DRAG ILLUSTRATED RACERS REACT
SOME MAJOR NHRA PRO MOD NEWS made waves in early December , with a rule change
that had many people in the class talking . ¶ According the NHRA Pro Mod rulebook , “ Section 6 : E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series Presented by J & A Service , Drivetrain : 2 , Transmission ( 4th Paragraph ) ( Page 5 )” it says , “ Automated-electric , or automated pneumatic shifting devices prohibited on all transmission types . Each individual shift must be a function of the driver and controlled manually .” ¶ Most saw the switch to manual shifting as a surprise move , and it definitely sent shockwaves through the class . On social media , many were outspoken and plenty within the industry shared their opinions , with a large contingent in favor of the move to manual shifting and eliminating automatic shifting . ¶ The consensus was NHRA made the move as an added safety measure , meaning the cars won ’ t automatically shift when a run gets into trouble . But the move comes at an interesting time following smaller fields to close out 2020 . ¶ Whether that was chiefly a COVID-19 effect remains to be seen , and it will be interesting to see what effect this rule change has as well . ¶ Drag Illustrated talked to a handful of drivers and crew chiefs , who each expressed varying opinions on the matter . Most agreed that it was a good move and puts a greater focus on the driver , adding another unique element to the fan-favorite class .
DOUG WINTERS PRO MOD VETERAN
DOUG WINTERS
■ Winters is a longtime driver in the class , driving a blown Chevelle , thriving in the days of manual shifting . He universally praised the move to manual shifting .
“ I ’ m surprised , but I ’ m happy to see it as an old-school guy ,” Winters says . “ I had to read it twice to make sure I read it right , but I ’ m a big proponent of getting rid of auto-shifters . It puts a little more of the driver into the equation . When you ’ re shifting , if you miss it by just a little , it can affect a lot . If you hit it early , it can kill your E . T . If it ’ s not soon enough , you ’ re going to shake the tires . But that ’ s how it should be .”
He mentioned the safety aspect of it , too , but also noted how it could impact eliminations . With an automatic shifter , runs are usually aborted if a driver rattles the tires . With manual shifting , that will likely change – for the better , Winters says .
“ In competition , you can pull a gear to calm it down , and take off again ,” Winters points out . “ You can rattle the tires , pull back down to second gear and make an OK run out of what would be a bad run in eliminations . Now if you rattle the tires , you just let off .”
He notes that some tuners may not like the move , as it takes some control out of their hands , and there will definitely be a learning curve for the inexperienced . Winters isn ’ t in that group and he thinks it ’ s best for the class .
“ If you don ’ t hit the shift points right on the number all the time , it will affect your E . T ,” Winters reiterates . “ In Pro Stock , if you miss the shift it can kill your run . In Pro Mod , you ’ re going to have the same thing . I think it ’ s great and I can ’ t wait . I think most old-school drivers will like this .”
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