Bill
Nitro Member
Bob Cole said: "take away nitro and there is no reason to go to the races."
Really?????
Maybe you weren't around (as I was) to witness the "NO NITRO" period of NHRA racing that stretched from 1957 to 1963. Or, was it '64? About seven years, in any case.
NHRA had no alcohol cars during that period, as well as no nitro.
Was it boring? No.
Were the cars fast? Yes.
Were they as fast as the nitro cars? Almost.
It boiled down to twin-engine blown Hemis on GASOLINE, and if they'd had tires that could have handled the weight and torque, they probably WOULD have been as fast as the Fuelers.
I went to the "all gas" 1962 Indy Nationals and there were 1,200 cars in competition and standing room only spectators.
It was quarter-mile drag racing and as exciting as anything they have, today.
No nitro.
With the technology that exists, today, and the way NHRA has these Fuel motors throttled back with restrictive rules that limit their output (which is still awesome, I'll admit!) I think if they allowed some of Sonny Leonard's new 800cid alcohol-fired motors (which he builds Hemi heads for) with twin turbos or a BIG screw compressor, and stuck it in a "no silly rules" car that was somewhat lighter (shorter) and more aerodynamic than today's Top Fuel cars, it could go virtually as fast...maybe faster.
If it was a little slower, well, isn't that what NHRA's after, so they can return to quarter-mile racing?
It has been pointed out to me that:
1. No "thunder; no crowd." They came in droves in 1957-63... What's the difference?
2. The outrageous expense involved in changing these operations over to alcohol, buying new engines and new chasses would bankrupt most teams.
Maybe that's true... but for the ones that could ride it out for a couple of years, they'd be swimming in money from all the $$$$ they DIDN'T spend on Nitro, and parts attrition. Fuel motors eat parts for breakfast, lunch and dinner... motor parts AND drivetrain parts. And, nothing on a Fuel car is reasonably-priced. Alcohol is a lot more gentle on the components, including the drivetrain.
It all adds up.... FAST!
This will never happen, but I think it's do-able... in spite of its initial cost.
Then, there's the gearhead contingent who leave the stands when the Fuelers come up to race, because (like me), they came to watch Class Eliminations in Stock Eliminator, and the Eliminator, itself. Ditto Super Stock.
But, you have to actually KNOW something about the tech end of the cars, themselves, to enjoy watching a 340 Duster outrun a 350 Camaro in F/SA.... and I guess the number of people with that kind of esoteric knowledge has shrunk in the USA since 1962. Has it?????????????
Too bad; that's some of the most fascinating racing going on at National events, for those who have sufficient technical knowledge to generate an interest in it.
So don't ever think that "take away nitro and there is no reason to go to the races." is true for everybody. Nitro-powered cars make up only a small fraction of the cars running, today. Their noise (of which I am a HUGE fan!!!) draws people to the stands, yes, but like with a gorgeous, intelligent, sensual lady, there's a LOT to enjoy other than the obvious... To wit: The Sportsman cars are tons of fun, too, if one learns enough about them to know what one is watching.
As the bumper-sticker says.... "STOCKERS ARE WAY COOL!!!"
Really?????
Maybe you weren't around (as I was) to witness the "NO NITRO" period of NHRA racing that stretched from 1957 to 1963. Or, was it '64? About seven years, in any case.
NHRA had no alcohol cars during that period, as well as no nitro.
Was it boring? No.
Were the cars fast? Yes.
Were they as fast as the nitro cars? Almost.
It boiled down to twin-engine blown Hemis on GASOLINE, and if they'd had tires that could have handled the weight and torque, they probably WOULD have been as fast as the Fuelers.
I went to the "all gas" 1962 Indy Nationals and there were 1,200 cars in competition and standing room only spectators.
It was quarter-mile drag racing and as exciting as anything they have, today.
No nitro.
With the technology that exists, today, and the way NHRA has these Fuel motors throttled back with restrictive rules that limit their output (which is still awesome, I'll admit!) I think if they allowed some of Sonny Leonard's new 800cid alcohol-fired motors (which he builds Hemi heads for) with twin turbos or a BIG screw compressor, and stuck it in a "no silly rules" car that was somewhat lighter (shorter) and more aerodynamic than today's Top Fuel cars, it could go virtually as fast...maybe faster.
If it was a little slower, well, isn't that what NHRA's after, so they can return to quarter-mile racing?
It has been pointed out to me that:
1. No "thunder; no crowd." They came in droves in 1957-63... What's the difference?
2. The outrageous expense involved in changing these operations over to alcohol, buying new engines and new chasses would bankrupt most teams.
Maybe that's true... but for the ones that could ride it out for a couple of years, they'd be swimming in money from all the $$$$ they DIDN'T spend on Nitro, and parts attrition. Fuel motors eat parts for breakfast, lunch and dinner... motor parts AND drivetrain parts. And, nothing on a Fuel car is reasonably-priced. Alcohol is a lot more gentle on the components, including the drivetrain.
It all adds up.... FAST!
This will never happen, but I think it's do-able... in spite of its initial cost.
Then, there's the gearhead contingent who leave the stands when the Fuelers come up to race, because (like me), they came to watch Class Eliminations in Stock Eliminator, and the Eliminator, itself. Ditto Super Stock.
But, you have to actually KNOW something about the tech end of the cars, themselves, to enjoy watching a 340 Duster outrun a 350 Camaro in F/SA.... and I guess the number of people with that kind of esoteric knowledge has shrunk in the USA since 1962. Has it?????????????
Too bad; that's some of the most fascinating racing going on at National events, for those who have sufficient technical knowledge to generate an interest in it.
So don't ever think that "take away nitro and there is no reason to go to the races." is true for everybody. Nitro-powered cars make up only a small fraction of the cars running, today. Their noise (of which I am a HUGE fan!!!) draws people to the stands, yes, but like with a gorgeous, intelligent, sensual lady, there's a LOT to enjoy other than the obvious... To wit: The Sportsman cars are tons of fun, too, if one learns enough about them to know what one is watching.
As the bumper-sticker says.... "STOCKERS ARE WAY COOL!!!"
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