d'kid
Nitro Member
Thanks For the clarification RG... I misread your statement... My Bad and I'll never question an RG statement again
See, that's what happens when you grow up in Garden Grove in the sixties...Forgive Me??????
d'kid
Nitromater
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Restrictor Plates?
- Thread starter Wes
- Start date
Thanks For the clarification RG... I misread your statement... My Bad and I'll never question an RG statement again
See, that's what happens when you grow up in Garden Grove in the sixties...Forgive Me??????
d'kid
none
Nitro Member
Wes,
Testing and driver training are two different things. The restrictor plate is for driver training.
If Ron Capps, just to pick a name, wanted to put the restrictor on his car and make 5 laps that wouldn't be allowed.
When Courtney Force drives her car, it is usually serviced by John's team. Guido, Ron and that group. It is her car, but they are not testing, they are training her. They put in a "stock" setup and she makes laps. But they can't try a new blower, because the restrictor would keep them from learning anything useful, I guess they could run different clutch stuff, but I know for a fact that the timers are set way differently than they are on an unrestricted engine, so what did you learn? There was an NHRA tech official stopping by Alexis' pit after every run to verify that the plate was on there.
The guys weren't pouring over the computer trying to figure out how to pick it up from 60' to the 330' they were servicing it and sending it. Just to get the laps.
And yes, I was there.
Alan
Testing and driver training are two different things. The restrictor plate is for driver training.
If Ron Capps, just to pick a name, wanted to put the restrictor on his car and make 5 laps that wouldn't be allowed.
When Courtney Force drives her car, it is usually serviced by John's team. Guido, Ron and that group. It is her car, but they are not testing, they are training her. They put in a "stock" setup and she makes laps. But they can't try a new blower, because the restrictor would keep them from learning anything useful, I guess they could run different clutch stuff, but I know for a fact that the timers are set way differently than they are on an unrestricted engine, so what did you learn? There was an NHRA tech official stopping by Alexis' pit after every run to verify that the plate was on there.
The guys weren't pouring over the computer trying to figure out how to pick it up from 60' to the 330' they were servicing it and sending it. Just to get the laps.
And yes, I was there.
Alan
Wes
Nitro Member
Alan...I think the concept is great. At least NHRA is allowing new driver development. I'll maintain, though, that there is data and lessons to be learned from any trip down a racetrack no matter the situation...or what's on a plate (pun, albeit a bad one). We'll agree to disagree.
The point buried within is that all this mental masturbation surrounding who can test when and who gets penalized for a pass at such and such a track hasn't really leveled the playing field very much.
The point buried within is that all this mental masturbation surrounding who can test when and who gets penalized for a pass at such and such a track hasn't really leveled the playing field very much.
Smiley
Nitro Member
Wasn't the testing ban put in place due to a potential Nitro shortage years ago? With the rule I think the playing field is actually less level, as the low buck guys (read Terry Haddock) can't run match races to help fund their operation.
I'm not sure there is still a need or a place for the testing rule.
MM
Nitro Member
I think it hurts the middle of the road, full time guys more myself. Guys that don't have the bigger budgets, but still run the full tour (Wilkerson, the Pedregons, etc) who used to run more match races to help their efforts, but now are limited. Guys like Haddock, Peanut, and other independents aren't really hurt by the testing ban because they don't chase points anyways. They run their cars because it's what they love to do.
T.Smith
Nitro Member
Seems like a lot of hassle for "training" a driver...if the data is not important, then share it with everyone else in the F/C pits.
Otherwise, run whatever the hell you want and after every run you get 3 minutes(on a computer that belongs to someone else) to make sure everything is working properly and then the data is deleted.
In my eyes, testing blowers is testing blowers, even with a restrictor plate your going to find out which out of A, B, C or D is the best.
Yeah maybe this is the proper way to get Force's girl trained, but I would find it hard to believe there isn't a little self serving going on.
Otherwise, run whatever the hell you want and after every run you get 3 minutes(on a computer that belongs to someone else) to make sure everything is working properly and then the data is deleted.
In my eyes, testing blowers is testing blowers, even with a restrictor plate your going to find out which out of A, B, C or D is the best.
Yeah maybe this is the proper way to get Force's girl trained, but I would find it hard to believe there isn't a little self serving going on.
BaldyLochs
Nitro Member
Look man......these people are racing. So I don't believe restrictor plate would ultimately slow them down. When the Sanctioning Body took away nitromethane percentage, 320 feet of track, testing sessions, rear wing.... all down the line - you name it, the Genius' that own, tune, service and drive these fantastic machines still still found a way to make them go faster. And let me tell you, the day they don't - I will no longer be a fan of this great sport!
As for the crew. This testing with the plate, can help blend in a person or two into the crew. If they try to do a turnaround in the limited amount of time. It would make good use of time. Do they still break down the engine after each run or are they so backed down that they can get two runs before doing major service.
26 (now 27) posts into this, and not one person has mentioned that we've "accidentally" figured out how to slow these cars down so that we can return to 1/4 mile racing! Put the restrictor plate on at tracks with "marginal" shutdown areas! I'm sorry, I just HAD to say it!
Even "IF" NHRA considered this, how much performance adjustments would they have to make to T/A FC-Dragster?, Pro Mod? What would be the appeal of 5 sec. Fuel cars if Alky Dragsters run 5.30's? Funny Cars 5.40's??? It would end up costing all of these teams a Pantload of $$$!!!!
Last edited:
T.Smith
Nitro Member
In 2004 Dougie went 3.758 with car that was 250 pounds lighter than the car of today and I would say the parts have evolved since then, so I don't see that happening.
Herbert or Kalitta?
mike
Nitro Member
Kalitta at Chicago when he ran that 4.420.
