though it is the largest new asset to Sportsman Racing" LMBO!!

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Oh Jeff! :-) "even though it is the largest new asset to Sportsman Racing" LMBO!!

My first post on the new rules, likely my last.....work to do.

Perhaps another way to look at it is that they didn't go far enough to restore the purity to stock and superstock.......the fuel injected cars still need to be dealt with....they dominate the classes they are in, SS/JA anyone? C/SA...etc...I think fuel injected cars likely have a advantage.

I find myself oddly nostalgic for the IHRA where things were quite simple. If it had fuel injection it was by itself.....

Supercars(copo's, cobras and paks) by themselves makes 100% sense. Sort of like a modern version of SS/AH.....

GT/F with supercar motors, that too, it can create new life for old cars, or for those like myself that like to play in superstock without needing to have a motor on the ragged edge....

Supercars with old motors running with the others in GT/F well thats a bit more murky.

I do show up and play as often as I can with as many toys as I can....be it a dragpak, a dakota truck, a old classic challenger, or even a gremlin....unfortunately a lot of the posters don't race

Maybe the rule changes will inspire them to step away from the keyboard and get ready for the coming season!

Looking forward to the spring and the return of the greatest car show on earth.....

With the new indexes coming out, Michael I am going to need some more letters!

Eric

[Ed Wright]

Eric, if you know Bobby Warren, ask him what he found when he was testing his LT1 SS engine on his dyno, and decided to try the QJet carb he had there. You might be surprised what he found.

[Bryan Worner]

Originally Posted by Bob Sherwood

If there is no HP changes or index changes for the F/GT classes and you can run an old motor in the new cars or a new motor in the old cars what was gained???

The factory cars and their (mostly underrated) motors are in separate classes! That is what was gained. Just like last year when we gained separation in SS/GT of the FWD and RWD cars for hp ratings.

Beard, I guess it's time to start spending some money on that motor!

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Bryan Worner

The factory cars and their (mostly underrated) motors are in separate classes! That is what was gained. Just like last year when we gained separation in SS/GT of the FWD and RWD cars for hp ratings.

...since they refuse to factor them properly. Better than nothing I guess. It's only going to have an effect in the populated classes, though. I'm virtually in my own class now, with an even less chance of a heads-up run or getting HP.

Beard, I guess it's time to start spending some money on that motor!

Re-read my post. I just did in Sept/Oct. Basically picked up what my index is getting hit (or what I guess it's getting hit, since they haven't posted anything). Right back to square one. But that's fine. I spent the money to go faster because I wanted to, and felt it would help me be more competitive. I don't have a lot, so I just do what I can, when I can.


EDIT - NHRA just e-mailed me back and said the new indexes will be posted early next week.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

FGT/A will have the same index as GT/A which lowers the index .05 for the automatic cars.

Where is that listed? The difference between GT/A and GT/AA is .10. If that is the case FGT/H would be 10.85 instead of GT/HA's 11.05... a .20 hit while someone else gets .10? FGT/I gets hit .25 from GT/IA? Glad I spent a bunch of money on the car last month... I'll take my .20. How about the fast guys get .20 too?

As always, if they'd just factor the cars, they wouldn't need new classes in the first place. That being said, I like the idea of sticks & autos running together. Maybe this is a trial balloon for the traditional classes down the road.

Regardless, why haven't they just simply posted the indexes nearly a month after announcing the classes? They should give some consideration to people that may need to upgrade or modify their cars if they have to switch classes -- things which take time and money.