Four Wide at Zmax

[Dave Schultz]

I ran Zmax in the NMCA last year when they had the World's first 4 Side-By-Side Jet Car race. It was pretty exciting (maybe I'm easily amused). Then later in the year the NHRA had the 4-car Funny Car Exhibition. I liked seeing that too.

Then yesterday (to be finished today), the NHRA had all of the Pros run 4-wide. There are a lot of mixed emotions on that racing by drivers, ex drivers, fans, and ex-fans. Some feel it makes the NHRA more like the circus coming to town -- but here's my thoughts:

While I'd not want to have to do that, and while it is harder for the Pro-Stokers who have more delicate staging and closer RTs, and harder for Pro Bikes (who I don't too much care about), and most likely more dangerous -- if for no other reason that people in trouble won't lift because there are two winners per race and it is impossible to keep track of all three of your competitors at that speed --- I'd like to see it remain at the one race a year at Zmax.

I think it adds a little spice to the year for those of us who watch all of the NHRA events on ESPN2. Sort of like NASCAR having a short track, long track, and road track. Drivers have to have one more skill to deal with (some being real good at it -- and some sucking) and it is a better way of closing up the points blow outs then points subsidizing that appears to be popular with organizations needing to sell more by not having blowouts.

If the NMCA were to have that, it might be an advantage to me, in the class I run, because at 55 I'm one of the youngest in NSS. I might be able to adapt better than 50% of the drivers.

Your opinions?

[thunderlungs]

Problem is they didn't properly report or cover the action. No mention of that F/C 4.07 E.T. and too many reruns of the crash. When they mature to the point where it's properly covered and repoprted maybe then. Until then - na-a-ah.

[Dave Schultz]

Its a new deal for everyone, and when you think about it, something so different was pulled off as well as could be expected for the first time. I would imagine that if this continues -- the wrinkles will get ironed out.

[dwatkins]

I have to say I didn't like it. I probably would not have minded two separate races simultaneously but racing three other cars was a little two far out there for me. As I think Height stated, you can't lift because you don't know where the other two cars are on the other side of the wall.

In a NSS or bracket format, it would be even tougher. You would definitively have to run your own race in that and ignore the other three cars, two of which you couldn't tell if you had a fender on or not.

[dwatkins]

I have to say I didn't like it. I probably would not have minded two separate races simultaneously but racing three other cars was a little two far out there for me. As I think Height stated, you can't lift because you don't know where the other two cars are on the other side of the wall.

In a NSS or bracket format, it would be even tougher. You would definitively have to run your own race in that and ignore the other three cars, two of which you couldn't tell if you had a fender on or not.

Now to add....... I would want to try it. Why the hell not, it looks stupid but you never know, it might be fun.

[dagored]

It's like putting twelve players on a baseball diamond or eighteen men per side in a football game. It's like this idiotic "countdown" format. Why are they screwing with things that do not need fixing? Goodness knows, there's plenty of other things at NHRA that could use some serious attention.