Alan Reinhart . I have two questions. (2 Viewers)

[I was NITRO BREATH]

three things that are iconic to my drag racing experience are burn out , dry hop, and banging the throttle during pit warm ups. dry hop is gone. i can deal with that. throttle bang almost a thing of the past. i think most of us view that as a HUGE loss. long smokey burn outs are loathed by crew chiefs so we are left with anemic sad excuse that is the present burn out. and now track prep threatens the burn out. ouch .......

 

[TooTall999]

Ask Jim Dunn if he feels burnouts are needed....

 

[Nunz]

I get that they aren't overly necessary anymore, many of of the things that WERE necessary years ago, as a byproduct really contributed to the Show aspect of of drag racing. Throttle whacks, dry hops, and long smoky burnouts are really the big 3. Look at videos or pics from even the '90s and smoke would just billow to the point that it took a little time to be able to see anything. I think I miss that the most.

 

[stitcherbob]

It's called the BIG SHOW for a reason.....NHRA needs to remember that and keep some of those elements that made it a show.

 

[Bob K.]

We ran 3.752 @ 329.18mph without a burnout. First pair, round 1 at Vegas 2 in 2017.

You guys sure run good for only running a limited schedule! Kudos!

 

[Huge]

It's called the BIG SHOW for a reason.....NHRA needs to remember that and keep some of those elements that made it a show.

I think that a lot of the younger fans today might like a couple long burnouts and dry hops but after 1 or 2 I think they would start getting bored. It was cool in the old days but I know after a couple I'm like lets stage the cars and race already. It starts getting boring like watching the tractors dragging the track all day "no offence Cory". I do think the fans love the throttle whacks and I know I never get bored watching a BUG doing her job. Now I remember why I want to go to the HRR on Sat.

 

[mick]

Even with reduced track prep, this method is still used.

From my understanding, there is still reduced track prep, but how it is applied for the race weekend changed around Brainerd and is why you are seeing some of the performances that are happening. The conditions at the last few races have been pretty good as well race to race.

- was track prep cut way back, then under possible negative reaction from racers, the grip was increased again? (maybe between where it was and it's lesser amount?)
- does the percentage of vht vary over 1000'?
- do some cars still tear the middle of the tire off, or is tire life now better and teams can count on 3-4+ runs?

 

[mick]

I think that a lot of the younger fans today might like a couple long burnouts and dry hops but after 1 or 2 I think they would start getting bored. It was cool in the old days but I know after a couple I'm like lets stage the cars and race already. It starts getting boring like watching the tractors dragging the track all day "no offence Cory". I do think the fans love the throttle whacks and I know I never get bored watching a BUG doing her job. Now I remember why I want to go to the HRR on Sat.

would a true AC/DC fan go to their concert if it was known they wouldn't play back in black, hell's bells, whole lota' rosie, and shoot to thrill?
nhra has to ask itself what are it's best songs, and how many fans have they lost when they quite playing them?

 

[Huge]

would a true AC/DC fan go to their concert if it was known they wouldn't play back in black, hell's bells, whole lota' rosie, and shoot to thrill?
nhra has to ask itself what are it's best songs, and how many fans have they lost when they quite playing them?

I know that I wouldn't go if they were going to play the same songs over and over again 16 plus times. But that being said I go for the racing not so much for the sideshow. So, my question to you is how many non true AC/DC fans would you lose if they were bored with the same songs over and over again? I truly don't know the answer to your question and really doubt that you know the answer to mine.

 

[TD5023]

would a true AC/DC fan go to their concert if it was known they wouldn't play back in black, hell's bells, whole lota' rosie, and shoot to thrill?
nhra has to ask itself what are it's best songs, and how many fans have they lost when they quite playing them?

That depends. I know a few people who are "true" AC/DC fans who feel that the band died with Bon Scott. You couldn't pay them enough to see a Brian Johnson-led concert. So, instead of accepting a new AC/DC, which is quite distinct from the old version but has plenty of quality music (if that's to your taste), they ignore anything released after 1979.

 

[stitcherbob]

Like my friend who hasn't gone to a race since 1/4 mile went to 1000 feet

 

[mgty3whlr]

If you work in the pits like working at a shop at a gas station, That "ding bell" from a customer driving over that hose tends to be not in the forefront but tuned out of your mind of distractions. Same with the repeated loop of AC/DC. When I was younger, 18ish, I tried to pull a prank on a friend calling him, well....That damn bell rang when a customer pulled over it. I didn't hear it but my friend did over the phone.

 

[T.Smith]

- was track prep cut way back, then under possible negative reaction from racers, the grip was increased again? (maybe between where it was and it's lesser amount?)
- does the percentage of vht vary over 1000'?
- do some cars still tear the middle of the tire off, or is tire life now better and teams can count on 3-4+ runs?

I wasn't told what the reasoning was, but I wouldn't doubt the teams had something to do with it. If it where up to us, there would be even less prep, but I think the other classes outside of nitro would complain.

No, whatever comes out of the sprayer is what the track gets.

There where some tire issues at Indy, but also the round 1 set of tires we had on the car had 7 runs on them.

 

[DrRocket]

I have been wondering if burnouts are even necessary with as good as track prep is now. Other than for show.

Jim Head has been on record for some time now that if the NHRA would let him get away with it, he'd have his car just go around the water box and stage.

 

[mick]

I know that I wouldn't go if they were going to play the same songs over and over again 16 plus times. But that being said I go for the racing not so much for the sideshow. So, my question to you is how many non true AC/DC fans would you lose if they were bored with the same songs over and over again? I truly don't know the answer to your question and really doubt that you know the answer to mine.

repetitive entertainment is a balance of old (what has worked in the past and continues to work), and pushing the envelope and trying new things. nhra still puts on a great concert, but they don't play a few of their tried and true hit singles, and their fans wonder why. some stay. some leave.......in nhra's defense, in the last few years, i think they do a great job with fan interaction out of the bleachers in the midway with displays, souvenirs, and merchandise vendors. think more sponsors could be attracted to this sport if shown how fans can interact at their display, and the company comes away with
contact information and/or sales. HD does a great job. mello yello simulator is good. the army was good. traxxas was good. winston even used to be great with their enclosed simulator ride.

 

[Greggo]

Keep in mind that track prep is more than just the spray. The drag of the tractors is part of it as well.
Also, as we enter the time of year of cooler ambient temps, the cooler the track, the stickier or tighter it gets.

 

[Pete]

Keep in mind that track prep is more than just the spray. The drag of the tractors is part of it as well.
Also, as we enter the time of year of cooler ambient temps, the cooler the track, the stickier or tighter it gets.

...and more quickly that traction goes away and its the "ice capades".