New for 2026- TAFC / TAD

[M Jones]

Well….
Gainesville- The premier east coast kick off race had 6 alcohol fueled funny cars. 6!

Pomona- The big west coast kick off had 8.

If they had full fields, and were messing around with the rules, that’s one thing. However , they needed to do something to get car counts up.

Just my opinion.

I was told by a blown alcohol team that when they switched to A/FUEL that they had seen a significant change in the cost of running there new A/FUEL set up that they attributed to the lower rpm of the nitro combo, don’t know if that still is the case today

 

[stitcherbob]

Funny…. This sounds exactly like what I’ve been saying for years about Top Fuel.
One mag, less nitro and less overdrive was to FIX the TF and TF/FC classes so we could have more teams and 1320 feet again.

 

[Butch]

Funny…. This sounds exactly like what I’ve been saying for years about Top Fuel.
One mag, less nitro and less overdrive was to FIX the TF and TF/FC classes so we could have more teams and 1320 feet again.

Didn't AA/Dale suggest this years ago?

 

[M Jones]

Didn't AA/Dale suggest this years ago?

That sounds very familiar

 

[T.Smith]

Am I reading this incorrectly? Where does it say you have to buy used parts to build one of these cars? Sounds to me like you can build one with new parts and if you choose to do so someday take your knowledge, inventory and move up to Top Fuel or Funny Car without completely starting over. Maybe it will provide a better option for new teams to get involved, knowing the path to top fuel and funny car can be a little smoother.

Also, there are F1, Indy Car and NASCAR teams that have race teams in the "minor leagues" that race under their umbrella.

 

[T.Smith]

They can’t use specialty blowers. They have to use the approved big show blowers, and they cannot be modified. This new combination is simply a de-tuned big show car. They can’t develop specialty parts for them unless given approval from NHRA.

And to add to that...even a small team like us has the tools to service our own blowers.

 

[twostep]

Didn't AA/Dale suggest this years ago?

Yes, and added the idea of mandating lower compression into the mix. I'm not in favor of that idea myself.

 

[handsome]

They can’t use specialty blowers. They have to use the approved big show blowers, and they cannot be modified. This new combination is simply a de-tuned big show car. They can’t develop specialty parts for them unless given approval from NHRA.

have you seen those billet blowers the fuel cars run? 100% billet pieces that make a bunch of boost at a low overdrive. far from a stock Littlefield like days of old.

 

[Ponyhntr]

have you seen those billet blowers the fuel cars run? 100% billet pieces that make a bunch of boost at a low overdrive. far from a stock Littlefield like days of old.

Yes, I have seen many of them. The “small blowers” that are run in series like Nostalgia Funny Car are FAR from stock and heavily modified. They can cost as much as one of the big show blowers.

Just as Tony said, this new combination will allow lower budget teams to start out in the Lucas Oil Series, run there to get experience, hopefully add parts inventory, train crew guys, train crew chiefs, train drivers, etc before moving up to the Mission Series. Also, in cases where there are short fields in the Mission categories at places like Epping and Seattle, it will allow these Lucas teams to enter the Mission categories to fill the field since they are still technically legal to run in TF or FC even if still de-tuned.

 

[autopro]

The beginning of the end for the true alcohol class!

 

[M Jones]

The beginning of the end for the true alcohol class!

That started why back when injected nitro started finding the combo many years ago

 

[GumbyWVU]

Indeed. Many fans today still don't understand why a nitro car is running in an alcohol class. Whatever they decide, I just hope it doesn't force the true blown alcohol cars out of the business.

Great post, totally agree. Running Nitro in an "alcohol" class always seemed a little silly to me.

 

[mike]

If any one decides to build one that is 100% serious they’re not going to buy old used big show parts. First stop for me would be to one of the blower guys that work on the low overdrive blower’s like the pro mod guys use and have one built for this application. And they are not cheap $$$. Unfortunately I see some of the hardcore blown alcohol guys saying “that’s it I’m done”. Hope I’m wrong though.

Mark you ran this type of cars If i remember right you said a rack of pistons per run or something of that nature-and yes its for sale

 

[none]

Hey Mike, We did. Cycled a rack every run. Not all eight survived

 

[Randy]

Time to change the name from TA/FC to something else. X/FC? The only alcohol in many pits is going to be the alcohol in the first aid kit or the ice chest.

 

[Mike]

Slightly off topic, but all the different combos give a pro comp vibe. I was too young then, but was pro comp heads up? If not, how was it handicapped?

 

[Rich D]

Great post, totally agree. Running Nitro in an "alcohol" class always seemed a little silly to me.

Not disagreeing, but even in the earlier days of the category there was accommodations in the rule book for not only injected nitro but also dual engines, gasoline w/nitrous (I think?). Makes me want to dig up an old rulebook to see what else.

 

[twostep]

Time to change the name from TA/FC to something else. X/FC? The only alcohol in many pits is going to be the alcohol in the first aid kit or the ice chest.

I wouldn't mind if they went back to the old AA/FD and AA/FC designations. Use the old A/FD and A/FC designations for what's now Top Alcohol. I know A/FD mean A/Fuel Dragster but alcohol is also a fuel, no? Let the A classes run blown alcohol, injected nitro or the new 'junior blown nitro' combination they're planning for 2026 in both in the dragster and funny car classes.

Or like I said earlier if there's really a push and a desire to slow the big-show down in the interest of safety, (theoretically) less expense and a return to quarter mile racing, then let this new class become the big show. Perhaps tweak it enough so they'll run high 4's and 300 mph which should keep the fans happy. It'd be interesting to see what current pro-class fuel racers think of that idea.

 

[sutton]

I enjoyed pro comp driving different types of cars in the class including driving Leo Dunn's duel engine rear motor car. some sponsors again questioned what is this class. Leo knew the end was coming and parked the car in the trailer and 40 plus years later his daughter restored the car.
(RIP Leo)
Larry Sutton---

 

[twostep]

I enjoyed pro comp driving different types of cars in the class including driving Leo Dunn's duel engine rear motor car. some sponsors again questioned what is this class. Leo knew the end was coming and parked the car in the trailer and 40 plus years later his daughter restored the car.
(RIP Leo)
Larry Sutton---

I thought I'd at least heard of anybody who was anybody in drag racing but I've never heard of Leo Dunn or his twin RED. That thing is gorgeous. Bet it was fun to drive !

Remembering Leo Dunn - Twin Rear Engine Dragster Show Schedule 2019 - Drag Racing List

Hi Friends and Family, I hope you are all well. It’s that time of year again to show my dad’s twin rear engine dragster. When I was growing up I knew when the drag race season started then ended. Each season my family and I would spend hours and endless hours on the road. My […]

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