2015 funny car series
Discussion
tom405 said:
Anyone heard any rumours about the 2015 funny car series? [...] I’ve seen some pictures of Gordon Smiths car being wheeled out the garage ready for Festival of Power so that is one confirmed at least!
Of course things could change between now and then, but I understand they're hoping for 5 entrants at the first round.Tet said:
I dislike 1000' racing as much as the next guy and would love to go back to 1320'. But I've never understood that sort of logic. I enjoy watching both, but I'd far rather see the full fat version over 1000' than see a reduced power version over the quarter mile.
Still watch 1000ft and enjoy it (almost) as much as most other classes, just not as much anymore. A quarter mile duel with Nitro, that was and still is the ultimate in drag racing epitomised.
Deep down there's also the niggle that you're being diddled by 1000ft. For all the arguments that have gone on and chances I have given it over the years I can't see my opinion ever changing.
SPR is a big haul for me, I think for the first time ever it's going to take more than 5 Fuel Coupes to get me through the gates this Easter.
Think you're in luck sounds like there are a fair few nostalgia funnys on the way. They look stunning (especially apache...) but like Tet I would rather see modern fc's... the nostalgia engines just don't quite rattle your eyeballs like modern ones do!
I was appalled when I heard about 1000ft racing - even those who know nothing of the sport have heard of the 'quarter mile'. After seeing it from the grand stands though I had to admit I really couldn't tell much difference, and I guess it helps european teams to afford to race to which is a good thing in this climate.
I was appalled when I heard about 1000ft racing - even those who know nothing of the sport have heard of the 'quarter mile'. After seeing it from the grand stands though I had to admit I really couldn't tell much difference, and I guess it helps european teams to afford to race to which is a good thing in this climate.
tom405 said:
I guess it helps european teams to afford to race to which is a good thing in this climate.
I'm not entirely sure that's true. When I first got involved in Top Fuel, 4 seconds and 300mph were the benchmarks. These days, we're hitting 300mph by the 1000' mark and even my last licencing pass would have been a 4 second run had it been over the full quarter. We're pushing the cars harder now than ever before. Parts damage (and hence cost of racing) is directly proportional to how hard you're tuning the car. It doesn't matter much that we're racing over a shorter distance now.That's an interesting insight, makes sense. I still remember witnessing Barry Sheavills first 4 second run with my Dad, mind boggling to think that kind of speed is the norm now.
I suppose it all comes down to safety and that argument of whether it's better to restrict the power or the distance... I'd probably say neither but then I only have to watch!
I suppose it all comes down to safety and that argument of whether it's better to restrict the power or the distance... I'd probably say neither but then I only have to watch!
I think restricting the power has already been tried to some degree, mainly by the progressive reduction in nitro %. I am sure there are other mechanical restrictions such as blowers overdrive although I am sure others could be more specific.
Given the recent 3.700 at the NHRA season opener and regular 320mph + clockings over 1000 ft it is clear the teams are pushing as hard if not harder! The spectacle is still there, it is just over a few tenths quicker!
Given the recent 3.700 at the NHRA season opener and regular 320mph + clockings over 1000 ft it is clear the teams are pushing as hard if not harder! The spectacle is still there, it is just over a few tenths quicker!
Big go'75 said:
I think restricting the power has already been tried to some degree, mainly by the progressive reduction in nitro %. I am sure there are other mechanical restrictions such as blowers overdrive although I am sure others could be more specific.
The obvious way to restrict a modern nitro car is by limiting the size of the fuel pump. But the organisers have to tread a fine line between allowing the cars to go quicker and faster (which the public want), reducing costs (which the teams want) and keeping the speeds within reasonable limits (which the insurers want).Although I value all the opinions above, I really didn't mean to divert the thread into another 1000ft debate.
I only meant to point out the matter of the 1000ft ruling applying to the class in the topic as this was kind of sneaked in under the radar last year, (effectively slamming the door on full powered drag racing over the time honored distance as well as a couple of other things).
It would be great to see the class growing and improving nonetheless.
I only meant to point out the matter of the 1000ft ruling applying to the class in the topic as this was kind of sneaked in under the radar last year, (effectively slamming the door on full powered drag racing over the time honored distance as well as a couple of other things).
It would be great to see the class growing and improving nonetheless.
There is something very outlaw-ish and awesome about seeing a modern top fueler still doing a full quarter mile…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhBOwfxmKbE
Back to funny cars though; Seems like they’ve struggled to take off in the same way dragsters have in Europe. But I was surprised to learn that there were 16 car fields back in the eighties, it must have dropped off pretty rapidly at the end of that decade. Is that because the parts just became too expensive as the class got more advanced in the US, so the European teams couldn’t keep up? Or are there just not many people crazy enough to drive a fuel funny car over here?
Back to funny cars though; Seems like they’ve struggled to take off in the same way dragsters have in Europe. But I was surprised to learn that there were 16 car fields back in the eighties, it must have dropped off pretty rapidly at the end of that decade. Is that because the parts just became too expensive as the class got more advanced in the US, so the European teams couldn’t keep up? Or are there just not many people crazy enough to drive a fuel funny car over here?
I have always loved watching Fuel Funny Cars but for various reasons they seem to take 1 step forward and 2 backwards. The shockwave team have really upped their game over the past couple of years but Showtime have gone to ground (I understand the background) and others like Leif have come back in but are now selling up. A critical mass of 6 cars would be the makings of a proper series and 8 would be the business.
There is probably scope for a total of 16 to 20 Fuel cars to run in Europe and most of these will be destined for TFD, so only a limited amount of opportunity for Funny Cars and the less the interest the limit to the opportunity for a meaningful competition rather than a series of demo/match races.
There is probably scope for a total of 16 to 20 Fuel cars to run in Europe and most of these will be destined for TFD, so only a limited amount of opportunity for Funny Cars and the less the interest the limit to the opportunity for a meaningful competition rather than a series of demo/match races.
There is one halfway current US FC roller in Germany, was on display at Hock,
the owner definitely wants to put the proper powerplant in there
but wants to hire an engine plus spares plus crew from US.
I doubt he will be doing FC in 2015, maybe SP/ET with a tamer engine
to get a feel for the car but FC is his goal.
the owner definitely wants to put the proper powerplant in there
but wants to hire an engine plus spares plus crew from US.
I doubt he will be doing FC in 2015, maybe SP/ET with a tamer engine
to get a feel for the car but FC is his goal.
tom405 said:
Back to funny cars though; Seems like they’ve struggled to take off in the same way dragsters have in Europe. But I was surprised to learn that there were 16 car fields back in the eighties, it must have dropped off pretty rapidly at the end of that decade. Is that because the parts just became too expensive as the class got more advanced in the US, so the European teams couldn’t keep up? Or are there just not many people crazy enough to drive a fuel funny car over here?
I think there was some banning of nitromethane following the death of Tony "The Hitman" Boden at hockenheim in 1986? someone will knowMy memory of AAFC was driving towards Wroughton RN airyard and seeing the funny car bodies up in 1975
not sure how many but it was 8 at least for a Tor Line AAFC round
No General ban on Nitro as far as I know, in Hock 1987 there were Rick Henkelman and HJ Kuesel with their TAFCs,
no nitro cars, maybe the orga wanted to have a break after 1986, still remember the dry hops.
In 1988 it was Nitro FCs again with Harlan Thompson & Alan Bates plus AA/FAs driven by Clive Meachell and Rob Turner.
I think in UK the nitro cars were running non-stop.
no nitro cars, maybe the orga wanted to have a break after 1986, still remember the dry hops.
In 1988 it was Nitro FCs again with Harlan Thompson & Alan Bates plus AA/FAs driven by Clive Meachell and Rob Turner.
I think in UK the nitro cars were running non-stop.
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