| 
The trend is much less significant in Funny
Car, though, and actually the trend of "both good" side
by side races was near flat. Since the 85% rule change, the
data shows that about 10% more cars went down the track under
full power in Top Fuel and there were over 6% more good side
by side runs. In FC, there were over 5% more full power runs
and a little under 3% more good side by side races.
Chart # 3 FC - Percent of all cars going down the track
during eliminations under full power.
Chart # 4 FC - Percent of side by side elimination
runs
that both cars are under full power.
More data will be needed to confirm that the 85% rule trend
is still upward.
There is another interesting comparison. Using the air as
a governor (such as Denver), here are the rankings for the
highest overall percentage of good side by side eliminations.
| Events with 10 or more races since 1987: |
| TOP FUEL |
PRO STOCK |
1. Denver 59%
2. Seattle 55%
3. Phoenix 54%
|
1. Denver 92%
2. Reading 91%
3. Brainerd 91%
|
| FUNNY CAR |
PSB |
1. Fall Topeka 54%
2. Indy 53%
3. Denver 51%
|
1. Denver 94%
2. Atlanta 93%
3. Fall Vegas 92%
|
ADVERTISEMENT
 |
I found this extremely interesting considering all of the
governing rules, rev limiters, 85% nitro, etc. I've been
to lots of Denver races and always thought there were way
too many cars going up in smoke, but when I examined the
data and reflected back, it really was when the cars were
qualifying that they would go up in smoke and not in eliminations.
The conclusion is Denver produces the slowest times and
speeds, but some of the best side by side racing.
Fast speeds and quick times...opportunities to rotate the
Earth with the hope of a huge number often end up in smoke
while steady or even slow stats make for good side by side
racing.
So, what do you want? That is the question.
|
