Big suggests changes (1 Viewer)

[DixonFan]

187K views · 4.4K reactions | What are your thoughts on One Big Change “Big Daddy” Don Garlits Would Make to Drag Racing | CycleDrag

What are your thoughts on One Big Change “Big Daddy” Don Garlits Would Make to Drag Racing

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[LoPony]

I agree. Totally 100% agree. Bump the nitro back to 95%. The only complication would be they might need to also restrict the Alky dragsters and FCs to further differentiate from the pro classes, but I don’t know.

 

[Butch]

Don along with people like Armstrong and Coil always said the best way to slow down the cars was to restrict pump and blower sizes. The other item usually mentioned was clutch management. Two or three stage mechanical clutch management would slow the cars down. If you can't "load" the engine or feed it monstrous amounts of fuel and air they will slow down. We ran 95 - 98% in our Ford and it loved it.

 

[LoPony]

Don along with people like Armstrong and Coil always said the best way to slow down the cars was to restrict pump and blower sizes. The other item usually mentioned was clutch management. Two or three stage mechanical clutch management would slow the cars down. If you can't "load" the engine or feed it monstrous amounts of fuel and air they will slow down. We ran 95 - 98% in our Ford and it loved it.

Yep, Armstrong is well on record with that. Makes sense! They’re already restricted in so many ways, and now they’re blowing the things sky high, so it’s time to revisit the rules. I am strongly in favor of going back to quarter mile, and increasing nitro percentage. The cars would sound better, and the fans get the full experience, yada yada yada.

 

[twostep]

I like Don's idea but his numbers are a bit off. Tony Schumacher's engine produced an estimated 8000hp when it ran 330mph 26 years ago. 1000 feet, the timing retard and added weight are what keeps them from running much more than 330 today despite the 3-4000 extra hosses. Bernstein's was around 6000hp when he ran 301 in 1992. If the NHRA were to set an arbitrary 300mph max after a suggested return to 1320 they'll need to dial everything back to whatever they were running in the early 90s. Doable; a lot of fans would prefer to sacrifice 30mph just to return to the quarter mile but would the teams agree?

I dunno. Some would; some wouldn't. Would it cut down on expense? Dunno about that either. They grenaded plenty of engines with 1992-level power.

 

[scotty]

If they would bring back the longer burnouts of the 90's and the throttle whacks in the pit, I would be a happy guy. Regardless of what happens it's still the coolest thing on the planet.

 

[LoPony]

I like Don's idea but his numbers are a bit off. Tony Schumacher's engine produced an estimated 8000hp when it ran 330mph 26 years ago. 1000 feet, the timing retard and added weight are what keeps them from running much more than 330 today despite the 3-4000 extra hosses. Bernstein's was around 6000hp when he ran 301 in 1992. If the NHRA were to set an arbitrary 300mph max after a suggested return to 1320 they'll need to dial everything back to whatever they were running in the early 90s. Doable; a lot of fans would prefer to sacrifice 30mph just to return to the quarter mile but would the teams agree?

I dunno. Some would; some wouldn't. Would it cut down on expense? Dunno about that either. They grenaded plenty of engines with 1992-level power.

De-tuning the current equipment I think would definitely cut down on expense, especially when they get right. Yes, I understand, they were grenading engines in nitro cars throughout history, but was the equipment up to current spec? I don’t think there’s any way it can be, right? But the damn things are going so fast now that it’s really not safe. And the engine explosions are way off of charts now, but what is scarier are the tire explosions. I agree with whatever it takes to get them back to around 300 miles an hour.

 

[LoPony]

If they would bring back the longer burnouts of the 90's and the throttle whacks in the pit, I would be a happy guy. Regardless of what happens it's still the coolest thing on the planet.

Well, true that……

 

[mick]

....... The only complication would be they might need to also restrict the Alky dragsters and FCs to further differentiate from the pro classes .......

or the TAD teams might say, we're spending how much already to inject nitro? lets just put a blower on it and go pro.

If they would bring back the longer burnouts of the 90's and the throttle whacks in the pit, I would be a happy guy. Regardless of what happens it's still the coolest thing on the planet.

i miss the 90's era. IMO the entertainment level peaked then. i know not all agree with that opinion.

 

[LoPony]

or the TAD teams might say, we're spending how much already to inject nitro? lets just put a blower on it and go pro.

i miss the 90's era. IMO the entertainment level peaked then. i know not all agree with that opinion.

Well, I agree….

 

[Nunz]

The Pro Mod guys lay down the best burnouts in the sport right now, IMO. They're pretty badass.

 

[Litefoot]

I like Don's idea but his numbers are a bit off. Tony Schumacher's engine produced an estimated 8000hp when it ran 330mph 26 years ago. 1000 feet, the timing retard and added weight are what keeps them from running much more than 330 today despite the 3-4000 extra hosses. Bernstein's was around 6000hp when he ran 301 in 1992. If the NHRA were to set an arbitrary 300mph max after a suggested return to 1320 they'll need to dial everything back to whatever they were running in the early 90s. Doable; a lot of fans would prefer to sacrifice 30mph just to return to the quarter mile but would the teams agree?

I dunno. Some would; some wouldn't. Would it cut down on expense? Dunno about that either. They grenaded plenty of engines with 1992-level power.

The parts are much stronger today and would last much longer now at lower hp levels

 

[none]

If the goal is to run 4.80s at 295-305, that's easy.
One Step.
Take the blowers off. A/FD has been 5.09 at 285 with smaller engines and no clutch management. Give them 500CI and management they are there.

Is that what you want? Not me.

Do you want a rule change everytime someone runs 306? Not me.

Alan

 

[Mike]

Take away the down force

 

[Nappy]

Take away the down force

So there are more tire smokers. No thanks!

 

[ch streetcars]

If they would bring back the longer burnouts of the 90's and the throttle whacks in the pit, I would be a happy guy. Regardless of what happens it's still the coolest thing on the planet.

A few years ago , I got a friend to go to the Route 66 Nationals. He used to go to a lot of national events with me in the 90s and would bring other friends too. Throttle wacks and burnouts- these are the 2 things missing that have made he and others I know lose interest. It would be worthwhile for NHRA to have someone bring a backup car or something and do several throttle wacks all weekend. This is the best way to show people the power of a fuel car. Remember Del Worsham's Megarita? Fans loved that thing. The fastest speed or lowest E.T. of the world, aren't enough to put many people in the stands anymore. Sure it's serious competition, especially for the drivers, owners and crew chiefs, but it was always the SHOW- that brought the fans and then the sponsors!

 

[LoPony]

If the goal is to run 4.80s at 295-305, that's easy.
One Step.
Take the blowers off. A/FD has been 5.09 at 285 with smaller engines and no clutch management. Give them 500CI and management they are there.

Is that what you want? Not me.

Do you want a rule change everytime someone runs 306? Not me.

Alan

I get your point, but what should REALLY happen, then? Apparently there are many ideas, but no one has an answer that people are on board with. So, should they keep it the same and hope it all gets better?

 

[twostep]

If the goal is to run 4.80s at 295-305, that's easy.
One Step.
Take the blowers off. A/FD has been 5.09 at 285 with smaller engines and no clutch management. Give them 500CI and management they are there.

Is that what you want? Not me.

Do you want a rule change everytime someone runs 306? Not me.

Alan

Take the blowers off, my ass. I'd rather see them run 1/8 mile to keep the speeds at 300.

I realize the point you're making and how absurd it would be. Less wind and less juice are the only way to properly slow them. It's doable; Cruz Pedregon ran 4.25/285 (1000 feet) with a 426", small pump and (I think) 20% blower OD engine during testing back when NHRA was seriously considering slowing the cars. That's about a 4.95/300 pass to the 1320 and that's still a hell of a run. I could live with it.

Let's see opinions on this startup, burnout, dry hops and (early shutoff) wheelstand pass, back when blown nitro engines were doing well to crank out 3000hp. Little pumps, 6-71s and Crowerglides. Do you like it? Do you like the way it cackles; the dry hops? Do you miss it, despite the fact that a current Pro Mod is quicker? I do. About 15 years ago Del Worsham made a pass in a completely restored Blue Max (Mustang II body) on Friday Night at the Texas Motorplex, hops and all, and he absolutely brought the house down.

Here's the Blue Max, 43 years ago at OCIR: