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In the early 70s NHRA had a class called A/Fuel Dragster (A/FD). Basically it was a class for Fuel Injected single engine NitroMethane fueled dragsters with a weight break of 3.0 pounds per cube (without the driver). The cars ran in NHRA's Competition Eliminator which featured handicap starts based on the current national performance records. These cars were always a fan favorite because they brought the unique sound, power and speed of NitroMethane to Comp Eliminator allowing fans to see Nitro cars at a local level of racing. The cars were typically Hemi powered (but there was the occasional Chevy), most ran a fuel pump in the 7 - 12 GPM range, ran 2 speed Lencos, 12 inch tires and the majority were front engine design. With low 7 second and 200 MPH capability they were quite competitive in Comp Eliminator. While the maintenance and expenses were a bit higher than some of the other cars in Comp, it was within reach of most teams. In 1974 NHRA created Pro Comp Eliminator and moved the A/FDs out of Comp. The class and cars evolved over the years into what is now Top Alcohol Dragster and today the Injected Nitro cars battle it out against their Blown Alcohol counterparts. These cars are now running low 5s at speeds over 270. The expense, maintenance and complexity exceeds the capabilities of all but the most well funded teams. In 2001 in an effort to appeal to the growing interest in nostalgia style drag racing and to add interest to Comp Eliminator, NHRA created the A/Nostalgia Dragster (A/ND) class. These cars maintain the late 60s - early 70s front-engined dragster look. NHRA also added the IHRA style Pro Modifieds and for the 2002 season are including supercharged alcohol altereds. All this has been done in an effort to make Competition Eliminator more exciting for the fans. In keeping with that effort, we believe that the restoration of the injected Nitro dragster class would bring the missing piece back to Comp. Except for the large national meets, NitroMethane fueled cars are never seen at dragstrips today. While it's not practical to build a supercharged Nitro car for Comp, an injected fueler, built to resemble the cars of the early 70s could be run in Comp at costs in keeping with the rest of the eliminator. Based on our experience from the past, the class and cars would be hugely popular with the fans and help make Competition Eliminator fun to watch again. Not only would the class bring Nitro back to the local/divisional level dragstrips, it will also appeal to the current interest in nostalgia cars. There is NO doubt about it . . . "Nitro puts butts in the seats"!!! |