A major change in nitro drag racing needs to occur. The greatest drag racer in history, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits long ago advised a return to 1/4 (1320 ft.) nitro racing via one magneto and one spark plug per cylinder. This change would achieve what many racing fans want - 1/4 (1320 ft.) without breaking the bank. There would still be 300 mph runs but not unacceptable speeds. Don't understand why NHRA hasn't already followed his guidance. Give the teams a 2 year notice to use up current cylinder head inventory and other parts. Then prepare for the return to 1320ft racing!
Nitromater
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Return to 1/4 mile (1320ft.) (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter ATC TWR
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Might as well cut back on the track prep too
none
Nitro Member
Sam,
Not arguing, just asking. Who has run this combination to prove that it will work?
And who has looked into the unintended consequences that will come along with this? Because there will be some.
You always have to consider the "Racer Mentality". Tell a guy run 300 MPH with one mag and he might be able to do it.
Then tell him to beat the guy in the other lane, and all the conservation goes out the window in a flash.
Alan
5150 mechanic
Nitro Member
Did the IHRA possibly miss an opportunity by not going to a 1/4 mile? And hurt this one by going 1/8? One of the common complaints is racing 1000ft. IHRA shortens it up even more to 660. Maybe they could of done 1320 and less pump?
Hello Alan. Nice to make your acquaintance. I have enjoyed your racing knowledge, announcing and enthusiasm for many years.
Although there have been 2 magneto, spark plug setups for a long time, it hasn't always been that way. I expect nitro crew chiefs to push the envelope. Even so, the cars shouldn't be able to achieve speeds that would make 1/4 mile (1320ft.) racing unacceptable. That is the desired goal-a return to the 1320. There have been numerous safety improvements since 2008 that should allow 1320ft nitro racing to be feasible.
Nitro Bass!
Nitro Member
Keep the dual mags and current heads, mandate a smaller fuel pump and spin the blower slower and that should achieve the goal. Same heads, same everything, just less fuel and air. I don't see it talking long for that to be figured out. Less speed, less parts breakage, less dropped holes, less wear and tear, less massive explosions, less money. I'm just a bass player but what am I missing? Seems quite easy and doable. That to me could bring back 1/4 mile (doubt that will ever happen for nitro cars) and maybe even a little higher nitro percentage so it sounds great....
Nitro Bass!
Nitro Member
Alan, I remember hanging with you in Las Vegas on a Monday after the race where Cruz was testing a single mag and smaller pump set up for 1/4 mile. If I am not mistaken he went 4.97 at 303 mph I think, something like that? Looked like that accomplished the goal way back then but nothing happened with it....
stitcherbob
Nitro Member
I will defer to the great Double A Dale on this one.....read it because he addresses all of the suggestions and why they won't work.
"In 1997 Armstrong submitted a six-page paper to the NHRA outlining a plan for slowing the cars down, but after some testing and discussion with other tuners – most of whom rejected it out of hand without explanation – it was not adopted. Since then Armstrong has solidified his thinking, and shared his views with CompetitionPlus.com in an exclusive interview that took place the day following the announcement by NHRA that the race distance for fuel cars would be shortened to 1,000 feet."
"
"In 1997 Armstrong submitted a six-page paper to the NHRA outlining a plan for slowing the cars down, but after some testing and discussion with other tuners – most of whom rejected it out of hand without explanation – it was not adopted. Since then Armstrong has solidified his thinking, and shared his views with CompetitionPlus.com in an exclusive interview that took place the day following the announcement by NHRA that the race distance for fuel cars would be shortened to 1,000 feet."
"
none
Nitro Member
Nice to make your acquaintance as well. I enjoy a friendly discussion or debate.
Two magneto and two spark plugs have been around for 60 ish years. Pro Stock HEMIs ran two spark plugs starting in the early 70s, before ignitions got good enough that just one was needed for gasoline or alcohol. And yes, I suppose you could mandate just one.
But the fact remains, testing a theory and racing are not the same. I was there when Dale Armstrong ran the low compression and restricted overdrive combo on a Monday in testing. He made three runs in the high 3.80s at 305-308 MPH and the only damage was one piston tightening up a ring.
So yes, it can be done. But he wasn't RACING! He was testing a theory.
I asked him point blank: "Would you run it like that if Tony Schumacher was in the other lane?"
He said: "Hell no! I would have to lean on it!"
Lee Beard remains the most honest guy I ever heard when asked years ago about the best way to slow them down. He said: "I have no idea, I spent my life trying to make them faster, and any rule that is made I will start thinking about how to overcome it." That's the racer mindset.
Alan
P.S. I know it can be done, one of two ways. But nobody would like my way of doing it.
Alan...I'd be very interested in your way of doing it!
ch streetcars
Nitro Member
Agree, even if we want 1,000ft. or longer , the racers are the only ones that know how long they can financially survive running , and they will determine what what makes the most sense for their operation , and what has to happen for survival. Hopefully discussion is going on this winter to focus on backing off the carnage a bit.
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