nitro-trucker
Nitro Member
All the big money teams need to do is start a new company. Go test all they want and never go to a NHRA Event. They can hire a test driver, the ban doesn't say anything about crewchiefs.
Nitromater
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Easy Way Around Testing Ban
- Thread starter nitro-trucker
- Start date
Todd
Nitro Member
"This policy applies to both the team and driver."
NHRA News: NHRA mandates 2009 testing policy for Top Fuel, Funny Car categories (1/21/2009)
I think that covers the loop hole.
But it doesn't define what the word "team" means. It should say all "team members" Because if DSR made a new company calling it Funny car racing and have all members of Capps on it.
Dose mean it's a new team? Interesting thought
NHRA News: NHRA mandates 2009 testing policy for Top Fuel, Funny Car categories (1/21/2009)
I think that covers the loop hole.
But it doesn't define what the word "team" means. It should say all "team members" Because if DSR made a new company calling it Funny car racing and have all members of Capps on it.
Dose mean it's a new team? Interesting thought
Techically, the team isn't testing.. heheh....
The Mighty
Nitro Member
Surely you realise that this rule isn't at all about testing?
My opinion is that its for more likely that its all about running races under a different sanction whilst NHRA is suffering in the current economic climate.
There is currently an even smaller market than ever for drag racing and NHRA will surely do whatever it feels it takes to corner that market. Forcing teams into a "race here and just here" situation will mean that due to the sponsorship dollar being even more scarce than ever that some mid-field teams will be forced to stick with NHRA as this is where they're more likely to fulfill more of their sponsorship obligations in a lot of circumastances. A sponsor is not going to want to hear "We raced IHRA last week and did well and this week we went to NHRA and we got to the final but they stripped our points off us for a rule infringement" and NHRA surely knows this.
A team can start a new business in anyones name with anyone as a driver (there's plenty of unemployed ones about who'd do it for the ride) and put in an imaginary crew-chief who is supplied with info by the real crew cheif and then supplies him in return with all the data that has been aquired. It is quite simple to see this is not an "anti-testing rule" but an "anti-racing with any other sanction" rule. I will be interested to know what the FIA will have to say about this as I have always been led to believe that the NHRA and FIA are affiliated. Yet the new rule is basically ruling out anyone who competes in the European Championship from running in the NHRA when the two were never competing sanctions.
My opinion is that its for more likely that its all about running races under a different sanction whilst NHRA is suffering in the current economic climate.
There is currently an even smaller market than ever for drag racing and NHRA will surely do whatever it feels it takes to corner that market. Forcing teams into a "race here and just here" situation will mean that due to the sponsorship dollar being even more scarce than ever that some mid-field teams will be forced to stick with NHRA as this is where they're more likely to fulfill more of their sponsorship obligations in a lot of circumastances. A sponsor is not going to want to hear "We raced IHRA last week and did well and this week we went to NHRA and we got to the final but they stripped our points off us for a rule infringement" and NHRA surely knows this.
A team can start a new business in anyones name with anyone as a driver (there's plenty of unemployed ones about who'd do it for the ride) and put in an imaginary crew-chief who is supplied with info by the real crew cheif and then supplies him in return with all the data that has been aquired. It is quite simple to see this is not an "anti-testing rule" but an "anti-racing with any other sanction" rule. I will be interested to know what the FIA will have to say about this as I have always been led to believe that the NHRA and FIA are affiliated. Yet the new rule is basically ruling out anyone who competes in the European Championship from running in the NHRA when the two were never competing sanctions.
Chris I seriously doubt that's the case! I for one don't think the NHRA cares a witt about the IHRA.
I would agree 100% with your assessment Joe. The NHRA as their own problems to worry about let alone what the IHRA is doing.
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
I don't believe the NHRA and FIA are affiliated in any way. I think the FIA just uses the NHRA rulebook so they don't have to write their own rulebook.
The testing ban does not preclude anyone from bringing their car over and competing in an NHRA event ... they just won't earn points at the first event they attend. It shouldn't matter much, as they won't be chasing the championship on this side of the pond anyway. They will still get qualifying/round money and the trophy should they happen to win.
The testing ban does not preclude anyone from bringing their car over and competing in an NHRA event ... they just won't earn points at the first event they attend. It shouldn't matter much, as they won't be chasing the championship on this side of the pond anyway. They will still get qualifying/round money and the trophy should they happen to win.
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
This was my first inclination when I saw the ban. Here is a scenario I have proposed twice, and have not gotten an answer yet ... I assume it is because no one knows for sure:
"Let's say Laurie Force got a chassis/parts from JFR and she hired a test driver and hired her own crew and they made passes at a non-NHRA sanctioned track during the season and the crew, car or driver never attend a NHRA event ... is that testing?"
d'kid
Nitro Member
Nope Chris...
In the Begining, NHRA made A HUGE DEAL out of being FIA's only Drag Racing affiliate... and basically wrote the 'drag racing' standards.... all of which was done through ACCUS-FIA... but then, that was about the time frame I was born.
d'kid
Bobby Bennett
Nitro Member
Let me tell you something, whatever team that was and whatever loophole they got around would be fined and fined dearly. The heck with what the rulebook says.
Toby
Nitro Member
I think Chris is right on the money and the points he makes have a lot more to do with the expanded ban than saving teams money.
Bobby is right on the money with his assessment. Any loophole would be closed immediately and the participants would be severely punished.
I find this a shame because, I for one, was thinking that the current economic climate would be conducive to a return to the golden years of match racing and independent shows.
Bobby is right on the money with his assessment. Any loophole would be closed immediately and the participants would be severely punished.
I find this a shame because, I for one, was thinking that the current economic climate would be conducive to a return to the golden years of match racing and independent shows.
Bobby Bennett
Nitro Member
Light believes the NHRA is fully justified in their decision to limit the testing and with decisions as tough as this; one might quickly draw the conclusion the sanctioning body is damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.
“We’re virtually in that situation with everything we do,” Light admitted. “You’re never going to please everyone, even if you’re the government making laws or sanctioning body. People are different and that’s what makes this world great. There are many times we will debate and just agree to disagree.
Drag Racing Internet Magazine - Competition Plus.com - LIGHT: BAN INCLUDES IHRA RACES
“We’re virtually in that situation with everything we do,” Light admitted. “You’re never going to please everyone, even if you’re the government making laws or sanctioning body. People are different and that’s what makes this world great. There are many times we will debate and just agree to disagree.
Drag Racing Internet Magazine - Competition Plus.com - LIGHT: BAN INCLUDES IHRA RACES
Tim5636sc
Nitro Member
Wow! I was right. DRO and Darr both look up to Bobby Bennett and us at competitionplus.com!
Tim5636sc
Nitro Member
so is this basically a case of NHRA saving the owners from themselves? You would think guys like the 'DON', John Force, the Lucas family and the other fuel team owners could practice some self control and do everything they can to save a 'ton of money'.
Why did they have to legislate this?
none
Nitro Member
Tim5636sc
Nitro Member
ha ha ha. Yeah. JAFO!
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
It's all well and good now Alan ... the NHRA and team owners patting each other on the back telling each other they are doing a great job. But let's say DSR (to pull a name out of the hat) shows up to Pomona and their Funny Car teams have a tenth on everybody else ... and they maintain that edge thru Phoenix, Gainesville, Houston and Vegas ... suddenly the rest of the class is looking up at the 3 DSR floppers and they are all racing for 4th every National event ... how long do you think it will take for the Pedregons and the Forces to be in Light's office begging for some testing time? How long do you think it would take for them to figure out the loopholes?
I doubt the above scenario will take place ... but at some point this year or next or the next, there is going to be a point when a team thinks they are behind and they are not catching back up and they think they are going to need more track time. And it certainly doesn't give you much time to bring along a rookie driver ... if they need seat time you can't give it to them on Mondays or on off weekends ...
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Kind of like the banking industry managing themselves? Look where that got them and our country
