I have been racing for years and never run a alternator. I always have to charge the battery as often between rounds as I can. A Rock 16 volt battery is one of the best I have found to use not running a alt. and its a plus when cranking.

And yes now that I run alcohol and never have to cool the engine,I thought why not run a alt. and never have to charge the battery again. But with running a belt drive fuel pump & vacuum pump(dragster) there is no room left for a alt. I would try running a cheap one if I could but if it hurt my ET it would go in the trash can.

PS best way to find out if you would be better with-out one is to try it. You can pick up a cheap belt at Advance and if it works all you have to do is pull the alt. off,if its no help you are only out a few $$$. If I can try something for only a few $$$ to speed my car up,I'll spend the few extra $$$ every time.