Think about this.........

[Schmidt A103]

There has always been a challenge for S/SS to attract new racers.Maybe more of the problem is the availabilty of such good aftermarket parts has shifted the idea of entry level and low budget away from a class that requires you to run the parts your car came with and toward classes that allow you to simply buy superior parts.You can spend well over 30 grand building even a modestly prepared 12 second class car,but you can run 10's in a street car for $20 grand or less.Fewer racers are taking interest in what it takes to actually build a fast car and more are interested in just getting their hands on something fast so they can get out there and drive.If the E.T and 90 classes disappeared tommorrow,the racers who run them would simply reorginize into a seperate venue.Big payout E.T. races have been attracting 90 class drivers away from divisional races for years,and NHRA or IHRA has no way to control that.Even racers who really want to explore the science of going fast are migrating toward fastest street car type racing.Why spend 100 grand on an 8 second SS car when for 60 or 70 grand you can be running 7's in an outlaw 10.5 or drag radial car?No sourcing for hard to find parts,or kissing up to the engine builder with the best program for your car,just pick a class and buy your bullet out of a book.

NHRA doesnt seem to do much of what the racers want anyhow.Since the no deep stage rule which basically made every slower class stocker seem like nobody cared about them to the current fiasco with late model factory race cars bombing the classes where racers with $100K cars cant even stand a chance in their own class.S/SS racers run class because they love doing it,but there is nothing any sanctioning body can do that will make E.T. racers change their opinion of it.

[Dago Red]

I'm like Mike, I have been a lifelong fan of Stock and Super Stock since I started as a pit rat in SE Pennsylvania in the early seventies. To me bracket racing and class racing are apples and oranges. Who can squeeze the the most out of a combination within the narrow confines of the rules is class racing. Who can cram the largest amount of pneumatic and electronic crap into a race car is bracket racing. I'll be a footbraker till I die. Ever listen to some of these bracket guys? "Bumped down", "crossed over", "rolled in/out three..." They sound like they're trying to get the Shuttle programmed for reentry.

NHRA is not going to help you, except to continue to take your money. At least three times I've missed Stock or Super Stock because NHRA needed to accomodate the TV people, rescheduled and couldn't care less if spectators knew about it. You're gonna be replaced with Pro Mods, wheelie cars, nitro Harleys, jet cars, frisbee chasing dogs, and some kook on a motorcycle trying to bust his butt. They won't have to pay all those folks who track points, qualifying, teardown, tech, payout, parking etc. Why do you think they keep chipping sportsman eliminators out of national events?????????????

Now somebody help off this soapbox....(bad knees..)

[Dale Shannon]

Hey Blair good to here from ya, I think a lot of the new people you see out today are Drivers not owners, when the OLD owner is gone so goes the driver. Careful of what you wish for, if the new cars get different classes they may not need the old ones. Hope you have a happy holiday and good luck next year.
Dale

[Urraco]

Originally Posted by randy wilson

dial in racing has hurt drag racing whether we like to admit it or not. that and the cost. i remember when only class winners were allowed to run in eliminations with no breakout and there were more cars in a single class than there is at some div. now.some people went to several nats. without a chance to race sunday, but it was exciting. now, you have to bring a crowd with you just to have someone to show off to.

Very true. People dont want to see bracket racing and sandbagging at national events, but what is the answer?

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Urraco

Very true. People dont want to see bracket racing and sandbagging at national events, but what is the answer?

Top Stock. times 3 seperate wt breaks and Top S/S times 3. Heads up like it used to be. Well.....you asked......lol

[Dick Butler]

X-Tech,
You are 100% correct. The only way to make it a show is to make it less politically correct. Not everyone, not every combo, not every budget . True but hard to reverse todays trend to Expensive Bracket cars, inexpensive odd balls, and bogus cars that run fast on paper or on the brakes.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

X-Tech,
You are 100% correct. The only way to make it a show is to make it less politically correct. Not everyone, not every combo, not every budget . True but hard to reverse todays trend to Expensive Bracket cars, inexpensive odd balls, and bogus cars that run fast on paper or on the brakes.

Dick, let us not forget what I personally feel is the most important (and destructive) trend! The total disregard of the rules and the total lack of enforcement!

[Dick Butler]

Billy, I agree with the tech issues. Continually allowing more and more formerly illegal parts, procedures is just about as frustrating as finding out someone had them BEFORE they are legal and allow to WIN with them.
Crank Drilling, Head porting with acid, Cam specs, Injector specs and Turbo Boost.
Most if not all result of having rules to be in place , then addressing infractions with new rules not enforcement of RULES. Result more and more cost to win less and less money.
(But the goal is accomplished-No one is left out so they can return and pay entry and run brackets again)("Its only Dial in anyway")

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

("Its only Dial in anyway")

When I was in the final of the Sportsnationals,I seem to remember it being a heads up race.Don't know what you are refering to as "Dial In Anyway?"

Also,according to my Nitro Joe's Stats which arrived yesterday,there were 1550 total cars (Just in Stock Eliminator alone) that made passes at NHRA events last year.

There must be something that is interesting about this class for that many drivers to compete.

What is the big problem?

[Dale Shannon]

Terry and Dick what if 16 car field X's 3 wt. breaks with Top Stock 8 top carb cars and 8 other fi,tubo,SC what ever, top one in each run the final, that will force the new combos to run harder to get in the top 8 while only running each other at first. I think that will bring out the true HP the fastest.
Dale