TAFC outlook for 2024 (1 Viewer)

[Mike]

I think only Indy and maybe1 other race have had full 16 car TAFC fields this year.

Does anyone know of new drivers moving into TAFC next year? Hopefully more a-fuelers will appear.

 

[Randy]

I think only Indy and maybe1 other race have had full 16 car TAFC fields this year.

Does anyone know of new drivers moving into TAFC next year? Hopefully more a-fuelers will appear.

I'm hoping more join. The first NHRA Division race I ran in TA/FC was Bakersfield, 1991. It was a 16 car field and there were 31 entries. Last weekend at the Bakersfield Divisional there were 4 TA/FC's. Kuddo's to those guys for showing up.

 

[Sean Bellemeur]

I'm hoping more join. The first NHRA Division race I ran in TA/FC was Bakersfield, 1991. It was a 16 car field and there were 31 entries. Last weekend at the Bakersfield Divisional there were 4 TA/FC's. Kuddo's to those guys for showing up.

Hey Randy,

In 1991 you were racing for the same amount of money as we are today... In fact including contingencies it was probably more. That's one of many many issues.

 

[Randy]

Hey Randy,

In 1991 you were racing for the same amount of money as we are today... In fact including contingencies it was probably more. That's one of many many issues.

Hi Sean:

Considering 16 car qualified fields vs 8 back when the fields were cut, we did the math, and if I recall correctly the total dollar payout for TA/FC TAD classes was actually reduced under the 8 car format even though the round money went up. Because of the number of cars in Division 7 we protested the reduction to 8 car fields, and were told by the then acting Division Director that 8 car fields would bring Division 7 in line with other Divisions who were currently running 8 car fields, and that it would inspire more cars to compete due to the heightened competition (LOL). I told them instead of cutting us they should figure out how to fill 16 car fields in the other Divisions. I also told them all it was going to do was inspire those who typically qualified number 11 and slower to go find something else to do with their hard earned money, time and effort since they don't even get a shot at first round. It didn't take long for that to happen.

Contingencies were a lot more back then, but a lot of that went away when they ruined the Manufacturer's Midway. Later we joked how the stock eliminator winners won more than we did because of the contingency money. I won't mention the go-around that started happening that rewarded wins in our class which I'm sure you are aware of.

I hope your Dad is doing well. I haven't seen him in quite a while. Tell him hi for me.

 

[reo bad]

I think it may be another year or so for things to pick back up in TAFC. Hoping that the addition of the A-Fuel cars will get some excitement from new TAFC racers. Hoping to see Don Hudson back on the scene next year, Will Martin debut in Bakersfield last weekend so maybe see more of him in 24. Then hopefully some more people follow in the Mick Steele and Tommy Johnson A-Fuel TAFC. Lastly we will see Maddi Gordon as a new driver but this one doesn't add a car.

 

[scratch]

Speaking for a guy that helps crew on our N/FC that also happens to be a thirty plus years hard core Stock Eliminator racer the contingency monies today is not squat for them either..
There is no one solid answer to the exclusion of all others as to the diminishing fields in the alcohol catagories.What a pair of great classes even today.
My feeling is that it is a by gone era and never to return. Funny Car Chaos is good for some,as we ran those for a few years to get driver experience,,but it is now dominated by fast alcohol funny cars,most with some type of traction control.Try beating one of those with a Heritage Legal nitro car. We switched over to the Nitro Chaos series,and won the first one this year at Edgewater in the B field,then did'nt qualify for the next one at Eddyville,but got in on the break rule and at least got our first round loser money back ($1K). Most all of those cars now have big pumps,big blowers and either go 3.60 or better or not get down the track the next lap.No fun winning a round when the other guy has to lift early. We then qualified 9th at the Bowling Green Hot Rod Reunion and got zero as non qualifier.Booked in shows at $3K for two laps are the way to go for us,and are fortunate if we get four or five of those in a season.
So its hard for all us hard cores that want open competition no matter what kind of fast car we want to run.

 

[glofria]

Hey Randy,

In 1991 you were racing for the same amount of money as we are today... In fact including contingencies it was probably more. That's one of many many issues.

One the biggest reason for the decline in the class is because Sean and Doug keeps beating everyone. Who want's to show up for second place?

Are you running the A/F altered at Bakersfield this weekend?

CORRECTION MADE.

 

[MM]

One the biggest reason for the decline in the class is because Sean keeps beating everyone. Who want's to show up for second place?

Probably the other active TAFC driver that posted in the thread who is currently in the points lead.

 

[Nunz]

The NJV Racing A/FC will be out in '24. Not sure on a schedule yet, but I'm excited for next year. Anthony Dicero staring building this car for me right around Indy of '22, and by July of this year, I was fortunate enough to have TJ shaking the car down for me. To have Tommy driving my car at the US Nationals, and actually qualify with a car that had less than 10 runs on it, was an amazing experience. I've loved the alky classes since I was a young kid, back then I fell in love with Pro Comp. I'm hoping to start my licensing process as early as possible next year, but I sure wouldn't mind having Tommy spend some more time in the seat, he's an incredible driver. Like others have stated, this whole deal comes down to money. I think what needs to happen is we have to find outside sponsorship for the alky classes, similar to what Pro Mod does, and also Roger Brogden with Comp eliminator. Nobody is ever going to make money racing, and that's any kind of racing, but if there was more money available to help offset the costs once teams have built their infrastructure, more would show up. It's pretty simple.

 

[TF CREW]

I'm hoping more join. The first NHRA Division race I ran in TA/FC was Bakersfield, 1991. It was a 16 car field and there were 31 entries. Last weekend at the Bakersfield Divisional there were 4 TA/FC's. Kuddo's to those guys for showing up.

And one of them was a Brand New Car in the class