Ok here it goes. If NHRA created a class for front -wheel drive N/A cars in Competition eliminator would any of you guys be interested in racing in it? It is a no-breakout index eliminator. You use a handicap start but first to the finish wins. The handicap is based on the index of each car. The further you can run under the index the better chance you have of winning. It is contested in all the Lucas oil events and most of the National events. It is a 32 car qualified field. We've been racing in it with our dragster the last 2 seasons and really enjoy it. We need more of you young guys to get involved in this. What do you think?

 

sounds interesting im with it

 

That would make it more appealing to these guys than SS/CX or SS/EX. The sport compact racers tend to embrace the idea of Heads-up racing much more than bracket style events.

 

they have a ss class ss/gs & ss/ex

 

The thing is...

Would the NHRA be willing to start the classes off with an index that's ~.7 to .8sec above what the "Records" are currently. That would put these cars solidly in the field, but wouldn't allow for them to "run away" with it. Runs like Mihovetz' 1.0+ under hit at the World Finals aren't the norm, but there are at least 60+ cars in the country that can run at least .7sec under their index... I'm affraid that the NHRA will look at how little participation SS/EX has and not take into consideration that there are very few sport compact racers that want to run their cars in a bracket style competition (SS) when they can run in dedicated events that have heads-up arrangements. Now if they, meaning the NHRA, would have put the Pro-All Motor cars in Comp, I think that Jeremy, Norris, and Bisi may have participated. At this point, I would think that the "Outlaw" style N/A and Turbo cars would be the smartest classes to approach the NHRA about including in their Comp classifications.

 

They have classes in Comp for turbo cars. Bruno is the only one running a 4-cyl turbo door-car. There is a guy running a dragster like ours out west and Ken who built our chassis has one like ours. There is also a 2jz powered turbo dragster out west also. At the world finals the guy with the Honda N/A altered went .6 under. Nobody is running in the front-wheel drive turbo class that they have in Comp. I thought an N/A class might get some interest. I think the reason nobody is running in super/stock is because it's just like bracket racing.

 

Almost 400 views and only a few comments? I guess this isn't worth pursuing.

 

Heads up is whats sport compact racers want! If theres was a class, my team would be there. Bracket is not our type.

 

That's what I am trying to get across. Comp is not a bracket class. First one to the finish line is the winner no matter what! They just use an index to handicap the cars. You could try it with your front-wheel drive turbo car. There is a class for that car. They don't have one for your N/A car. Or a rear-wheel drive turbo car.

 

Doesn't Scott Kelly already race in a class with his Scion? What class is that?

 

What class have they created for the sfwd guys? I have looked but the only class we should compete in is the 8.50 index class. Unless I am wrong. But there isent many cars that can go that fast.

 

Super Stock. SS/EX class. He is the record holder in the class. 9.87 index is 10.50 thats .630 under on a record pass. Which would have quailifed him 121 out of 128 at this years U.S. Nationals. But Super Stock is a bracket class.

 

Comp is a bracket class with no break out, basically. You have to be able to run well under your index just to qualify. The index they put out there for door car Sport Compact's sends the message real clear. We will take your $300 to enter but no way in hell are we going to let you have a shot at winning nor less qualify.

The NHRA's current leadership has proven time and time again they don't want Sport Compacts around (The bogus Comp indexes, the way they treated Rado, and selling what to NOPI?) I could go on all day about this. Sport Compact drag racing isn't going to take the NHRA seriously till the NHRA takes us seriously and even still I'd rather show support to those that have treated us well and haven't given up on us!!!


Just to be clear I love class racing because of all the great people involved in it. But it isn’t for the Sport Compact community.

 

may be IHRA? they or more sportsmen friendy and they are come up with more tracks.
Just a rumor in ca.?

 

It is not a bracket class. You don't get a dial-in and first to the finish wins! Yes it is handicap racing based on your index. You can't set a class record for bracket racing. In Comp you can. Super/Stock is a bracket class. You can break out and you dial-in your car. I really don't see anyone having a decent series for sport compacts. Yes there are local races but nothing like NOPI or NHRA had. I think it was partially the racers not supporting a good series that put an end to the big series.

 

I understand it's not a standard bracket class but you still have a handicapped start from round to round without a breakout but with a possible CIC hit on the following rounds handicapped start. This just isn’t going to appeal to the Sport Compact community. Furthermore with the indexes for the door car Sport Compacts it just isn't feasible for someone without a very heavily funded team to compete. Also class records exist for bracket classes (stock, super stock, etc.) they just can't be set at National events only at Divisional races.

There isn't a huge national series (though IFO does run all across the country) with the kind of following NOPI and the NHRA Sport Compact series used to have. But there is IFO, OGS, MIR, not sure if NSCRA is going to be back or not but still. Run a car in the FWD class at an IFO race pays $1000 to win and $400 to the runner up $100 to each semi, cost $30 to race. At the shootout races the winner is looking at 10K in Outlaw, All Motor 5K and great money to runners up and semis, etc... When was the last time a sportsman racer at the NHRA paid $30 to race for $1000? When is the last time they paid $100, $200?

 

IMO there is little blame the former sport compact series failing due to the racers support, rather it failed due to lack of support to the racer. Sport Compact was and still is a very grassroots and young racing community. The series lost support when corporate and corporate back teams took classes that the common shop owner or privateer could build and race in and made them have to race against million dollar budget teams. The sport grew too quickly and not broadly enough. You can't have a factory backed team compete against a field of privateer and self funded teams and expect those teams to continue to travel the country to do so.

That’s when sportsman classes like SPFWD became so popular those teams and other new racers saw something obtainable and made the switch and even after the loss of national series those classes and versions of them are still alive, well, and growing. The NHRA was in a unique spot where they could have used their contacts and current sponsors and sold them on the idea of partnering with sport compact teams helping broaden the sponsorship of teams and make a more competitive and professional field. That didn't happen and so goes the rest. I’m not saying the NHRA needs to go get every team that competed a sponsor but the series was their brand and to grow that brand they needed to control and grow its product. They did little to help better and grow their product and they did little to try and control its path.

 

The Sport Compact Community was spoiled with what it got so quickly. We were racing for Wally's and big payouts all across the country and doing so heads up.

A lot of current NHRA sportsman racers still resent that and rightfully so in some cases as the NHRA has made it almost a regular practice to take from their sportsman fields while giving little to nothing in return. I'm sure almost any NHRA sportsman racer would agree the fans at national events come to see TF, FC, and Pro Stock but the sportsman racers are paying to host the show.

Regardless this generation and culture of racer believes in heads up run what you brung racing. If it isn't a pro tree, heads up, pro ladder class, there will be little to no interest. The NHRA has no interest in giving that to the Sport Compact classes. Until that change's neither side is going anywhere together. I also don't think the NHRA will until they suffer large losses in their sportsman ranks and fan bases (which IMO is coming) They will want to deal then, and with the right set up and payouts things will happen but if nothing is done to control and grow that product it won't even have the chance to fail like its former counterpart.

 

If have no idea what you just said so I'm going to have to take it as disrespect.

 

Ahhh, finally someone asked the question! This has been a GIGANTIC battle with NHRA as we have run NHRA National and Divisional events since 2008. There are two classes already set in Comp for the old Pro Front and Hot Rod cars. THE ONLY reason they got put in place was because of GM and $$$$$! Rado had to jump through all kinds of hoops just to get his combination approved to run. There is no place for a Pro style All Motor car to go play and they WILL NOT provide one. This is a direct quote, "WE are to slow to compete in Comp Eliminator." They do not want a AA Pro Mod flying by a mid 9 second car at 225 MPH. That is why we landed in Super Stock. However, they put an INCREDIBLY stringent index on us at the weight we have to run 11.5 lbs per c.i. 158 c.i. = 1820 lbs. so a car like Norris, Jeremy, Bisi, etc. would have to bolt in roughly 100 lbs AND they would have to comply with body rules which means all their parts have to be exact duplicates to the originals (No Widening or lengthening). Being that it is a bracket race and our index is 10.50, as long as you can run equal to or under you have a chance. BUT 99% of the cars in Super Stock are automatic and run off of transbrake so if you don't cut a .040 or better on the sportsman tree and run within .02 of your dial you are toast. Plus, you have to go 6-7 rounds per event, no tow vehicles and the cost is $315 per National Event and they are 4 days starting on Thursday, $285 for a Divisional and they are 3 days and start on Fridays. To qualify to register for a National Event you also have to have grade points. 1 point per Divisional Event and it usually takes 2-3 grade points to enter before it fills up. So NHRA has it built in you have to run 2-3 events a year just to have the honor to enter a National Event. Payouts don't start until you get into the 3rd round ... If you have any other questions for me let me know, I will be happy to fill you in!

 

I've ran at the US Nationals the last 2 years with 1 grade point each year. 2010 in Stock and 2011 in Superstock.

Just an FYI for those interested in possibly running at that race.

 

How strict are they on the body dimensions? We are already over 1800 lb and under displacement but the front end dimensions might be the nail in the coffin.

 

It's pretty strict I believe it is completely STOCK dimensions.

Scott, you did the best job of explaining it I have ever heard.

 

Scott this is why I posted this. I wanted to see if anyone would race in Comp if they created a class for all-motor cars. There are already quite a few cars that could race if they would make a class in Comp with a reasonable index. The entry for a divisional in Div. 1 is only $175. Second round loser get's it back. Tony and I really like racing in Comp. Most National events don't have full fields in Comp. You can get in without any grade points.

 

i like going to events and seeing/racing with/against fellow sport compact racers. the whole comp thing isnt "the typical sport compact racers cup of tea" .


i dont think its cool that you come on here and basicly shove "comp" down everyones throats every couple of months. its the same dumb *** discussion everytime.

kinda like digging up a dead horse, just so ya can beat it another time....