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Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Crabra] #2517892
07/05/18 12:18 PM
07/05/18 12:18 PM
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Alexandria, LA
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Blucuda413 Offline
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Was that at Huntsville? That track has always been pretty innovative in getting the seats filled. Years ago when George Howard was running it he started the "Million Dollar Race", initiated index racing and had a one nite a month Outlaw Pro Mod Series. There was not a seat in the house on pro mod nite. This track was my intro to 1/8mi racing in 1990.

Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: D-50] #2517980
07/05/18 02:56 PM
07/05/18 02:56 PM
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Posts: 252
southeast ky
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Originally Posted By D-50
I went to one of my local tracks last night and it was PACKED. They were running 6.00 & 7.00 heads up, a Ultimate street class, a heads up 28 x 10 tire class and a match race between a Blown Hemi 40 Willys and a Blown Hemi 53 Studebaker. The Quickest pass was a 3.89 @ 200 mph. There was no bracket racing.


I love index racing! Our problem is around here we don't have the car count to do it. Last year the track tried some index weekends, is was pitiful, I think they had two cars for the 7.50 class (1/8th mile). However they have a 4.70 index race once a month and it does very well. Guaranteed payout for the 4.70 guys, and I think free entry, but I'm not positive.

Jeff.


If you love it lube it

68 dart
37 dodge coupe
71 challenger
Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Crabra] #2517999
07/05/18 03:16 PM
07/05/18 03:16 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,910
Eighty Four, PA
B G Racing Offline
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Eighty Four, PA
Its fine to have and express your opinions but that doesn't solve the issue.I have been racing and sponsoring events more years than I want to remember.The success of the events should not be the burden of the racers attending and their money being the sole source of the payout.Our events guarantee the payout regardless of car count,we get the moneys from sponsors before the event takes place.We don't base anything on car count but make sure the racers get rewarded for supporting the event.
Many times the car count is not what is expected but one must be prepared for the circumstances that effect the attendance,ie: weather,personal issues and how well the event is advertised.The racers who attend should never be penalized.We seen many promoters cut the payout without notice and they end up out of business.
With this being said lets address Steve's original statement about quarter mile verses eight mile racing.We know Steve's opinion but need to look beyond personal opinion and look to the facts.Fact 1 being that there has been eighth mile racing since the beginning of the sport.I remember racing at many tracks that were cut out of patchs of cornfields,bean fields ,abandoned airstrips,old stretches of highways and the illegal street races where ever a drag could take place.Most all those races were eighth mile or less as most street races were not actually a measured distance,ie stop light to stop light or other monuments.

Fact 2,many existing tracks are embracing eighth mile racing for economic reasons,safty reasons and the advance power and speed abilities of todays racecars.Even NHRA has reduced the distance in top fuel.

Fact 3, Dragracing success is not based on quarter mile distance.It can be defined as getting from point A to point B.The success is the ability of the driver to cut the better reaction tine and drive the track all the way to the stripe and best his opponent.

Fact 4,the next item is the racecar itself.It has to meet the requirements of it class and have all the necessary componants to be consistant and competitive.

Fact 5,Taking into consideration the combination of a talented consistant driver and a well built consistant racecar and put them on a good track with they will prevail on either a quarter mile or eigth mile track.Since the future looks more like its heading to the shorter track,racers will just have to accept the facts and adapt.If not all the crying and biching and threats of quitting is only effecting the person fighting the trend.

I have to ask those who seem to critize and predict doom and gloom for our sport are you a racer or politician,all talk and no action.I for one will continue to support our sport and participate in anyway possible.I see many who critize but only race once in a while at particular events and some that never race at all.I love racing quarter mile but also race the eighth mile when necessary and it has been our sport since it began.Please don't ask how old I'am whistling

Last edited by B G Racing; 07/11/18 12:25 PM.
Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: B G Racing] #2518027
07/05/18 04:29 PM
07/05/18 04:29 PM
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Posts: 6,591
Canton, Ohio
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Sport440 Offline
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Well said. Im not going to ask how old you are and never would. but, when did you say you were born again?? devil

Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Sport440] #2518030
07/05/18 04:36 PM
07/05/18 04:36 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
pittsburghracer Offline
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PA.
Originally Posted By Sport440
Well said. Im not going to ask how old you are and never would. but, when did you say you were born again?? devil






He's old, trust me he's OLD. Heck of an nice guy but did I tell you he's old.


1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Crabra] #2518034
07/05/18 04:44 PM
07/05/18 04:44 PM
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Fulton County, PA
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CMcAllister Offline
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NHRA runs their stuff 1/4 mile, except for the fuel cars and an occasional 1/8 mile deal. Big money brackets are 1/8 normally. Super Pro is 1/8 or 1/4 depending on the track. PDRA is 1/8. I can't imagine the mess that would be if they tried to run 1/4.

If you don't like vanilla, get chocolate. If you don't like those, get strawberry. All are equally important and relevant, and none are wrong. Variety is the spice of life. Do what you want.


If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: pittsburghracer] #2518039
07/05/18 04:58 PM
07/05/18 04:58 PM
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Posts: 2,763
Walton's Mountain, Pa
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I know how old he is, but I won't say anything because I love the guy.

The sport is changing, and is going to change. I get that. It's unavoidable. Everything changes, and it's totally unavoidable.

Bob is right, there has always been 8th mile racing around. Always. But, it was never really the 'standardized' version that defines what the sport is. Now it seems to be moving in that direction, and I'm not convinced that it is good. But, I realize that Hemi or wedge 1965 B bodies are not going to be mainstay of drag racing for much longer.

My issue is this....where does the track operator fit in all of this? Everyone speaks as if having a drag strip, either one, in your back yard is a given. It's not. It's a business. It runs on money. If the operator can't make a decent living, the gates will not be open. That is a hard fact.

During the course of the year, a drag strip has to pay payroll, insurance, utilities, taxes, Workman's Comp (that is required by law) which is incredibly expensive, advertising, maintenance, promotion and on and on. Probably a mortgage. During that time, in the northeast, one might have 50 or so race dates to make that up. The expenses do not stop when the track is closed.

We sat down with a well known promoter (not Greg, for those of you wondering), and did the math. For every hour the track is open, it costs about $3000 to operate, and that is conservative. That is breaking down the annual cost vs hours of operation. This operator told me that it was closer to $5K an hour. The promoter loses a day or so to weather, and he/she cannot make that up. It's gone.

Local bracket racing does not draw, and does not make the operator money. It is a break even deal at best. He has to do things to bring different types of cars and customers into the track. That's why so many operators are taking the emphasis off of brackets and into all this other kind of stuff. Like any business, you've got to find where the money is.

Watching specific built bracket cars race 8th mile on a quarter mile track is not even a spectator friendly operation. The cars are as specialized today as the class cars that they were built to replace. The distance may not make a difference, though, and I get that, too. It does cut down on the operator's cost, and that is a good thing. Now, I don't like 8th mile for the reasons mentioned. I just don't like it, at all. Some of that is personal preference, and I realize that many disagree. Some of it s generational, and I get that, too.

Look at some of the pics from Keystone (or anywhere else) of bracket racing in the 70s and 80s. The cars were more varied, and there was definitely people in the grandstands. Folks would pack a cooler and make a day of it. I see some of that in the grandstands at our nostalgia events, which amazes me. I never in a million years thought it would draw a modest gate, I thought we were just a bunch of old guys screwing around. But, it's caused me to really put some thought into this.

It is changing, and it will survive in one form or another. Just my thoughts.

Last edited by Steve1118; 07/05/18 05:01 PM.

"Old age and treachery trumps youth and enthusiasm, every time!"

East Central Director / Chrysler Power Magazine

www.reasbeckracing.webs.com
Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: B G Racing] #2518061
07/05/18 05:52 PM
07/05/18 05:52 PM
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Posts: 330
Indiana
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Crabra Offline OP
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Indiana
Well said!

Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Crabra] #2518062
07/05/18 05:55 PM
07/05/18 05:55 PM
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Posts: 330
Indiana
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Crabra Offline OP
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Indiana
I should just worry about getting my duster faster,That way I can index race at 13.50 and won't be throw into open comp class running 1/8 mile.

Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Crabra] #2518068
07/05/18 06:11 PM
07/05/18 06:11 PM
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Anoka County, MN
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Leigh Offline
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Anoka County, MN
Man, I'll tell everybody. With the bizarre years I lost, every time I let go of the button and go on the rev limiter, I'm a happy, happy 65 year old fart. 👍

Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: B G Racing] #2518077
07/05/18 06:23 PM
07/05/18 06:23 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 567
Sth.IL
dare_dude Offline
mopar
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Posts: 567
Sth.IL
Well said Bob George! I just enjoy racing when I can! No matter what length of
Track!


Last edited by dare_dude; 07/05/18 08:13 PM.
Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Blucuda413] #2518281
07/06/18 02:43 AM
07/06/18 02:43 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,267
North, Alabama
D-50 Offline
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North, Alabama
Originally Posted By Blucuda413
Was that at Huntsville? That track has always been pretty innovative in getting the seats filled. Years ago when George Howard was running it he started the "Million Dollar Race", initiated index racing and had a one nite a month Outlaw Pro Mod Series. There was not a seat in the house on pro mod nite. This track was my intro to 1/8mi racing in 1990.


No it was at Lassiter Mountain Dragway about 75 miles south of Huntsville. It has been around since 1957... About 4 or 5 years ago George Howard also ran this track.


1.33 60 ft,6.21 at 110.59 in the 1/8, pump gas small block,2950lbs,drag radials,mufflers and driven to track ...
Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Crabra] #2518330
07/06/18 11:01 AM
07/06/18 11:01 AM
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Posts: 3,097
back in Georgia
dthemi Offline
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Most older tracks that were 1/4 mile,that are now 1/8, would need a bucket truck to get the cars out of the trees if they went back to 1/4.

Average joe blow cars are faster than fuel cars where when some of these tracks were built.

I'm totally happy with 1/8th mile. Staying in the gas for a couple seconds longer, for me, isn't worth the damage it does. Not to mention not having to repack chutes every run. Then think about the oil downs you'll add to an already frustrating situation. Too many broken cars from the 1/8th, go to 1/4 and the number will double.

Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Crabra] #2518452
07/06/18 03:31 PM
07/06/18 03:31 PM
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Fulton County, PA
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CMcAllister Offline
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75-80 was short when we ran 1/4 there in the 80s. When they re-opened for a while a few years back, they were basically a "street legal", drag radial type deal and ran 1/8. Lots of little country strips that began as 1/4 mile and are now 1/8.


If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Crabra] #2518684
07/07/18 03:20 AM
07/07/18 03:20 AM
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MD
HEMI472 Offline
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MD
I don't get some of you guys ?? how are motors blowing up if it runs 1/4 mile ??? they don't blow up on the starting line or in the burn out box ?? most cars are geared for the 1/4 mile and if they start gearing them for the 1/8 they will blow up too. just look at top fuel they went to 1000 feet so they would not blow up and guess what they are blowing up at 1000 feet now . don't nascar motors last for hours at 9000 rpm and you cant make on live under 13 seconds. I think nhra picked a 1/4 mile and thats what it should be . I don't see them shorting the bonneville salt flats . just look at most of the cars that race 1/8 cars that are not inspected or pass tech. they are people trying to run 4000 hp car on no prep tracks or you got guys trying to run 2500 hp cars on 275 60 15 tires well guess what they are going to wreck. look at pro mod cars they got big tires same power on a prepped track and they run 1/4 mile and for you guys that think it is faster to run a 1/8 mile show how is it if cars let off at the 1/8 and go slow the other 1/2 mile on the race track and you are setting in the burn out box waiting on them to get off the track. but I think it should be 1/4 mile. if it goes to 1/8 mile whats next ?? be like kye Kelley you cant out 60 foot me. so everyone will race to the 60

Last edited by HEMI472; 07/08/18 04:20 AM.
Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: HEMI472] #2519067
07/08/18 01:54 AM
07/08/18 01:54 AM
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Bend,OR USA
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Bend,OR USA
When I first started reading about racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the mid 1960s they raced on a 16 mile long course, not that long now (maybe 7 miles, probably shorter) due to the salt mining of the great Salt Lake whiney
NHRA mandated the rear gear ratio and tire sizes as well as C.I., blower size, fuel type and specs. and probably a lot of other thing trying to slow the top fueler and funny cars down long before they went to 1000 Ft racing work
I made four passes today at our local 1/8 mile track in my 1970 S/P Cuda, I red lighted by-.032 first round whiney It is in Madras, OR. It use to be a 1/4 mile track back in the early 1960s, some drag racing is better than none work


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: dthemi] #2519075
07/08/18 02:33 AM
07/08/18 02:33 AM
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Canton, Ohio
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Sport440 Offline
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Originally Posted By dthemi
Most older tracks that were 1/4 mile,that are now 1/8, would need a bucket truck to get the cars out of the trees if they went back to 1/4.

Average joe blow cars are faster than fuel cars where when some of these tracks were built.

I'm totally happy with 1/8th mile. Staying in the gas for a couple seconds longer, for me, isn't worth the damage it does. Not to mention not having to repack chutes every run. Then think about the oil downs you'll add to an already frustrating situation. Too many broken cars from the 1/8th, go to 1/4 and the number will double.



I agree with this, the first track I raced at was 1/4 mile, magnolia in Ohio. I cant believe some cars would actually run into the 9.9s back in the day.

Some did run off the end at sometimes. Its now a 1/8th mile only and running 6.6 in the 1/8 or a equivalent 10.4 is a challenge/event to get the car slowed up in time to make the turn. Im fine with the 1/8th mile. Like stated, our cars today, are making much more power and putting it to the ground, over driving some of these Older tracks.

Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Crabra] #2519102
07/08/18 09:59 AM
07/08/18 09:59 AM
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back in Georgia
dthemi Offline
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As for motors popping after the 8th, it's a very real problem. Most of the carnage happens after the 8th. Loaded up in high gear is where it gets ugly anyway. Now hold it there for twice the distance. Oiling issues, cylinder temperature,all get magnified. The hit, and pull through low gear for me is the best part. After the 330 most of us are along for the ride. For me I'd rather spend the capability, and life of my motors in the 8th. Ringing them out in the quarter is fun, of course, but just not practical given the circumstances anymore.

Also not to be rude, but more often than not, the guys that hate the 8th are not going very fast. Go faster, and you'll start to appreciate the 8th IMO

Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: Crabra] #2519411
07/09/18 04:25 AM
07/09/18 04:25 AM
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MD
HEMI472 Offline
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ok lets say a car goes 6.5 in the 1/8 witch is around 10.0s is the 1/4 so that's only 3.5 seconds longer and its less if the car is faster . I know its hard on the motor but it should be still going up in rpm so why would it hurt it? it went to the max rpm in 1st and 2nd gear why would 3rd be any different? I go to the dirt car races and them motors make around 900 hp and them guys are on and off the gas and spinning the tires and bouncing it off the rev limiter about every lap.they last around 400 laps before they rebuild them. the track here is 5/8 mile long and the straight aways are long so I am sure they are hitting the rev limiter. most other tracks are way smaller

Re: 1/8 mile vs.1/4 [Re: HEMI472] #2519421
07/09/18 07:48 AM
07/09/18 07:48 AM
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jersey
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jersey
Originally Posted By HEMI472
ok lets say a car goes 6.5 in the 1/8 witch is around 10.0s is the 1/4 so that's only 3.5 seconds longer and its less if the car is faster . I know its hard on the motor but it should be still going up in rpm so why would it hurt it? it went to the max rpm in 1st and 2nd gear why would 3rd be any different? I go to the dirt car races and them motors make around 900 hp and them guys are on and off the gas and spinning the tires and bouncing it off the rev limiter about every lap.they last around 400 laps before they rebuild them. the track here is 5/8 mile long and the straight aways are long so I am sure they are hitting the rev limiter. most other tracks are way smaller


Most 1/8 mile cars are two speeds, and would be at max rpm at the 1/8.th.


526 cubes of angry wedge, pushbutton shifted, 9 passenger killer!
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