Re: FS cars exempt from HP?
 

SSGN, I have differ with you, there is major interest in the new cars and the fan base is growing fast. I’m not sure how many NHRA national races you have been to, but I can tell that new cars are a major attraction in the pits. Anthony Bongiovanni had 5 new cars in competition last weekend. They were all on display on the main pit road. The steady stream of fans coming up to these cars were awesome. When they opened the hoods the fans were all over the cars. In contrast my car was also on the main pit road and received quite the attention, but not as much as the new cars. When I was over near Anthony’s pit the fans had so many questions about the cars, cars they said they can relate to. On the other hand, although they had some interest in my car, most knew very little about it, only asking if it was a real Shelby.

If The FS class was on Friday instead of Thursday, the stands would have been quite different.

I understand why some racers are upset with NHRA and how they are handling the FS class, but there are some good reasons for the no hp. One reason I can tell you is that if they were to give this new class hp, it would take to long to see what the car potential is. These cars are running all out all the time, NHRA now knows what these cars can run. Another reason is to bring more racer interest to the class. You will see many more teams running FS next year. This weekend alone I found out there will be at least 10 more cars competing in FS next year.

Guys, I know things are not perfect, but there are changes coming next year for the better.

Oh yes, to Billy, all I can say is reality is relative.

Re: FS cars exempt from HP?
 

so in your mind ,all the older combinations should suffer in the meantime ,lol

Re: FS cars exempt from HP?
 

No they should not, and I fail to find the humor in it with your lol. In 1969 you might have said the same thing. How do you think the guy with a early 60's car running against a 69 COPO felt. A car that was very expensive and only the few could afford was beating on you and not much you could do about it.

Stock is evolving, many are racing 40 plus year old cars. Can you imagine racing a Ford Model A in the 60's. I'm not saying things are perfect, but with change comes pain. Hell I have an old car to and knows what it feels like to get beat up on.

Re: FS cars exempt from HP?
 

I don’t understand how anyone can think that it is fair to have two sets of rules for cars running the same eliminator. One has to worry about getting HP if they try and qualify at the top. The others can just do what they wish and fill all the top spots. At Most races they aren’t bumping people from the field. But it is not right.
NHRA has a couple eliminators with different rules to even things out. Different size engines for Harlely’s and the other bikes but it is done to bring them inline performance wise. What they are doing with the FS class is the complete opposite. If they aren’t going to hit them with horse power then at least give them an index that brings them down to the rest of the field. A great run in FS should result in a -1.10 or so run. Adjust the index to that point.

Re: FS cars exempt from HP?
 

Yes Billy you did a great job. You always do.

For years now all we have heard about is the attention these new cars are getting and how fast it is growing. Before they got a new car, I have seen the Emmons Brothers stage their cars at national events and draw considerable crowds to their pit area as well. I guess any of these cars can draw a crowd if a group of them are staged along a high traffic area.

And I'm thinking this new car deal has a lot more to do with a power grab than evolution. At least evolution travels along a steady path with rules. And this pain accompanying change mantra doesn't really work for me either. We're not talking about a great societal change that could bring about pain. We're talking about a bunch of new cars that have been granted an elite status by nhra.

Re: FS cars exempt from HP?
 

even funnier that NHRA is so stupid. COPO 69 Camaro could be bought new for $4000

Re: FS cars exempt from HP?
 

Converted to today that would be about $26,700. Can't build a competitive upper class stocker for that.
Seems like the new cars are going to

Companies/individuals as a way to enhance a business model, guys who have the money to go fast, guys who will mortgage their lives to have one and lastly some guys who have small pee pees.
I ran a two of them before I faded into the sunset. Beat them both, so I don't have an agenda based on them class wise. I like it when they would try to close it up on me going almost 60 mph faster than me.

Update:

The COPO option was around $4,000 bringing the price of the car to about $7,259 which is about $47,500 now.That will buy you 2/3s of a F/S mustang.
Save up your pennies boys and girls.

Re: FS cars exempt from HP?
 

The 69 COPO didn't have a roll cage, spool and axles, racing wheels and tires, racing transmission, ready to race engine etc etc

Re: FS cars exempt from HP?
 

Not sure how many young people could afford 7200 for a new car 69 and than add the rest of the race equipment.

Karl, a 55 chevy didn't have a 4 speed, a modern engine, carburetor, suspension, and so on...

Granted the new cars have a lot more, but if there was an internet back in 69, there would have been just as many complaints.

Like or not these cars are here to stay. Hopefully the changes next year will make most happy. I suspect that it will make most happy, but there will always be few saying its not enough.

We may not all agree, but I do think its good to here how everyone feels. Being on both sides of the fence, I think the new cars are the best thing that ever happened to stock and super stock. There is more ink and factory support then there has be since the 60's

Re: FS cars exempt from HP?
 

1969 making about $1.60/hour I bought my first new car, "69 Nova 396/375 for $3250; the dealership had 6 427 COPO's at ____price (can't remember), but they had 1 ZL-1 that was about $7200....the ZL-1 was a $4000 option

Surely the 427 steel COPO's were around $4000

No roll bars then, Lakewood slapper bars, Hurst shifter, Scheiffer clutch, Hooker headers, Firestone 7" slicks and raced like crazy while going thru college at Cornhusker, Kearnry and Flightland

Kind of different from $90K entry fee plus another $what

Hey, I like 'em too, but a damn shame racer's heart and soul cut out in those classes with the older cars that are rendered non-competitive and de-valued and parked