Personally, the whole idea of running FWD and RWD cars in the same class is kinda ridiculous. Of course the RWD car has an advantage, it's the simple physics of the situation, but that advantage cannot be quantified in weight, or in what is allowed/not allowed in engine modification. The two drivetrain systems are completely incompatible in racing classes, so any attempt to run them in the same class is going to favor one or the other. (Take some of the SCCA classes. The miata is the fastest car in the class, so everybody buys miatas. Then, something else comes along, and everybody buys that. This is what created the "corvette" class from the Vettes, Vipers, and Cobras that used to run in a class together).
The PHRF system in sailing (where a handicap number is assigned AFTER the boat is built) is the only one that could remedy this, but that would take away the whole purpose of drag racing, because drag racing is much more about the engine than the skill of the driver. PHRF seeks to create a virtual one-design class, and what fun would a one-design (or showroom stock in car terms) drag racing series be?

The only viable solution is to have seperate categories. If there are too few cars to run a seperate series, then one WILL be favored over the other.

Just my $0.02
-John

 

From what I've seen in the All-Motor class the RWD's do not have a traction advantage over the FWD's.
Erick Aguliar 9.99sec FWD All-Motor civic consistently get 1.35 60ft's! He runs mainly in the Nopi series and have proven what a FWD is capable of. We've run a couple of times against him and I've seen his timeslip. Just because the rest of the pack in the FWD's can't step up to that level does not mean the RWD's should pay the price and keep being handicapped.

 

my only grief with this ruling by the NHRA to give advantages to FWD, thus, "leveling" the playing field, is in the combination of the classes. RWD cars are superior to FWD cars in racing, that is a fact. so why try to make two uneven things even?? for the sake of competition?? let them play with their own kind with the same restrictions and that is the only way to get the best team to the podium.

its like giving somebody a head start, give them a good enough lead and you will hit the finish line at the same time. heck, tie enough weights to michael johnsons back and i will beat him in the 400m, but it doesnt mean that i am faster, or trained harder, or deserve the win, now does it???

Justin

 

I talked to Ken. He has something new coming up that many of us have been hearing rumors about. I'll let someone else confirm that down the road.
Anyway we got into talking about last season. It turns out that Leslie's car was 500 lbs. lighter!!!!! That it outrageous. People can remark all the want to about how Ken or Jesus should have could have or whatever but the bottom line is 500 lbs. is bullshit.
The NHRA made some changes to even it out a little again BUT that does not mean they will not pull the same **** next season.

I bet if Ken "magically" knocks 1/2 second off his time through his "hard work" that the NHRA would not drag their feet on making rule changes for "the sake of competition" a helluva lot quicker. They sure won't wait until the end of the season.
Right now Leslie proved the FWD's can hang at 500 lbs. lighter. I still think the handicaps should be pointed out pretty often during these interviews.

 

I agree with this statement wholeheartedly, that's why I don't understand why the NHRA is saying that the FWD's are at a disadvantage, it's this type of bs I hate about racing sometimes. With those timeslips you can't argue that there is a disadvantage when it comes to traction on a FWD car.

 

The rules for next year might have changed for the sake of the RWD's but what is going to stop the NHRA from another mid season rule change to favor the FWD's again?
Is only a matter of time before they pull another stunt like they did last season.
I honestly believe if there are going to be any mid season rule changes then all the drivers/competitors should be in agreement or else the rules at the beginning of the season should stay.

 

If they were to point out the handicaps during interviews then it would seem the RWD's had no advantages!
You realy think that being 500lbs lighter, 40 to 60 more horsepower and 60ft traction being the same and often better than RWD's are something that Mopar or the big FWD sponsored competitors would like to be known time and time again on public television.
Remember the truth is always boring! Got to keep the sponsors happy.

 

It is the wording of the interview that pisses me off more than anything. They make it sound as though this all just kind of happened on it's own.
That's like coming out and bragging that you whipped Mike Tyson's *** after somebody cracked him in the head with a baseball bat.
I know they were not going to do the right thing about this but I think it is good for them to get some feedback when they pull this.
That smartass from the NHRA that responded cc'ed about 5 other people. I sent my reply back to every one of them. They didn't want to respond to the last reply for whatever reason. But whoever he cc'ed sure got the RWD side of the story.
I know Ken and Jesus have to be really pissed alot more than me.
I know it is not realistic for them to say anything about the handicaps but it is not any more unrealistic than their rules and changes.

 

when was the last time you saw a FWD funny car at the Nats racing against John Force


500lbs....I would install a couple of seats and take my buddies along for the ride, it would be like a three man bob sled...

 

It just so happened to be on the same day he raced a rotary

 

Honestly this is turning into pure bullshit. The RWD guys have got to get together and do something about this and straighten the NHRA out. If enough people make a big fuss about it, they'll have to do something.