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Post by nightrider on Dec 11, 2008 22:29:07 GMT -7
The idea of a "wide open" tjet, the cost is quite prohibiitive. Believe it or not.. the cost can get up to around 300.00 Are they fast? Yes.. had the privilege of launching one on Dragjets' track...
This might fly for a limited number of our members.. which is fine. But might leave others out of the scenario..
Depending on how many want to try it will determine if it happens in the NTRA. The Mead boys make a fine resin T/F body and I am sure we would adopt the body in our rules.
Not bad idea,,and I"m sure we will discuss it. But we will still have to see what the group wants.. just the way we roll...
Chris
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Post by dave hochallanged evans on Dec 12, 2008 2:50:48 GMT -7
Now that I have had time to think about it Night rider is right,I couldn't afford to build a top fuel unlimited dragster  might have to go say any tire as long as black, mean green arms,or 5 Ohm limited,any magnet,and (heres the catch22)stock T-jet gear ratio,basically a gasser motor except magnets. |
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Post by eddiebee on Dec 12, 2008 9:01:06 GMT -7
I don't want to be the dark cloud here guys , but let me give you our experience here in PA.
We had at least 14 tracks within an hour and a half drive from our area go out of business because somebody wanted to start a big dollar class.That lead to all classes turn into big dollar classes , or cheating began in the lower classes. Not all were dragstrips. Some were ovals & roadcoarses as well as other scales but still the same happened. I know I'm a newby here and surely don't want to tell anybody what to do but thats what we have seen happen. I really like this hobby and have learned a lot from this website and really looking forward to competing in some of your races.
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Post by nightrider on Dec 12, 2008 9:46:00 GMT -7
Eddiebee,
Welcome to the board...
Thanks for your comments... Sam and I have watched slotcars/RC cars etc.. all implode on themselves repeatedly, the biggest reason, COST.... and of course that lead to name calling, cheating, and almost fist fights.. none of which we want or need in the NTRA.
Chris
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Post by SKR on Dec 12, 2008 10:13:11 GMT -7
Well said Eddie, It is funny that the more we spend on these toys the more intense the emotions get during competition. I think when it comes to cheating and what I've seen kill the hobby is. ....... you get a guy that runs legal and has put a lot of time and effort into his build and in some cases money with parts, travel time to the track for practice and then when he thinks he is well prepared and has done all he can ends up getting blown away by a guy that cheats. One thing every track (IMO) should do is tech the cars regularly and let anybody who wants to sit in on the tech inspection do so. Honesty is the best way to keep your racers around. Take a look at Slot Drag Racing. Bracket racing will always be the biggest class at any event. There is no way to cheat in this class is there? If it wasn't for bracket racing I don't think that slot drag racing would have become what it is today. Now I personally would rather run heads up classes than Bracket racing. I like the challenge of trying to make each car the quickest/best it can be with my skills. I still enjoy Bracket racing by trying to get my car to run close to its dial # and like watching the faster cars play catch up to the stripe.
A lot of good programs have been ruined by cheaters and bad sportsmanship. A cheater might feel good about getting away with his tricks but really at the end of the day...... Are you really satisfied with your win? I could never be.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2008 11:17:02 GMT -7
I don't want to be the dark cloud here guys , but let me give you our experience here in PA. We had at least 14 tracks within an hour and a half drive from our area go out of business because somebody wanted to start a big dollar class.That lead to all classes turn into big dollar classes , or cheating began in the lower classes. Not all were dragstrips. Some were ovals & roadcoarses as well as other scales but still the same happened. I know I'm a newby here and surely don't want to tell anybody what to do but thats what we have seen happen. I really like this hobby and have learned a lot from this website and really looking forward to competing in some of your races. I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head. I've been establishing race programs since the 70's. The most successful programs are always the programs with limits. I know the natrual progression is to go faster and faster, but whether it's slotcars, RC or the real thing, if you let the dollars increase you reduce the number of racers. Eventually killing the programs. The mm/ps race is a great example of containing costs yet increasing the speed. |
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Post by johnbalich on Dec 12, 2008 16:34:28 GMT -7
Eddiebee you are not being a dark cloud at all..........................yuor certainly welcome to comment freely!!! Especially when your comments are dead-on like this post!
You are stating the simple truth. We have been aware of these factors, and constantly strive to keep things in check. NTRA was founded on "Sporstman" racing and will continue to Support this type racing as our FIRST priority. HIGHER end classes (such as our PRO MOD) will race less often it is likely, and with smaller fields, for the guys who want to play on that kind of a field. Keeping the Sportsman (hobbyist) in Sportsman racing is something we take very seriously. I would rather race a STOCK T JET with slip on tires against 16 or 32 cars much more than I would like to win "TOP FUEL" against two other guys with our 300 dollar cars.
One way we have approached the cost thing is to utilize a given chassis type for more than one class. Should we run dragsters in the future, a very viable option is to use the proven GASSER/FUNNY CAR set up. A lot of thought goes into Classes and class structure, and we always try keep our eye on the balance between cost, learning curve, and the natural desire to race 'other' car types.......
Comments from you guys help us to keep our focus.
I think the point about the costliness affecting the sportsmanship is a well taken one as well.
I don't think I am unique.....as a matter of fact I KNOW that I am not, when I say racing with this group is more than enough fun, if I never win a round. Another factor thats affects interest as it relates to cost......................at some point you don't feel as if you are racing or Hot Rodding at all. The guys who is willing to spend the most wins.....
BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by johnbalich on Dec 19, 2008 10:30:46 GMT -7
By the way......another thing that we have talked about before but bears repeating.............................the SLOWER the class of cars running, the physically closer the finishes are! An extreme example.......winning margin of .01 at 300 mph is about 4.5 feet. The same M.O.V. at 130 mph is 2.25 feet.
so SLOWER is CLOSER. Also, its nice to actually be able to see thecars as they run!
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Post by johnbalich on Dec 23, 2008 12:36:48 GMT -7
Please note the late addition Tire rules................it's all part of the process . It has come top our attention that Tuff ones silicone tires when stretched over certain wheels yield a practical, attractive, and legal set up provided the diameted is set at .460 maximum.. The rules will continue to be tweaked til the Cut off date.
Please also note, contrary to earlier bulletins here, BRAID pickups are NOT permitted in SuperStock competition.
Check the rules posting>
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 19:30:22 GMT -7
Hey guys . Even though im new to t-jets and drag racin i just wanted to coment on what eddibe and john said . I have seen the destruction of a few great tracks and racers becouse of the cost of guys wanting to spend more and more money just to win . This among other reasons had me at one point ready to box up all my stuff and toss it in the trash . I belive that the races held here at psychoslots are exactly what I have been looking for to get me back into the hobby . I hope to be able to make more races in the futer becouse I really like the wat the races and the classes are set up . sorry if this is not proper for this post
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Post by johnbalich on Dec 23, 2008 21:51:32 GMT -7
Glad to hear from you Shooter....................dont worry, cost controlled racing remains our staple.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2009 13:16:55 GMT -7
Im in for a "balls-to-the-wall" Tjet race. At the NHRA sanctioned, Virginia Motorsports Park, there are always classes that aren't cost effective for most racers so racers compete where they fit. Of course that is real racing... what's different except that the governing body are also the racers?
That being said, it surely should not stop us from having a race for those who want in. Even if it's an exhibition for a few so that those who want to build one can.
I for one have been slowly working on a parts list to build just that for the last few months. A real screamer in Tjet clothing. However, the real challenge for me has been building a decent Fray car that handles at speed or a MM/PS that goes over 40MPH. When you go "box stock" like the superstock, you find that there is less race car building and more modeling to do. Im not much of a modeler, and Sam will be able to attest to that in a few days when he gets my car, but I do like tweaking and changing a car to give it sort of a personality. The more changes you make to a stock build, the more difficulty in keeping it all together for the race.
I'll bet that if you make it available as a side race or even an exhibition, you will get entries for those of us interested and that very small crowd will be competitive.
My neighbor drives a nova at the local 1/4mile 5-6 times a season, surely he doesnt get bent out of shape because he cant compete with the AA Top Fuelers. He spends what his budget can hold and races where he can. Not having a class because not everyone would want to spend the time, money and effort is like telling Mercedes they cant sell in the country because not everyone can afford it.
I have heard Nightrider complain (ad nauseum) about money and the hobby but I also belong to a group of over a dozen racers many of whom have been together for over 10 years and some of them have means. They support each other and run Modifieds - Superstock inlines and Fray type Tjets. Some of these go for over 100.00 a car. They race VERY competitively about every three weeks. One of the best racers is a 18yo kid who has very little in the way of "means". They are also all friends (nmost important attribute) and if you dont have a car this week, someone will loan you one... if you are saving for that controller, they will let you use theirs until you get one... You will find that not only is it the folks who have money, but also the folks who resent them because of it that make the hobby fail.
I say build the class and then tech(teardown) the snot out of the top 3-5 places to prevent cheating. It's all about the people racing... not their wallet. It will only fail if you, the racers let it.
Sorry for the extra wordiness but Im pretty passionate about this topic as Im usually the one people resent because I have a few bucks... funny thing is.. I have NEVER won a race... Typically, Im last or near the bottom every time.
Hopefully, someday I will be able to build a winner cause Lord knows I have never been able to buy a race... ;D
Dan
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Post by da big ragu on Feb 4, 2009 14:59:14 GMT -7
 every body has a point well said chris , sam ,john , and dan me i just want to have fun and meet new people who like to have fun i dont care if i win well i do want to beat psycho aka demon but only cause he is a real sport. yeah i will more then likely not win but that is ok two as long as we can have fun if you need drama in your life and can't get along with others go watch the soap's on tv this place ant for you and we i should say me don't want you .
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Dusted
Pro Stock
Big Boyz Toyz
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Post by Dusted on Feb 5, 2009 5:24:59 GMT -7
I know I’m the new guy but I have a suggestion obviously some people want to race all out, “run what you brung” street racing in other words. It used to be every town had the king of the strip, street, town whatever the case was. Why not do the same here? Choose 3 chassis to represent Mopar, Ford and Chevy you can build those chassis any way you want. Have the first race with anyone that wants to run to get the first “King Of The Strip” and then on a regular basis, schedule to be determined, you take on all challengers of course this would mean the King would have to have a car that would hold up for multiple races or a schedule is setup for time in between for the car to go back to the owner to be tweaked. Anyway some things to work out but treat it as you would a street race challenge this way it doesn’t interfere with the other races. You already have grudge races which is kind of the same thing isn’t it? You could even have a small King of the road trophy that goes to the winner and then when you loose you have to send it to the new winner. Just a thought.
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Post by Demon340 on Feb 5, 2009 6:04:32 GMT -7
My two cents on ( RUN WHAT YOU BRUNG) all it takes is one
guy with a high dollar killer fast car and that would take the
fun out of that deal. I like the grudge races with our class cars
and rules it keeps the cost down and fair for all of us. Plus its
a test and tune for us to try things out.
DEMON 340
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might have to go say any tire as long as black, mean green arms,or 5 Ohm limited,any magnet,and (heres the catch22)stock T-jet gear ratio,basically a gasser motor except magnets. 
