[cutta]

I'm 25 and I am second generation racer. My dad has bracket raced most of his life and did fiddle with SS here locally in AR when Carlisle was still up and running. From my perspective, kids my age simply do not have enough interest. Even the one's that like cars can't find time to even go to the track with me. I've invited most of my friends and they simply don't enjoy it enough. You have to like racing to do it. I can't even get my friends to spectate lol. Most of the time, I will pay most of there way as well. In my case, money is the biggest reason me and my dad have not gone further with our racing projects. I've been in college the past seven years getting two degrees and my dad hates putting more money in than he has to, especially when you incur damages as a result of upgrades. For instance, more power in the engine compartment usually means that there must be upgrades in other areas and if not done, your taking a risk. That breakage is discouraging on the wallet and my dad.

As for me, I've loved drag racing from the start and my first national events was all it took to get me to love stock, super stock, comp, and pro stock. Although my dad taught me basic concepts, I did my own research and got a rule book to read and found out how stock, comp, and super stock work so I would know what I needed to do going forward. I even enjoy bracket racing as well but with anything, you like variety so local bracket racing can get dry. I do like outlaw racing as well but when it all said it done, I want to race in Comp and Super Stock. I'll get there and it will take time but it will get done. I'm just blessed to have old engine block laying around for a possible GT motor later on. The only downside for me is the fact I want to build a mopar and I won't bow out from going that route. There are not very many GT 97 and newer GT cars laying around to buy?

Also, I do agree with the consensus that younger guys being brought into this whole deal don't like rules. Thats the biggest reason they end up going to outlaw classes or bracket race. Money is also a concern there as well. In my case, I know very well how much money it takes to do it, I've estimated many times over, so evaluating my engine options is constant thought in trying to combine power, cost, and efficiency of that engine. Just my thoughts.

As of now, I'm not sure of the best fix other then to get Outlaw racing to combine together with traditional classes at the same event so both forms get exposure. Also, making sure that racing NHRA is more readily accessible. I'm in Little Rock, AR and there are no tracks inside of 200 miles that hold a divisional. Travel, Fuel, and entry makes any local track look great.