When three legends of the sport speak NHRA needs to listen! (5 Viewers)

[Butch]

Price of progress I suppose.

In 1965 who would've thought a 4-Speed would eventually be slower than an Automatic?

 

[GumbyWVU]

In 1965 who would've thought a 4-Speed would eventually be slower than an Automatic?

True, along with clutch-less paddle shifted cars too.

 

[GumbyWVU]

Its the priced of competitiveness. All the things we miss were all part of what made the cars competitive at the time. Long burnouts were to put rubber down; now we glue the whole surface. Dry hops were to make sure the car had starting line hook; now its a precise mathematical calculation on the timing and pressure of the throwout bearing and weight on the clutch fingers. Throttle wacks to seat the clutch have been replaced with multi-discs all with a specific hardness and thickness based on the desired tune-up for the condition.

There has always been science involved with what drag racers do- its just taken on many forms over the decades.

Right now, the intent is to rotate the Earth and put everyone on the trailer. Only difference between 1955 and now is that there are a million more ways to be insanely precise, and all of those things have to work perfectly with each other or you become second place.

I understand. Scientific progress has "cost" those other things mentioned that people were used to and liked. And tuners I'm sure are much more reliant on computer controlled engine aspects than they were as recently as the early 90s, when the tech just wasn't there yet.

 

[GumbyWVU]

It's a good question to discuss with the three. It's rare that neither Amato or Kenny attend a race and don't think Don attends more than a few. Just because they ran t/f many moons ago doesn't mean they have a clue what it takes today. I think that both Kenny and Joe probably know more about face plastic surgery and golf than what it takes today.

So, let those ugly, currently employed tuners tell their side of the story, IF it is different than what the pretty, retired racers think.

 

[none]

The desire to win trumps everything else.

I was talking to a Pro Mod guy a while back when the automatics and two-steps were starting to have success and told him they are taking away from the show. Two cars in prestage revving them up, "Talking" with the gas pedal really got the crowd going. Now they idle in and hit the two-step.

He said: Yeah, but it's faster.
So I asked: "If I showed you that running mufflers and not doing burnouts was worth a tenth would you do it?"
Him: "Hell yes!"
Me: But what about the show?
Him: I want to win!!!

Alan

 

[z28]

The desire to win trumps everything else.

I was talking to a Pro Mod guy a while back when the automatics and two-steps were starting to have success and told him they are taking away from the show. Two cars in prestage revving them up, "Talking" with the gas pedal really got the crowd going. Now they idle in and hit the two-step.

He said: Yeah, but it's faster.
So I asked: "If I showed you that running mufflers and not doing burnouts was worth a tenth would you do it?"
Him: "Hell yes!"
Me: But what about the show?
Him: I want to win!!!

Alan

It's always fun but way more fun when you win!