Dragsters Vs Door Cars

[sp7128]

Clay I agree with what you say...but, the track (prep) consistency and timing system consistency play into the equation just as much as the driver and car, we have to have TRUST in what the track provides us, just a much as the piece of equipment we bring. (If any of you have raced at another track, these people will understand what I am commenting about), therefore the dragster is probably a little more forgiving of a track that is not kept up thru the racing program or prepped the same for each round?

[358t]

I don't think a dragster is significantly more consistent than a good door car. It is all about the combination.

The dragsters slight advantage is due to the ability to drive the stripe easier from the "vision" you get with the open wheel base and normally being faster (the whole race is in front of you) than the door cars.

But, now with the trend to go faster and faster in dragsters there are many times that a good door car is more consistent. In this case track prep and smoothness becomes critical. In my opinion, a good door car is a better weapen at the older bumpy 1/8 mile tracks

[sp7128]

exactly 358T...we are our own worst enemy !!!sometimes ..with "the need for speed"

[338d]

You are dead on Scott. The race being in front of you is huge and the visibility in a dragster is great. At some of these older 1/8 mile tracks I do think that a good door car can consistently do well. Oh and I will agree Todd that the traction at other facilities is much better than we get at Gateway and that also helps out the door cars, but you can never beat having race in front of you.

[chaplain]

the driver mite have had a small part in winning the championship?

Though it's been a loooong time since I've raced on a regular basis, I've been upside down at the top end in both cars and I personally would rather be in the door car if the worst happens. I crashed a dragster at 185 at Gainsville (steering broke ) and a door car at 160+ at MOROSO (my fault I hit the breaks too hard ).Maybe it's a psycological thing but I felt more protected in the door car than in the dragster. I didn't get as banged up in the door car either.

As far as winning, I believe that on most tracks especially in the 1/8th mile, the dragster deffinately has the advantage if all else is equal.