Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

After reading the proposed one lap qualifying for the Outlaws I thought of a few plausible ideas if saving the track is on the minds. Making the racing exciting again and most importantly get the clars close enough that we see the driver emerge as the best instead of the best equipment or most funded team wins. The thread was gettin a bit to long and I figured who reads past two pages

1. Draw pill for position in heat. This would save time and save the track for racing, sadly over the years the Outlaws have forgot about inverts now I feel drivers know where they need to finish in the heats to gain advantage in the Main which the fastest start in the first 4 rows which is not very entertaining. Drivers that where the quickest in the old days definitely had to overcome the odds and usually start from the back of the Mains this is a practice that defnitely is not present any more and it makes for boring racing for the fans as one put it on here happy drivers = boring racing

2. Go with a smaller wing. A smaller wing would definitely put the racing back in the drivers hands as Haud put it a few years back on a TV interview. Also a smaller wing would create less drag and would not stick the cars as hard to the track which can also beat the hell out of the racing surface and save on enginges. With some of the big wings that run these days it would be interesting to see with the downforce what a sprinter weights under load. The tires are an issue too but I favor the old motto run whatcha brung, for outlaws they sure have way to many damn rules.

3. I favor the proposal to ban shock/ torsion bar controls from the cockpit, lets make racing a guessing game again and let the best man win with the closest set up in the pits.

4. I think with questionable fuel additives that can pass tech these days let the tracks go back to selling the same methanol that everyone else is running. Its one less thing that people can point too conspiracy theories.

5. If mag boxes are to stay in sprinters is it possible that they be located under the hood or out of reach of the driver? you always hear conversation about traction control and these days with the mag box located right in front of the drivers hands you wonder if there couldnt be a few toggle switches thrown in there advantage not just for traction control but Im pretty sure there is two points of ignition the standard, mag and the crank trigger Im pretty sure its as a low and high setting for either a hammer down track or backin timing off a bit for a dry slick? I know that they have discussed handing out random ignition boxes at each event which would be okay as well.

I along with many friends have watched sprint car racing from the late 70's to present and we love it and have had many conversations of the trouble the sport is facing. My opinions are just that opinions so think before you guys fire back on me. I just truly beleive racing is great no matter what happens cause like they always say a bad day racing is better than any day working. I understand the sport has evolved into high tech and I dont know if thats good or bad I just know in my heart for a race to be truly great it should involve a drivers talent not the talent or size of the teams wallet. I put down NAPCAR all the time just cause the damn races are to long but you stick the first 10 laps and the last 10 laps and figure all the different engines in the field and the set of rules that bascially tries to get all the cars as equal as possible and then the talent or luck of the driver shines through. Though I watch Nascar as well I sure dont think That Earhnhardt would of had as much praise over the years if he would of started in the front row 80 percent of the time hell he had to pass and pass rough to earn the name the intimidator right?

I've got something that I'm curious about everytime the "wing rules" topic comes up. Why not just run the PA 358 wings on the 410's? I believe these are 3' long x 5' wide bellies, but they still have the full sideboards for advertising & car control (just with more bracing). You can't deny that they put on a great show, and they're proven to hold up on some of the fastest tracks in the country. It seems like they would drastically reduce the straightline downforce, thus unhooking the car a little bit. They look close enough to a 5' x 5' wing that I think some of the casual fans wouldn't even notice the difference in looks. I would love to see 4 or 5 410 cars with these wings in an exhibition race and see what comes of it- get the drivers and fans responses afterwords, too. Any 358 teams got any input on why this would or wouldn't work? JMO-thanks.

how about taking the wings off and separate the drivers from the steering wheel holders.

infidel since 1970

One simple, easy to enforce rule that will save tons on money!!

One engine per race night, only.

Or at least if anyone changes an engine they start in the back.

I think it would be great to see a few non- wing events through the year in Iowa ecspecially since mother nature gave us a good hosing during the front row challenge that many couldnt wait to see all year. I know lately the topic has come up several times as non-wing racing is gaining popularity back among the fans. The biggest issue I have heard and its true that there have been many racers lost over the years that perhaps had the wings been in place perhaps could of went on to race much further than there departure. But we also have to look at the facts as cars have evolved over the years and many safety features that didnt exist pre-82' form fitting seats, 3" belts, lighter cars, tire evolution, wider cages, down tubes, and sissy bars. Non-wingers still take a hell of a tumble but im told its not the flip its the sudden stop that hurts. In wing racing it seems they just keep gettin faster and faster and now when they crash its getting scarier with every tumble at those speeds or impacts with the walls. Its a toss up these days as to whats safer wing or non-wing. I personally thing non-wing seperates the men from the boys its a cheaper motor program, easier on tires, and saves a bit on fuel. It will be interesting to see what rules are implemented and what actions are taken by fans and racers?

Drop the 410 Engine Rule.

Go to; 1. Any Engine Displacement or Configuration

2. Any Fuel (Including Nitromethane and or Nitrous Oxide)

3. Any Aspiration

This would give the creative engine-builders many different ways to build a competitive engine at reduced cost.

This would give the creative engine-builders many different ways to build a competitive engine at reduced cost.

and this would be accomplished how? by building an 800 ci. blown 100% nitro sprint car engine?

i'll take five please. four for R&D and the last to sell to you with those costs included.

ps. you'll have to pardon the sarcasim. i am still having trouble catching my breath after reading your post.

why would engine builders want that? that means less money dude!

The largest part of the problem with racing are promoters. they have non sens of the long-term direction of the sport anymore. Dirty sons of bitches. A good enforced rule book would solve a whole bunch of it all. But for all the wrong reasons promoters don't want to do anything.

You won't see the WoO do much - they want their drivers to have gigantic advantages consistently over any local guys they may race against.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Sorry Rick, didn't mean to take your breath away.

A ready to run, 500 cid, 85% nitro, 8000 H.P Top Fuel engine for about $60,000, or an 850+ H.P. Sprint Car engine for about $45,000. Who gets the better value?
How much H.P. does a sprint car really need?
With no engine or fuel rules I think it would be a lot easier to build that H.P..

I can see it now.

Tommy Ivo, a sprint car with 4 Buick nail head, fuel injected engines winning the Nationals.

Just a dream from the 60's back to reality for me now.

Save your butt, get a colon screening TODAY

For complete line of Sponsor Awards check out 
MarshallTownLaser.com

Duane Davis

Laser Engraving 
641-751-7777
101 N Center
Marshalltown, Iowa 

Hi Duane,

What made you change your mind?

Remember on May 24, 2007 at 10:33:24 PM you wrote;

guess as a fan, I see rules different than racers.

Racers have, and always will spend more money than they have to gain an advantage.

Fans pay their money to watch a race.

Most fans feel that racing is passing not following.

When Brian Brown can win a race from the tail at Knoxville, it looks like the show will improve, thus hopefully bring more fans to the stands so the race tracks can make more money so that they can pay the drivers more money so that they can still spend more than they should.

sort of a catch 22 I guess.

In 1986, I was buying RR Goodyear tires for Danny Lasoski for $165 each. Now a tire is $200.

In 1986, I was paying $1.05 a gallon for gas, now it is $3.25. Looks to me like the tire must be a pretty darn good deal.

Save your butt, get a colon screening TODAY

For complete line of Sponsor Awards check out 
MarshallTownLaser.com

Duane Davis

Laser Engraving 
641-751-7777
101 N Center
Marshalltown, Iowa 

Not a change, I still think that a motocycle tire on the RR and Ford tractor Ribbies for the front are still a good idea lol lol lol

I have real serious doubts that any rule makers would listen to anything I have to say however when they can't tell when I am speaking from the heart or simply B.S.ing lol

Save your butt, get a colon screening TODAY

For complete line of Sponsor Awards check out 
MarshallTownLaser.com

Duane Davis

Laser Engraving 
641-751-7777
101 N Center
Marshalltown, Iowa 

What's extremely volatile, very reactive, highly inflammable, water-clear liquid, develops nearly 3 times the energy from combustion as nitromethane, miscible with methanol, and is not detected vis-a-vis WoO's current fuel testing methodology?

"As long as I can have a fast boat, a margarita 
machine and can light my hair on fire, I'll be just 
fine."

Jason Giambi

Don't quite get what you are trying to say here Duane, but if you remember TV Tommy, you should also remember that Top Fuel was a working man's sport at the time and there were hundred's of competitive AA Fuel cars around the country, until tires & clutches killed the sport.

Same with Sprint Car racing, a true working man's sport, soon to be just another corporate racing series, unless something is done soon.

Take an honest look at doing away with the 410 formula engine and think about what the creative engine builder could do with all the stuff that today's speed equipment industry has to offer, if they could Take The Gloves Off..

Don

this is not rick.

but i have been called worse by better people. lol.

K45_1994AbstractKeithR

Abstract

Usages and meanings associated with three key cultural metaphors, ^"outlaw,^{" "}family,^" and "community" are examined in order to determine the limits of their applicability within American sprint car racing, and to provide a clearer understanding of the cultural significance of sprint car racing in America. These three metaphors have multiple functions. They are used to structure relationships, communicate codes of conduct, express attitudes, and enculturate participants.

The sprint car racing "community" is outside the mainstream of sport culture in America, and it is at once metaphoric, ideal, and real. Culture provides participants with a range of possible mechanisms for structuring, organizing, and communicating the value system(s) and symbolic system(s) involved in the construction and racing of sprint cars. Sprint car racing in America provides an outlet for a preferred way of life in which competitive behavior is a major aspect. Cooperation with those whom you are competing against functions to reinforce the values of the "community."

Ball State University

Muncie, IN 47306

"The largest part of the problem with racing are promoters. they have non sense of the long-term direction of the sport anymore. Dirty sons of bitches. A good enforced rule book would solve a whole bunch of it all. But for all the wrong reasons promoters don't want to do anything".

Substitute "Car Owner's" for "Promoters" and I think you got something.

The cultural significance of sprint car racing and enculturating participants...

"Going national, yet remaining Southern"* seems apropo as best describing the relevance of cultural significance as it applies to American motorsports, and those lovely t-shirts we've all been ranting about for the past week seem a statement in and of themselves to sprint car racing's enculturation of its participants and spectators alike.

The values of the "community" seem somewhat suspect, due in no small part to the governing body and its inability to foster "cooperation with those whom you are competing against" however, what relevance has any of this to propylene oxide?

*"borrowed" from Ben Shackleford's dissertation to the academic faculty of The Georgia Institute of Technology in fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the History and Sociology of Science and Technology

"As long as I can have a fast boat, a margarita 
machine and can light my hair on fire, I'll be just 
fine."

Jason Giambi

Very-Good! FasterPussyCat, and they say the only sport Intellectuals know anything about is Foosball. Propylene oxide? Probably would be legal with these rules.

1. Any Engine Displacement or Configuration 2. Any Fuel (Including Nitromethane and or Nitrous Oxide) 3. Any Aspiration