Bracket Racing is for WIMPS!!!

[imported_admin]

Calling all bracket racing haters! Think about it! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

The purpose of racing, last time I checked, was to go fast. When two cars drive in a straight line down a quarter mile track, the winner should be the one that is faster.

Bracket racing is not about performance, it is about consistency. And who gives a damn about consistency? Speed and power is what matters! (Handling and braking too, but that's a whole other argument.) So a 22-second MINIVAN is more consistent than your 12-second V6 F-Body. Does that mean the minivan is the one that deserves the trophy???

The only purpose of bracket racing is to give SLOW cars a chance against REAL race cars, i.e. fast cars. The slower you are, it seems, the bigger a fan you are of bracket.

My challenge, instead, is this: why don't the owners of slow cars do something about it instead of invent new rules to give themselves a chance? Hate head's up because you're slow? Get some NAWZ. Get a blower. Buy a V8. Whatever, just do something!

If you're going to bother racing at the track with the big boys, race to win. Speed is all that matters. You should be rewarded for breaking out and improving your best times--not penalized for it.

[MustangEater8251]

Thats what people with alot of money who cannot drive say [img]smile.gif[/img]

Why the hell did you buy a v6 if your only wish is to go fast?

Brakcet racing is a sign of skill granted people take advantage of it in rented base model automatic Ford Focuses... But its still very difficult.

Its about know the track, your car, the air temp and the speed of the other driver...


Its alot harder then it looks especially with a 5-speed.

But thats what makes it fun, its kind of liek autocrossing on bald tires, your times are going to suck but the added difficulty makes it more fun [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ January 07, 2004: Message edited by: MustangEater8251 ]</p>

[Camaro_SLP]

*cocks head at post*

I agree with just about everything you mentioned. I see no debate in this matter. Heads up, or stay the hell off the track!

I accept your challenge. I will buy a V8.

[Skinny]

Sounds like someone's pissed off because he keeps getting eliminated in the first round [img]redface.gif[/img]

Seriously, even in a 20 second minivan, bracket racing is NOT easy. Running a fast time is one thing. Running that same fast time AGAIN is lucky. Running that same fast time YET AGAIN is a good driver.

[ January 07, 2004: Message edited by: Skinny ]</p>

[MustangEater8251]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Skinny:
Sounds like someone's pissed off because he keeps getting eliminated in the first round [img]redface.gif[/img]

Seriously, even in a 20 second minivan, bracket racing is NOT easy. Running a fast time is one thing. Running that same fast time AGAIN is lucky. Running that same fast time YET AGAIN is a good driver.

[ January 07, 2004: Message edited by: Skinny ]<hr></blockquote>


Exactly!

I consider myselft a good driver in my 3.4L... since I was consistant as hell...

I consider myself a lucky driver in my 3.8L... My times were .2-.3 apart each night I raced...

in my 3.4L I had kept the difference between 7 runs withing .1, and one run I ran the exact same time back to back 15.661, I like that better then my fastest time ever in either car [img]smile.gif[/img]

[imported_admin]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Camaro_SLP:
I accept your challenge. I will buy a V8.<hr></blockquote>

I accept your challenge. I will spank your V8 in my V6. After I whip James at AIS. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Skinny:
Sounds like someone's pissed off because he keeps getting eliminated in the first round<hr></blockquote>

Breaking out is a good thing in my book. What's wrong with beating your personal best? :D

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Skinny:
Seriously, even in a 20 second minivan, bracket racing is NOT easy. Running a fast time is one thing. Running that same fast time AGAIN is lucky. Running that same fast time YET AGAIN is a good driver.<hr></blockquote>

That's the problem--it does not have to be a fast time. Take an automatic minivan. No torque so there's no spin or launch.

First run: light turns green, hit gas... 22.123.
Second run: light turns green, hit gas... 22.123.
Third run: light turns green, hit gas... 22.123.

Where's the sport in that???

(FYI, this forum gets a bit quiet in the off-season, every now and then we need a flame war to spice things up a bit.)

[Skinny]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Stefan:
Breaking out is a good thing in my book. What's wrong with beating your personal best? <hr></blockquote>

I agree 100%... If you break out and are eliminated, then you can adjust your future dial-ins. However, most of the guys you see bracket racing every week have run their car to it's fullest potential, or at least very, VERY close to it. Their goal is to run their car as fast as it can run over and over again. It takes a well built car to do that.

[95Batmobile]

HAHAHAHA...
Try running the same time, every time, down to the 1/100th of a second... then you might see where bracket racing gets hard ;)

[Shirl]

Well, I see this post as contradictory..you say if you wanna go fast get a V8 or N20 or blower... how bout' you just go buy a full-blown racecar instead...cuz those are the ONLY cars that should be running heads-up. N20, V8 or blower (especially on a V6) still stands no chance against cars that sport close to or more than 1000 hp.

Bracket racing:
"Thousands of drag racers enjoy E.T. handicap racing, which allows drivers in slower cars to compete on an equal basis with drivers of quicker and faster machines. With this system, virtually any two vehicles can be paired in a competitive drag race. In all cases (but one: redlighting) the car that gets to the finish line first wins." -2003 NHRA rulebook

Pretty ingenious, if you ask me.. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]
On the other hand, if you wanna run heads up, you either set up a heads-up race with someone or go to the track on a street legal drag night.

[ January 07, 2004: Message edited by: Shirl ]</p>

[njspder]

it is very simple, if you think you have a chance in hell of hanging in any major heads up catagory you better be ready to run 8's or better.
hell, last year there was a outlaw 10.5 quick 8 feature at e-town that the slowest qualifier went 8.2.
bracket racing is for those of us who wish we had a heads up budget but don't. if all of racing was heads up tracks would be closing from a lack of participation.

later
tim

[Silver97Camaro]

Hey ok this topic has really got me!!! First, let me just say for someone to say that, "bracket racing is not about performance" or "The purpose of racing, last time I checked, was to go fast." You have no clue as to what NHRA Bracket Racing is even about. Yeah you may know what the general idea is BUT you have NO idea of the time, skill, and understanding it takes to be top dog no matter what times your running! Last time I checked racing was about going up against another competitor to see who was better...am I right? Which means it doesn't just have to be a heads up race! In bracket racing to be better than your competitor you need to be on top of everything. Bracket racing is not all about giving on guy a head start! Its MUCH more than that! I mean its filled with head games, knowing your car (so you can set a dial-in), building a car that is consistent (which isn't as easy as it sounds), and being a good driver so you understand just what to do and when to do it on the track. For instance when I'm racing a guy that is slower than me in my '69 Camaro I will usually "sandbag". Meaning I will say I run slower than I actually can run. This plays real head games with the other drive when he sees you catch him way before you hit the finish and at the last second hit the brakes. At this point most inexperienced drivers have no idea what to think of there run. They don't know if they are going to run under. They don't know if its just that you're going to run under. Nor do they know if it was a bad that allowed you to catch them so soon. So like I said it takes a lot of practice to be good at bracket racing not just spending a lot of money to go fast. The fun part about bracket racing is that your trying to be the best driver out there. Which means not only do you know your car but you can drive.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>I accept your challenge. I will spank your V8 in my V6. After I whip James at AIS.<hr></blockquote>

Oh and Stefan I accept your challenge! If you want to race my '69 Camaro with a V8 or think you'll spank me. Set a date to meet me at OSW! I go for a heads up and a bracket race with you. [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

I dont mean to come off like an jerk but I just feel you need to give credit to those of us that work hard at being good in bracket racing. Its not easy at all!

[ January 07, 2004: Message edited by: Silver97Camaro ]</p>

[WickEdSix9838]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> The only purpose of bracket racing is to give SLOW cars a chance against REAL race cars, i.e. fast cars. The slower you are, it seems, the bigger a fan you are of bracket.

<hr></blockquote>
thats exactly the reason there is bracket racing, EVERY single time you form a heads up class, it turns into who has the most money, bracket racing is WAY cheaper and you can still go fast, if my dad had the money we'd be running pro stock but we dont, so he just spends the money he has and bracket races, you still get the rush, and you are still trying to run as quick as possible every pass...BUT even in some bracket classes it turns to who has the most money, my dad runs IHRA Top Sportsman which is a fast bracket class for doorslammers, at national events a 7.80 is the maximum dial-in and its a 48 car qualified field, at Norwalk the bump is normally in the 7.2's!!!! it takes lots and LOTS of money to run that fast, especially in a 2450lb. car...

[MustangEater8251]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Silver97Camaro:

Oh and Stefan I accept your challenge! If you want to race my '69 Camaro with a V8 or think you'll spank me. Set a date to meet me at OSW! I go for a heads up and a bracket race with you. [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

I dont mean to come off like an jerk but I just feel you need to give credit to those of us that work hard at being good in bracket racing. Its not easy at all!

[ January 07, 2004: Message edited by: Silver97Camaro ]<hr></blockquote>


If he comes down to OSW I want a piece of him....

besides he shoudl come down. heads up race of the boosted 6s... him and shane are the fastest two off the juice [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Silver97Camaro]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> If he comes down to OSW I want a piece of him....

besides he shoudl come down. heads up race of the boosted 6s... him and shane are the fastest two off the juice
<hr></blockquote>

Thats a good idea!!! Heads up or Bracket Racing its all good! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Jerriko]

I just can't believe the ignorance that glows off of the opening statement. Bracket racing by far is more difficutlt and competitive at the same time. Really, if you have a 8 second car, you are fast and there's not too many other people that you could reasonably race. You would either kill everybody or get killed. Sure, some people may find it extremely fun to just blow the doors off of everyone you race since you car goes incredibly fast. Myself, I like challenges. Hell, why would I be wasting my time on a 3.4L V6 if I didn't like challenges. Skill is throw back into the equation when you bracket race. And speaking from personal experience, the slower your car goes, the harder it is to be consistent. I thought this website was built on the fact that we drive V6s, we love V6s and we love beating V8s. But to say that bracket racing is for wimps is just like saying that we drive V6s because we are wimps.