Solving the parity issue and a few others in 1 move

Discussion in 'Pit Buzz' started by blown but not dead, Jan 4, 2009.

  1. blown but not dead

    blown but not dead New Member

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    The way I see it the NHRA has 3 major issues facing it today. Safety in the Fuel classes, Sponsorship and attendance due to the economy, and car counts in the fuel classes. I have been around NHRA drag racing since in the womb. Frankly 1000' drag racing sucks! (IMO) I personally stopped watching the Fuel classes at this point. Once upon a time many moons ago the Top Fuel guys used to race at the divisional level. Now Top Fuel has lost its luster, how many times can we watch the same 8-10 drivers go down the track? This is by no way a knock on any driver specifically, because anyone that pilots a car that goes over 200 mph has all my respect.

    So here is an idea outside the box which should increase interest in the class by bringing more teams into the equation, save teams money, and address the safety issues while returning to the sacred 1320 we love and cherish.

    Turn the A Fuel car into the new Top Fuel! Give them 100% nitro and turn them loose! A new quest for the 4's and 300 mph. Now I know some will say been there done that! But not without a blower attatched. Now a team like Mr. Reichert as an example plays his cards right could be your Top Fuel champ! A new face in the mix. The point system set with both National and Divisional points the specifics may change but similar to the way it is now.. Hopefully increasing attendance at the divisional level. Teams travelling expenses reduced, they dont have to go all over the country chasing points. The Snake in an interview at the US nationals addressed the budget the fuel teams have for parts, that problem solved. More drivers competing for the title equals more interest for the fans.

    The Top Fuel class is slowed down safety issues while not eliminated are addressed. And Top Alcohol means just that, methanol in the tank. Make some rule changes slow the blowers down so guys like Mr Whiteley and Mr. Thacker dont have to set the engine on kill to try to win the championship. Saving this combination money also.

    By the way my father and I have had a few heated discussions regarding the idea, needless to say he didnt agree with me.

    So let the flaming begin.

    Erik Hummel
    3169 TAD
     
    #1
    blown but not dead, Jan 4, 2009
  2. Creech

    Creech Member

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    If it was just about slowing then down they'd put a 6-71 on 'em.
     
    #2
    Creech, Jan 4, 2009
  3. Dale H.

    Dale H. Member

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    I like your idea Erik, but I think there's too much tradition with the blowers.
    I do have a idea to slow top fuel classes, have a spec fuel pump,a small gallonage one,that is sealed so that no tampering could be done, and then after every race or two the pumps would be collected by NHRA and then teams would be issued fresh pumps. The pumps collected would be then be flowed to make sure they are all within a close percentage of each other, then sealed and distributed again to racers.I think you could control speed for the most part by controlling the amount of fuel the engine could get.

    -Dale
     
    #3
    Dale H., Jan 4, 2009
  4. BLOWN INCOME

    BLOWN INCOME tafc

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    Creech,at one time in late 90's JFR borrowed from us through ssi a 8:71(at that time it was the best one,dyno tested, in the country)...the tests only showed a minimal drop of less then .15 sec....it is just like the p.m.'s only running a very low overdrive and still running 6.0 sec. ! There is always someone out here who will figure out how to make it run.....another point is: The pro top outlaws rules was only a 8:71 on a hemi,yet they have them running 3.7 and3.8"s in the 1/8 with a convertor driven transmission....
     
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    Last edited: Jan 5, 2009
    BLOWN INCOME, Jan 5, 2009
  5. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
    Staff Member

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    perhaps temporarily

    I don't know that NHRA is prepared to make such a drastic move in the immediate future, but perhaps as a short term 'stop gap' move, allow A/FD to compete in TF in 2009 at 100% with clutch management to fill the short fields that will be inevitable this season. I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure out it would be more entertaining to watch a TF car run an A/F car than a bunch of first round byes.

    Slowing the blown fuel cars down will be a difficult task. Perhaps compression and blower od limits may do the trick, per Dale Armstrong's theory.

    I just don't see this happening though, one, as good as an A/F sounds, it doesn't sound as good as blown fuel. Second, this isn't the time to make all the Top Fuel cars and parts obsolete in one fell swoop. Chassis, wings, rear ends, motors, blowers, fuel systems, etc., would all be obsolete, and almost worthless.

    Plus, I don't think NHRA wants to make a move that perhaps the IHRA wouldn't, thus making IHRA a faster racing series and potentially losing marketshare.
     
    #5
    Will Hanna, Jan 5, 2009
  6. JR Van Osten

    JR Van Osten New Member

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    I didn't follow it too closely, but didn't the IHRA allow some A fuelers to attempt to run T/F last year or 2? Whatever came of that?
     
    #6
    JR Van Osten, Jan 5, 2009

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