Shipping weights

[SS/GSI]

Originally Posted by Charley Downing

Can someone explain to me why we need shipping weights for Stock and Superstock anymore? I would love to hear one good reason. I mean a combo can already move up or down one class from its natural class. If someone can get extra weight out of a car/combo why should they be forced to run a heavier class. Or here is a though just rewrite the current rule to make it where you can move up or down 2 class's higher or lower then your natural class. you people are making this way harder then it needs to be.

I mean no shipping weights for cars in SS/GT appear to be working with no issues. Why not just eliminate factory shipping weights all together?
I mean its pretty simple take your (NHRA HP) x (that class weight) plus 170lbs and that's your min for that class. Pretty simple

I can’t see people adding 200-400 lbs to make their cars slower. I believe this was brought up a few weeks ago to the SRAC committee and Kent Hanley and Mike Crutchfield were the major reasons this was shot down. Which is funny because they both compete in a SS class where factory shipping weight are not used.

Charlie, at this point seeing how NHRA has and will most certainly continue to handle the situation moving forward, I believe that you are on the right path, in all seriousness. The following should be put in place for 2023 season.

1. Get rid of ALL shipping weights...if you can fit between the max and min for the class your in!

2. Get rid of all 1/2 lbs weight breaks and make ALL classes 1# weight breaks. More cars per class, more chances of heads ups and less classes to manage for NHRA. Perhaps this might entice manufacturers to come back to sponsor class runoffs? If not, at least it will minimize the mathematics for all involved.

3. Combine stick and auto. Automatic transmissions and convertor technology has come along ways in the last two decades. This again would streamline our classes and allow for more heads ups and less for NHRA to manage. It seems to be working in the FS, FSS and FGT classes.

If we are going to use forward thinking to resolve issues within the organization, then mean it...LOOK FORWARD!!! not just in the now. Rip this whole deal off like a Band-Aid, give everyone this season to make the necessary adjustments and there will be no more arguments...well other than AHFS but that's another thread! LOL