Qualifying Idea

[Bross Hawg]

Had to post this here since I can not over at competition plus for some reason. What do y'all think about having a different qualifying format? If you took all of your Q runs, threw out the worst one, and then averaged the remaining 3 for your qualifying position. It would sure as hell cut down on teams blowing the tires off and coasting down the track. If a session got rained out, then the remaining runs are averaged and you do not throw one out. I think it would equalize the field a bit more, instead of having a team smoke the tires 3 runs and then getting low qualifier on their final run. What do you think?

 

[FC138fan]

From a fans point of view, I like the idea. I bet drivers and owners will have a different opinion.

This idea forces racers to be at the top of their game on every run. But even I can see problems with blowing up parts.

 

[90-percent]

Great idea for the fans! All runs down the track are competition runs to the end with no holds barred.

But, the expense to the racers would be staggering I would think. Maybe a lot of racers sitting out race day because they blew all their parts up? And do the rewards for this keep pace with the payout? I would not ask a racer to risk more parts and attrition for the same money.

As with all new rules and legislation, beware of the law of UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES!

My gut tells me there would be new safety issues coming with this, also. Desperate people doing desperate things, you know?

-90% Jimmy

 

[FC138fan]

In the mean time, if theres only 16 cars, eliminate the top bottom 4 throw out rule on Friday for sure...

 

[Ken]

The idea does not account for the fact that not all teams can afford to make four qualifying attempts. This would hurt lesser funded teams in my opinion.

Ken

 

[clwill]

I kind of like the idea, but what if you got to toss one (at your option) and averaged whatever others you did run. Underfunded team makes two passes, tosses the ugly one, gets to use their good one. Well-funded team doesn't quite like the average of the two they have in the bank, decides to swing for the fences on the last one.

Could make for some interesting poker... Hmmm, do I like the two I have, or is that team over there going to go around me on this final session? Then they run ahead of you smoke the tires, you pull out of the lanes.

Would certainly bring drama and intrigue to the last couple of sessions. Better than "we're checking our setup for these conditions tomorrow."

 

[You!]

NHRA has already done a great job taking a rather simple concept of two vehicles racing to a set point from a standing start, and turned it into a convoluted and confusing excersize. Please don't help them to water it down any more.

Teams should roll in and set up Friday. No runs. Two qualifying shots on Saturday. Top 16 make up the show. Event on Sunday. TV show lasts one hour, no qualifying coverage.

 

[yoda]

NHRA has already done a great job taking a rather simple concept of two vehicles racing to a set point from a standing start, and turned it into a convoluted and confusing excersize. Please don't help them to water it down any more.

Teams should roll in and set up Friday. No runs. Two qualifying shots on Saturday. Top 16 make up the show. Event on Sunday. TV show lasts one hour, no qualifying coverage.

I like it. TnT on friday for those that want it with NO clocks, Saturday balls to the wall at 11AM, 3PM and 7PM for the pop cars- fit in everyone between that.

 

[mick]

pro classes twice on friday to set field.

test and tune pro classes on sat. morning (optional and runs do not count
towards qualifying - opportunity to test at nat. event prepped track)

run for win sat. night under the lights.

diehard fan shows up early sat., catches some nitro and watches sportsmen
and pros all morning, afternoon and evening.

casual fan shows up around 2-3pm and watches mostly pros for 4-5 hours,
sees nitro at nite and can't wait to plan for next race.

 

[Gipraw]

TV show lasts one hour, no qualifying coverage.

one hour versus the 4 - 7 hours on a typical race weekend now?

I like the simplification idea, but I think the lack of TV time would be a turn off for sponsors.

 

[Porkchop]

NOPE!!!......WISH IT WAS STILL THE BEST 16.......Thanks PS!!!

 

[Nick Name]

The fans need to understand that NHRA went to Friday night qualifying because it made for a great nite time show. However that would be everyones best shot. There would be no chance of getting in the program on Saturday. That's why they hold the bottom four open for Saturday.

It was a concession to having a nite time session. If they left it alone, no pros would run on Saturday, hence, no spectators.

 

[dragstats]

The fans need to understand that NHRA went to Friday night qualifying because it made for a great nite time show. However that would be everyones best shot. There would be no chance of getting in the program on Saturday. That's why they hold the bottom four open for Saturday.

It was a concession to having a nite time session. If they left it alone, no pros would run on Saturday, hence, no spectators.

Since NHRA throws the bottom 4 numbers away, NHRA hasn't figured out what stats to give a driver if they don't run on Saturday and there are 16 or less cars at an event. Right now they get a NT.

Doesn't make sense to me...I'm honestly open to hear how that does make sense to others tho.

 

[clwill]

Since NHRA throws the bottom 4 numbers away, NHRA hasn't figured out what stats to give a driver if they don't run on Saturday and there are 16 or less cars at an event. Right now they get a NT.

Doesn't make sense to me...I'm honestly open to hear how that does make sense to others tho.

IMHO, they need to toss the "12 rule" if there aren't more cars than qualifying spots. It was designed to hold qualifying spots open for people on Saturday. With enough spots, it makes no sense...

 

[You!]

This whole setting the top 12 on Friday is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. When did drag racing become so accommodating? If you can't qualify when the conditions are the best, then maybe you don't deserve to be in the show. Ever think of that?

If everyone else runs good in one session and you don't, who's friggin' fault is that?! What's next...will all the racers entered get a "Participation Trophy" and a big "better luck next time" pat on the back like youth sports?

This is supposed to be DRAG RACING for pete's sake! Tough guys running nitro and always on the edge. NHRA has managed to kill the spark this deal had since the 50's. Great job Glendora. Just outstanding.

 

[e-town iceyman]

didnt they make the top 12 rule for teams to have a chance on saturday instead of chasing a number that cant be reached in the heat of the day,,, this usually just leads to tire smoke all day because a team knows they have to hit a number that was run at 8 oclock at nite in cool conditions...i think when there is only 16 cars than the purpose is defeated

 

[dragstats]

This whole setting the top 12 on Friday is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. When did drag racing become so accommodating? If you can't qualify when the conditions are the best, then maybe you don't deserve to be in the show. Ever think of that?

just amen bro!

 

[PJ]

This whole setting the top 12 on Friday is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. When did drag racing become so accommodating? If you can't qualify when the conditions are the best, then maybe you don't deserve to be in the show. Ever think of that?

If everyone else runs good in one session and you don't, who's friggin' fault is that?! What's next...will all the racers entered get a "Participation Trophy" and a big "better luck next time" pat on the back like youth sports?

This is supposed to be DRAG RACING for pete's sake! Tough guys running nitro and always on the edge. NHRA has managed to kill the spark this deal had since the 50's. Great job Glendora. Just outstanding.

Yeah between this and their points system its taken the Go Full Throttle right out of NHRA.

I at least understand what they were trying to do with the qualifying deal. If they really want just go back to 3 sessions and the Friday night show for the fans is for cash then or bonus points(yeah I know wont happen)

 

[You!]

didnt they make the top 12 rule for teams to have a chance on saturday instead of chasing a number that cant be reached in the heat of the day,

See Dan, there you go. Why do they require a "CHANCE"? They have their "chance" just like everyone else in any of the sessions. If you screw up in the good air, tough chit.

Whenever there is change, either in racing, or business, anything, I go back to why did this change, or why was it changed. If this was the format at the '61 Winters then fine. But for all these almost 50 years(!) the best 16 or 32 cars from that event went into eliminations. Period.

So what changed to make this even necessary? And don't tell me that the cars are so much more complex than in years past. BS. They have ALWAYS been complex and difficult to run, BECAUSE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DIFFICULT OR EVERYONE WOULD RUN ONE!