[McRat]

First, when you are looking at Horsepower, you are looking at trap speeds. Crappy tires and poor 60' times have almost no effect on trap speeds.

This is why the NHRA rules are what they are.

Cars that could hit 100mph were considered at risk. This could happen at 14.0, so hence the 13.99 Helmet Rule.

Cars that could hit 120mph (11.99 then 11.49 later) were considered race cars, hence the rollbar, 5-pt, and fire jacket.

Cars that could hit 140mph (9.99) were considered animals. Full cage, fire system, etc.

I was racing motorcycles back then, and if I could click off a 12.90 with a license plate, I knew few cars with a license plate and street tires were going to catch me.

Imagine my surprise when in 2000, I took a bone stock Camaro SS to Carlsbad, spun the tires in 1st and 2nd, picked up the timeslip and it said 13.85@107.44 mph. :eek:

Really? OMG!!!

Wait. This thing is badged at 320HP!!! WTF???

DOT race tires and minor tweaks had the SS running 12.52@111mph in street trim on pump gas. No engine mods, no headers, factory muffler, through the cats.

(For those really curious 4th gen guys: M6 car, shifted at 6500rpm. Skinnies up front, M&H DOT's in back, remove spare, remove passenger seat, FastToys intake, larger Y-pipe, "Zed-Style" cutout, platinum plugs, bumped limiter to 6600rpm, richened it up, a little more timing in areas, 160°F thermostat. 343rwhp.)