McClanahan DQ in Dallas

[Frank Castros]

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

By shortening the wheelbase, you increase the weight transfer.
It has the same effect as increasing the Center of Gravity (CG) height.

A longer wheelbase makes the car more stable down the track, especially with high horsepower engines.

That is the reason why the NHRA rule book has limits on how high you can raise the engine and the height of the front and rear of the car.

Compare a 1970-71 Barracuda with a 108" wheelbase versus a 1970-1971 Challenger with a 110" wheelbase. A 2" difference in wheelbase.
Although there are Challengers that can drag the rear bumper, I have always considered that the Cuda's launch is more violent due to the shorter wheelbase.

Larry? I'm sure you and Jerry compared notes. Please share, thank you.

[Frank Castros]

How about Don Little also share his opinion?

[Larry Hill]

I would guess Don would have the best insight, he has raced a Cuda and a Challenger E body’s. I know Don won a championship in an E body but I can’t remember which car. Another great E body champ is Chuck Rayburn.

[Larry Hill]

I would guess Don would have the best insight, he has raced a Cuda and a Challenger E body’s. I know Don won a championship in an E body but I can’t remember which car. Another great E body champ is Chuck Rayburn. Almost forgot to pay attention but Albert Lee was a champion in a Hemi Challenger.

[GTS340]

I ran a Duster ( 108") for a very long time. Switched to a 69 Dart (111") and the car works great. Every car I've built is usually 50/50 or very close.
Paul

[Jared Jordan]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

I would guess Don would have the best insight, he has raced a Cuda and a Challenger E body’s. I know Don won a championship in an E body but I can’t remember which car. Another great E body champ is Chuck Rayburn. Almost forgot to pay attention but Albert Lee was a champion in a Hemi Challenger.

His championship car was a 'Cuda. He's raced the Challenger since 2003.

[bigshow2966]

There was an SS/EA Plymouth raced at Motion 45 years ago that had the wheelbase staggered. It's not a new thing.

[herbjr]

I just showed my dad this post about the cudas and challengers, he always said the cuda made a better race car because of the 2 inches on paper, then he said 2 inches on 108 inches you will never know the difference, he built cars for Dave Boertman, Roger England, Dale Meers, Rick Wolfe and many more. They all worked in their day and the ones running today are still solid cars,

Herb Jr

[Charlie Yannetti]

While I'm OK with cars receiving Tech Inspections during Qualifying, and given an opportunity to correct the issue, I'd like to know how many are actually OK with Tech Inspections during Eliminations, where the opportunity to make a correction does not exist??..

EXAMPLE: it is decided that Tech will check cars after the 3rd round of eliminations.. they find a problem with the winner of the 3rd round, and the car is DQ'd.. what happens to those three other racers that have already been eliminated by that car??.. inquiring minds would like to know..

Can you tell I'm not a fan of Mr Collins, or "HIS" idea of tech during eliminations??

[Adub464Q]

Originally Posted by Charlie Yannetti

While I'm OK with cars receiving Tech Inspections during Qualifying, and given an opportunity to correct the issue, I'd like to know how many are actually OK with Tech Inspections during Eliminations, where the opportunity to make a correction does not exist??..

EXAMPLE: it is decided that Tech will check cars after the 3rd round of eliminations.. they find a problem with the winner of the 3rd round, and the car is DQ'd.. what happens to those three other racers that have already been eliminated by that car??.. inquiring minds would like to know..

Can you tell I'm not a fan of Mr Collins, or "HIS" idea of tech during eliminations??

I am not sure what opinion I have on the tech at any time, but this policy is in place at any time. I don't really think it matters if we are OK with this or not, it is what it is. Per the new self-certification rulebook introduced in 2021 and found at the below link:

https://www.nhra.net/2021/nhraracer/...n_Rulebook.pdf

"Technical inspection can occur at any time before, during or after an event, at the time and in the place and manner directed by the NHRA Tech Department or any designated event official, and regardless of the technical inspection category that applies to the participant. Therefore, the participant must be prepared to demonstrate compliance with all applicable NHRA rules at any time."

Additional quote: "All determinations by event officials regarding the timing and method of technical inspection are final and are not subject to appeal or review."

While I have my own opinions on the timing and tech inspection, the NHRA officials followed the rules as set forth and distributed by email that we all receive in every national event entry information email.