Jap racing comes of age
Discussion
I noticed in the Eurodragster Autosport show coverage that John Bradshaw mentioned the HKS series will be running at mainstream events this year. It seems they'll be running at the Thunderball, Summer Nats and National Finals, and will be requiring an MSA licence and using the same rule book as the rest of us.
I'm in two minds about this. On the one hand, it can only serve to increase the popularity of drag racing in this country, which has to be a good thing. But on the other hand, the cars could have entered into one of the existing categories (one of the bracket classes, super classes or Comp Eliminator). With pressure on the number of classes as it is, does this mean we'll be losing one of the more traditional classes to make way for the HKS series, in the same way that Sportsman ET and 9.50/10.50 bike had to go? Were I in Super Street, I'd probably be getting quite nervous about now. I suppose the reality is that most of these guys wouldn't enter into the traditional classes anyway, so the only way to get them involved is in their own class.
I'm in two minds about this. On the one hand, it can only serve to increase the popularity of drag racing in this country, which has to be a good thing. But on the other hand, the cars could have entered into one of the existing categories (one of the bracket classes, super classes or Comp Eliminator). With pressure on the number of classes as it is, does this mean we'll be losing one of the more traditional classes to make way for the HKS series, in the same way that Sportsman ET and 9.50/10.50 bike had to go? Were I in Super Street, I'd probably be getting quite nervous about now. I suppose the reality is that most of these guys wouldn't enter into the traditional classes anyway, so the only way to get them involved is in their own class.
Good post,,dont personally like or understand the whole jap thing ,but if it promotes the sport to a wider audience then bring it on ,it will allow the sport to survive and grow ,and allow us dinosaurs to race on ,ironically i dont think the the younger import guys understand us!! bill
Edited by fester426 on Monday 12th January 21:08
Fingers crossed it doesnt mean another class cant run as i'd hate that to be honest & not the way to make friends is it....
To clarify - only one class of the HKS runners will run at these events
Thunderball - only the Pro Class from the HKS Series
Summer Nats - only the FWD Class
Nats - only the Street Class
For the HKS rounds there are 3 qualifying runs & then eliminations - based on the normal field sizes that would mean 6 runs in total - would hope that this can be fitted in the schedule to suit.
Means a tough start to the year for my old girl as we planned to run at the Thunderball this year anyway & a lot more mainstream events - now means we have to run in 2 classes & eliminations so more wear & tear - that's if we can turn the car around quick enough (subject to the running order)
To clarify - only one class of the HKS runners will run at these events
Thunderball - only the Pro Class from the HKS Series
Summer Nats - only the FWD Class
Nats - only the Street Class
For the HKS rounds there are 3 qualifying runs & then eliminations - based on the normal field sizes that would mean 6 runs in total - would hope that this can be fitted in the schedule to suit.
Means a tough start to the year for my old girl as we planned to run at the Thunderball this year anyway & a lot more mainstream events - now means we have to run in 2 classes & eliminations so more wear & tear - that's if we can turn the car around quick enough (subject to the running order)
Edited by trackday addict on Monday 12th January 21:40
at MSA meetings I really doubt it'll effect the presense of other established classes
and why don't they want to enter existing classes? heads up! nothing against bracket racing but the HKS series has been built on heads up racing so its what they're used to and like
personally I welcome them to mainstream drag racing, John Bradshaw's and Steve Whittaker's cars from what I've seen are equally entertaining and more so than some others, and unquestionabley quick
and why don't they want to enter existing classes? heads up! nothing against bracket racing but the HKS series has been built on heads up racing so its what they're used to and like
personally I welcome them to mainstream drag racing, John Bradshaw's and Steve Whittaker's cars from what I've seen are equally entertaining and more so than some others, and unquestionabley quick
MotorPsycho said:
at MSA meetings I really doubt it'll effect the presense of other established classes
This year I'll agree with you. Probably next year too. But if the series grows, and I expect it to, then I wouldn't bank on it staying that way. Still, I guess that's probably an inevitable direction for drag racing to take, particularly given the success of the sport compact classes on the other side of the pond.MotorPsycho said:
John Bradshaw's and Steve Whittaker's cars from what I've seen are equally entertaining and more so than some others, and unquestionabley quick
That's something I'll happily agree with. Like Bill, I don't really understand, or particularly like the Jap scene, but John's car was great to watch last year, and I'll be happy to see it and others like it this year. As a racer in a class that is unquestionably not a crowd pleaser, I have to admit that many more people will want to watch the Jap cars than, say, my own.fester426 said:
Good post,,dont personally like or understand the whole jap thing ,but if it promotes the sport to a wider audience then bring it on ,it will allow the sport to survive and grow ,and allow us dinosaurs to race on ,ironically i dont think the the younger import guys understand us!! bill
We cant keep racing 40,50 and 60 year old designs forever the sport does need to move on or it will just stagnate.Edited by fester426 on Monday 12th January 21:08
The average age of the import owner is actually surprisingly high probably due to insurance costs and quite a few have been around drag racing in one form or another for a while for example Guy Chamberlain of CPL Racing (fastest FWD in Europe fame) used to race bikes did quite well in 10.90 as i recall and I've been involved with drag bikes since 1992
Anything that puts bums on seats is a good thing thanks to the playstation youngsters aspire to owning a jap performance car more than they do a 1970's muscle car and it will give them something to relate to.
It's also a good thing that the cars will be subject to mainstream drag racings safety standards
Dont you think its typical of drag racers though , one minute we are worrying that due to the economic climate entries will be reduced and then we complain that there is no room for additional classes
MotorPsycho said:
I'll disagree about the stagnating, some of the most popular racing right now is in the nostalgia scene
I know nobody can answer this, but i would be interested to know a head count on how many went drag racing for the first time because of the nostalgia display at goodwood. Not many I think. 
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