Rethink? 11.50 or Pro 8? We have one 11.50 race under our belt with .46 being the difference from 1 to 16.

None of our heads up classes, even when Pro 8 was Quick, 4 has ever been this close from top to bottom.


If any class needs help it is 10.0. We have to get our high 10 cars believing that is where they belong

 

The stat man comes through

 

In regards to the stats, We had 23 cars show up for the 1st 11.50. I knew of 4 that said they were going to be a no show and are interested in the class. This class will grow. There are a large number of Vettes running mid 11's. A new factory stock Vette can run a few tenths slower then this index. With a minimal amount of $$$ you can step it up to run in the class.

The 11.50 already had more racers in the first race then the 10.00 class - not bashing the 10.00 of course. My point is that this is off to a huge start. If we had 4 to 6 vettes show up, I would restructure the class rules.

I predict we will have 30 Vettes try to qualify in one of the 5 races we have this year.

I think we started off on the right foot. Last year some of you know I stood my ground about a 16 car field and not an 8 car field. The track told me it was going to be an 8 car field or nothing. My reply was "I guess it will be nothing, we have over 20 Vettes here to qualify for an 8 car field. They will never come back again if you have an 8 car field." After explaining myself to the track, They understood my point and we spoke about the pros and cons of a 8 and 16 car field. I know we made the correct choice.

If anyone has any questions, thoughts or ideas please share them with me. I am always open for suggestions.

 

Hey Rob...

Don't sweat it.. This event is gold...
(seriously now....) The 11.50 index affords many racers the chance to compete in heads up racing..

Sure there are high 10 second to 11.00 cars running, but these cars don't run in the 10.0 index, just like the 12.20 cars don't run in the 11.50 index.

The 11.50 index accomodates cars that can run 10.80-12.00

Think of it this way:
If there was an 11.00 index, you'd incorporate some of the 10.0 cars for sure..

Edgar is correct, his 10.5 car really has no place in the 11.50 index, but if there was an 11.0 index, he'd be in it..

Guys running high 10's-low 11's have every right to run in the 11.50 index, as guys 11.50 & up would if there was a 12.0 index..

 

Sand bagging is actually a good strategy in bracket racing, especially if you have the faster car.. It is a lot more difficult to sand bag successfully if you are the slower car.. Some of the most successful racers at the tracks that I race it hold at least .1

 

Well, that applies to naturally aspirated cars.. However, people like Mark Shaw and myself who run nitrous for maximum performance can run different indexes without sandbagging.. For example, my '68 runs about 9.90's on engine in cold weather and low 10's in warmer weather, so on a 10.0 index I either run engine only or a timed nitrous shot coming in very far down track.. If I'd run the full 250 shot, my car would be a contender in 8.5 index even though my car is not capable of mid 8's but it should be capable of high 8's.. However, I haven't run the full shot yet... Mark Shaw has won the 8.5 index running 8.90's, so a 8.90 car could be very competitve in a 8.5 index race..

 

I would agree that theres no crying in index racing. The day I start crying about drag racing is the day I need to get a new hobby.

I started this thread to discuss a thought that crossed my mind, was'nt trying to change the world. I don't even run the 11.5, lucky if I can run a 12.0 index, although I am gunning for it.

 

Not for very long. I know of 3 cars that will run the index very soon and I am guessing that the net jet cars will put bigger ones in or be out of the money cause the turbos will rule and the N jets will drool.

 

My comment about crying was a joke. Remember Tom Hanks in "League of Their Own" telling the ball player "There's no crying in baseball?"

Always striving to go quicker is the nature of the beast. Nobody said you are trying to change the world or even the rules. I shared my opinion based on my experience. When I raced the Pro 10.0 I didn't care who was in the lane next to me. I knew my car was dialed in, I knew I could cut a good light and that's all I cared about. Just run your program and don't worry if the guy next to you is capable of 11.50 or 6.50.

 

I'm with Ellis. The 11.5 index is a very good class. There are lots of cars that can compete. Its the first season and only one event. Let the season take its course and see where it ends up.