If you could define rules for restrictor plate tracks what would be your goals?

NC HillBilly

NC HillBilly

Back home where I belong
Joined
Mar 3, 2011
Messages
275
Points
203
Location
NC
In light with all that's leading up to this race;

- Last nights terrible wreck
- The GEN6 car begin really tested for the first time today
- The catch fence and how it could be improved in the future.
- Improvements to the cars themselves that could be made to make things safe for the fans.

I'm sure other things as well...but moving on.

If you could define the rules for _everything_ in the restrictor place races (Daytona and Dega) how would you force the cars to be set-up? You can also go as far as taking the plate out all together and tweaking the cars in other ways. You can slightly change the configuration of the track itself (fences for example, or the banking).

The idea: Make it safer for the drivers, make it safer for the fans.

Also include what type of racing you'd encourage and why, examples; tandum drafting, pack racing, driver begin able to pass without the draft...etc.

Sorry if all of this has been covered before, I'm sure it has. :p I'll reply with my answer in a bit. :)
 
I'd like to see changes that would eliminate the need for restrictor plates entirely. That means altering the tracks so that the drivers can't keep their foot on the floor all day; so that they have to step on the brakes every lap. I don't see any way to do that with 'slight' changes. At Daytona they could use the road course, including the chicane. I don't see any way to de-plate Talladega.

If we're going to include radical changes, I'd like to see both redesigned from scratch to lengths under 1.5 miles.
 
putting restrictor plates on race cars is like taking a long distance runner and fitting him with a ball and chain before the race

technology, and the associated speed of cars, passed up the concept of a long, high-banked, tri-oval not long after talledega was built in the late 60's

bruton smith said it years ago:

knock down the banking at talledega (and daytona), take the plates off the cars, and let them have it
 
Nothing needs to be done to the cars on the safety side except maybe making sure the tires stay on the car. Fencing needs to be changed.. that's all.
 
Lazyking said:
Nothing needs to be done to the cars on the safety side except maybe making sure the tires stay on the car. Fencing needs to be changed.. that's all.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum Lazyking . Hope you're a UConn fan . Fan safety can always be improved and it has been , time and time again . Hope they don't have to harm the fans access to the edge of the track near the fence , I know that I take every opportunity that I can to get near the track , especially on restarts .It is an exciting experience.
 
As I have said, reduce downforce (eliminate spoiler and splitter), reduce grip (harder tires) and eliminate the plate.

If drivers have to lift off of the throttle in order to navigate the turns, the packs will go away and the speeds will remain safe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ozz
They should build special race cars for the restrictor plate races, everything the same except the horsepower. Like instead of 850 horses run 550 horses. Either that or run 1950s body styles on them.
 
I would take 8"-10" off the front bumper/spliter remove the side skirts. that should slow them down enough to remove the plates. For the grand stands raise them up and back 20'.
 
Dad's thinking 2 layers of catch fences. They said making the fence taller would weaken it. Okay, so make one taller and potentially weaker, and one shorter but stronger.

I'm thinking either step down to the V6 (Hey, all the cars have V6's now, so they can have the "stock" motor to go with the "Stock" appearance) or go from a 350 V8 to a 289 or something like that. Use the same bore so that the block stays the same, just put a shorter crankshaft/longer connecting rod in.
 
The restricter plates need to go away...
There are a lot of ways to reduce the topin speed...
The cheapest way to do it is with Gear rato... 355,373,390,410 or maybe 456 rato but I think the last two gears are to tall...
The next best way would be heads with bigger combustion chambers and smaller intake valves...
Another way would be lowering the compresion rato...
If need be a combition of all three...would to the trick for sure...
 
The Fords need to be given a parachute to haul around and the Toyotas an anchor weighing at least 500pounds . That will create adequate seperation . At least three different packs.
 
Change the Gear Ratios to slow the top end down, remove the plate and let the Race begin. Double fencing was discussed last night around the frame shop as a solution. Having a stronger primary fence, designed more to Keep the Car and Large parts on the track. Adding a Taller second fence two or three feet inside the main fence designed to catch smaller parts by extending it's taller section up, over and out by another 5 feet over the track. The 2nd fence would be be a combination of fiber Netting in the upper high section to High strength steel webbing in its lower section. Visibility would indeed be further obstructed, but would be an accepted trade off for safety of those fans within the debris zone of an impacted fence.
 
I think we all know speeds need to be kept under 200 mph, and even that's to fast. If nascar insists on using the 'everyone is equal' plate, slow the cars down to 180 mph. I would rather see a 300 cU displacement engine used on speedways rather than a plate. That would slow the cars down without bunching everyone up with the same exact HP.
 
RaNeR said:
The restricter plates need to go away...
There are a lot of ways to reduce the topin speed...
The cheapest way to do it is with Gear rato... 355,373,390,410 or maybe 456 rato but I think the last two gears are to tall...
The next best way would be heads with bigger combustion chambers and smaller intake valves...
Another way would be lowering the compresion rato...
If need be a combition of all three...would to the trick for sure...
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the other direction on gears

Mandate 3rd and 4th gear ratios (Something like 1.75 and 1.00), let the teams choose 1st and second (neither to be lower than 3:1), and give them a 2.33 rear gear (The tallest a ford 9 will take). Should sufficiently lag the motors enough to slow them down.
 
RaNeR said:
The restricter plates need to go away...
There are a lot of ways to reduce the topin speed...
The cheapest way to do it is with Gear rato... 355,373,390,410 or maybe 456 rato but I think the last two gears are to tall...
The next best way would be heads with bigger combustion chambers and smaller intake valves...
Another way would be lowering the compresion rato...
If need be a combition of all three...would to the trick for sure...
Click to expand...
YOU CANT MAKE HP WITHOUT COMPRESION,NO HP = NO PLATES
 
At one time, there was talk of putting Lexan on the track side of the catch fences.
This would be quite expensive but it would solve two major issues regarding catch fences:

1. Visibility would not be impared
2. Probably MOST important - the uprights, which hold the actual fence in place, would not come into contact with the bodies of the cars. As we have seen from all of the car/catch fence encounters, it's the uprights which cause all of the damage to the cars. Whether it be Geoff Bodine's Daytona crash, Kenny Brack's IRL experience at TMS or Kyle Larson's disasterous contact last Saturday, it's the poles that cause the most damage.
 
1. Reduce downforce to allow for more driver input.
2. Increase restrict or plate size for a bit more horse power to avoid the big one.
3. More test dates paid by NASCAR to the top teams but share in general what is learned for all teams.
4. When Gen7 comes along do the testing, and certify it is ready before adoption.
That is all.
Stay Calm and have a beer.
 
FenderBumper said:
I think we all know speeds need to be kept under 200 mph, and even that's to fast. If nascar insists on using the 'everyone is equal' plate, slow the cars down to 180 mph. I would rather see a 300 cU displacement engine used on speedways rather than a plate. That would slow the cars down without bunching everyone up with the same exact HP.
Click to expand...

Nascar gets all twitchy:cuckoo: when speeds approach 200 mph. To reduce speeds they started to phased out the big blocks in 1971 and by '74 everyone was running the 358. Now technology has given the small block more hp than the big blocks at less weight.
Time to go to the 302 format. Ford and Chevy can make a no sweat switch, they've build thousands of them. As for Toyota remember what Gen MacArthur said,,,,,
 
It has been stated before that lowering the banking would slow them down, simply due to having to lift in the corners and might get them seperated a little bit. Good horsepower (without plates) and a good handeling car would be key to winning.
Nascar has tried everything else over the years.
I personally like the high banks but sure don't like seeing fans get hurt because of 15 and 20 car packs.
 
A hard(er) tire would do the same as lowering the banking,,and it won't cost Nascar the millions it would cost. [insert smiling brain icon here]
A smaller engine size, remember that there's no subsitute for cubic inches, with the same restrictions about using exotic materials would cut speeds dramatically, and not cost Nascar millions.[insert second smiling brain icon here]

If someone can VISUALLY tell the difference between 180 in the draft vs 200 MPH more power to ya, you're a better man than I.

BTW the only thing Nascar has done over the years is to juggle plate and spoiler size. Don't forget the "wicker bill" and that stupid thing on the roof that looked like they lost half their roof racks for carry a frikken canoe.
 
Bobw said:
A hard(er) tire would do the same as lowering the banking,,
Click to expand...

YES!!!

Thank You!

I have been saying this for years! Put bowling ball rubber on all four corners of the cars, reduce the aero-dependancy (splitters and spoilers) and NASCAR could eliminate the plates. No changes to the tracks are necessary! Just make the rules package one that requires drivers to LIFT OFF THE EFFING THROTTLE - and maybe even have to use some brakes - in order to navigate the turns and the problem would be solved!

BUT - there are fans who LOVE LOVE LOVE huge 190mph packs of cars "racing" (and I use that term loosely) around 'Tona and 'Dega.

NEVER GONNA PLEASE EVERYBODY...
 
Simple solution , a brick on the floorboard under the gas pedal.
 
My wife could give them all driving lesson's. She can't stay off the flapping brake pedal. New rotors are not very expensive for most nascar teams. They do however cost me a fortune..
 
In all seriousness, I would take out the bottom 20 rows at every racetrack. But the tracks will never do this because those seats right next to the wall being filled (at the reduced prices) gives the appearance of a sell out crowd to the television viewer.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
In all seriousness, I would take out the bottom 20 rows at every racetrack. But the tracks will never do this because those seats right next to the wall being filled (at the reduced prices) gives the appearance of a sell out crowd to the television viewer.
Click to expand...
Indycar seemed to figure this one out in a hurry

Bobw said:
Nascar gets all twitchy:cuckoo: when speeds approach 200 mph. To reduce speeds they started to phased out the big blocks in 1971 and by '74 everyone was running the 358. Now technology has given the small block more hp than the big blocks at less weight.
Time to go to the 302 format. Ford and Chevy can make a no sweat switch, they've build thousands of them. As for Toyota remember what Gen MacArthur said,,,,,
Click to expand...

This is the easiest. Like I said, if nothing else, keep the bore, and shorten the crank. That way the block stays the same, only the rotating assembly is different. THEN mandate that all 4 plate races must be ran with the same motor, and watch them pull compression of their own accord to make the motors last ~2300 miles with practices, qualifying, ect.
 
PeopleAreStrange said:
It used to be several years ago when two lines of cars would compete with each other instead of just one single line with no passing. I used to enjoy watching drivers switch from line to line trying to make their way to the front.
Click to expand...

I still say that driving around a track with a restricted engine ain't "racing".
An exciting exhibition? Yes!
But a race? Not to me...
 
There is no "fix" for restrictor plate racing. Period.
Every attempt has failed, from my perspective.
Daytona and Talladega are dinosaur tracks that were designed for a racecar from a different era. It's time to recognize that and move on.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
In all seriousness, I would take out the bottom 20 rows at every racetrack. But the tracks will never do this because those seats right next to the wall being filled (at the reduced prices) gives the appearance of a sell out crowd to the television viewer.
Click to expand...

In all honesty the bottom rows are the last to sell , from what I've seen, and ,unless there is a sell out , they are always empty anyway. The bottom rows are also used for wheelchair parking.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
In all seriousness, I would take out the bottom 20 rows at every racetrack. But the tracks will never do this because those seats right next to the wall being filled (at the reduced prices) gives the appearance of a sell out crowd to the television viewer.
Click to expand...

Yep. Even monster trucks figured this out after 1 fatality.
 
MOEJOE said:
Big monster truck fan are you?
Click to expand...

no, but I remember the tragedy of the 8 year old boy sitting next to his Father having a great time until the rear housing cover from a truck doing a spin hit him in the head and killing him. All venues immedietly covered the bottom 30 rows and lined the arena walls with heavy roll off dumpsters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom