The next big A/Fuel scoop...

Will it happen ? Well talks in this deal started a year ago that were posted by us. If this deal goes through look for alot of pissed off Top Fuel teams in the "I". But I say they did not deserve the money anyway. A time slip in the 5.50-7. second range does not deserve the money for a first round loss. $8,000.00. This one will make the blown guy happy I am guessing in hopes the A/Fueler all head to the "I"

Dean

[ January 24, 2004, 06:16 PM: Message edited by: The Zone ]

 

Some guys race to win. That's all they care about, it's about the competition. If your in this to make money your in the wrong buisness. Personally, I think it would be wrong to steal a paycheck by qualifying in a field that you don't belong to. That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

 

They mine as well let the Blown Alcohol Cars try to qualify too.

If it is over 85 degrees that is...

 

I bet the TF'ers raise a Huge Stink on this one! Bader's in for a fight!

 

I think any A/F car would pass tech in IHRA, so I don't know why the fuss . If you show up without a blower on the car and you have everything else a competitor has, just run the car . I don't know if the rules read that you MUST have a blower ? I remember Jody Austin used to enter aa/fc in IHRA and drop out of AFC he took the cash and filled a lane it did not seem to be a problem back then . I think there has to be 1 guy brave enough to just do it, add the cannon ,run the rules as they are and give it 90% in the tank, the bad thing is no one has tested this combination and the result may be no different than the current situation.
As a side note only the BETTER funded teams run the cars to the finish line, most in the class click it just past 1000'-1100' and are saving their best USED parts for the weekend. This is in part because there may only be 8,9 maybe 10 cars entered. 2004 will be different though and I think there will be 10-12 minimum at each event and some better cars . It would be great to see an A/F car run a 4.85 - 4.95 @ just around 300 mph , I think some could do it and when it happens it will change the way we all think about Top Fuel. Because they will not likely be throwing their guts in the diaper after each run. Insurance companies (slower and safer) and TV producers (less oil downs ?) would welcome them with open arms.
Just my .739 of a US cent

As of today It is official the non-blown AFD entries will be permitted . with the weight @ 1950 ,500 cu in, Cannon and management, 4or5 disc clutch, ANY rear ratio , 90-100 % nitro . I think a few will start testing "New Stuff" it is slightly better money than TAD pays in NHRA. The blown cars may rule again someday in TAD if the AFD players go chasing rainbows.

[ January 26, 2004, 11:29 PM: Message edited by: Les Mellows ]

 

Les, if they made the A/Fuelers run 90%, that would end any chance of those cars being even slightly competitive.

 

90 %(500 cu in) would not near affect the cars under the new rules as much as the clutch hampered the car in TAD. In the early going there will be more teams learning 90% than 100% I think. IHRA has some great early season atmosperic conditions. These guys can now control the motor and the fuel system with the cannon which could not be done with a centrifugal clutch, I think the consistency will improve and the cylinders will be easier to manage. Can't Wait for the teams to get excited about this ....... FIRST AFD IN the 4's is ???????????

[ January 26, 2004, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: Les Mellows ]

 

Well, let's see now, we have A-fuel in TOP ALCOHOL dragster in NHRA, and now in TOP FUEL in IHRA. Perhaps it is just me, but would it not make sense for either sanctioning body simply have an A-Fuel class? In this type logic, I can throw a blower on a super comp car and feed it some alcohol, and race TAD. Or, maybe take a super gas, ditch the throttle stop and run pro stock. I am afraid I will never understand why two completely different type of cars are permitted to run in the same class. Will be intresting to see how many jump ship, maybe the blown cars will have better chances after all this year.

 

John, if they pay the A-fuelers the $8,000 first round money. I think you'll see quite a bit, that's just a hunch seeing as though compared to NHRA's $1,700 for First round. Which would you run?

 

No question about it there, Mr. Scary. Downright sad what the payout is in NHRA. Cost to earnings ratio for the TAD/TAFC class leaves a bit to be desired, to put it kindly. $ 8,000 in an A-fuel or BAD will go a long way. Perhaps I am off my rocker here, but would it not make sense for NHRA to have a blown alcohol class only, and IHRA having an A-fuel class only, or vice versa? A-fuel seems to be the unwanted stepchild, or the class that is loved by the powers to be. In what other class to you have two completely different power combinations racing? Comp maybe, but the indexing takes care of that, more or less. Otherwise, it does not exist, perhaps there is a reason for that? Regardless, to the A-fuel guys who go for the $ 8K, good luck~~~

[ January 27, 2004, 11:38 AM: Message edited by: John Newton ]

 

Pro Modified.

 

And now IHRA T/F too. Let the fun begin!

 

Good one Nick, Don't forget TAD as well.

Dean

 

I'll admit, I am knot terribly knowledgable about pro-mod, but it has always been my understanding is the difference being nitrous oxide or a supercharger. Two concepts to achieve the same thing, there. However, in TAD terms, the fuel is different, one has a blower, one does not, one uses a transmission, one does not. To me, that constitutes a major difference. In relation to T/F, once again, since the beginning of the class, I always thought T/F had a blower, and Junior fuel did not( much like A-fuel). They were two seperate classes, but that was then, and this is now I suppose. I do not claim to know everything, so please excuse if I am mistaken. Now...enough of this damn snow and cold!!!

 

Yawn.....It's getting late. Goodnight.
TR

[ January 27, 2004, 11:03 PM: Message edited by: Tim Rudy ]

 

Amen to that!

Seriously John, there are big differences between the two types of Pro Mods. It makes the task of achieving "parity" very difficult, just like in TAD. Now we will have two formulas for Top Fuel too. I don't envy Mike Baker.

 

LOL you dont envy Mike Baker.......

Couldn't happen to a nicer GUY! LMAO