Del's A/FC (1 Viewer)

[Sherman, Sherm, & Sherm Gun]

I understand what Del is saying about stepping up to Top Fuel back in the 1980's with most of the same parts, but it was never implied that the Top Alcohol classes were formed to do that. It's like saying ET Motorcycle is the stepping stone for Pro Stock Motorcycle. Zero of those parts interchange. Why must the TA class now conform to TF specs? It's so stupid.

 

[ironpony]

Well IMO what Del was actually saying was........
IF you intend on going to the big show this is the combo to learn on.
Thankfully NHRA has allowed it to be run in a class so someone wanting to go to the big show can learn here before spending the big money.
Is it the right class I do not know, but apparently NHRA thinks so. We all know how that works out, NHRA trying to make a level playing field.

 

[scratch]

Spending $250K for a car, and maybe some parts is big money to most. Not including a truck/trailer and tools. Then the money it would eat to run it.... Kudos to NHRA and Del Worsham for trying this out. Sure, if one already has this stuff lying around it would not be out of the question to put something together and run. Interesting deal though. One would think a guy would have to lean on his equipment even moreso now in an alky car to keep up and maybe others will join in on the fray and put something similar together. Another issue would be fuel costs for the car. $1440 a drum of nitro for our N/FC here in the midwest. Compared to the cost of a drum of Methanol vs Nitro and how much fuel it takes per run on nitro would be an eye opener to the uninformed. And does this class get to bring in their own nitro fuel, or have to buy it from a supplier at the track ?

 

[ironpony]

As Del said for some it will make sense for others not so much. Some can get TF parts used cheap but fuel costs offset that. Also as far as competitiveness ET is similar, Del compared it to running a turbo car not much down low but comes on big at the top end. Time will tell, may make it better, may kill it. Or like happens in other classes everyone gravitates to the winning combo and alcohol might become baby nitro.

 

[Litefoot]

As Del said for some it will make sense for others not so much. Some can get TF parts used cheap but fuel costs offset that. Also as far as competitiveness ET is similar, Del compared it to running a turbo car not much down low but comes on big at the top end. Time will tell, may make it better, may kill it. Or like happens in other classes everyone gravitates to the winning combo and alcohol might become baby nitro.

I like that they are running full 1/4 mile

 

[twostep]

I hear a lot of grumbles about "Pro Camaro"; I know some of you have been around here long enough to remember when 3/4ers of the PS class was Firebirds at one point, or covered with Oldsmobile Cutlass skin (also 3/4 of the class, if not more).
Super Gas? A bunch of 1969 Camaro doorstops...

There is obviously a reason for the copy-cat approach; its really nice to see Del and company take a different direction on a class that could use a shot in the butt (I still miss 1980s Pro Comp). I hope it doesn't get ruled out of existence like so many other cool parts of the sport

I've mentioned 'Pro Camaro' but that's not really the problem. IndyCar is doing well, F1 is doing spectacularly well and those cars are just as unilateral as Pro Stock cars. The only thing that differentiates them is the paint and a few are running Chevy engines which fans don't give a rat's patootie about.

Pro Stock is more of a victim than a perpetrator. Victim of the race Sunday/buy Monday mentality of 1970. Victim of crazy expense and the technical skill to be competitive. Victim of personal devices, namely, the almighty cell phone. TikTok rules, not NHRA. Victim of no longer being exciting enough to grab and hold the attention of the average fan. The big tire/small tire no-prep stuff does well because it's comparatively cheaper, less technical, it often offers huge purses and those competing/attending tend to be much more hardcore drag racing folks than your average IPhone champion.

Major props to Del for thinking outside the box. What's not to love about a new combination and a 10,000hp margarita mixer? LOL But I seriously doubt it will save TAFC - if for no other reason it's a lot more expensive but with no additional return on investment. And all fans are going to see is cars that look, sound and run 40mph slower than the cars they just saw run 30 minutes ago.

 

[Litefoot]

I've mentioned 'Pro Camaro' but that's not really the problem. IndyCar is doing well, F1 is doing spectacularly well and those cars are just as unilateral as Pro Stock cars. The only thing that differentiates them is the paint and a few are running Chevy engines which fans don't give a rat's patootie about.

Pro Stock is more of a victim than a perpetrator. Victim of the race Sunday/buy Monday mentality of 1970. Victim of crazy expense and the technical skill to be competitive. Victim of personal devices, namely, the almighty cell phone. TikTok rules, not NHRA. Victim of no longer being exciting enough to grab and hold the attention of the average fan. The big tire/small tire no-prep stuff does well because it's comparatively cheaper, less technical, it often offers huge purses and those competing/attending tend to be much more hardcore drag racing folks than your average IPhone champion.

Major props to Del for thinking outside the box. What's not to love about a new combination and a 10,000hp margarita mixer? LOL But I seriously doubt it will save TAFC - if for no other reason it's a lot more expensive but with no additional return on investment. And all fans are going to see is cars that look, sound and run 40mph slower than the cars they just saw run 30 minutes ago.

It could be a plus to divisional shows having blown jr top fuel dragster and blown jr fuel funny cars to bring in more fans and with more exposer at more tracks, need a good feeder pool to develop more big show fans as well as starting points for new up and comers

 

[Nappy]

It could be a plus to divisional shows having blown jr top fuel dragster and blown jr fuel funny cars to bring in more fans and with more exposer at more tracks, need a good feeder pool to develop more big show fans as well as starting points for new up and comers

I like your idea ! But as their own class, not part of Top Alcohol class.

 

[Jack]

being involved in drag racing for over 60 years I did try the outlaw light not bad!!! What amazes me is golfers watching people put balls and holes and being paid a lot of money

The reality of your golf analogy is tens of millions of people play golf on a regular basis and totally relate to the game. Those numbers don't transfer over to the great sport of drag racing unfortunately