NHRA open to 1/8 mile? (16 Viewers)
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
SoCal Racer
Nitro Member
On the heels of racing legends (Garlits, Amato, Bernstein) advocating for a return to 1/4 mile racing comes Bobby "eighth mile" Bennett suggesting that by Xtreme becoming a member track it could change NHRA to an 1/8 mile sport. Nope.
I'll take the old-school stance that 1/4 mile is racing; 1/8 mile is for testing. Feel free to disagree, and I realize some tracks can't support a full-length race. The article was making a big deal out of the fact some nitro cars have tested at Xtreme. True, but that doesn't mean they want that to be the racing distance.
I think it's important to mention here that there are tons of 1/8 mile tracks that are NHRA sanctioned, so why would Xtreme joining NHRA be any different, and why - as the article implies - would that have any impact on the sport overall other than adding another place to race to NHRA rules? Not to take anything away from Xtreme as it is a nice facility... but so are some others. Not every 1/8 mile track is a backwoods, borderline outlaw track, so just adding Xtreme to the roster is no reason to even talk the silliness of making the whole sport 1/8 mile.
And then came the statement I've expected to hear for years, "I mean, you're shutting them off at a thousand-foot now, so why not shut them off at 660?" Sure, and then why not at 330'? It's a bogus slippery slope argument. In my mind this comment is yet another proof 1,000 foot was a wrong-headed decision that neglected to consider the impact on the sport and unintended consequences.
I was a bit surprised to hear Glen Cromwell chime in saying "we've got to be open minded." No Mr. Cromwell, you need to understand your customer and cater to them. Organizations that fail to do this... fail. Pay attention to what happened to IHRA when they wanted to run everything to 1/8 mile; sportsman racers revolted and they changed their mind to run 1/4 mile where they can. Then take a look at Gainesville, quarter mile, sold out. Almost all fields were full and well over 90% of quotas (TA/FC was weak) https://www.nhraeventreg.com/ListEventStatus.asp. Do you honestly beleive that would be true if they knew it was going to be a 1/8 mile? I'm doubtfull.
Thanks for reading my OPINION and yes I got a little up on the tire
I'll take the old-school stance that 1/4 mile is racing; 1/8 mile is for testing. Feel free to disagree, and I realize some tracks can't support a full-length race. The article was making a big deal out of the fact some nitro cars have tested at Xtreme. True, but that doesn't mean they want that to be the racing distance.
I think it's important to mention here that there are tons of 1/8 mile tracks that are NHRA sanctioned, so why would Xtreme joining NHRA be any different, and why - as the article implies - would that have any impact on the sport overall other than adding another place to race to NHRA rules? Not to take anything away from Xtreme as it is a nice facility... but so are some others. Not every 1/8 mile track is a backwoods, borderline outlaw track, so just adding Xtreme to the roster is no reason to even talk the silliness of making the whole sport 1/8 mile.
And then came the statement I've expected to hear for years, "I mean, you're shutting them off at a thousand-foot now, so why not shut them off at 660?" Sure, and then why not at 330'? It's a bogus slippery slope argument. In my mind this comment is yet another proof 1,000 foot was a wrong-headed decision that neglected to consider the impact on the sport and unintended consequences.
I was a bit surprised to hear Glen Cromwell chime in saying "we've got to be open minded." No Mr. Cromwell, you need to understand your customer and cater to them. Organizations that fail to do this... fail. Pay attention to what happened to IHRA when they wanted to run everything to 1/8 mile; sportsman racers revolted and they changed their mind to run 1/4 mile where they can. Then take a look at Gainesville, quarter mile, sold out. Almost all fields were full and well over 90% of quotas (TA/FC was weak) https://www.nhraeventreg.com/ListEventStatus.asp. Do you honestly beleive that would be true if they knew it was going to be a 1/8 mile? I'm doubtfull.
Thanks for reading my OPINION and yes I got a little up on the tire
1/8 mile bracket/grudge/big and small tire racing at local tracks is fine and it doesn't take a ton of money and skill to join the fun. Our track is all concrete including 100 percent of the pit area and there's nothing boring about watching a 4000hp ProLine car lay down a 3.70 pass. A couple of decades ago a friend with a 60's bone stock Electra 225 was the track champ more than once with its blazing mid-11 time slips. I've raced at this track since I was in high school and that's been a while....like back during the Vietnam days.
But Pro Class nitro competition? At a national event? Can't go for that. I don't care for 1/8 mile racing on 1/4 mile tracks, either. I acclimated myself to 1000 feet rather quickly and I'd probably watch 660 fuel racing on television. But I doubt I'd travel and spend money to see it live. I understand FC Chaos is doing rather well so I reckon like everything else, there's a time and a place.
But Pro Class nitro competition? At a national event? Can't go for that. I don't care for 1/8 mile racing on 1/4 mile tracks, either. I acclimated myself to 1000 feet rather quickly and I'd probably watch 660 fuel racing on television. But I doubt I'd travel and spend money to see it live. I understand FC Chaos is doing rather well so I reckon like everything else, there's a time and a place.
mick
Nitro Member
no burnouts past the finish line 
..... wait, that won't be a problem.
sounds like a salesman to me, and a good one. sounds like a cool dragstrip.
seems to me the owner is proactive and getting a discussion started to shed light on his facility.
hate to say it, but i could see it happening in nhra. one event on calendar w/ultra sticky track prep.
Q 16 car field friday, two runs. run for 100k on saturday. normal bracket.
1 thru 8 finishers on saturday do a call-out deal on sunday for 250k.
weather could wreck this whole idea.
..... wait, that won't be a problem.sounds like a salesman to me, and a good one. sounds like a cool dragstrip.
seems to me the owner is proactive and getting a discussion started to shed light on his facility.
hate to say it, but i could see it happening in nhra. one event on calendar w/ultra sticky track prep.
Q 16 car field friday, two runs. run for 100k on saturday. normal bracket.
1 thru 8 finishers on saturday do a call-out deal on sunday for 250k.
weather could wreck this whole idea.
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stitcherbob
Nitro Member
Shrinkflation strikes again……
I do think the link from Xtreme Raceway Park joining the NHRA Member Network to suggesting professional class NHRA 1/8-mile racing is on the horizon seems a bit tenuous from the outside. Personally I think they might just be a late participant in the many tracks contemplating what program would be best for their sportsman racers. The IHRA-WDRA merger likely opened up negotiations to either stay with the IHRA or try the NHRA, as several other tracks chose to do over the offseason.
Yet, if it came to pass someday, maybe Wally Parks' ideas for the future of the NHRA being in 1/8-mile racing, including an "Eighth-Mile Nationals", would finally come to fruition. I can't confirm that's on the minds of NHRA leadership, but I'd respect their thinking if it was, in the same way as if NASCAR leadership considered a new way of doing things because of something Big Bill France thought about.
From Parks himself in 1996:
Yet, if it came to pass someday, maybe Wally Parks' ideas for the future of the NHRA being in 1/8-mile racing, including an "Eighth-Mile Nationals", would finally come to fruition. I can't confirm that's on the minds of NHRA leadership, but I'd respect their thinking if it was, in the same way as if NASCAR leadership considered a new way of doing things because of something Big Bill France thought about.
From Parks himself in 1996:
Just go to a practice tree and win on R/T! The fans will love that!
The part about "multiplying the number of runs per hour due to the shorter distance" doesn't pass the smell test. For the pro nitro classes you're talking 7/10ths of a second per run. Let's be really generous and say for example that shutdown time could be lessened by 5 seconds per run since we're talking 290-300mph instead of 330-340. You're looking at 30 total runs between both classes and doing the math that could potentially save about 3 minutes - for the entire day - not just 'per hour'.
I'm so excited I just peed myself.
It wasn't that long when supercharged nitro engines were in the 5-6000hp range and I can personally testify that I witnessed just as much carnage and oildowns as they have now. I don't follow nostalgia racing that much but it's my understanding they're no stranger to engine grenades either. Face it - you run supercharged nitro, you're gonna have to put the pieces back together with regularity. There's no end of videos and pictures that will confirm.
If all you want to do is trim trap speeds that's relatively simple. If you want to trim the catastrophes it starts in the barrel. The one marked METHANOL.
Look. Nobody's having problems with 1000 feet because of the length except the old school purists who don't consider it 'real drag racing'. The pros outweigh the cons ten to one. But 660' racing ain't a case of too much of a good thing is just enough. My opinion; sorry, Big Daddy. And I have a question since I'm not qualified to know the answer. I do know the synthetics are much more difficult to clean up than conventional oil so what would be the drawback to returning to it in the fuel classes? It won't stop oildowns but it should substantially cut down on the time it takes to clean 'em up.
yoda
Nitro Member
How long have you been paying an entry fee or a spectator ticket? Me- more than 55 years of my pocket money has gone into the till for NHRA, IHRA, AHRA & UHRA.
I qualify as a legit voice to be heard in regards to how I feel about revisions to the sport of drag racing, as do pretty much all of you here.
Now, let's talk about the ticket buyers that may have the "correct demographic"; those that may have come out because they caught an ad on TV or may have got curious after watching a FS1/ESPN2 event, or even watched Street Outlaws and knew there was a local track to go check out. Maybe a couple of races a year, more probably a one-and-done situation.
Yeah, I'm old, and probably gonna be in the dirt at some point in the future, but hey- the fact that I've gotten on planes & busses, paid for hotels and meals both at the track and local restaurants as well as spent lots and lots of money to go racing and buy parts from the sponsors of all these events (as well as HVAC systems or cars or other consumables from companies that advertised at tracks)... in other words, my/our wallets have been part of the support system that has kept this sport chugging along for decades. And that's just the money/time.
Some have given A LOT more permanent things over the decades for this sport; too many to mention.
When I hear someone put down those of us that hate the idea of the sport being decimated for the sake of "cultivating a new demographic", it is a true slap in the face/kick in the nuts to those of us that have supported the sport and paid the salaries of those in charge that are entertaining these ideas.
When I say "No" to 1/8mi Nitro, its not because I'm a dumb old fart; its because a large percentage of people that will kick thousands/tens of thousands into being a fan annually will be, in essence, told that our opinion isn't worth $***.
Chasing after the "fan for the moment" in exchange for the "fan of a lifetime" is a pretty stupid trade and just bad business.
Rant over;
on.
I qualify as a legit voice to be heard in regards to how I feel about revisions to the sport of drag racing, as do pretty much all of you here.
Now, let's talk about the ticket buyers that may have the "correct demographic"; those that may have come out because they caught an ad on TV or may have got curious after watching a FS1/ESPN2 event, or even watched Street Outlaws and knew there was a local track to go check out. Maybe a couple of races a year, more probably a one-and-done situation.
Yeah, I'm old, and probably gonna be in the dirt at some point in the future, but hey- the fact that I've gotten on planes & busses, paid for hotels and meals both at the track and local restaurants as well as spent lots and lots of money to go racing and buy parts from the sponsors of all these events (as well as HVAC systems or cars or other consumables from companies that advertised at tracks)... in other words, my/our wallets have been part of the support system that has kept this sport chugging along for decades. And that's just the money/time.
Some have given A LOT more permanent things over the decades for this sport; too many to mention.
When I hear someone put down those of us that hate the idea of the sport being decimated for the sake of "cultivating a new demographic", it is a true slap in the face/kick in the nuts to those of us that have supported the sport and paid the salaries of those in charge that are entertaining these ideas.
When I say "No" to 1/8mi Nitro, its not because I'm a dumb old fart; its because a large percentage of people that will kick thousands/tens of thousands into being a fan annually will be, in essence, told that our opinion isn't worth $***.
Chasing after the "fan for the moment" in exchange for the "fan of a lifetime" is a pretty stupid trade and just bad business.
Rant over;
on.
Marchboom
Nitro Member
Because NHRA failed to get horsepower under control (1 fuel pump, reduced blower overdrive, 1 mag, smaller intake valves, smaller cams, etc.) they now want to go to 1/8 mile tracks. Been involved in drag racing since 1963 as a fan and racer. If NHRA goes to 1/8 mile I will never go to another race or watch it on TV.
n/a
Nitro Member
Carl, that's not due to excitement. That just happens in our stage of life.
Marchboom
Nitro Member
340 mph was great and now 345. But what happens when it hits 350!? That will be the magic number. Will that be the tipping point for the insurance companies? Will Goodyear also tell NHRA that something has to be done about the speed? Will Goodyear's insurance company tell them that they will no longer insure them if they continue to sell drag slicks to TF and FC teams? NHRA is solely at fault here as they could have solved this problem years ago. NHRA will be the demise of the NHRA.
Just wondering if any crew chiefs have been having pow-wows to discuss how to effectively reduce engine and blower explosions to reduce the costs of nitro racing? After all, it is their futures that they would be discussing.
Just wondering if any crew chiefs have been having pow-wows to discuss how to effectively reduce engine and blower explosions to reduce the costs of nitro racing? After all, it is their futures that they would be discussing.
JRW
Nitro Member
dont ya have to sign a waiver saying you wont sue and at your own risk?? I sigh a waiver when i race,if thats not how it is it should be,then we wouldnt be fighting over this,not sayimg we should go 400 mph
