How would you fix the ahfs

[Marvin Robinson]

Originally Posted by 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.

This seems like a comprehensive and reasonable approach, at the very least it is a good framework for a solution, and we racers and NHRA would do well to have discussions based on it.

[art leong]

How about no factoring on records, qualifying, or class.
Just factor in the eliminator.
Make the instant trigger 1 second, the review 7 tenths averaged to 5 tenths.
Take out the 1000' clocks for the eliminator

[X-TECH MAN]

How about just getting rid of it. It dosent work anyway. Besides that no one races anymore......they just shut off.

[art leong]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

How about just getting rid of it. It dosent work anyway. Besides that no one races anymore......they just shut off.

Go as fast as you want to qualify. Class doesn't pay enough to make a difference.
If you qualify 1.3 or 1.4 under you would have to slow it down a bunch not to get hit in the eliminator. without 1000' clocks that might be a liability.