Short TF fields. (16 Viewers)

[TF CREW]

And lift that lousy body on & off the car up to 18 times per weekend?...hard pass.

Not to mention the cost to run a body vs Dragster.

 

[I was NITRO BREATH]

Right now, with the number of explosions and things like Doug's tire going down, Shawn Reeds crash, Capps body disintegration, etc. etc it feels like we are at an ominous tipping point. Too many dangerous things happening at each race!! And with everyone pushing so hard for points I worry about what could happen next. We are worried about short fields due to lack of sponsorship. But we could also lose cars to injured drivers. For instance, what if Shawn parked the car instead of using a substitute driver. I don't know the answer to how nhra slows things down but I hope someone in charge is feeling NOW is the time to act.

 

[Butch]

NHRA already has the answer to slowing down the fuel cars, making it less expensive and protecting the drivers and spectators but they can't or won't do it. Back in 2008 the discussion from people like Armstrong, Big, Coil to name but a few was to limit the amount of fuel entering the engine, the ability to burn it and how to apply the horsepower. They along with others suggested single mag, single plug, single pump, and limiting the clutch stages with how they are applied and only 12-71 blowers. I'll add setback blowers to the list. NHRA in their wisdom decided that would be too costly for the racers to change so they didn't listen. It's time to revisit those suggestions.

 

[ch streetcars]

Right now, with the number of explosions and things like Doug's tire going down, Shawn Reeds crash, Capps body disintegration, etc. etc it feels like we are at an ominous tipping point. Too many dangerous things happening at each race!! And with everyone pushing so hard for points I worry about what could happen next. We are worried about short fields due to lack of sponsorship. But we could also lose cars to injured drivers. For instance, what if Shawn parked the car instead of using a substitute driver. I don't know the answer to how nhra slows things down but I hope someone in charge is feeling NOW is the time to act.

Absolutely correct. We have had this big run up in speed in the last 2 years with Tasca, then Prock and finally Brittany. That means the tuners are making much more power. Now explosions , and mechanical problems such as tires exploding are happening at almost every race. Was the recent escalation in power and speed worth it? The queen of speed is now retiring. Are spectators flocking to the races to see these gigantic speeds and mayhem ? No, it makes a bad fan experience, and no race fan wants to see a driver get hurt. Every time a limit on the nitro cars has been discussed, screams of increased operating costs are heard by some teams, well right now, using up an engine , and often an entire car, have many teams on the ropes. Not to mention drivers wondering if it's worth the risk. Sorry to be a sky is falling guy-I selfishly want to take my grandkids to National events when they are older. What can be done ?

 

[z28]

Capps $$$$ for Angel? Who is Angle? Do you mean Maddie?

yes. It's Antron looking for Angell. My bad

 

[cknight]

NHRA already has the answer to slowing down the fuel cars, making it less expensive and protecting the drivers and spectators but they can't or won't do it. Back in 2008 the discussion from people like Armstrong, Big, Coil to name but a few was to limit the amount of fuel entering the engine, the ability to burn it and how to apply the horsepower. They along with others suggested single mag, single plug, single pump, and limiting the clutch stages with how they are applied and only 12-71 blowers. I'll add setback blowers to the list. NHRA in their wisdom decided that would be too costly for the racers to change so they didn't listen. It's time to revisit those suggestions.

Yes, spec fuel pumps. Make the bomb smaller..... Like NASCAR did with the restrictor plate, you get it from NHRA during tech at each event (with a flow sheet), give it back after you're eliminated.

 

[Mike]

Trouble is, A/Fuelers have been topping 280mph for years.

What, then, would be the point of a blown nitro eliminator costing significantly more and running just 15-20mph faster?

Good point. A counter argument is whaould be

 

[Mike]

Why do you think NHRA has resisted slowing them down? I hope they never do this, but I wonder if they would drop from 1000 ft down to 800 ft or 1/8 mile.

The bomb is still there just as potent, the teams just have less track to explode it...

 

[Tybamf]

NHRA already has the answer to slowing down the fuel cars, making it less expensive and protecting the drivers and spectators but they can't or won't do it. Back in 2008 the discussion from people like Armstrong, Big, Coil to name but a few was to limit the amount of fuel entering the engine, the ability to burn it and how to apply the horsepower. They along with others suggested single mag, single plug, single pump, and limiting the clutch stages with how they are applied and only 12-71 blowers. I'll add setback blowers to the list. NHRA in their wisdom decided that would be too costly for the racers to change so they didn't listen. It's time to revisit those suggestions.

IMO, this is a recipe for a competitor sanctioning body to use for success. Of course, I am in favor of NHRA using it as well, but imagine the success a group could have if applied properly.

 

[Butch]

Why do you think NHRA has resisted slowing them down? I hope they never do this, but I wonder if they would drop from 1000 ft down to 800 ft or 1/8 mile.

The bomb is still there just as potent, the teams just have less track to explode it...

After watching some of the IHRA this summer, my opinion of 1/8 mile racing is just go ahead and make it 100' because if you didn't tree the opponent the chance of chasing them down is slim and none. The race is over within 20'.

 

[J]

Why do you think NHRA has resisted slowing them down? I hope they never do this, but I wonder if they would drop from 1000 ft down to 800 ft or 1/8 mile.

The bomb is still there just as potent, the teams just have less track to explode it...

If nhra wants to see a drop in viewers and people at the races 8th mile will kill it.

 

[tb]

If nhra wants to see a drop in viewers and people at the races 8th mile will kill it.

Wait, I thought the IHRA was the hot thing, Their next two races are 1/8 mile and 8 car fields.

 

[I was NITRO BREATH]

1000’ is bad enough. 1/8 mile is not something I want to see…

 

[LoPony]

Tire failures have been a thing too, especially when THAT happens at 330+.

I don’t think they will go to 1/8 mi. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them limit blower OD or RPM even farther, though

 

[Marchboom]

If nhra wants to see a drop in viewers and people at the races 8th mile will kill it.

I agree 100%. Why watch anything that lasts 3 seconds? The crew chiefs will find a way to explode an engine in 1/8 mile. Would be about as exciting as watching any car with a throttle stop. I think it says some where in the Bible that throttle stops are evil. You know, "Thou shalt not use a throttle stop."

Want to slow down the cars? Restrict cam lift. This will restrict how much air/fuel will get into the combustion chambers. Less fuel. less power. This will save on valve springs and the other parts from the lifters to the valves itself. They won't have to replace any other parts (unless there is something I'm forgetting) unless they want to. And how much would a new cam cost?

The excuse that the racers would have to replace all their parts to comply with any new parts restriction is bogus. They are replacing all their parts anyway with the excessive parts breakage.