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What they're saying in the pits about 1320 v 1000
- Thread starter Bobby Bennett
- Start date
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
What parity is Jim Head talking about? The only Funny Car to win this year not from DSR or JFR is Cruz Pedregon 3 times. The only Top Fuel cars to win this year not from Al-Anabi or DSR are Bob Vandergriff once and Doug Kalitta once and Morgan Lucas twice. When you combine both nitro classes, the big 3 of Al-Anabi, DSR and JFR have won 39 out 46 events, for a whopping 85%. That is not parity, that is everyone else hoping they can make the semis or be in the other lane in the final.
Qualifying is tighter, but it doesn't translate on race day.
Qualifying is tighter, but it doesn't translate on race day.
yoda
Nitro Member
So Pomona and E-Town hit the chopping block? I don't think so....
I want to know what 1320 will look like before I fully hop on board. If they keep it above 300mph, it's good.
At min, go 1000 on the tracks without the room and 1320 on the ones that have enough room.
Baseball has different dimensions in every park and every other form of racing varies from track to track so why not.
You can't just go all fan voice on this one. You have to blend the safety aspect into it as well.
At min, go 1000 on the tracks without the room and 1320 on the ones that have enough room.
Baseball has different dimensions in every park and every other form of racing varies from track to track so why not.
You can't just go all fan voice on this one. You have to blend the safety aspect into it as well.
my friends call me Zappy
Nitro Member
Folks it's two things keeping attendance down.
1) the economy.... not track length
2) the lack of youth. As the "geezers" die off or get too old to attend , we need to get the teens, 20 some things, and 30 some things to the tracks.
To raise tickets in these economic times to cover testing is crazy.
1) the economy.... not track length
2) the lack of youth. As the "geezers" die off or get too old to attend , we need to get the teens, 20 some things, and 30 some things to the tracks.
To raise tickets in these economic times to cover testing is crazy.
stitcherbob
Nitro Member
I was at E-Town when Johnny West was knocked unconscious and ran off he end of the track. I was not there when we lost Scott Kalitta in a similar crash. Speeds were different in each of those crashes, with Johnny's car gradually picking up speed as he neared the end of the track. Scott was going full bore when he blew up. But I don't think Scott could have survived if the race was 1000 ft back then. He may have if there wasn't equipment (boom truck) parked down there in his path.
Just like when Jimmy Nix died after hitting the score board pillar, and at the next race at Maple Grove I saw one hay bale leaning against the base of each pillar at the top end. I flagged down a track worker and asked if that would have saved Jimmy and he just shrugged his shoulders and took off on his minibike.
People were sporting T-shirts at Maple Grove one year that said something to the effect of "I won't be back if 1320 isn't back".....
Personally, I miss the top end charges and the pedal fests that were won in the final few yards of the old 1320
Just like when Jimmy Nix died after hitting the score board pillar, and at the next race at Maple Grove I saw one hay bale leaning against the base of each pillar at the top end. I flagged down a track worker and asked if that would have saved Jimmy and he just shrugged his shoulders and took off on his minibike.
People were sporting T-shirts at Maple Grove one year that said something to the effect of "I won't be back if 1320 isn't back".....
Personally, I miss the top end charges and the pedal fests that were won in the final few yards of the old 1320
Sean D, shondoo
Nitro Member
I've said this very thing since day one and took my share of flack. But I'll stand by it forever.
Sean D
yoda
Nitro Member
I've said this very thing since day one and took my share of flack. But I'll stand by it forever.
Sean D
Who would give you flack Sean? E-town was never somewhere you would want to hit the sand going as fast as Scott was, but for the most part, it just meant a hospital stay and a way torn up race car. I saw my share of on fire, no brakes floppers there in the early- mid 80s, and although they may have been going slower, 20ton obstructions weren't part of the equation either... Who can fault you for speaking the facts?
Sean D, shondoo
Nitro Member
You would be surprised, Martin.......
The bottom line for me, as I've said before, is that in the highest percentage of these cases, there were extenuating circumstances, just like the one you mentioned.
Sean D
Dragracer
Nitro Member
The discussion about going back to 1320 for T/F & F/C is pretty much meaningless. No matter if all the spectators, racers and the suits in Glendora decided to go back to 1320 it isn't going to happen without a 'MAJOR' change in the speed of the cars. Goodyear is in the position to veto going back to 1320 unless there is a guarantee that the speed do not go up. Today they have what they call a 350mph tire and they want at least a 10mph safety factor for the tire with means they do not want it run at over 340mph. The chances of Goodyear making a new pro tire that has a faster rating I think is slim and none. Additionally, I do not see them developing a faster tire due to the liability issues and the costs of developing a new tire that has very very limited sales in a very small marketplace. Goodyear is probably in the strongest position of negating 1320 racing than anyone else. If Goodyear were to stop manf these tires NHRA is S.O.L. with having the T/F & F/C classes. Firestone used to make tires for these classes as did M&H. They both stopped due to the liability and the high development costs and selling them at a $$ loss. It wasn't economical. Goodyear is the only player in town and if they say no 1320' and it's going to stay 1000' or they will pull out of making the tires it would be 1000' no matter what anyone else including NHRA might want.
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This is probably the most valid statment in any discussion about going back to 1320'. The tire limits more than anything was and is responsible for 1000' racing. The accident Scott had was contributory to 1000' racing but it was a topic of discussion prior to his accident and probably would have happened the following season anyway. If NHRA goes to 1320 it won't be until they assure goodyear that the speeds will not increase past 335 or 340.
Here's a clever idea...Lets make tickets more affordable for the average person attending a 3 day event.....
To goto Pomona cost $138.00 for general admission for one person Thurs- Sun.
$138.00 x 4 people $552.00 + Food
I don't see how a family of 4 can goto an event. Its hard to justify paying that amount in today's economy..JMO
Shannon
To goto Pomona cost $138.00 for general admission for one person Thurs- Sun.
$138.00 x 4 people $552.00 + Food
I don't see how a family of 4 can goto an event. Its hard to justify paying that amount in today's economy..JMO
Shannon
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
This is a good point too Shannon. We can argue about 1000 v 1320 until we are blue in the face (and we usually do), and while it surely has something to do with declining attendance, the economy has not recovered from 2008, yet the prices of goods and services continue to climb. And when you get somewhere you are a captive audience, like a NHRA race, football game or concert ... The prices are userous. A lot of people were getting sick of being nickel and dimed, and have found excuses (like 1000ft) to not spend their money and are no longer attending. It is no longer a small consideration for a family of 4 to go to a movie and get popcorn, let alone go to a NFL game or drag race. Like I have been saying, fix the economics of the sport and the money will follow.
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stitcherbob
Nitro Member
I haven't followed it lately, but isn't the IHRA still using 1320ft? Who supplies their tires?
TooTall999
Nitro Member
You don't see the same speeds at the IHRA races. I think one of the ingredients to slowing the fuel cars is to use less glue on the track. Minimize the track prep and make the tuners and drivers deal with less grip. There'd be more "pedalfests", lower et's, and slower top end speeds. Tuners would have no choice but to back the cars down. I also think a minimum burnout line and no touching the car after the burnout should be mandatory. Do your burnout, back up, stage the car and go.
