Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Originally Posted By: 02SE
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
I wasn't advocating going back to 1320 ft with the current engines. My main beef was that the races are over too quick. So I suggested going back to 1320 ft, and decreasing the engine power (smaller displacement, smaller blower, less nitro) to keep top speeds from going out of sight. I'd rather see close finishes between two cars that run all the way down the track and only go 300 MPH than one car going 340 MPH all alone. I think the only rule that effectively limited engine failures was the Oildown Rule: if your engine dumps oil on the track, you are penalized points in the season championship.
Other rules I could think of to improve the show:
1. No rebuilds between rounds. Only setting valve lash and changing spark plugs allowed.
2. Only two engines allowed per event.
3. If you change an engine during eliminations, it's an automatic time penalty at the start of the next round.
These rules would make the crew chiefs very conservative in their tunes, and vehicle performance would be limited. Limiting the number of engines and not allowing rebuilds would help the small-budget teams compete with the big-budget teams.
I know I said I wouldn't reply to this thread again. Make that I won't waste my time entertaining someone that is apparently intentionally trying to be annoying.
Not you, A_Harman.
Anyway, the good news is the racing class you desire, already exists. It is called Super Comp. They are still Dragsters, but they are tame enough to meet all of the regulations you would like to see implemented. The racing is very close, and you'll have plenty of time to watch them as they run down the track. The racing is also cheaper, so more people can compete.
I'm not trying to turn Top Fuel and Funny Car into bracket racing. Preserve the sight and sound spectacle of the nitro classes, but dial back the performance about 20 years' worth. Do you think the fans would lose interest if the Top Fuel cars were "only" running 5.20 @ 290 mph? That's the kind of performance level I'm thinking of. From this reset of performance, it would be newsworthy when racers break the 300 mph and 4 second barriers again.
Well, I know that I and most of my colleagues would lose interest in campaigning a Top Fuel car, which has been watered down to 'Mediocre Fuel' status. Most of the fans I've talked to while at the races, have also stated that they feel the same way.
Even the performance of 20 years ago, required rebuilding the engine after every pass. Dialing back the performance to that of an 8.9 second pass such as in Super Comp, MIGHT be attainable without rebuilds between rounds, but it definitely WOULD eliminate the sight and sound spectacle of the Fuel cars.
I hate to see the premier class in any form of racing watered down until it is a shadow of it's former greatness. F1 and MotoGP come to mind.
The current Top Alcohol Dragsters are right there at the performance level you're seeking.
Shannow, the Rapisarda team has been over here in recent years, campaigning in TF. Great people.