Fine them and then make it legal. Wowwser

[Jim Caughlin]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Ya know, as much as I would like to think that Factory X or Factory Stock is going to be the future of Pro Stock, with only the Mustang being built anymore NHRA is going to wind up with another nostalgia eliminator on it's hands in a couple of years.
IMHO, what they should be looking into for a future "PRO" eliminator would be either (heaven forbid!) the Factory race engines in pickups (a bodystyle that isn't going away and can be kept current) or small SUVs with 2 liter turbo engines. And the advantage of the latter would be all of the manufacturers world-wide that build small SUVs and 2 liter turbo engines who COULD become involved.

Everyone related to drag racing hates 4 cylinders, take this from a guy who races one...

[J.R. Haddad]

Not withstanding all of the situations that have happened at the last couple of races, I'm not sure enough cars were built(or being built according to NHRA) to make this the class that was envisioned. The cars are wonderful to look at, and I'd love to have one. And if I could afford to build one( I Can't) a lot of these cars have Full Time Employees maintaining them, all very sharp people, and they don't come cheap. I also understand it costs more for a complete chassis than a Pro Stock Car. While the motors have restricted FSS rules, sometimes working around rule restrictions cost more that building a no holds barred piece. Love the cars, Love the Class, but with not being a Pro Class, I don't know how many people will pursue it in it's present form and cost structure.

J.R.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Jim Caughlin

Everyone related to drag racing hates 4 cylinders, take this from a guy who races one...

That's not entirely true Jim. Last year I was told by my then DD that he couldn't believe how many "kids" stopped and looked at my butt-ugly 4 door Cavalier. At some point in time, those "kids" will (hopefully) be bringing their "kids" to the races and they have a tough time relating to their Grand-Pa's Copo and 500" V8s which haven't been built in decades. Nascar is going to/starting to have the same problem.

[Frank Castros]

Billy,
All your cars have been butt ugly. Maybe these "youngsters" are attracted to the weird and unexplained.
I would love to see you drive a real rocket like Gary Richard's A/SA Camaro.
Put it on the bumper bro!
Way Cool!

[doglover44]

I prefer Factory Stock over Factory x

[1700camaro]

Originally Posted by doglover44

I prefer Factory Stock over Factory x

X2..

[JP1738]

Originally Posted by 1700camaro

X2..

I could get behind that too if they didn't blow the tires off so often. Making that 9" tire work on NHRA national event prepped surfaces has appeared to be very challenging given all the hp under the hood. Outside of the very strict rule book, it has just become another radial class where the cars go or don't go. I've never found that enjoyable in any form.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

Billy,
All your cars have been butt ugly. Maybe these "youngsters" are attracted to the weird and unexplained.

Frank, go to a local track on a T&T night. It'll be packed with "kids" racing "weird and unexplained" cars (imports?). Yeah, there might be a few old men there with their new Challengers and some fast Diesel trucks but not many. "Kids" are going to race (if they're interested in cars at all) what they can afford and there ain't many '60s/'70s/'80s or even '90s American/RWD/V8/affordable cars around. What "kids" and their friends drive is what they will relate to.

Oh, can you give me the contact info of a body and paint shop who can guarantee me a tenth (or even .05) with a fancy paint job? I'd like to talk to them. ;-)

[BG56]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Frank, go to a local track on a T&T night. It'll be packed with "kids" racing "weird and unexplained" cars (imports?). Yeah, there might be a few old men there with their new Challengers and some fast Diesel trucks but not many. "Kids" are going to race (if they're interested in cars at all) what they can afford and there ain't many '60s/'70s/'80s or even '90s American/RWD/V8/affordable cars around. What "kids" and their friends drive is what they will relate to.

Oh, can you give me the contact info of a body and paint shop who can guarantee me a tenth (or even .05) with a fancy paint job? I'd like to talk to them. ;-)

Billy, I don't think they've seen your Novas. It has been a while...

[Dan Bennett]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Oh, can you give me the contact info of a body and paint shop who can guarantee me a tenth (or even .05) with a fancy paint job? I'd like to talk to them. ;-)

It's as good as any time to do my normal thread creep thing, since this reminded me of that sort of thing but 180 degrees out.

Jim Hooker is local and was part of our group who ran the streets and raced every sunday at the local drag strip. I knew him well and would often drop by his shop just to see what he was working on and, of course, swap lies.

He had just finished painting one of the most famous Pro Stock racer in history's new car. When the car was delivered, Jim got a phone call with fire coming out the receiver. The racer said that the paint job had added 30 pounds to the car. Threats of lawsuits, having Hooker pay for a strip and repaint at another shop, etc.

Jim isn't a shy guy. He told the legend that even if he put the paint and primer still in their cans, and his guns with hoses inside the car it wouldn't weigh 30 pounds.

Turns out the racer had forgotten that he'd added another battery and some other equipment. To his credit, he eventually called back and apologized.

So yes, Billy, gotta pay attention to that paint. lol.