Automatic Horsepower Factoring System

[Bryan Worner]

Kenny,

Only the fastest run per car counts per event! If there are 2 or more cars at the same event with the same combo, then there could be 2 or more runs to trigger a review at that 1 event if 2 or more go 1.15 under or quicker.

If you get 4 runs during that event and you go 1.16, 1.08, 1.20 and 1.21 under on your runs, the 1.21 under will go towards your average.

This is national events only!

[Nitro Joe Jackson]

Bryan is correct, they only use 1 run (fastest) per car at each national event for the system.

[5919 SSKA]

Don't Divisionals and National Opens count too???

Confused???

Travis Sorokie
5919 SS/KA

[Evan Smith]

The way it was explained to me is that the fastest run by each racer at a national event will be looked at. If two runs (or more) occur that are 1.15 under by at least two racers that will set off the trigger for the class/combo to be reviewed. For example, lets take Dean Cook II and I. We both run different cars, but a similar engine family. As a side note, there are only two other 5.0 Cobras in the country that I know of so we pretty much control our own destiny.

If Dean and I run past 1.15 under at any one event, that amounts to two hits, thus setting off the trigger. If this happens we are getting hp, unless we both go out to another national event and run slow to bring the average down below 1.00.

Someone earlier in this thread stated that the more cars in a class screws those in that class, but the exact opposite is really true. More cars will always help bring the average down, it is the guy or gal with only one or two cars that the system is tough on, especially if the few cars are fast. Nevertheless, anyone can choose to go slow if they don't want hp. That stinks, but at least you know what to do. There are quite a few racers, with fast cars, who have been masterful at avoiding the lead trophy so it can be done.

I know most racers hate the current system, but the rules are laid out. It stinks that the trigger is 1.15 and I think it should be lowered since many performance enhancement have been allowed since the inception of the system. I also feel that the technology is there for most combinations to run very fast (radials, trick transmissions, etc) and that it is too easy to get hit with a fast car, when a fast cars is what we all really want. With that, there needs to be much more incentive for going fast, be it points or money. Points could be awarded for Class round wins and for setting a record (with a maximum on the record deal to two e.t and two mph records) for points per season. This would allow for the performance and tuning ability to let a driver do better in the points system, rather than just relying on bracket-racing ability in what is supposed to be a performance class.

I'm kind of tired of the bitching when I don't ever see a viable solution. This is not 1970 anymore! Meaning there is not just a few combinations that NHRA has to look over. NHRA has to make it fair for thousands of possible combinations including small engines with low compression, to big engines with lots of compression. Some with EFI, turbos, superchargers and of course, a variety of body styles. There is no other racing class in all of motorsports that I can think of with such a wide variety of race vehicles. Instead of being a part of the problem, be a part of the solution. The NHRA will never be able to please the thousands of racers, many of whom are on their own agenda. What's good for one is bad for another, so what is the answer? I am against putting the hp review back in the hands of a decision maker because the NHRA doesn't have the manpower to staff the tech department with anyone who could dedicate themselves to this. And that alone would be a full-time job.

Thanks,

Evan

[countrypuppy4865]

Cimarolli,
I was not racing when the hp committee was active. However, I have to agree with you the system cannot be simply computer based. I think there needs to be some human input as well. If not, we will all continue to suffer at the hands of a computer.

[laura Parker]

Evan What about the number of cars running the same cobo does that matter now ? Barry

[Sam Hamod]

I agree with Laura Parker. "IF" you analyze the numbers in detail with the proposed system, the more cars of the same combination the more likely you are to get hp. The proposed system would be a monumental job! But who knows which system is being used?

[George Fitzpatrick]

Evan great comment. But the system can also make a combination obsolete. Case in point 1970 hemi cuda@3825 LBS for A/SA. One run in unbelievable weather conditions,
Should not kill a combo. @ 1.40 there should be a review rather than an automatic hp hit. Then if after all conditions are reviewed, if warranted so be it. And maybe just as we must back up a record run it should be two runs @1.40 under. This way the person would realize they could get hit, and would play the peddle game (not that I agree with that game). I don?t profess to have the answer. I do believe the AHSF system can work, it needs to be tweaked.

[5919 SSKA]

I couldn't agree more, and hopefully that is ONE issue the new Sportsman Committee will be working on.

Take a 20mph tail wind, and some -alt. and you get a 'bogus' hit to your combo. Not to mention, if you are the one hitting the combo for Hp, you should be TORN DOWN before they give the whole combo Hp!!!

[Evan Smith]

If there are more cars vs. less cars, then (A) you get a better representation of what the combination is really capable of because there will be a range of competitors with a range of car building and racing skill levels, as well as budgets. (B) There is likely to be plenty of slow cars, as well as fast ones, to potentially bring down the average. For instance, there are 396/375 engines running in every division and there are plenty of them in each division. So, it's easy for a bunch of people to go slow and lower the average. If you have a car like mine, and you only go to a couple of nationals a year and happen to run too fast, you are screwed. Also, if only one or two people are racing a combination then it is hard to asses whether it is a soft combo or if the guy has his ducks in a row.

George, I couldn't agree more, especially considering the lack of teardown required after a 1.40-or-better run. In your case, the 9-80 run caused the Stocker Hemi in your type car to be obsolete. Most would agree that it was done in awesome conditions and by a well-funded car. Should this be taken into account? This would be a reason for the human element to be involved. See what I mean about the fact that there is no easy answer?

Evan