Automatic Tranny is Cheating?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (MMarquez)
An automatic transmission is no more cheating in drag racing than a manual is on the oval or road course. It is simply the best equipment for the job at hand. Also, its not like most racers are simply putting their cars in drive and running through the gears, (Although I do, and I'm not apologizing for it either! My car runs its quickest et's shifting itself with my current setup, next year will be different.) Drivers are still having to watch their tachs and make shifts at the appropriate times to stay quick and consistant. I think its just as easy to be late or early on a shift with an auto as it is a manual, so yes driver skill still plays a role in winning races, and fellas THAT is the bottom line.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles Founder, West Coast Corvette Challenge
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (Joel Platts)
Hmm...this is interesting. If consistency is the name of the game, and it IS, then that explains why us straight-line types prefer automatics.
Then again, the finalists in the West Coast Corvette Challenge both drove sticks.
Moral of the story: WHAT you drive is important. HOW well you drive it is, perhaps, even more important.
Just my .02 cents.
Gary
Then again, the finalists in the West Coast Corvette Challenge both drove sticks.
Moral of the story: WHAT you drive is important. HOW well you drive it is, perhaps, even more important.
Just my .02 cents.
Gary
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 16
From: Little Elm TX
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (TravisD)
Hey, none of the "legends" out there in any form of motorsport are there because they did it the hard way. They got there because they won, mostly thru having the best setup to get the job done. Dragracing is IMHO 90% car, 10% driver. Autocross on the other hand is 90% driver, 10% car.
Its driver, regardless of the racing venue.
As far as if an auto is cheating.... thats just silly.
cheers,
Beach Bum
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles Founder, West Coast Corvette Challenge
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (Beach Bum)
Hey, none of the "legends" out there in any form of motorsport are there because they did it the hard way. They got there because they won, mostly thru having the best setup to get the job done. Dragracing is IMHO 90% car, 10% driver. Autocross on the other hand is 90% driver, 10% car.
I disagree with this..... dragracing is a solid 80% driver, 20% car..... in particular bracket racing. For most of my races, I've been racing on a track that I cannot consistently hook on thus rendering my vette basically useless from a consistency point of view.... but somehow managed to win some rounds, whereas I have a buddy with the most consistent racecar I've ever seen, and he couldn't win back to back rounds if his life depended on it.
Its driver, regardless of the racing venue.
As far as if an auto is cheating.... thats just silly.
cheers,
Beach Bum
I disagree with this..... dragracing is a solid 80% driver, 20% car..... in particular bracket racing. For most of my races, I've been racing on a track that I cannot consistently hook on thus rendering my vette basically useless from a consistency point of view.... but somehow managed to win some rounds, whereas I have a buddy with the most consistent racecar I've ever seen, and he couldn't win back to back rounds if his life depended on it.
Its driver, regardless of the racing venue.
As far as if an auto is cheating.... thats just silly.
cheers,
Beach Bum
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 0
From: Beltsville Maryland
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (Beach Bum)
Iam with Beach on his statement ."It's 80% driver and 20% car". Some of the comments almost refer to the auto car as being in a "autopilot" mode. :lol:
Keep in mind that alot of auto transmissions ,including my tranny have manual valve bodies. requiring the driver to manually shift through the gears.I have had both a 6M and a TH350 in this same car,so Iam talking from my own experieces.The driver is controlling the car in every aspect from:Dial in, heating the tires ,staging,engine temp,launch rpm,reaction time,shift points and finish line stategy.Cars do not win races....drivers do.
Phil
Keep in mind that alot of auto transmissions ,including my tranny have manual valve bodies. requiring the driver to manually shift through the gears.I have had both a 6M and a TH350 in this same car,so Iam talking from my own experieces.The driver is controlling the car in every aspect from:Dial in, heating the tires ,staging,engine temp,launch rpm,reaction time,shift points and finish line stategy.Cars do not win races....drivers do.
Phil
Pro
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
From: Littleton, CO USA
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (Beach Bum)
Hey, none of the "legends" out there in any form of motorsport are there because they did it the hard way. They got there because they won, mostly thru having the best setup to get the job done. Dragracing is IMHO 90% car, 10% driver. Autocross on the other hand is 90% driver, 10% car.
I disagree with this..... dragracing is a solid 80% driver, 20% car..... in particular bracket racing. For most of my races, I've been racing on a track that I cannot consistently hook on thus rendering my vette basically useless from a consistency point of view.... but somehow managed to win some rounds, whereas I have a buddy with the most consistent racecar I've ever seen, and he couldn't win back to back rounds if his life depended on it.
Its driver, regardless of the racing venue.
As far as if an auto is cheating.... thats just silly.
cheers,
Beach Bum
I disagree with this..... dragracing is a solid 80% driver, 20% car..... in particular bracket racing. For most of my races, I've been racing on a track that I cannot consistently hook on thus rendering my vette basically useless from a consistency point of view.... but somehow managed to win some rounds, whereas I have a buddy with the most consistent racecar I've ever seen, and he couldn't win back to back rounds if his life depended on it.
Its driver, regardless of the racing venue.
As far as if an auto is cheating.... thats just silly.
cheers,
Beach Bum
Automatic transmissions far outnumber manually shifted cars throughout the country...just as they do at the dragstrips throughout the country. There are skilled stick shift drivers...there just aren't many stick shift cars.
Stick shift purists will love this....the NHRA 2001 Stock Eliminator Champion was Kevin Helms driving a very fast B/S 68' Camaro (4-speed). With the exception of a heads-up race (2 cars in the same class), Stock Eliminator cars dial a number just like we do at our bracket races. Kevin's advantage? I think it was skill. :yesnod:
Cheers,
OD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (LT1LS1)
Automatics definitely have an advantage in bracket racing, but it still takes some skill to race and win in an auto.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 1
From: louisville ky
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (Grafield)
Auto's are the way to go, just go to most bracket races and see who gets to the pay window. It will be a automatic car most of the time hands down. :yesnod:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (honas)
You really need the ET streets or slicks to be consistent and win with the 6M. Unfortunately you start racing defensively because your afraid to break something. This approach effects your whole strategy to win.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 7
From: Orlando Florida
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (Red Rocket)
If you race it, you have to work with it. Its a tradeoff- Bottom line, loose the stick if you
want true consistency.
p.s. I've seen plenty of guys try to be cool with a stick, only to miss a shift and become the first looser!! :sad:
want true consistency.
p.s. I've seen plenty of guys try to be cool with a stick, only to miss a shift and become the first looser!! :sad:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (Red96Coupe)
Pro Stocks run a stick because the rules require it. Keep in mind that they are Liberty's, have a vertical gate shifter, and shift without a clutch. If you recall, two years ago they went back to a stick shift from air shifters to put some skill back into the driver.
When was the last time you saw a comp or super comp with anything other than a powerglide?
When was the last time you saw a comp or super comp with anything other than a powerglide?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (Nitro Junkie)
Pro Stocks run a stick because the rules require it. Keep in mind that they are Liberty's, have a vertical gate shifter, and shift without a clutch. If you recall, two years ago they went back to a stick shift from air shifters to put some skill back into the driver.
When was the last time you saw a comp or super comp with anything other than a powerglide?
When was the last time you saw a comp or super comp with anything other than a powerglide?
I forget who was the first Pro Stock to use a Liberty, but I remember he picked up .05 - .08 by going to a Liberty, & then ALL the PS were using Liberty's within a month..
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick Maine
Re: Automatic Tranny is Cheating? (chrisgable)
There is another choice...
I had markedly more success racing a six speed than I have since switching to an automatic. However the cost of replacing clutches was simply too high.
I run an automatic with a manual valve body. I have to shift the car myself or it will not change gears. However I have no clutch. For me it is the best of both worlds.
I had markedly more success racing a six speed than I have since switching to an automatic. However the cost of replacing clutches was simply too high.
I run an automatic with a manual valve body. I have to shift the car myself or it will not change gears. However I have no clutch. For me it is the best of both worlds.
