Hemi Head Ruling

[Gary Smith]

Even though I'm nowhere near the class of an AH racer, the same problem affected me as well as all other NHRA racers, and that's the persuasive power money has towards the sanctioning body, starting from the top down. Just like governmental politics it appeared the creation of the AH class, and the convoluted rules would make Mopar the ultimate benefactor in selling parts to ALL the engine builders. Nothing against Charlie or Ray, but I saw the writing on the wall several years ago when Mopar stepped up to support the class, knowing full well how their dollars would influence NHRA rules, while the spirit and legacy of these cars eventually started to fade. After many years around various forms of motorsports, I can't help but notice how honest "non-profit" sanctioning bodies waiver very little in terms of guidelines through unbiased governance, a trait NHRA lost decades ago.

I may be wrong, but it's just my $.02

[Bucky Hess]

Man, you all are gonna ruin the class before i get back out......Except,Except. why should we be excepted from ss.

[herbjr]

My popcorn just finished, cold drink in hand, cant wait to see where this goes!

[David Barton]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

The simple solution would have been to move forward, and state the rule will be enforced as originally written to benefit the class and no one competitor or engine builder.
The integrity of the Super Stock Class is being questioned by this decision.

I couldn't agree more. The rules were fine the way they were. But like other past experiences we've had, they make a rule change to accommodate guys like CW. I don't know where all the love is coming from, but he has something on them. Or maybe in them.

Here is a perfect example. If you ask NHRA if you can run a raised cam in Super Stock they will tell you no. There are several SS/AH guys that have raised cams. My Dad asked if we can protest anyone with a raised cam and NHRA told him, "Well, that's not something we really check." Why not?

So now NHRA is considering grandfathering the raised cam rule because apparently some guys have been running them for quite some time now. Yeah, that seems fair. Instead of enforcing the rule, lets change it for the cheaters.

Same thing happened at Indy a few years back. We got word that CW's guys were running funky lifter angles. We asked Bruce from NHRA at the Keystone's if he would check anyone if they were protested. He said, "I would, but I don't have the equipment". So we asked if we supplied him with the right tools if he would check anyone and he assured us it wouldn't be a problem.

Guess what, we get to Indy, and Danny Gracia and Bruce denied the protest. The one time we actually said "F*** it, enough is enough, lets protest this bastard", we were turned down. The following week we received a phone call from NHRA along with an e-mail confirming we had a personal invitation to relocate our lifter bores anywhere we want in both Stock and Super Stock. It was never published in the rule book, but I have a copy.

We never asked for any favoritism. Just enforce the stinking rules!

[jaythorne]

David didnt u move lifter bores around before charlie ever saw a hemi?

[David Barton]

Yes, we were moving the lifter bores. But then we were told that was illegal so it was stopped. We didn't ask for a rule change.

Years later we caught wind others were doing it. When we asked NHRA about it they agreed it was illegal. When we attempted to protest we were denied.

[Larry Fulton]

You can call it Innovation, or Interpretation, but it's really the Lack of Consistent Rules Enforcement from the NHRA Tech. Department that ruined Stock and Super Stock long ago. This Hemi Head debacle is just another example of letting too much go on, for too long.

So my question is this... Since, both stock & super stock, are now modified so far beyond the original intent of their class/es, why should any of this really matter?

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Larry Fulton

You can call it Innovation, or Interpretation, but it's really the Lack of Consistent Rules Enforcement from the NHRA Tech. Department that ruined Stock and Super Stock long ago. This Hemi Head debacle is just another example of letting too much go on, for too long.

So my question is this... Since, both stock & super stock, are now modified so far beyond the original intent of their class/es, why should any of this really matter?

X2!
It reminds years ago of the combustion chamber size shrouding issue with the Chevy small blocks.

[Tom Meyer]

Who remembers when they let ported heads in super stock it was kind of funny when alot of guys that were going fast at the time did not go any faster with the new rule. Now look where we are at. Tom

[Jim Bailey]

David, it's time to call in the Amish Mafia !!!