FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

You are on to something that probably needs to be done. Maybe the compromise
will be 1000 ft. The terminal velocity after 1/4 mile is just too high. There
are not many spectators at the 1/4 mile point to see the finish except a few
railbirds. After reading the report on San Antonio it did not seem that any
spectator was cheated out on a great race. Just some of my random thoughts. - Tim Voiles, Indianapolis

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

I think its a good idea. Here in mooresville Greg Anderson test all the time and
never pulls chutes. I think 1/8 mile racing makes the driver work harder in turn
making competition better. - Greg Phifer, Mooresville, NC.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

I have been drag racing on a weekly basis for over 10 years, and attending 2 to
3 nhra national events for over 25 years as a sepectator. As you earlier stated,
the only thing that will matter whether it is professional, or bracket racing,
is reaction time.  I can honestly say that 3/4 of my round wins, and the couple
of times i was luckly enough to win the whole event was by my ability to sandbag
and play better at the finish line. Also some of the most exciting fuel races i
have seen are when both cars go up in smoke and the peddle fest begins. ihra
should have cancelled the event PERIOD. No doubt if drag racing ever switches to
1/8mile, my love for the sport both as a fan and a participant will die out, as
it will for most of those in my circle of friends.

Lets put up soft walls,
and continue to make the cars, and the racing surfaces better. Not take the easy
and CHEAP way out. Thank you - Lenny Kerestes, Monessen, PA.

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

Hey Bobby...I too enjoyed watching the nitro cars run the eighth.  I know a lot
of purists will disagree but I think that eighth mile drags is the way to go. 
It's more intense, the driver is more of a factor at the start and parts
attrition will be minimal.  Throw in the safety factor and it's a no-brainer as
far as I'm concerned. 

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is that
eight mile drags could be run on all-concrete track with cheaper asphalt for the
shut-down area. - Beserko Bob Doerrer, Matthews, NC. 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

First off let me preface this by saying I haven't been to an 1/8 race. But more
than once in the past year or two while watching a TF/FC session at an NHRA
race, I've tried to imagine the cars clicking it off at 1/8 mile.  And it's NOT
the same!  If NHRA thinks this Diehard fan's going to shell out $50-60 to see 3
sec. Fuel Drag racing, I'll go back to watching Dirt track racing instead. 
Asking the Drag racers themselves if they'd prefer 1/8 mi. over 1/4 mi. is
predicable.  Why run 1/4 mile when you can run 1/8 mi. mile for the Same
Money??  Ask the fans like me who shell out the Bucks to see these cars run if
we'd Pay $50-60 to see 1/8 mi. Pro racing,  that's a whole nother story.   But
racers rarely give a flip what the fans think about anything, so that arguments
moot. - Joe Sherwood, Alb., New Mexico
 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

Bobby - good article.  Nice dancing around the IHRA track cleaner that
apparently did all the damage!!! 

I suggest a compromise - how about 1,000
foot drags?  Most engine problems develop around the 1,200 foot mark and this
alone would save the downtime for clean-up (assuming the 'diaper' didn't do it's
job).  1/8th mile is very popular in the south and for good reason - quicker
show, less down-time for track clean-up and the show is more visible to the
spectators.

I tried to switch to 1/8th mile and put it to a vote of my racers
- nearly 98% wanted to stay 1/4 mile. Ouch! - Dave Mathers, Sparta, Ont., Canada
 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

I have been around drag racing most of my life. I was at San Antonio on Saturday
for qualifying. I thought that they had canceled the national event, but to my
surprise they went to 1/8 mile for all classes. I really enjoyed watching the
Pro catagories do the 1/8 mile. Too many times it boils down to who has the most
money to make the most top end horsepower. I would realy like to see the
sanctioning bodies mix up the track lenghts through out the national
championship competitions at different national events. I think it would put
more back on the drivers and even out the playing field a lot. - Mike, Burkburnett, TX.
 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

I was at the event, lemonade when you have lemons...maybe. But to do this on a
regular basis is a BAD idea.  I hated it.  Most around me did not like it either
but accepted it because we had no choice.  I dont want to watch racing
determined by reaction time only and lets face it...thats pretty much the case
in 1/8 mile racing. I am a long time racing fan and I have thought this through
completely. It was not that good! - Dennis Peek, New Brunfels, Texas
 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

Bobby...I think the first time we met was at a track called Shuffletown back in 1990 and
Im almost positive it was packed full of fans in the crowd as Tommy Mauney went
on to beat Scotty Cannon in the final. I went on for about 4 years with TM and
hit nearly every 1/8th mile track in the South. In my opinion with the
performance the way it is in the Pro-Mod class it would make the races more
enjoyable   for the nitrous racers to go to and compete, the more important
aspect would be the safety. As a photographer I wish all the fans an naysayers
had a chance to witness and feel the fuel cars as they come by us at the 225 ft
mark at a National Event the cars are hauling ass. They literally are running
200 mph at the 225 ft mark. Thats to fast to me. Its amazing and a testament to
the safety that is involved that keeps incidents from happening more often. I
think if we went to 1/8th mile format you would see more teams come out to
support the sanctioning bodies, more track owners build dynamic viewing areas
like in Joilet and more importantly safer raceways. The only downside would be
the television and sponsorship time would be cut due to the lesser ET's. Some of
the television broadcast when they play the entire run in slow motion gives
sponsors lots of exposrure. Im for it! - Jason Sharp, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Ah Shuffletown...Home of the Quick Eights. May it rest in peace. - Bobby 

FEEDBACK ARTICLE - DRAG RACING, AN EIGHTH MILE AT A TIME

I was not there, but I know the San Antonio track. I have talked to people who were there
and have raced Nationally in TF. They said it was enjoyable and the people on
Saturday were overflowing the stands. The Nitro guys work on the 60' times, the
parts damage should be less, cost less and it might bring more cars out to the
"poor" boys racing. With a little adjustment by the drivers and crew it should
get better. I think fans like the excitement of the sound, the smell, the
closeness of Nitro racing and being able to see it all from start to finish
closeup should make it more exciting. It might have the advantage of less down
time so live tv coverage might be possible. Just think about Pro Mods, Mountain
motor Pro Stocks, Nitro Funny cars and Top Fuel cars Live on your TV Saturday
night. Makes you excited just to think about it. It should be explored more,
IHRA/ LiveNation are just the ones to take the plunge. - Jack Sasser, Greenville, SC