OIL DOWN RULE...CHANGE??

[.]

I think the rule has helped as we do have less oil downs then before. It is a tricky line to draw, you want performance and power but you don't want carnage and down time. I wish they were allowed a freebie per season and they can earn another one with x amount of clean runs. Start it over once the countdown starts.
Not sure I can think of another instance where rules on the field change during a playoff? Strikes, free-throws, off-sides and holding still apply regular and post-season in other sports (of course we could argue how closely they are called come playoff time).

Capps was docked 10 points the year he lost by 8 points. It was determined that he was not the one that left oil on the track but instead it was the car before him (I don't remember who). It was a big stink then but seems to have quietly went away, not sure why.

The NHRA just can not win with you guys. No way, no how.
Here is what Jack Beckman said about this VERY SITUATION in 2012. Sounds to me like NHRA listened, and you STILL have a problem with it:


Another thing to keep in mind is an oildown penalty can be devastating to somebody. If you oil down on race day, that's 10 points. The oildown policy has changed many times throughout the years. It used to be that teams had credits, and if you used a credit, you didn't lose the points. Now that's not the case. So let's say that our team went out there, and Ron and I both went out the same round, but our team oiled the racetrack. We'd be ahead by four points, oops, we just lost 10 points for oiling down, and that was the championship. So I would like to see NHRA address that specifically in the Countdown. You don't want something like that to decide the championship. And while I know they're trying to discourage oildowns, all the cars that are in contention for the championship are the ones that have done a fantastic job of not oiling the racetrack. You can't have a points rule on page 7 in the Rulebook decide the championship. The cars should be able to do that on the racetrack.

I am sure this won't satisfy the resident NHRA haters, but it is what at least the driver in question in this thread wanted.

 

[PJ]

Let's see I said I understood why they had the rule and the difficulty with it, I just said that I couldn't think of another sport that changed the rules in the playoffs. Didn't even slam them for it, just asked and even gave an "I wish" version not a "why they should dump their horrible idea and switch to my brilliant plan" type of rant.
Simple conversation, back-and-forth chat. No hating.

I realize you have this aversion to people asking questions, debating, questioning or just simply conversing about anything that the NHRA does. It's ok, we'll make sure to tell the Tom Compton shrine in your basement that you defended him with all your honor so that you can keep your President of the Compton fan boy club blazer and membership card.
*note, for those lacking in the sense of humor or sarcasm gene the above statement was meant in jest. I am reasonably sure that Mr. Moon does not have a Shrine to Tom Compton nor a membership card to a fan club for him. While he likely does have some old school blazer still stuffed in the back of his closet, it is not a fan boy one and he doesn't wear it...often.

 

[.]

Let's see I said I understood why they had the rule and the difficulty with it, I just said that I couldn't think of another sport that changed the rules in the playoffs. Didn't even slam them for it, just asked and even gave an "I wish" version not a "why they should dump their horrible idea and switch to my brilliant plan" type of rant.
Simple conversation, back-and-forth chat. No hating.

I realize you have this aversion to people asking questions, debating, questioning or just simply conversing about anything that the NHRA does. It's ok, we'll make sure to tell the Tom Compton shrine in your basement that you defended him with all your honor so that you can keep your President of the Compton fan boy club blazer and membership card.
*note, for those lacking in the sense of humor or sarcasm gene the above statement was meant in jest. I am reasonably sure that Mr. Moon does not have a Shrine to Tom Compton nor a membership card to a fan club for him. While he likely does have some old school blazer still stuffed in the back of his closet, it is not a fan boy one and he doesn't wear it...often.

Yes, other sports do change the rules mid season. Have you ever heard of MLB expanding its rosters from 25 to 40 in September? Yep, it happens every year. Has for decades.

Doesn't your back get tired from toting the water for DSR all the time? The oil down rule has been in place for at least 14 years, and the countodown change came about because of valid concerns, just like the one Beckman voiced. How you want to push that off on Compton just confirms that you have a tremendous problem with NHRA brass for no reason at all in this instance. I'll stand by what I said when I said there were NHRA haters that even after explanations are given it won't change their outlook on the situation.

On second thought, this would make for a great bullet point in this weeks regularly scheduled "How to fix the NHRA" thread on here, so that is a plus.

 

[.]

I realize you have this aversion to people asking questions, debating, questioning or just simply conversing about anything that the NHRA does

Actually, if you do a little research, you will find out that I am the one who has had posts deleted because mods didn't think what was discussed in other news sources about 1 drivers husband had any place to be discussed here.

So, don't push me off as one who approves of censorship when I am the one who has had posts deleted.

 

[Terry]

Here's an observation from my son during our recent trip to Sonoma for Saturday qualifying. He has not been to a "big show" drag race since our trip to Topeka 10 years ago. After the first session was over, the first thing he said, with no knowledge of the rules changes, was, "wow, they really did some work cutting down on oildowns, huh? Last time we were at Topeka it seemed like two pair and then a 30 minute cleanup. This is MUCH better!"

So, for better or worse, it looks like whatever they are doing to cut down on oildowns is working. Sometimes I think those of us that are close to the sport are too close to really see gradual change over a period of time. Sometimes it takes someone like my son who hasn't been to a race in a while to see clearly how much things have improved...just a thought.

 

[PJ]

Check the schedule, the roster expansion happens during the regular season. We were talking post-season. I suppose I could get technical and point out that we were also looking at rules in action or field of play. Roster limits, transactions and such are limited in most playoff settings. What doesn't change is that a holding penalty is x yards or that there are 3 outs in baseball.

Didn't realize I was "toting the water for DSR" or anyone else for that matter. You might be surprised who I root for and against.

Again no hate, I didn't slam Compton or NHRA. You take anyone who doesn't bow to whatever they do as a slam. It is actually ok to ask questions and discuss. It's not a big deal, all I did was ask and wonder about it.

I think the oil down penalty was a good thing and helped to fix the crazy amount of cleanups we once had. Will you sleep better now that I said something NHRA did was good?

 

[PJ]

Here's an observation from my son during our recent trip to Sonoma for Saturday qualifying. He has not been to a "big show" drag race since our trip to Topeka 10 years ago. After the first session was over, the first thing he said, with no knowledge of the rules changes, was, "wow, they really did some work cutting down on oildowns, huh? Last time we were at Topeka it seemed like two pair and then a 30 minute cleanup. This is MUCH better!"

So, for better or worse, it looks like whatever they are doing to cut down on oildowns is working. Sometimes I think those of us that are close to the sport are too close to really see gradual change over a period of time. Sometimes it takes someone like my son who hasn't been to a race in a while to see clearly how much things have improved...just a thought.

You're right, the oil downs have come down dramatically. It would be interesting to see some stats, now vs 5, 10, 15 years ago. I would venture to guess that the amount of time it takes them to clean up any oil down is much faster as well. The combination does make for a much nicer event with more action.

 

[Just Paul]

Everybody keep your shit from oiling the track and we will all be happy. Problem solved.

 

[PJ]

Paul, that brings up another question.

Do non-countdown cars still get no penalty or fine then or are only the countdown cars exempt from it?

 

[None]

Just so I understand you correctly, you are saying that Compton, Light and Stewart have unnecessarily sent the safety safari out to clean up a track that wasn't oiled down and took points and money away from teams for no reason?

I am going to call BS on this. Do you have any sort of proof? Because if you do, you are just proving my point for me.

Just the other way around. Cars that have oiled the track and got a free pass.

 

[.]

Paul, that brings up another question.

Do non-countdown cars still get no penalty or fine then or are only the countdown cars exempt from it?

Unless it changed for the 2014 season, non-countdown cars carry on with the same penalty and fine schedule they had prior to the countdown starting. And, there is no reset. If a team had 5 oil downs entering Indy and lays down 1 oil slick, they now have 6.

 

[.]

Just the other way around. Cars that have oiled the track and got a free pass.

Who? And what proof do you have?

If you are talking about cars in the countdown, it has been explained here that they incur no point penalty, but the monetary fine is larger after the countdown starts.

So, who is it that they are giving free passes to?

 

[None]

The NHRA just can not win with you guys. No way, no how.

No way you are ever going to be anything but a "shill" for the NHRA.

 

[.]

No way you are ever going to be anything but a "shill" for the NHRA.

So you don't really have any names, or proof, or anything like that and you are just spewing nonsense ?

If you dislike the NHRA so much, why do you get in such a tizzy when things happen in it, or if it is late on TV, or interrupted?

Are the bought and paid for booked in 8 car IHRA shows more to your liking?

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

I think the diapers have contributed more to less oil downs, then point penalties have.

 

[none]

Anyone that survived the punishment that was Las Vegas a few years back appreciates the system now in place............
After spending too much time at a breakfast buffet (unlimited mimosas) and deciding to go to the second qualifying session, we were surprised by the fact that fuel cars were running early for Q2. Turns out it was still Q1 and they were trying to finish!

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

But, since you brought this up (which I think is just another roundabout way for you to complain about the countdown),

Oh not true sir, I don't go roundabout. If I see something wrong, I say it. True, I feel the CD is unfair, no other sport re sets stats during
the season. True, I'm against the Friday 12 rule. How do you justify ignoring a run that passes tech, but is on the wrong day??
True I'm against point removal & fines for oil downs.

...................................................................................................BUT.........................................................................................................................
I also believe in giving credit where it's due. I am NOT a "hater"of NHRA. There are many things I support that they have done.
I agree with the new,(well not new anymore) short tree. (3 amber). I agree with the PRO TREE, (one yellow flash)
I agree with the blue pre-stage & stage lights. I agree with random computer delay tree.
I agree with 1,ooo ft. nitro. It was the right decision at the time, and still is.
I agree with 4-wide. I don't want it at all 24 races, no. But 4 or 5 a year spaced around the country would be fine.

You are right, there are some on here that are "haters" as you say, but, there are also those that drink the company koolaid to the max
that feel NHRA can do no wrong. That position is more dangerous than a hater.

 

[Toejam]

Does NHRA suspend just the Points deduction during the Countdown? Or the Fine as well?

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

Joe if I understand it right, the pt. deduction is waved for the CD cars only, but the fines are higher.

 

[Jimbo]

Maybe the N.H.R.A. is worried about car counts at recent events and future events.

The costs of racing is a major concern and anything that effects car counts will be looked at very close.

Jimbo

http://www.nostalgicracingdecals.com