Reversers
Clutch management units and more than 3 discs
more than one port nozzle per cylinder
dual mags and plugs
more than 3 people on crew
multi car corporate teams
larger than 8:71 blowers
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Reversers
Clutch management units and more than 3 discs
more than one port nozzle per cylinder
dual mags and plugs
more than 3 people on crew
multi car corporate teams
larger than 8:71 blowers
Commercially made race-bred engines & driveline components (it was more interesting when you had to modify stock parts or build your own stuff:D )
Automatic transmissions ( I miss the gear-bangin' 4-speeds:cool: )
Tranny brakes
Stutter boxes, Delay boxes, Electronic throttle stops, anything that requires an onboard computer (why do we have a driver?:eek: :confused: )
Loss of the Gasser classes:mad:
glides and 383 strokers LOL
Nothing ruined it, it just changed....
All the good 4 speed classes are still there in Super Stock. The reason for breakouts and the resultant throttle stops, etc. was so that it isn't a case of the biggest checkbook wins!!~!!!
Most run automatics because it's a whole lot easier on driveline components then a 4 or 5 speed!!!! I love my 5 speed, but if you're going to run one in a big horse car and hard hitting suspension, make sure you carry a lot of spare parts!!!!! Even with the new Soft Lok clutch from McCleod, the driveline shock a 500 horse engine running a 10.5 slick and good suspension is gonna break stuff......
I use a two step stutter box. The launch pill helps me concentrate on the lights, and the hi pill is just cheap insurance for missed shifts or broken drivelines.....
I think I have the one word answer.
TIME
I thought I mentioned transmissions but upon review I didn't----yep I remember those days---drive to track, change tires, open exhausts, remove aircleaner--sometimes change rear gears( rear wheels off anyway, might just as well pull axles and change pumpkin)
Watch flagman---his arm bulges just before he lifts tip of flag off button
Electric starter--find radio station that pops the speaker when they activate system
Use a 1 X 2 board to hold brake pedal to keep car from moving( Pre line loc days)
Guess I prefer pushing the line loc, right foot to the floor(let the limiter do it's job), drop the clutch when it's time to go, pull the handle when the little light flashes....
One of my least fond memories of "the good old days" was the afternoon old Charlie lost a bunch of his right foot when the clutch blew up inside that aluminum bellhousing......
One thing that Killed racing is NHRa made so many rul changes that it cost to much to race . I can remember when we would go to a race and every guy off the street would bring his car to race .Then NHRA made an agreement with Sponcers to help them sell there product they forced every body to buy or go home ,most of the racers went home . Every Racer would bring friends the stands were full . now to make up for it NHRA hoses the racer to fill there pockets . To run a standard I need to buy a new scatter shield every 2 years because it costs more to ship and have my shield inspected than a new one is worth . I sent one back got hosed for the shipping & inspection then they tell me that it will not pass . They don't need a reason They rere ticed off when i told them to send it back . I sold it to a ovel racer they don't have B.S rules like NHRA.
Ok.. so we need a rich redneck to open a few strips across the country. Private strips with one rule: run what you brought.
Sounds hazardous to me! You cannot always depend on people to be responsible....even for their own safety....forget the guy in the next lane, or leaning on the fence!
I've got an old acquaitence with half a foot... (no wisecracks)... who didn't think he needed a scattershield. The pressure plate came through the floor by the gas peddle, and exited through the windshield!
THAT is called Darwin's theory of evolution.
It doesn't have to be a double strip, you can race the clock, not each other.
Put the stands to the rear and it's just the driver against the machine.
But then, I'd like to see board track racing come back too. No brakes, 100+ MPH, and BRASS BALLS.
Drag racing is not ruined...just changed with the times, same as everything else...
A one car drag race with all the fans behind the action.....Begs the question.....what fans????
If you wanna run heads up, the opportunity is there, just takes some big bucks to do it...
Board track racing went away when cars and bikes got too fast for it and too many people were getting killed...I liked single hoop sprint cars too....but they also killed a lot of people and have since been left to the nostalgia racers.
My favorite is still the Super Classes, and the no electronic brackets...I'd probably run a delay box and those brackets, just never have been worth a poop running off a box....and manual transmissions won't work with one anyhow and I really like to shift.
As for outlaw tracks with the racers governing themselves....Been there, done that. Either safety goes out the window or the biggest check book wins....sometimes both... Racers wil be racers and with few exceptions will push, pull, distort, and break every rule, safety or otherwise, that there is. Though it costs me $$$$$, I'm glad there's dedicated folks around like Richard to keep us all honest---and safe....
Drag racing cant be ruined in my book .... To me, its always been about run what you brung, and hope you brought enough......Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Severson
Actually, In the beginning of this thread, I was referring to much of the "spectator show" being lost.
In earlier years, it was cars that we could relate more to... great paint, chrome, and polish...violent launches...busted axles and driveshafts...guardrail to guardrail passes... wheelstands in every gear, 1320 feet of tire smoke!
As things have progressed, the cars make many more straight and uneventful runs. The competition is closer, and that is part of the experience, but the unpredictability was a big part of the "spectacle".
The popularity of nostalgia events would seem to indicate that many others also miss the "good ol' days" of drag racing.
I miss the smoky passes, the Gasser wars, AA/FA's, Super Stock, Jr. Fuel, AA/GD, etc,etc., but times change and you either change or get left behind.Quote:
Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT
I do think NHRA will go back to 1/4 mile racing in all classes ,but I do think that mid 4 second passes at 325+ will be a thing of the past.
Being an early fan of 1/8th mile racing, I was one of the people who contacted NHRA, and suggested shortening the distance. The only thing that seems to really limit these cars is traction, car weight, and distance. All other attempts to slow them down seem to fail. This also addresses the shut down area length problem, at some tracks.
I haven't been to a 1000 foot event yet, but I bet you can't tell the difference from the stands. I think it will be the standard from now on.
I still like running the eighth, it sure is a whole lot easier on parts!!!! Heck, I wouldn't mind a bit if they cut all the cars back to 1,000 ft. The launch, the light, and the first 60' is always the part of the race I work on improving most.
back in the early 60 we ran 1/2 mile drag races with scta at riverside raceway that was some good racing ted
I remember reading about them. Today, I can't even imagine what high gear was like!
commercialism
And I miss Jungle Pam and all the similar drag strip ladies!:LOL:
http://www.precision-illustration.co...ngle_Pam_1.jpg
But then agin there is Tiffany Furman!
http://www.dragraceresults.com/article.cfm?id=1463
http://www.dragraceresults.com/image.../Promo%201.jpg
Still amazes me the number of people who dislike bracket racing.... If it wasn't for the bracket cars out there every week, more strips would be closed.....and fewer people could afford to race and the cycle of strips closing down would continue.....
Instead of encouraging the bs that sez bracket racing is boring racing, maybe you should take time to thank your local bracket racers....they are the one's spending the $$$$$ on their cars and on ridiculous fees just to make a few passes on the track....
I raced in the 60's when class racing was still affordable to Joe Blow and a few buddies putting a car together, then through the 70's transitional times, like others survived the 80's, and joyfully jumped all over bracket racing and the Super Gas, Super Comp, and Super Street classes when throughout the 90's,,,,car counts were up, participation went up, companies were again interested in sponsorship $$$$ to get their name on a car.
Locally, I watched one track survive the bad times, and amazingly watched a new track open.... and the increasing numbers of bracket racers was most of the reason for it....
So, call it boring if you wish, but ya better be grateful the bracket racers stuck with it and kept spending the $$$$$ to keep the tracks open...!!!!!!! Had bracket racing not surfaced and flourished, maybe drag racing would be nothing more then the "old guys" talking about how good things were?????? There's still some of us "old guys" and a whole bunch of "new guys" out there running their cars every week to keep the tracks open so everyone can sit around and say how boring bracket racing is!!!!! Hey, at least we still have a place to race!!!!
The only silver lining I've seen in drag racing over the last yr. or two has been Outlaw 10.5 racing ..... they've been adding classes, payouts & addt'l tracks to race at.
This is heads up racing at its best (IMO) just like pro stock & comp elim. used to be in the NHRA.
But I too got a little tired of the hords of lwb dragsters that have taken over the bracket racing arena and I won't even touch on delay boxes & trottle stops in S/C, S/C & S/St.
I dropped out due to the expenses of every trick of the week needed to just be in the hunt.
Just ranting.......
Regs
Quote:
Originally Posted by REGs
Both the strips around here, one NHRA and one IHRA run "no electronics" brackets, separate points, separate payouts...and if you want to travel a bit there are some big pay-out electronic and no electronic bracket races throughout the country.... We built a '67 Comet tube chassis car better then 10 years ago, no boxes, no throttle stops and get over 100 passes on it every summer and never have to travel more then 100 miles towing.... However we've also taken the car vacationing at the big meet in Ennis, Tx. in March a couple times, and even one trip to the $10K to win bracket race in Bradenton, Fl. once.....
I guess my point is, it doesn't take the "trick of the month club" parts to be competitive, being competitive is all about being consistent.... Whether that's running a 14.0 door slammer or a 7.90 digger....
I just don't like all the negative's concerning drag racing!!!! I wonder how many potential racers are talked out of even trying cuz they think they have to have an unlimited bank account?????
Actually, one of the most consistently high car count brackets here locally is the no electronics, trophy only racing!!!!! Average ET probably around 14.50 for the whole field... But they show up every week and have as much or more fun then anyone there, pay their $$$$ to get in, and more then likely learn a lot and stay with drag racing for a bunch of years..... I started at age 16, and am putting a new bracket car together for ME this winter...present age, 58......
The best thing about drag racing these days, is if you wanna run a car and have at least a decent job, are willing to give up a bit of partying $$$ and convert it to car money, there's a class or bracket for you to run in.
It'll never be like it was....and IMO from a safety standpoint I would not like to see it go backwards.... Drag racing currently is safe, fun, and depending on your definition, even affordable!!!!
Hey guys back on line again,still kicking and this thread still hasnt left. Still involved in our drag racing club and getting bigger every year with exactly the same format.No Classes Come pay your 25.00 and run what you brung and run against eveyone else bikes cars truck etc. no electronics allowed and if we suspect someone running them well try to deal with them on the tree.
Lots of positive comments on the way we run this as its always intersting.
Somewhere in the world a pro mod is being built. Chevrolet block with hemi heads and a price tag of about a hundred grand just to build the motor. 2200 hp on a dyno. Should be a Killer....
Quote:
Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT
This is what I though until I went to Infineon this summer. Just when they got hauling they seemed to be missing the top end charge. I know they supposedly stop pulling at a 1000' anyway but it did make a difference and it wasnt as good. I really didnt expect it to seem that big of a difference but it was to me. NHRA needs to fix the problems as best they can and go back to what has become the 'standard' race for so long. Limit them in other ways but go back to 1/4 mile racing.
Doubt they're be many tracks spending the $$$$ to make a lot of improvements this year.... Money is gonna be tough to get hold of for track improvements, think most tracks will continue as they are, at least at the start of the year.... Haven't heard a lot out of NHRA about it yet this winter....
John force !!!
exactly!!!
greg anderson
Wow!!!!!
Being an old drag racer, and full of fond memories------just a comment about the last three posts---now keep in mind that I am talking about heads up, no breakout racing( sorry DAve) but pro type classes, the ones that prevail at national events and that you watch on TV
John Force, in total contributions over the years, has without a doubt, done more in total for TV coverage and popularity of drag racing and its personalities than anyone---he and his drivers/crew members always have some interesting words/sound bites for the camera---occasionally he -----
Anderson, however, has never smiled or uttered even a single slyable word that has enticed me to spend one dime on something from Pontiac, Summit, Goodyear or a ticket to go to a race-----Jason Line on the other hand shows some potential---Warren and Kurt are another pair thatI won't miss if they disappear
And then there is Shoe---Tony is-----from a racing back ground family of a group that has done more damage to my personnal views of the US Army and the USA than I wish to think about
If there were about 5 more guys like John Force involved in drag racing, NHRA would probably be bigger then NASCAR!!!!! John's never backed down from an interview, and is always the first one at the ropes to spend time with the fans.....
Gotta say that Anderson is one heck of a good racer, but he sure missed in the personality department. Kind of a dry sense of humor that just never comes across well on TV....
No breakout racing???? Yeah, it's great..... I just don't have deep enough pockets or enough sponsorship to do it.... Guess I'd much rather be running a class with a breakout time, or the brackets then not racing at all.... Just got a start on doing the year's bookeeping finals for drag racing, takes a bunch of cash to run, but it isn't even close to what it takes to run a pro car....
As with all forms of motorsports, the good old days are gone and they ain't coming back!!!!! I've got all the respect in the world for Jerry and the others who can sit back and say been there, done that and it was great..... The one's who get me upset are the dude's with no time in any kind of drag car saying how lousy it is cuz of the brackets and breakouts.... and one more time, don't knock it if you haven't tried it!!!!!
I just browsed through this whole thread, and am surprised no one has brought this up.......
What ruined....or is ruining drag racing?
Pinks.........
Or is it?.........I think that Rich Christianson is a total jerk....who stands out there waving his arms like a fool....basically taking the credit for what the racers are doing on that show.....The tracks have all the electronic equipment that was invented just for this purpose, and he insists on grand standing out there with his little army of drones to say if a race was proper or not..........Drama that is not needed and by his actions, condones street racing, as that is what it is intended to duplicate.........
However......the show does put drag racing back on TV....which is a good thing........
Opinions...................
Rich the idiot doesn't make me want to go drag racing or street racing, both of which I enjoy... He makes me want to puke... Good idea for a show, if they'd just use the lights and lose Rich.
I am not a fan of reality shows, and their phoney scripted drama. I have been a race fan since '58, but will change the channel when pinks comes on....(Unless it's the Tucson event, which has some of my paintwork in it) :-)~ I want to watch serious racing, not a pathetic attempt at building excitement.
Anyone else dislike the NHRA "countdown" format? Another attempt at drama. I think a win at the beginning of the year should mean as much as the end, and if you earn more points during the season, you win. No jumping through hoops!
What about Pass Time? Any of you guys watch that? I like it, no drama, just local guys and their cars. Just rodders guessing the et, plus its fun to play at home.
I agree that john force has done tons for drag racing, the guy is a marketing machine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT
I think all this countdown format is another attempt at child pshycology. To try and make a game show out of a racing season, draw in a mystic ora feel, Kinda like Nascar does but not as bad yet.
I like pinks only because they drag race cars, the arm drop, the arguing, I can do without. the always 10 second field is way too old and common. Seen 10 second fields a million times, lets see something else.
Hotroddaddy, I love pass time, watch it every night.
We have a friend/customer who does the pro-street or whatever its called--heads up but with a breakout---tough deal tho----weather machines, delay boxes, etc---but definitely tough to do
We helped a Comp racer run BA/A with a 500 inch hemi, 1380+ horse power---starts regulated by class indexs, but no breakout----but if you run too quick , gets you penalized next round---tough deal also
Count down???? sucks, big time, so bad we're lucky that it doesn't counter balance gravity----used to be you raced to win the round----then if you went far enough, the race---records could only be set at a devisional race and had to be backed up within an hour or the two final rounds at Indy---now any two runs over a 4 day event ------
The top fuel and funny car guys generally do a decent PR job at the big end, the pro stock guys fail miserably and if you have to listen to one of the womens ( erika, angelle) sob stories------makes you want to run right out and buy a motorcycle or car---guess its a good thing or too bad the dealerships are closed on Sunday nights
Professional fuel racing needs to get rid of----- dual magnetoes, 14:71 blowers, clutch timers, spark/timing curves, dual fuel pumps, anything over a two car team( could be one funny, one dragster) data collection should be the timing slip and anything visual the driver/crew saw/felt plus the timing slip
I would be happy to only have the 1/4 numbers---forget the reaction time, 60 ft, 330,1/8, 1000ft numbers
Prostock should run heads available at the dealership, limit valve lift, only one timing adjustment , no controlable shocks, and have spec gear ratios---trans/rearend, and carbon fibre windtunneled bodies??????