Quote:

---

Dumb question. Why just S/P clsss?

---

guess they took a poll and the drivers preferred 1/8 mile citing safer and easier on parts.
Yes Myron, it is a fairly short shutdown, I and numerous others have not had a problem but we are not running 150-160 mph eather.

Quote:

---

S/P because they are faster. Doesn't the track have less shutdown than most other 1/4 mile tracks. May also have something to do with insurance.

---

Quote:

---

I will be keeping an eye on that date,sounds interesting, even if all I can do is watch.

---

Quote:

---

...and also ?? ... makes the eliminations go-through faster ?

---

Quote:

---

Why would top speed become an issue now? They used to run a national event there, right? And that's when the fuel cars were still running the full 1/4 mile!

---

A number of years ago they added an extention of the track across Refugee Road and actually installed a traffic light there to stop crossing traffic,,I don't believe they utilize that during a regular event, so the really fast cars don't have that benefit,,loose your laundry and you may be on the binder's pretty hard.

Quote:

---

top alky cars all get stopped fine.. most braket cars complain about the bump more than anything.

---

"the bump" doesn't seem to bother my car,,,as a matter of fact I couldn't tell you what lane it's in,,,guess I'm just not fast enough.

Quote:

---

I bad talked 1/8 mile racing for years, til I tried it. Now it's what I like.
Easier on the car, use less fuel, get to make more runs in a day, race day is over sooner.

---

1/8th mile is ok as my home track is just that (Pacemakers),,I just like the fact that the actual ride lasts longer and a lot of things have been based on 1/4 mile times and MPH,,,I will still race at Trails,,just a little dissapointed

Quote:

---

Maybe it lets a smallblock win a little more

---

be nice now,,,

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Maybe it lets a smallblock win a little more

---

be nice now,,,

---

Quote:

---

I quit going to 42 for two reasons,The "bump" and the 1/8 mile deal. So many tracks going to 1/8 mile now and it's just no fun for a stick car with a 5-speed the reason I like racing is to row the gears
I hate 1/8 mile tracks
Gus

---

If i was told correctly the 1/8 mile is because of the bum,,,no wait, sink hole at dragway 42,,I like that track and the new 250' of concrete is nice,,but hang on at the 251' mark in eather lane.

Quote:

---

I quit going to 42 for two reasons,The "bump" and the 1/8 mile deal. So many tracks going to 1/8 mile now and it's just no fun for a stick car with a 5-speed the reason I like racing is to row the gears
I hate 1/8 mile tracks
Gus

---

Throw some more gear to it, You will still be rowing the gears

Like said before try it you will like it

Quote:

---

in super pro,,National Trails here in Ohio announced Sat. Dec 22 that the format will be 1/8 for S/P but so far no other classes will change seem's like S/P is the wrong class to be in anymore,,Wonder if that holds true for venues like Mopower events and Mopar Nats???

---

Quote:

---

I quit going to 42 for two reasons,The "bump" and the 1/8 mile deal. So many tracks going to 1/8 mile now and it's just no fun for a stick car with a 5-speed the reason I like racing is to row the gears
I hate 1/8 mile tracks
Gus

---

Regear for the last shift at 550 feet, and the excitment factor will go up, not down -less time, but you will be very busy

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

in super pro,,National Trails here in Ohio announced Sat. Dec 22 that the format will be 1/8 for S/P but so far no other classes will change seem's like S/P is the wrong class to be in anymore,,Wonder if that holds true for venues like Mopower events and Mopar Nats???

---

I'm not surprised, I raced there one weekend with the Reliant and it was a little hairy. Seeing a steel gate looming at the end of the track is an unusual experience for me! I really had to work the brakes to make the turn off.

---

Quote:

---

Why not just make 1000 ft the new normal at all tracks

---

I like your thinking Denny. If you are going to shorten the tracks why not meet somewhat in the middle.

Quote:

---

Hyde Park Drag Strip is where Bud Gentile's 63 chevy step side p/u ruled the place, stop, I am showing my age......

---

Never been there, but I worked with a guy that used to race there,,,,back in the day.

Quote:

---

I bad talked 1/8 mile racing for years, til I tried it. Now it's what I like.
Easier on the car, use less fuel, get to make more runs in a day, race day is over sooner. [/quote

I couldn't have said this any different its a blast. I see it happening more and more w 3200/3350 running mid to low 4s.

Quote:

---

I quit going to 42 for two reasons,The "bump" and the 1/8 mile deal. So many tracks going to 1/8 mile now and it's just no fun for a stick car with a 5-speed the reason I like racing is to row the gears
I hate 1/8 mile tracks
Gus

---

I am with Gus on this. So far the three closest tracks to me are still 1/4 mile but if its a windy day sometimes they will run the 1/8 and I just dont care for it. I like the more time you have in the 1/4 as it gives me more time to enjoy it even if I am only rowing a manual valve body. Ron

Quote:

---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=caYnaXk1XcI

boreing?

---

Quote:

---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=caYnaXk1XcI

boreing?

---

Quote:

---

We had a track in Heath , Ohio which is 15 minutes away from National Trail Raceway, which was a 1000 foot track and the shut down was a hill and you could coast to your pit area. It was called 'Hyde Park Drag Strip". If you like rowing 5&6 speeds we also have a 1 mile track here in Willmington, Ohio for your speed runs.

---

I don't remember the track being 1000'. I thought it was 1/4 mile. Maybe that's why I liked that place so well.

Quote:

---

If you really like to row the car down the track, put a 5.57 gear in it an run the 1/8!

Danny

---

I had 4.56 gears in the car from the 833 days and I tried them with the 5-speed(it has a 3.27 low gear)I was pulling second gear at the tree
Gus

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=caYnaXk1XcI

boreing?

---

The total length of that video was 106 seconds. Only 4.90 seconds of which was action! Doing the math that is just under 5%. Baseball games, which are known for being as boring as mom, Chevrolet and apple pie have about 14 minutes of a broadcast time that is action. This works out to be about 11% of the total broadcast time, excluding commercials of course.

So to sum up that clip was twice as boring as a Major League Baseball game and that is saying a lot!!!!

---

YES --- boring!!!! 1/4 mile or nothing for me

If I can't run 1/4 mile I may just go back to street racing


Russ

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

We had a track in Heath , Ohio which is 15 minutes away from National Trail Raceway, which was a 1000 foot track and the shut down was a hill and you could coast to your pit area. It was called 'Hyde Park Drag Strip". If you like rowing 5&6 speeds we also have a 1 mile track here in Willmington, Ohio for your speed runs.

---

I don't remember the track being 1000'. I thought it was 1/4 mile. Maybe that's why I liked that place so well.

---

Hyde Park was 1000' until about 1965 and then they built a 1/4 mile track that went across the 1000' at an angle at that time. Track closed in about 1971. That was the first track that I raced on and that was 1967. Been racing Mopars ever since.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

We had a track in Heath , Ohio which is 15 minutes away from National Trail Raceway, which was a 1000 foot track and the shut down was a hill and you could coast to your pit area. It was called 'Hyde Park Drag Strip". If you like rowing 5&6 speeds we also have a 1 mile track here in Willmington, Ohio for your speed runs.

---

I don't remember the track being 1000'. I thought it was 1/4 mile. Maybe that's why I liked that place so well.

---

Hyde Park was 1000' until about 1965 and then they built a 1/4 mile track that went across the 1000' at an angle at that time. Track closed in about 1971. That was the first track that I raced on and that was 1967. Been racing Mopars ever since.

---

I know Pacemakers was 1/4 mile at one time untill the cars got too fast and they didn't have the land to lengthen the track shut down and keep them out of the woods and the farmers corn field.

Quote:

---

Bill you sure know how to stir up trouble !

---

You know me well, got to stir up a stink once in a while, can't let everybody else have all the fun. besides, my posts seem to last a lot longer if I don't talk about my car.

Quote:

---

I think on a 14x32 tire car that runs mid 6s in the 1/8 it would be boreing.

---

I think it's fun in a pump gas na small block street car .

Quote:

---

I didn't grow up racing the 1/4 mile, in fact I didn't make my first pass down a drag strip until I was in my 40s. The closest track to me that runs the 1/4 is Bowling Green and even they don't run it in their regular bracket program. I have ran the 1/4 several times and honestly once you pass the 1/8 it's boring until you have drive the stripe. In the 1/8 it all happens so fast there isn't much time to think about the stripe, even in a mid 6 second car. IMO guys that are GOOD 1/8 mile racers make VERY good 1/4 mile racers. The tree is the same but driving the stripe sure comes up in a hurry.

I don't understand all the hate for the 1/8, to me it's simple. If you don't like it sell your stuff and take up golf. But would you play 9 or 18?

I'm happy I have places to race, I read a lot of posts about tracks closing down.

---

100%

Quote:

---

Hyde Park Drag Strip is where Bud Gentile's 63 chevy step side p/u ruled the place, stop, I am showing my age......

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Hyde Park Drag Strip is where Bud Gentile's 63 chevy step side p/u ruled the place, stop, I am showing my age......

---

Must have been before he lost his mind. Didn't he pass on a few years ago?

---

Quote:

---

I have ran the 1/4 several times and honestly once you pass the 1/8 it's boring until you have drive the stripe.

---

Quote:

---

Quickly reading through this thread, you can see a very clear split between the type of people who enjoy one vs the other or both.

One thing I noticed, those guys who I would consider more serious racers, guys who race a lot, like both 1/8th and 1/4. Those guys on here who race a couple times a year, or who are in it for the "go fast" mentality, are the only ones saying its 1/4 or nothing. Yes I understand there are exceptions to this...

You can probably guess which side I fall on.

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

We had a track in Heath , Ohio which is 15 minutes away from National Trail Raceway, which was a 1000 foot track and the shut down was a hill and you could coast to your pit area. It was called 'Hyde Park Drag Strip". If you like rowing 5&6 speeds we also have a 1 mile track here in Willmington, Ohio for your speed runs.

---

I don't remember the track being 1000'. I thought it was 1/4 mile. Maybe that's why I liked that place so well.

---

Hyde Park was 1000' until about 1965 and then they built a 1/4 mile track that went across the 1000' at an angle at that time. Track closed in about 1971. That was the first track that I raced on and that was 1967. Been racing Mopars ever since.

---

I raced there first in EARLY spring of '68. Had to be in March. There was snow in places in the pits. I've told this tale before, but I LOVE it! I had just bought a new Roadrunner in December of '67. This was my first 'sanctioned' race. I won F/SA & F/PSA the same day!! I have been hooked on Mopars and drag racing ever since.
So maybe my car was faster there if it was a 1/4 mile at that time. I raced there '68 &'69 with the RR. I don't remember ever having my '62 Savoy there..but,,lots of things I don't remember anymore.

Quote:

---

Quickly reading through this thread, you can see a very clear split between the type of people who enjoy one vs the other or both.

One thing I noticed, those guys who I would consider more serious racers, guys who race a lot, like both 1/8th and 1/4. Those guys on here who race a couple times a year, or who are in it for the "go fast" mentality, are the only ones saying its 1/4 or nothing. Yes I understand there are exceptions to this...

You can probably guess which side I fall on.

---

You are correct here in your observation of the racers that replied to this thread.I am an ET chaser and I don't race for money or points and I run my car over the stripe full throttle EVERY pass.I race for the fun and enjoyment of attaining personal goals Going rounds is fun too and I have won before so I know the feeling is like nothing else on earth
Winning rounds and taking the stripe after 11 rounds with a stick car is rewarding against an all automatic Pro class
Gus

Quote:

---

I don't understand all the hate for the 1/8, to me it's simple. If you don't like it sell your stuff and take up golf. But would you play 9 or 18?



You said it as I feel the same way about the 1/4 mile..............if you dont like the 1/4 sell all your stuff and go watch Nascar or golf. Ron

---

Ron, I like the 1/4 fine and my car will run it. To me as a driver the 1/8 is more exciting.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

I don't understand all the hate for the 1/8, to me it's simple. If you don't like it sell your stuff and take up golf. But would you play 9 or 18?



You said it as I feel the same way about the 1/4 mile..............if you dont like the 1/4 sell all your stuff and go watch Nascar or golf. Ron

---

Ron, I like the 1/4 fine and my car will run it. To me as a driver the 1/8 is more exciting.

---

By all means if we had no 1/4 I would run the 1/8 as I love drag racing to much to give up and play golf. Ron

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

I didn't grow up racing the 1/4 mile, in fact I didn't make my first pass down a drag strip until I was in my 40s. The closest track to me that runs the 1/4 is Bowling Green and even they don't run it in their regular bracket program. I have ran the 1/4 several times and honestly once you pass the 1/8 it's boring until you have drive the stripe. In the 1/8 it all happens so fast there isn't much time to think about the stripe, even in a mid 6 second car. IMO guys that are GOOD 1/8 mile racers make VERY good 1/4 mile racers. The tree is the same but driving the stripe sure comes up in a hurry.

I don't understand all the hate for the 1/8, to me it's simple. If you don't like it sell your stuff and take up golf. But would you play 9 or 18?

I'm happy I have places to race, I read a lot of posts about tracks closing down.

---

100%

---

Golf!?!? No way!!,,I would race shopping carts across a wal-mart parking lot before I took up golf.
I have to agree that what you grew up around has a big impact on a persons prefference, my first time down a drag strip was at National Trails, and I have been hooked on the 1/4 mile ever since,I have raced 1/8 mile ever since I moved to Mt.Vernon, but every once in a while I would stray off to a 1/4 mile track just to get that feeling back.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

I didn't grow up racing the 1/4 mile, in fact I didn't make my first pass down a drag strip until I was in my 40s. The closest track to me that runs the 1/4 is Bowling Green and even they don't run it in their regular bracket program. I have ran the 1/4 several times and honestly once you pass the 1/8 it's boring until you have drive the stripe. In the 1/8 it all happens so fast there isn't much time to think about the stripe, even in a mid 6 second car. IMO guys that are GOOD 1/8 mile racers make VERY good 1/4 mile racers. The tree is the same but driving the stripe sure comes up in a hurry.

I don't understand all the hate for the 1/8, to me it's simple. If you don't like it sell your stuff and take up golf. But would you play 9 or 18?

I'm happy I have places to race, I read a lot of posts about tracks closing down.

---

100%

---

Golf!?!? No way!!,,I would race shopping carts across a wal-mart parking lot before I took up golf.
I have to agree that what you grew up around has a big impact on a persons prefference, my first time down a drag strip was at National Trails, and I have been hooked on the 1/4 mile ever since,I have raced 1/8 mile ever since I moved to Mt.Vernon, but every once in a while I would stray off to a 1/4 mile track just to get that feeling back.

---

Quote:

---

Years ago, I used to run local S/P with an 11.50 footbrake car, and I did win a number of races. Since then, I have seen lobbying from the RED guys for 1/8th mile, crosstalk, across the line burnouts, onboard computers, and ETC. Every one of these changes gave them another advantage. Now you see few door cars in S/P, many tracks have taken to running dragster and door car seperate for a few rounds to compensate. I have no fear of running a 7.20 dragster in S/P with my 10.30 door car on a 1/4 mile. On 1/8th mile, it burns my rear end to look over at a dragster and see the driver with his head straight forward and running dead on to my .01 over. Yes, he probably treed me, too, but the 1/8th took away my ability to play a little on the top end. Only a few of these new breed of drivers play the top end at all, they dial in with a weather station, let go of the button, drive it all out, then look at the numbers on the slip.

---

Wow, thats just the opposite as what I have seen at Norwalk. There are alot of guys that play the stripe. Some will spray to get by you then back into you as they approach the stripe. I think it takes some of the advantages away from a RED. Of course you better have your act together either way!
My opinion, lets race. 660 or 1320, the car will run either. Its just a bracket car and everybody knows they are boring and anyone can do it! Beep

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Years ago, I used to run local S/P with an 11.50 footbrake car, and I did win a number of races. Since then, I have seen lobbying from the RED guys for 1/8th mile, crosstalk, across the line burnouts, onboard computers, and ETC. Every one of these changes gave them another advantage. Now you see few door cars in S/P, many tracks have taken to running dragster and door car seperate for a few rounds to compensate. I have no fear of running a 7.20 dragster in S/P with my 10.30 door car on a 1/4 mile. On 1/8th mile, it burns my rear end to look over at a dragster and see the driver with his head straight forward and running dead on to my .01 over. Yes, he probably treed me, too, but the 1/8th took away my ability to play a little on the top end. Only a few of these new breed of drivers play the top end at all, they dial in with a weather station, let go of the button, drive it all out, then look at the numbers on the slip.

---

Wow, thats just the opposite as what I have seen at Norwalk. There are alot of guys that play the stripe. Some will spray to get by you then back into you as they approach the stripe. I think it takes some of the advantages away from a RED. Of course you better have your act together either way!
My opinion, lets race. 660 or 1320, the car will run either. Its just a bracket car and everybody knows they are boring and anyone can do it! Beep

---

Point well taken John, can't wait for opening day.

Quote:

---

Now you see few door cars in S/P, many tracks have taken to running dragster and door car seperate for a few rounds to compensate.

---

I'd say it's about 60/40 door cars to engines on a stick around here in SP, but they have the same electronics as the diggers do. The diggers are hard to beat bracket racing because they are so consistent, no matter if it's 1/8 or 1/4.

My local tracks run a pro class for cars without dleay boxes but still can have trans brakes and air/electric shifters. I run foot brake or no e class.

All we have is 1/8 mile racing unless Bowling Green is running a special event, so we race the 1/8.

BTW I hate golf too .

Good luck this year guys no matter what you race and be safe .

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Years ago, I used to run local S/P with an 11.50 footbrake car, and I did win a number of races. Since then, I have seen lobbying from the RED guys for 1/8th mile, crosstalk, across the line burnouts, onboard computers, and ETC. Every one of these changes gave them another advantage. Now you see few door cars in S/P, many tracks have taken to running dragster and door car seperate for a few rounds to compensate. I have no fear of running a 7.20 dragster in S/P with my 10.30 door car on a 1/4 mile. On 1/8th mile, it burns my rear end to look over at a dragster and see the driver with his head straight forward and running dead on to my .01 over. Yes, he probably treed me, too, but the 1/8th took away my ability to play a little on the top end. Only a few of these new breed of drivers play the top end at all, they dial in with a weather station, let go of the button, drive it all out, then look at the numbers on the slip.

---

Wow, thats just the opposite as what I have seen at Norwalk. There are alot of guys that play the stripe. Some will spray to get by you then back into you as they approach the stripe. I think it takes some of the advantages away from a RED. Of course you better have your act together either way!
My opinion, lets race. 660 or 1320, the car will run either. Its just a bracket car and everybody knows they are boring and anyone can do it! Beep

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Years ago, I used to run local S/P with an 11.50 footbrake car, and I did win a number of races. Since then, I have seen lobbying from the RED guys for 1/8th mile, crosstalk, across the line burnouts, onboard computers, and ETC. Every one of these changes gave them another advantage. Now you see few door cars in S/P, many tracks have taken to running dragster and door car seperate for a few rounds to compensate. I have no fear of running a 7.20 dragster in S/P with my 10.30 door car on a 1/4 mile. On 1/8th mile, it burns my rear end to look over at a dragster and see the driver with his head straight forward and running dead on to my .01 over. Yes, he probably treed me, too, but the 1/8th took away my ability to play a little on the top end. Only a few of these new breed of drivers play the top end at all, they dial in with a weather station, let go of the button, drive it all out, then look at the numbers on the slip.

---

Wow, thats just the opposite as what I have seen at Norwalk. There are alot of guys that play the stripe. Some will spray to get by you then back into you as they approach the stripe. I think it takes some of the advantages away from a RED. Of course you better have your act together either way!
My opinion, lets race. 660 or 1320, the car will run either. Its just a bracket car and everybody knows they are boring and anyone can do it! Beep

---

I agree beep... Many people still play the strip.. I love setting at the finish line and watching... Much better at big money races.. Guys praying and dumping... I'll race at any distance they want.. I have talk to many loca racers and they all like the idea of trails running 1/8 mile.

---

I have only heard of S/pro changing what about the pro class is that class changing also?

Quote:

---

That may be true about the insurance costs. BUT, I think the reason is not the MPH difference between S/P and Pro. It is that they know the S/P cars have all those "buttons, switchs, automatically activated mechanisms, and such", and they are afraid the driver will not be paying full attention to his driving and run off the track or something, fall asleep, talk on the cell phone, text, etc. The drivers , by their own addmission, don't like to use the foot brake. The insurance company obviously sees that class as a higher risk for claims.

---

Oh no you didn't





Russ

Quote:

---

That may be true about the insurance costs. BUT, I think the reason is not the MPH difference between S/P and Pro. It is that they know the S/P cars have all those "buttons, switchs, automatically activated mechanisms, and such", and they are afraid the driver will not be paying full attention to his driving and run off the track or something, fall asleep, talk on the cell phone, text, etc. The drivers , by their own addmission, don't like to use the foot brake. The insurance company obviously sees that class as a higher risk for claims.

---

Quote:

---

Insurance is the exact reason tracks are switching to 1/8 mile in s/p ,the top end speeds.

---

Quote:

---

I quit going to 42 for two reasons,The "bump" and the 1/8 mile deal. So many tracks going to 1/8 mile now and it's just no fun for a stick car with a 5-speed the reason I like racing is to row the gears
I hate 1/8 mile tracks
Gus

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Years ago, I used to run local S/P with an 11.50 footbrake car, and I did win a number of races. Since then, I have seen lobbying from the RED guys for 1/8th mile, crosstalk, across the line burnouts, onboard computers, and ETC. Every one of these changes gave them another advantage. Now you see few door cars in S/P, many tracks have taken to running dragster and door car seperate for a few rounds to compensate. I have no fear of running a 7.20 dragster in S/P with my 10.30 door car on a 1/4 mile. On 1/8th mile, it burns my rear end to look over at a dragster and see the driver with his head straight forward and running dead on to my .01 over. Yes, he probably treed me, too, but the 1/8th took away my ability to play a little on the top end. Only a few of these new breed of drivers play the top end at all, they dial in with a weather station, let go of the button, drive it all out, then look at the numbers on the slip.

---

Wow, thats just the opposite as what I have seen at Norwalk. There are alot of guys that play the stripe. Some will spray to get by you then back into you as they approach the stripe. I think it takes some of the advantages away from a RED. Of course you better have your act together either way!
My opinion, lets race. 660 or 1320, the car will run either. Its just a bracket car and everybody knows they are boring and anyone can do it! Beep

---

I agree beep... Many people still play the strip.. I love setting at the finish line and watching... Much better at big money races.. Guys praying and dumping... I'll race at any distance they want.. I have talk to many loca racers and they all like the idea of trails running 1/8 mile.

---

You like watching the stripe...check out the .90 cars..especially on a 1/8 mile track....OH SNAP...did I just say that??!!??

Quote:

---

I like them both...but if I have my choice I like 1/8th mile better.

---