Suggested rule change in brackets

[dgcole]

I noticed that the NMRA is taking suggestions and comments for 2004 rules starting today for the next two weeks.

I sent this in. What do you guys think?

TO:
wroberson@promediapub.com

Hello,

I have enjoyed the NMRA series for the past two years. I have but one suggestion at this time. Please consider it even though I am but a lowly bracket racer.

I would like to see the bracket race at each NMRA race run at whatever distance the track uses for their weekly races. If the track runs 1/8 mile each week, then run the brackets on the 1/8. If the track runs 1/4 each week then runs the brackets on the 1/4. Two reasons for this. One helps the racers and the other helps NMRA. If the track runs weekly on the 1/8 (Reynolds and Bowling Green, others?) most of the local and semi local cars will be set up for the 1/8 with converter, gearing, etc. I fall into this category and I know of many other Ford bracket racers who are the same. I race weekly and isn't financially sound to change my car from what wins the money on a regular basis.

If the bracket race was the same as the weekly program it would raise your car counts, benefiting the NMRA in both more entries and higher spectator count. Every extra car that enters always has 3-4 people with it that might not have otherwise been there. It would also benefit the racers who want to race, but don't want to change their setup for a couple of races per year. You should realize that 99 % of bracket racing in the southeast is done on the 1/8, even at 1/4 mile tracks. In addition, all the big money bracket races are exclusively 1/8 mile.

Thank you for considering this.

David Cole

[PBMracing]

David,

You make a good point! I would expect the NMRA to try to maintain a consistent venue for the bracket racers that travel and compete at all 8 events before I would think they would cater to a local racer who might only contest at 1. I certainly dont feel it is sound to ask the traveling contestants to change their combinations to go to different events on the same circuit.

If the locals have ever been to an NMRA race, I would expect they would come again. It is definitely a competitive, crowd pleasing format!

No flame intended!
Chris

[QtrWarrior]

Dave,

Sounds good to me. Now if we can just get them to do it !


Mike

[dgcole]

Originally posted by PBMracing
David,
You make a good point! I would expect the NMRA to try to maintain a consistent venue for the bracket racers that travel and compete at all 8 events before I would think they would cater to a local racer who might only contest at 1. I certainly dont feel it is sound to ask the traveling contestants to change their combinations to go to different events on the same circuit.

If the locals have ever been to an NMRA race, I would expect they would come again. It is definitely a competitive, crowd pleasing format!
No flame intended!
Chris

No flame taken. My point is that the majority of the bracket only racers are local (or within a few hours drive) at each event. I'm not counting the 1st round losers from Open Comp, Wild Street, etc that enter the brackets after being put out the 1st round of their regular class. I'm not sure how many regular bracket only racers would be at all 8 events, but I would bet it's not many.

I just think the car counts would increase with more local cars if the brackets were set up like the local races. Around the southeast most bracket racers use steep gears and or loose converters for the 1/8. In my case I have a 557 BBF in a dragster. 4.10 gears and a 33" tire would seem plenty for the 1/4. But, add in the 6100 stall converter and it'll take about 7400 rpm to run it in the 1/4. That's more than I'm comfortable with considering I have a cast crank.

Thanks,
David Cole

[PBMracing]

David,

I understand what you are saying. I think the issue is more of a regional difference. In the northeast, there are VERY few 1/8th mile races.

When Hot Rod bought the NMCA (97-98ish), they changed the format to 1/8th mile for the first year. I hated it! But 1/4 is what I am accustomed to.

Chris