Why bracket racing?

302Feen · 02-27-2009

This might be a dumb question, but me and my dad were kinda wondering about this the other day...

Why is it that you see people out at the track (bracket racers), they have so much money wrapped up in a drag car. Putting big blocks in with major modifications, a car that isn't even streetable, just to purposely run a 10.0 quarter mile consistantly?

I mean, I can get my 302 to run consistant 10's with the right amount of money. But to go screaming down the track just to let off the gas 3/4 of the way down to hit that consistant time?

Is there a reason for this, or is it just a preference type deal?

**RLG34750** · 02-27-2009

well it cheaper to build a bracket car there are no rules on what you can do other than safety.....

to run a class ( heads up racing) is very expensive to achieve the same kind of times due to the rules of what ever class you are running....

the next best thing to class racing is index where it is heads but you limited to the times you bracket....

equal to breaking out in bracket racing....

302Feen · 02-27-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg34750

well it cheaper to build a bracket car there are no rules on what you can do other than safety.....

to run a class ( heads up racing) is very expensive to achieve the same kind of times due to the rules of what ever class you are running....

the next best thing to class racing is index where it is heads but you limited to the times you bracket....

equal to breaking out in bracket racing....

That makes a little more sense out of it.

I guess it just doesn't seem as fun.
I'd rather be trying to push my gas pedal through the floor board through the finish line than letting off near the end or having a throttle stop... I guess that's where preference comes in...

So are you a heads up guy or bracket racer?

**RLG34750** · 02-27-2009

i use to be a bracket racer for the reason stated above

but this latest incarnation is being built to run a 9.60 index class

and possibly i will run a little true street....

cindys_sn95 · 02-27-2009

its kinda like shootin' pool and sex, you don't have to be good at it to enjoy it.

samotrx7 · 02-27-2009

We used to have a bracket racing program sandwiched between the tests and tunes on friday nights when I lived in colorado, it was pretty fun. No points system, you win that night you get 50 bucks and a small trophy I loved it. Here it's more serious you have to run a point series and I honestly don't have the time for it. Tell you what though, it's actually pretty intense waiting for a slow ass car and for your light to drop down, the worst I had it was a guy in a chevette, his dial in was 20.10!!! To my 13.70 at the time, it seemed like forever waiting for that guy as he motored down the track, but it was fun.

mmb617 · 02-27-2009

Bracket racing allows you to enjoy racing with any car. It can get pretty intense and competitive. I bracket race myself and even I can't say why we keep trying to make our cars faster since having the fastest car doesn't necessarily mean you'll win. I guess that's just what racers do, they always want to go faster.

Sure I'd love to race heads up, but that is extremely expensive and as dirty Harry said "A man's gotta know his limitations".

**RLG34750** · 02-27-2009

when you are running 10's and the car in the other lane is dialed in at 16.5 you wait and wait and wait....

if you don't redlight then you breakout running him down

there is talent involved with bracket racing ....

i am just hooked on pro tree heads up.....

shinerstang · 02-28-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg34750

when you are running 10's and the car in the other lane is dialed in at 16.5 you wait and wait and wait....

if you don't redlight then you breakout running him down

there is talent involved with bracket racing ....

i am just hooked on pro tree heads up.....

We call those "hot dog" leads when we are bracket racing. If I dial in at 13.0, and the other guy dials in at 14.0, that's a 1 hot dog lead. If the guy next to me dials in a 10.0, I get 3 hot dogs. We started this when Gearhead had to give a Duster, inline 6, like a 9 second head start. I said,"damn, how many hot dogs did you eat before you left."

Do you call it "talent"or sandbagging. I call it sandbagging. If you're going to run your car, run it, don't post a slower time so you can pass me then hit your brakes so you don't break out.......

mmb617 · 02-28-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinerstang

We call those "hot dog" leads when we are bracket racing. If I dial in at 13.0, and the other guy dials in at 14.0, that's a 1 hot dog lead. If the guy next to me dials in a 10.0, I get 3 hot dogs. We started this when Gearhead had to give a Duster, inline 6, like a 9 second head start. I said,"damn, how many hot dogs did you eat before you left."

Do you call it "talent"or sandbagging. I call it sandbagging. If you're going to run your car, run it, don't post a slower time so you can pass me then hit your brakes so you don't break out.......

I don't like sandbagging either and always dial my car as fast as I think I can go. The only time I'll hit the brakes before the finish is if I'm way ahead and just want a little insurance. Most of the time I cross the stripe at full throttle and if I break out then it just means I didn't dial properly.

I like the concept of hot dog leads, it's very appropriate. I hate when the other car is getting a couple second head start as it's tough to sit there and watch them go what looks like half track before you start. It's real easy to get the jitters and red light in those situations.

I do like to be the faster car as it's easier to see where your opponent is, but I only want to be a little faster. The best scenario is on those rare occasions when the other lane has the exact same dial in and you have a real heads up race.

FS6811 · 03-01-2009

I like the heads up stuff my self and work at a track also, and if it were not for bracket racing, drag racing would have died 30 years ago. Because it is not cheap to heads up race. But you can bracket race your work car. But if you want to win some money in bracket racing you need to spend the money too, cause going rounds is how you win money. When you have 5 minutes between rounds you better be able to cool off that quick. just my .02

302Feen · 03-02-2009

I guess I'd have to go watch a bracket race sometime. I only go to the track on Test and Tune nights, when no one is really RACING, they're just getting their cars dialed in at the right times...
But yal gave a lot of good information on how and why.

**RLG34750** · 03-03-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinerstang

Do you call it "talent"or sandbagging. I call it sandbagging.

there are a lot of sandbaggers in bracket racing.....

i personally know only one way to drive.....

balls to the wall.....i drive it like i stole it.....

that why i building an index car....

the talent is knowing how to read the track conditions

and the car then dialing in accordingly so you can run the all out...

PLstang · 03-03-2009

You know it Rig!!

Beat on it like it owes you money!!
(Because if your like me.....it does

)

I'm all about heads up my self. Run what you brung and you better bring enough!

I leave on 20lbs of boost, it's go or blow!! That's the way I like it!

I'm not faulting bracket racers, it's just not for me!

tsmorrisracing · 03-05-2009

not to mention that you could take any car et bracket racing
but as long as it meets some ihra requirements like for instance if its a drag and street car, or truck (my personal preference is a car...like my 1993 mustang with a 2.3L) it needs drag radials for street and racing...
but thats my 2cents for now....