Why won't they treat the top end of the track for the Pro Stockers?
- Thread starter Paul
- Start date
.
Nitro Member
If the top half of the track looks like the "surface of the moon" then all the glue in the world isn't going to help it. The only reason the fuel cars got down it is because they literally have thousands of pounds of downforce. The track is falling apart and has been for several years.
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
That is a big adjustment. It is not as simple as putting more rear spoiler in it. Aerobalance is like a teeter-totter. If you put more downforce on the rear, you are going to pick up the front, that is why there are front wings on Top Fuel and the huge over hang and front lip on Funny Cars. These do not exist on Pro Stockers. Secondly, if you can sort out the aero to that degree on the fly, you have to change the pre-load on the shocks, change gear ratios, etc. Lastly. the cars ran without issue all weekend until first round today, why should the teams expect to change their whole package beyond normal adjustments just because the temperature went down 20 degrees? Why is it always the teams going to NHRA to tell them the track is not good for Pro Stock? If you say the teams should know what's up when the temp falls, so should NHRA, it is their job to provide a good, consistent and safe racing surface.
I have always wondered why there aren't flat bottoms with venturi tunnels and rear diffusers on Pro Stockers. It seems to me they could build a 1 or 2 piece carbon fiber floorpan and double the downforce of the car without altering the look of the car. Is it prohibited by rule?
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
I never said anything about more glue. Maybe when it gets that chilly it's time to scrape instead of glue. Maybe glue then run the hair dryers so it "cures" like it would on a warmer day. All I said is NHRA should have a contingency plan in place for when it does get that cool. And to Brent's point, maybe they should have known the track was coming apart and done something about that Saturday night/Sunday morning. In any event, I think it is pretty unfair to blame the racers, somewhat unfair to blame the facility and reasonable to expect better control of the racing surface.
I don't have ALL the answers Martin, just most of them LOL.
Last edited:
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
If that were truly the case, there are still unexplained variables. If the track was truly coming apart, Top Fuel and Funny Car would have destroyed the surface in round 1. With their big slicks, power and downforce they would have been ripping up chunks and strips. There were no complaints after the runs like in Pro Stock. It also doesn't explain the similarities between Brainerd and Charlotte as far as Pro Stock is concerned. No one at Brainerd was complaining about the track coming apart, but the result was the same.
glofria
Nitro Member
On any car with a 4-link (floating) suspension once the chassis unloads it's over with. (Your like on ice) If the tires have broken loose and you lift, the wheels will catch up and send the car darting as in this case.
That's the difference between a solid suspension car (FC and TF) with much down force vs. a 4-link car with minimal down force. Yes a wicker will create more drag, but also slow the cars down too.
That's the difference between a solid suspension car (FC and TF) with much down force vs. a 4-link car with minimal down force. Yes a wicker will create more drag, but also slow the cars down too.
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
Graham Light says water coming up was the issue, getting between the rubber on the track and the concrete surface. Graham also said it happens at other tracks on the tour. So I guess it wasn't a cool temperature issue like I thought, and does not appear to be related to what happened at Brainerd. That's what I get for jumping to conclusions.
cantdrive55
Nitro Member
The track is coming apart. I was there for Friday qualifying, and on track activity stopped around 10:30 to inspect the track for problems during Super Stock. So to say those cars weren't having any issues is a bit of a mis-leading statement. It should be telling that NHRA cancelled all activity, not just Pro Stock, but everything. So this is not just a Pro Stock issue, it's a track issue. I hate that V payed the price for a terrible track, but I'm glad he's okay.
As for putting ground effects or Pro Mod style wings on a Pro Stocker, it's simple NHRA says no.
SECTION 16: PRO STOCK, BODY: 7, SPOILERS (Page 8 )
Rear spoiler mandatory; maximum length 14 inches mandatory;, may only use
NHRA-accepted spoiler designed for each specific NHRA-accepted body style
minimum 12 inches, unless specified by body design. Spoiler will be measured
from the body line/spoiler transition point to rear of spoiler. A 90- degree wicker is
mandatory across the full width of the spoiler. Minimum wicker height is 3/4-inch.
This measurement will be taken on the inside of the wicker. Wicker must be
constructed of carbon fiber, aluminum, steel, or stainless steel with a minimum
thickness of .050-inch. Wicker must be nonadjustable and permanently attached
to the rear of the spoiler so it remains 90 degrees to the spoiler at all times during
the run. Height of the wicker is not included in the total length of the spoiler
measurement. Rear spoiler may not be molded into deck lid. All spoilers must be
painted to match paint scheme. Minimum angle of the rear spoiler may not be
lower than horizontal. Roof-mounted spoilers prohibited. Air foils prohibited. Any
adjustment or movement during run prohibited.
As for putting ground effects or Pro Mod style wings on a Pro Stocker, it's simple NHRA says no.
SECTION 16: PRO STOCK, BODY: 7, SPOILERS (Page 8 )
Rear spoiler mandatory; maximum length 14 inches mandatory;, may only use
NHRA-accepted spoiler designed for each specific NHRA-accepted body style
minimum 12 inches, unless specified by body design. Spoiler will be measured
from the body line/spoiler transition point to rear of spoiler. A 90- degree wicker is
mandatory across the full width of the spoiler. Minimum wicker height is 3/4-inch.
This measurement will be taken on the inside of the wicker. Wicker must be
constructed of carbon fiber, aluminum, steel, or stainless steel with a minimum
thickness of .050-inch. Wicker must be nonadjustable and permanently attached
to the rear of the spoiler so it remains 90 degrees to the spoiler at all times during
the run. Height of the wicker is not included in the total length of the spoiler
measurement. Rear spoiler may not be molded into deck lid. All spoilers must be
painted to match paint scheme. Minimum angle of the rear spoiler may not be
lower than horizontal. Roof-mounted spoilers prohibited. Air foils prohibited. Any
adjustment or movement during run prohibited.
yoda
Nitro Member
Physics major, I see....
.
Nitro Member
Maybe they can return the favor and send him a new car.
Huge
Nitro Member
V, won't have a problem getting another race car. He probably already has one ordered by now.
They have made an exception for V in this situation.
