"Some changes are coming. . ."

This month I am going to talk about some changes that I have seen coming and have heard about for quite some time. One such change that I can relate to is the implementation of an entire new batch of classes for NHRA Stock class racers. I raced a Stock Eliminator car for three seasons and it was when the EFI cars just started to show up and dominate certain classes in heads-up races. To get the information correct I called NHRA Director of Sportsman Racing & Member Tracks and all-around great guy, Len Imbrogno. He has a great relationship with sportsman racers and is genuinely concerned that when rule changes are made they are made when the greatest number of members will benefit. More on that point later.

Here are the Questions and Answers and some points of discussion I had with Len Imbrogno on October 29th.

DRO: Len, I have heard from different racers and read on different web sites that NHRA has decided to make new classes for electronic fuel injected (EFI) cars. Is this correct?

Imbrogno: Yes it is true that NHRA has decided to establish 22 new classes for Stock eliminator. They will be comprised of cars that came with EFI and will be classified on a NHRA factored horsepower to pound classification system. These classes will be defined in "one pound" weight to horsepower classes whereas all other Stock classes are set up in "one-half pound" classes. The new classes will be "A" through "K" automatic and stick with special EFI class names.

DRO: When did the decision process start on establishing separate classes for EFI cars? Was input from racers a consideration?

Imbrogno: The decision process started in the summer of 2001. NHRA was receiving input from racers that they felt the more aerodynamic EFI cars had inherent advantages over earlier style bodies and carbureted engines. The NHRA wanted to make a decision based on "the greater good" that would benefit the greatest number of people. The majority of racers get the majority of the considerations. The input has been positive for the most part and like any rules change, I have received a few calls that could see the negative side.

DRO: Was this decision also based upon trying to get everything in order for the future? What I mean is, there is a limited amount of time that Stock racers will be able to find parts for some of the cars currently competing in the upper classes (A through D for example). Are you looking for GM, Ford and Mopar to have some input into what Stock Eliminator may need to be to survive?

Imbrogno: Without a doubt there will be a lot of changes upcoming for the Stock classes just as there will be a lot of the same cars still competing in the future. We are NOT trying to eliminate any certain types or age of cars. In fact we feel separating the EFI cars will bring out some carburetor cars that have been "garaged" for a couple seasons due to EFI car domination of their class. Like many decisions the proof whether the decision was good or bad will come after the racing starts. The intent of NHRA was to make racing better for more racers.

DRO: When I owned and managed my own drag strips I had to deal with what is known as the "verbal minority." These are the racers that make all the noise about rule changes, why they won't work and claim they are "speaking for everyone." It took me about a month to figure out they are about 5 percent of the racers and the other 95 percent are satisfied to follow the rules and enjoy the sport. Have you had to deal with this "verbal minority" yet?

Imbrogno: Yes, on several subjects. It is just human nature and I do not feel it has a negative effect on the sport. The racers that are very competitive, set national records and win the big races are supposed to oppose changes, it is a natural reaction. NHRA has to make changes from time to time that will enhance the sport for more people to assure its future. NHRA respects the racers who are the ones who make the extra effort to set records and travel the country to race with us. At the same time we have to consider the needs of all the racers as well.

DRO: Stock Eliminator is one of your fastest growing classes. Now, with more classes available, do you think it will grow even more?

Imbrogno: Yes, I feel more cars will be built for the EFI classes and a lot of cars will be updated and brought out of semi-retirement to race with NHRA again.

DRO: At some major events -- the U.S. Nationals at Indy comes to mind -- there is a limit of 128 cars that can qualify. In your opinion, due to the additional classes that will be qualifying, will this number be increased?

Imbrogno: I don't know of any plans to increase the maximum qualified field of cars from the 128 currently used. I realize it will be pretty tough to get into the final 128-car field at the Gatornationals, Indy and maybe a couple others. The competition will be intense and it will be good for the Stock class in general.

DRO: During our conversation you mentioned a few things that might happen in Stock in the next few years: reduce the number of classes, install some sort of special "heads-up class" (a.k.a. Top Stock) type of racing and factory involvement in Stock racing. If you had to look into a crystal ball how do you see this happening?

Imbrogno: There probably are too many classes but changing them creates some problems. There are a number of racers that want us to consider ideas such as combining stick cars with automatics or going to one-pound weight breaks in all the classes to cut the number of classes in half. This means the cars would have to add and subtract a lot of weight through the use of ballast. The methods of adding and subtracting this weight would need a close look by the Tech department. The "heads-up" spin-off of Stock Eliminator will probably become a reality when the factories get behind it. Some examples are the new V-8 GTO from GM, the 2004-5 Mustang V-8 from Ford and a Hemi-powered rear wheel drive car from Mopar. These projects are more than drawing board rumors. The factories know the public want performance cars and the factory will need ways to promote these cars just like they did in the 60's. I hope NHRA can be part of a new resurgence in factory-backed muscle car racing.

DRO: With the success of the IHRA Crate Motor classes do you think NHRA will be adding classes to Stock Eliminator where older cars can be retrofitted with new factory "crate engines"?

Imbrogno: I don't see that happening. We have a strong group of Stock racers and I feel NHRA has plenty of classes for racers to choose from.

DRO ANALYSIS: I really enjoyed talking to Len and his honesty and positive outlook on Stock Eliminator was refreshing. I want to thank Len for taking the time to talk with me and our readers.

I connected pretty close to what he was saying as I ran a friend's H/SA car for three seasons. It got frustrating when the EFI cars first came out and could out run us by four-tenths in a heads up race. It led to me quitting the class and probably a lot of other guys, too.

Now, with the EFI cars getting their own classes, there is ONE MORE THING I would like to see changed: Get rid of the "heads-up rule" during eliminations when two cars in the same class race.

Why is the entire race a dial-in type race (as long as you are under your class index) until you run into a car in the same class? You can be a great driver in a good car that runs five-tenths to six-tenths under but if you hit the "wrong car" on the ladder that can run one-second under the index even a .500 light probably won't be enough. One way to appease t

he guys who say it is a performance-based class would be to run class at National Events on Thursday. It is not a popular opinion right now but if it were changed I think they would have more cars at points meets and nationals events immediately. But therein lies the problem, does NHRA really need any more cars? The races I have attended have been pretty packed already.

SUPER CLASS: CHEATING OR NOT?

Now this subject is ongoing, never-ending and probably always will be that way. The latest efforts to try to control the attempts at cheating are getting better, at least in my opinion. NHRA recently announced that it was contacting manufacturers of delay boxes and data recorder systems, including playback tachometers, to see what could and could not be done to make sure these items are harder to modify by racers who think cheating is their ONLY HOPE TO BE A STAR!

I made a call to John Miller of NHRA and he told me it looks like there will be 12 models of "approved" delay boxes / timers. The models will be listed in National Dragster and I will list them here as well. The manufacturers are currently looking into what they can do to prevent their box from being tampered with. It is a shame that this even has to be done, but some people just can't accept losing. I feel bad for anyone who thinks cheating can be confused for winning -- Cheaters are LOSERS!

I recently was talking to a friend who races late model stock cars and he was telling me he had used "traction control" for two years on his late model stock car. It is hidden inside the ignition box and in the wire harness itself. Their rules are a bit more "muddy" when it comes to this but he finally took it out. I guess his conscience got the best of him. Technology has gotten to where a GPS system can be used to tell location of a stripe painting truck at an airport to within 12 inches over 3,000 feet. Shouldn't be too hard to tell your car's location over 1,000 feet in, say, 7 seconds. That would make it easier to know if you were about to break out, wouldn't it? It's all out there and I hope it never shows up. I want to keep it as a sport where it takes some preparation, some desire, some practice, some faith and some good luck to get that big win.

Thanks for reading "Dead-On" this month. I know I changed my format a little by doing the interview and talking about Stock Eliminator but I think the changes I mentioned are coming for all racers. We will need a more open mind to the Import car racers as they could be the next big "thing" to help local tracks survive and improve their facilities. Summit's World Championship for Bracket racers was a huge success. Personally, I think they need to spread the money around to more racers but a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Chip Horton who is the National Champ.

Be sure to look at the latest "Project 4-Link" site after you read this article. We installed a Moroso Vacuum Pump on the 540" Indy Mopar and go over some cold weather racing tips and storage ideas for race cars, trailers and motorhomes.

Have a great Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends,

jok@racingnetsource.com

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