How would you fix the ahfs

[Billy Nees]

I agree, seems like 100lbs =.10 works at about J,K,L. Anything higher is less, anything lower is more. In my V car, 100 lbs is .22!

[Mike Pearson]

Can anyone tell me what the proceedure is for asking for a HP reduction for a certian combo? Send a letter? Send an e-mail? Who does it get sent to?

Thanks

[Jeff Teuton]

Travis; Forget the new stuff. That sort of thing has not done anything for the combos that have been out of line for years. Several things will not change. 1. We as racers are better at getting away with stuff than NHRA is a catching us. 2. Some racers are a whole lot better than other racers. 3. All the rules and ahfs are like IRS regs, we seem to stay just on the inside of them, but that is what is required. 4. When the Bowties are not the cream of the crop, the owners of those Bowties deem that unacceptable, and complain. Something new: Make new classes at the top for the new cars to expand. Lots of people like the new cars. Everyone can't race a 67 Camaro

[Gary Parker]

I think they should have a common sence look at the H.P. numbers once a year. And adjustments made that are needed. Most of us know what combo's need H.P. added. Also they should be aware of mine shaft conditions, where people run there best do to extreamly good air. As far as weight goes, its to easy to slow cars down without adding weight. Put some extra oil in or retard the timing. Shift early and on and on...... Gary

[Joey Bohannon]

buy a bass boat, go fishing, see if they miss you, lol.

Joe B

[Alan Roehrich]

I've posted this before.

1. A set of certified matching weather stations should be issued to each division, and calibrated regularly.

2. A set of conditions that represent a "standard day", such as those used by the Society of Automotive Engineers should be approved. Something such as 70 degrees F, 29.9" of BP, and 20% RH.

3. A weather reading should be taken and recorded at the beginning and the end of every session for Stock Eliminator and for Super Stock.

4. Those conditions should be averaged and entered into a database.

5. The complete run, with all incrementals, for each car, in each session, should be entered into the same database. Weight of the car, as compared to the legal minimum for that car, could be entered as well. Provided the scales are certified.

6. A relatively simple Statistical Process Control program should be written, and the database listed above should feed all data into the SPC program. It would include a standard accepted weather correction factor, such as those used on engine dynamometers, in order to correct the data to the accepted "standard day".

7. A set of standards for performance would be established as acceptable. As an example, let's say that your ideal standard is that any given combination should average no more than 1.0 seconds under the index. By the same token, you'd also want to establish a minimum of say 0.300 under the index.

8. Properly written and implemented, the database and SPC program will automatically yield factual data, and could easily provide the correct adjustment required to bring any combination in line.

9. The class program itself would need to be changed in order to create an incentive for racers to work on their combination to get it to perform, and then to use the performance. For example, class eliminations at as many events as possible, replacing all but one qualifying session. So there would be a single qualifying session at each race, the next round of qualifying would actually be the first round of class eliminations, so that each racer gets one shot in each lane, even if they lose in the 1st round of class. Class needs to pay at least a small amount of money, and points. Not a lot of points, maybe something equal to a round win in a 64 car field. The top ten qualifying positions should at least pay points as well, say 20 points for number one, and two points less for each lower position.

10. Racers will always make some sort of attempt to "game the system", but if the system is put together well, and the racers are given incentives not to game the system, it can be minimized so that the system could work much better than what we have now.

* Any car triggering an instant HP hit, and instant hits would remain in place and in force, would be subject to a complete "national record" level tear down. Any racer who triggers a hit and does not tear down is suspended and fined.


Yes, it seems like a lot when you read it. However, if you think it through carefully, there is not a requirement for a large cash outlay, nor a large amount of labor. You're only adding the recording of the weather conditions and possibly the weight. A person assisting the starter could take the weather recording, or the starter himself could do it while they take the usual short break between classes. If you were to record the weight, then you'd have to have someone at the scales to enter the data. The database and the SPC software will run themselves, no human input is really necessary, other than to check to see that the data is being recorded. A certain amount of "labor" and "human input" would actually be eliminated.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Joey Bohannon

buy a bass boat, go fishing, see if they miss you, lol.

Joe B

X 2 If enough would do this NHRA would miss the $$$$$$$ Not the racers.

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

Can anyone tell me what the proceedure is for asking for a HP reduction for a certian combo? Send a letter? Send an e-mail? Who does it get sent to?

Thanks

Mike, The way it has been done in the past is to write a letter (I guess an email would work) to the Horsepower Committee and present your reasons for a HP reduction. Include examples and detailed information. I have done this twice and got HP off once. The other time I never heard a thing back from them. Bill Holt used to be on the Committee but I'm not sure who is on it now. The Division office should be able to help you with that info. If I can help you please email or call me. Jim

[Mike Pearson]

Thanks Jim.

[Richard Grant]

Many racers pointed out when the ahfs was implemented that it would never work because the racers could control when they receive horsepower especially the ones with rare combos. The more of a type of combo the more likely someone will mess up and cause horsepower. Some combos have done an excellent job of maintaining their averages and fast runs therefore even though they were fast before ahfs they are still fast. AHFS will never work like it was touted but then nothing tried so far has worked to everyones satisfaction. The changes made for 2011 have only tied everyones hands so that no one can run all out. I don't think that any modification to the current system will fix it. It was flawed from the beginning. However because no system will suit everyone it's just as good as anything that I have heard seen so far.
I think that most everyone likes the new combos and believe that they help improve stock racing but until they are placed into their own class or their horsepower numbers are fairly adjusted they remain a sore spot for many racers. As we are seeing it will take far too long for the AHFS to balance the playing field and it's only made worse by introducing new combos every so often. Our options remain live with the current situation or go play golf(or go fishing, or etc.)