Stick vs. Auto index

[Jeff Lee]

Why the discrepancy between indexes in Stock with stick vs. auto?
The total difference when comparing 1/4 mile indexes is a whopping 2.00 seconds favoring the auto over the stick combinations. I've always wondered why, especially in this day and age of some pretty sophisticated transmissions, convertors and clutches. I have to believe that with the allowance of a metric 200, 904 TF or C4 in lieu of the factory offering of T400/350, 727 TF & C6 and even the allowance of a Jerico or Liberty in lieu of the T-10, M-21/22 or Top-Loader that the performance issues of yesterday are no longer worth consideration.

Some of the classes are seperated quite a bit while others are not. There doesn't seem to be a pattern as you go down the list. You'll find no differences in some of the lower classes such as L & M then the differences appear again. Look at R, T & U. So the normal argument about the little engines favoring a stick don't seem supported.
I ask that as I've heard of some racers willing to convert to a stick application but have issues that they could loose performance in relationship to the index. That's not even taking into account the lack of any delay device in the stick applications compareable to what is offered to the auto racers. And why shouldn't the stick racer have the same reaction time tools as available to the auto racers?

I heard rumor that one of the racer representatives would not accept that there were any differences between the indexes. So hear it is, for those not aware. The total difference is 2.000 seconds.

I'm looking for constructive comments and may even follow with a poll after everybody has had time to present their opinions.



Stock Indexes
Last Update: 10/7/2008
Class 1/4 Mile 1/8 Mile -------------------------------difference
AA/S 10.90 07.03 ------- AA/SA 10.90 07.03 -------.000
A/S 11.25 07.24 --------- A/SA 11.30 07.27 ------- .050
B/S 11.50 07.39 --------- B/SA 11.55 07.42 ------- .050
C/S 11.65 07.47 --------- C/SA 11.70 07.50 ------- .050
D/S 11.80 07.57 --------- D/SA 11.85 07.60 ------- .050
E/S 11.95 07.65 --------- E/SA 12.00 07.68 ------- .050
F/S 12.10 07.74 --------- F/SA 12.15 07.76 ------- .050
G/S 12.20 07.79 --------- G/SA 12.30 07.86 ------- .100
H/S 12.30 07.86 --------- H/SA 12.45 07.94 ------- .150
I/S 12.50 07.97 ---------- I/SA 12.60 08.03 --------- .100
J/S 12.65 08.05 --------- J/SA 12.75 08.11 --------- .100
K/S 12.85 08.18 --------- K/SA 12.95 08.22 -------- .100
L/S 13.00 08.26 --------- L/SA 13.00 08.26 --------- .000
M/S 13.15 08.33 -------- M/SA 13.15 08.33 ---------.000
N/S 13.25 08.40 -------- N/SA 13.30 08.43 --------- .050
O/S 13.40 08.48 -------- O/SA 13.45 08.51 --------- .050
P/S 13.65 08.62 -------- P/SA 13.75 08.68 ----------.100
Q/S 13.95 08.79 -------- Q/SA 14.10 08.88 ----------.150
R/S 14.25 08.96 -------- R/SA 14.35 09.02 ----------.100
T/S 14.70 09.21 --------- T/SA 14.70 09.21 ----------.000
U/S 14.95 09.34 -------- U/SA 15.15 09.45 ----------.200
V/S 15.55 09.68 -------- V/SA 15.80 09.81 ----------.250
W/S 16.70 10.35 ------- W/SA 16.95 10.51----------.250

I'll follow up with a Superstock comparrison.