Observation about Indy entry list

[willy]

Chris..we've been down this road many times. Personally I say get rid of the electronics. That's just my personal opinion. Drag racing shouldn't be based around someone capable of tweaking a computer to launch hard..bog down..then haul ass..and still run 170. Just makes no sense to me. What would they run if they hadn't bogged down? Oh..that would be a different class.

I'm not bad-mouthing ya Christopher..I just say dial a number, then shouldn't be manipulated by electronics that's all.

I love all drag racing..but that class has me wondering.

 

[Toejam]

TD/TS use electronics too Delay boxes, shift timers, crosstalk boxes, etc.

Maybe so, but I bet you don't see those 1 sec+ delays in those classes, not running 6.50-7.0's I bet! Look I don't want to sound like I'm bashing any Racer(s). I just think that SC/SG have gotten WAYY out of hand, seeing a 190-200 mph car in SC I think hurts the class IMO.

 

[Nick Name]

So the only real drag racing is the pros and alchy? Breakouts are a fact of life in the rest of the sport...

And ADRL pro mod, Pinks, ect.

I bracket raced once. I happen to be at the track in my Vette, and there was a vette club there. They kept asking me to race with them, so I signed up. Made a few passes to see what my "dial" woul;d be. I dialed in at 13.65 ( stock C5)

There was a C4 there dialed in at 11.70 something. He had me in the first round, so he dialed in a 13.65 also, even though it was an 11 second car.
He left with me, put 6" on me and just rode there. Of course, he "won" if you want to call it. But I can tell you, what we did was not drag racing. IIt was just ****** around on a drag strip.

 

[Super Mod]

This is probably the worst national event a sportsman racer can do unless he is "pro sportsman". A lot of days for the amount of actual racing. You would almost have to have an RV to make costs lower. No matter what, this is an expensive deal for a non touring sportsman racer.

 

[HEMI6point1]

I heard someone say before (maybe not on there) that SG and SC are like golf, it's only exciting if you actually participate.

That said there are plenty of cool rides in those classes, and I wouldn't mind jumping into one if I had the money. They say in SC once the throttle stop releases it's like being shot out of a cannon.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

Maybe so, but I bet you don't see those 1 sec+ delays in those classes, not running 6.50-7.0's I bet! Look I don't want to sound like I'm bashing any Racer(s). I just think that SC/SG have gotten WAYY out of hand, seeing a 190-200 mph car in SC I think hurts the class IMO.

You're dead-on, Joe. Although I'm not a big fan of the Super Classes as a spectator, I enjoyed competing in them.

Most folks like the basher on this thread don't get the fact that not everyone has deep enough pockets to run a balls-out class. That's why these classes were started to begin with; to allow competitors on a limited budget to compete at a National level. These morons always point out how everyone heads to the pits when they run........................well, no sh!t?!. They're not there for the purpose of racing in front of large crowds to start with. They're there (at least I was) for the shot at the coveted Wally. Yeah, if you go deep enough, there's quite a few people in the stands, but they're only there because the Pro's are just around the corner and I was never in denial about that.

I'll tell ya' what; I've been fortunate enough to have competed and have success in many different cars at just about every level except Comp on up, but winning in the Super Classes always eluded me. Anyone that thinks that just because they're boring to watch makes it easy should try it. Not only can dialing in some of these "easy" electronics be pretty tricky, those classes are also home to some of the best pure drivers in the game.

Sean D

 

[clwill]

You're dead-on, Joe. Although I'm not a big fan of the Super Classes as a spectator, I enjoyed competing in them.

Most folks like the basher on this thread don't get the fact that not everyone has deep enough pockets to run a balls-out class. That's why these classes were started to begin with; to allow competitors on a limited budget to compete at a National level. These morons always point out how everyone heads to the pits when they run........................well, no sh!t?!. They're not there for the purpose of racing in front of large crowds to start with. They're there (at least I was) for the shot at the coveted Wally. Yeah, if you go deep enough, there's quite a few people in the stands, but they're only there because the Pro's are just around the corner and I was never in denial about that.

I'll tell ya' what; I've been fortunate enough to have competed and have success in many different cars at just about every level except Comp on up, but winning in the Super Classes always eluded me. Anyone that thinks that just because they're boring to watch makes it easy should try it. Not only can dialing in some of these "easy" electronics be pretty tricky, those classes are also home to some of the best pure drivers in the game.

Sean D

Excellent post. Your average Joe/Jane six-pack fan wouldn't run for the bathrooms if someone (I'm guessin' NHRA) would explain it to them. As it is, the average fan thinks it's pretty weird, and even the announcers take a break, so there's no one there to tell them what's going on. I'll bet that most of the people bashing here don't even understand the class...

If you want to see how these classes breed drivers, look at the pro classes and see what percentage of drivers have S/C on their resume. Most of them from the last decade or two. And what does one of the best "pure drivers" in the sport (Dave Connolly) do when he can't get a pro ride? Run S/C.

 

[willy]

You're dead-on, Joe. Although I'm not a big fan of the Super Classes as a spectator, I enjoyed competing in them.

Most folks like the basher on this thread don't get the fact that not everyone has deep enough pockets to run a balls-out class. That's why these classes were started to begin with; to allow competitors on a limited budget to compete at a National level. These morons always point out how everyone heads to the pits when they run........................well, no sh!t?!. They're not there for the purpose of racing in front of large crowds to start with. They're there (at least I was) for the shot at the coveted Wally. Yeah, if you go deep enough, there's quite a few people in the stands, but they're only there because the Pro's are just around the corner and I was never in denial about that.

I'll tell ya' what; I've been fortunate enough to have competed and have success in many different cars at just about every level except Comp on up, but winning in the Super Classes always eluded me. Anyone that thinks that just because they're boring to watch makes it easy should try it. Not only can dialing in some of these "easy" electronics be pretty tricky, those classes are also home to some of the best pure drivers in the game.

Sean D

You've won above S/C Sean..don't cut yourself short..you're awesome.

I meant no bash in my statement, Chris. The bashes come from those that don't get any of it..I get enough of it to know what's going on. But I don't have to like it. Jay's post is a prime example of the evil part of it all. It's just hard for a drag racing fan to get into a bogged down launch for 300 ft..and then balls to the walls for the rest of it ya know? And I realize it's a science..but I have a hard time looking at it as true drag racing. Love the staggered lights to compensate..but.

Trust me..I truly mean no disrespect for the racers doing this.

 

[clwill]

I meant no bash in my statement, Chris.

I understand. S'all good.

But I don't have to like it. Jay's post is a prime example of the evil part of it all. It's just hard for a drag racing fan to get into a bogged down launch for 300 ft..and then balls to the walls for the rest of it ya know?

I understand this too. Wouldn't hurt for someone to explain it, though...

Love the staggered lights to compensate..but.

What staggered lights? Super classes use a Pro tree....

 

[PJ]

Used to be a huge fan of super gas. With the stops its just not fun to watch. Thats not saying its easy or that I wouldn't love to drive one but my mentality is light goes green, go balls out to the end. When I take my car to the track I have a hard time lifting so that I don't break out..I'm getting better though

With that said I've been the guy trying to explain to the new fan in the stands (ones I know or just people I hear after 2 or 3 pairs ask "Why do they keep breaking after they take off" or "Whats wrong with them" Depsite trying to positive spin it after another pair or two the end result is them leaving to walk the pits.

In the end great class to be apart of, not as much to be in the stands for...and like I said as a former super gas addict it kills me.

Of course this is just my opinion and I don't speak for the other voices in my head

 

[Toejam]

You're dead-on, Joe. Although I'm not a big fan of the Super Classes as a spectator, I enjoyed competing in them.

Most folks like the basher on this thread don't get the fact that not everyone has deep enough pockets to run a balls-out class. That's why these classes were started to begin with; to allow competitors on a limited budget to compete at a National level. These morons always point out how everyone heads to the pits when they run........................well, no sh!t?!. They're not there for the purpose of racing in front of large crowds to start with. They're there (at least I was) for the shot at the coveted Wally. Yeah, if you go deep enough, there's quite a few people in the stands, but they're only there because the Pro's are just around the corner and I was never in denial about that.

I'll tell ya' what; I've been fortunate enough to have competed and have success in many different cars at just about every level except Comp on up, but winning in the Super Classes always eluded me. Anyone that thinks that just because they're boring to watch makes it easy should try it. Not only can dialing in some of these "easy" electronics be pretty tricky, those classes are also home to some of the best pure drivers in the game.

Sean D

Sean, SC/SG are tough to win in because of numbers! 6-7 rounds has to be Murder in any class, and Indy usually gets 200 in each, that is Nutz! How guys like Stinnet, Richardson(Do they still run in those classes?) Ferderer, Gecker, etc... win like they do is incredible.

 

[DrRocket]

Speaking of the Indy entry lists, wasn't Big supposed to race his new Challenger Drag Pack at this year's event? I did a quick search and found not much, including no mention of him in the entry lists.

I assume he'll be racing in Super Stock, right??

 

[Bill]

Somebody said, "not everyone has deep enough pockets to run a balls-out class."

I can certianly understand that position. That has been used as a rationale to build a "bracket" car (like my very own Mopar) for years....

However, when I look at what Super Comp, for instance, has become, (in terms of technology,) I wonder...

The "norm" in that Eliminator, has sifted down to this:

Really big-inch, expensive stroker motors with mega-dollar heads, and intake systems that look like thousands and thousands of dollars, unbreakable "Powerglides" (if you can call them that) containing not one single OEM part, or the Bruno setup with a Lenco/convertor combination, hooked to a totally aftermarket, 9-inch Ford "clone" hi-strength, rear end, attached to a professionally-built chassis that may or may not feature rear suspension, along with $$$$$$ electronics. It all makes me wonder if it wouldn't actually be cheaper to build a Competition Eliminator car, where you can actually OUTRUN somebody.

I don't know the answer to that, but I'd bet that the price differential wouldn't be a lot.

So, given the above situation, the argument that people running S/C are doing it because they can't afford to race a "performance" class is suspect, to me.

I think it started out that way, but with the advent of outrageous speeds in these .90 Eliminators, (and, the necessary horsepower and all that goes with containing it) I have to think that that rationale went right out the window.

The guy who first said, "Speed costs money; how fast do you want to go?" wasn't kidding...

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

You've won above S/C Sean..don't cut yourself short..you're awesome.

Thanks for the kind words, David. I appreciate it. And I think you know you weren't the "basher" I was referring to! LOL!!!

Sean, SC/SG are tough to win in because of numbers! 6-7 rounds has to be Murder in any class, and Indy usually gets 200 in each, that is Nutz! How guys like Stinnet, Richardson(Do they still run in those classes?) Ferderer, Gecker, etc... win like they do is incredible.

I know what you're saying, Joe! Hell, we went 7-rounds at the Springnationals in the early 90's and didn't even make the final.

Somebody said, "not everyone has deep enough pockets to run a balls-out class."

Yeah, that was me. You make some very good points in your post about the money being spent in the Super Classes anymore, but I bet it would still pale in comparison to the money you would have to spend to run 6 -7 tenths under in Comp. And at the end of the day, if you have a car that can run the number, you can cut the bulb and drive the stripe you can still win. It may be a little tougher these days with all of the high speed/horsepower cars bearing down on you at 170+, but it can still be done.

Sean D

 

[Jim]

IMHO some of the most interesting (and beautiful) cars at any event are the S/G competitors. Always fun to chat with the racers in the pits.

As a spectator, I find it viscerally frustrating to see the start/stop of the "electronically enhanced" cars. Worse still, is trying to explain what's going on to a new (potential) fan.

 

[Jude]

Wow did this thread get off track.

Back to the original question, most national events aren't filling up until the last two weeks or so. I think the slow ecoomy has racers waiting until the last minute to enter these events. That and this way they don't have to give the NHRA money 8-12 weeks before the event.

 

[Toejam]

Wow did this thread get off track.

Back to the original question, most national events aren't filling up until the last two weeks or so. I think the slow ecoomy has racers waiting until the last minute to enter these events. That and this way they don't have to give the NHRA money 8-12 weeks before the event.

That being said Jeremy I think car counts will be off this year, the economy in that entire Rustbelt area is in the Crapper! Even TF/FC which had over 20 cars each last year might just barely have 16 cars!

 

[Reese]

It all makes me wonder if it wouldn't actually be cheaper to build a Competition Eliminator car, where you can actually OUTRUN somebody.

A good comp motor(4 or 5 tenths under) cost more than a complete super class car and the super class car will not go thru parts like a comp car(they eat valve springs too).
I have a friend that built a super gas car after I tried to get him to build a superstocker. Now after seeing what it cost for him to build his car and my car is not even on the track yet, my cost have past his up. That's not including him painting and putting a 4 link in for free. Just the heads on my motor cost more than his complete motor.
If I had to do it again well.

 

[mw6789]

I have said many times super class racing is like golf. Lots of fun to play, but not much fun to watch others play. I hear all the arguments about break out racing--but the truth of the matter is, were there no break out racing, the entry lists would be next to nothing. Comp eliminator has to be one of the most expensive classes of all to run--mega high dollar motors with a very limited parts life expectancy. The entry lists for comp are not exactly lengthy due to the high costs. I dont particularly enjoy watching super class racing, but I do respect the skills and effort required to participate. I also understand that were it not for the super classes, many of these racers would not be racers--they would be spectators. I personally enjoy super stock and stock class racing, and I must admit a pair of hemi super stockers leaving the line with the wheels in the air are a lot more fun to watch than a W/SA station wagon lumbering down the track. But I do respect the skill and mechanical ability it takes to make that old wagon run a second under the index. The fact is that NHRA class racing really offers something for everybody. And, everybody should be respectful of the fact that each class requires a tremendous amount of talent and ability to be sucessful. And dont think for a second there arent a bunch of guys and gals in the sportsman classes that couldnt make waves in the pro ranks--given the right opportunity and financing. Just my two cents worth--now probably only worth a penny due to government overspending.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

And, everybody should be respectful of the fact that each class requires a tremendous amount of talent and ability to be sucessful. And dont think for a second there arent a bunch of guys and gals in the sportsman classes that couldnt make waves in the pro ranks--given the right opportunity and financing. .

Amen, brother!

Sean D