RANT No. 6,234,012

[Nick Heath]

The FSS deal has been getting out of hand since they started truly diverging from Stock Eliminator (e.g. when the FS/XX designation was born).

If it wasn't already a class for millionaires, it became one as soon as DSR, Gray Motorsports, etc. became involved 2-3 years ago.

Until my Powerball numbers come up and I actually get involved, I will enjoy the class as is and try not to worry about what's wrong with it. Some day, it will be gone and everybody will be writing retrospectives on how great it was .

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

As for new tires at every race its just not true - wouldn't do any good as its the track surface that causes them to spin.This past weekend at Virginia the surface at one point was 140 degrees .That alone will make cars spin .

Thanks for the comment, Jack-o, and welcome back here. :-)

Not sure if the new tires would help, but many already in the class could darn sure do it if they wanted to. Actually, I meant it as an example of how this is quickly becoming a millionaire's class. In other words, another Pro class. Do you guys need more of those?
I don't.

[Tony Fagnilli]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

I thought my statement was fairly straightforward.
Do the FS/XX cars now use wheels /tires not legal for Stock eliminator?

I have no idea

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Tony Fagnilli

I have no idea

Neither do I . But, if they do use something other than Stock Eliminator tires, then why not allow Super Stock setups?
The whole A/FX shebang should have been there in the first place.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Actually, I meant it as an example of how this is quickly becoming a millionaire's class.

I know a guy who ran IHRA Top Stock back in 2001 or 2002, and he told me at that time that he was the only guy running the class who was not a millionaire.

Factory Stock Showdown is a long way from what those cars were.

[Bobby Lundholm]

Originally Posted by troublemaker427

Wrong.....LOL

That was from Brian Lohnes at the Gators last announcing on tv when Stanfield did a long burn in the finals against Kohn. I stand corrected.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by 2Ton71

The few accidents I have seen in the class have been from either top end engine failure or results of steering out of the groove after a big wheel stand. 9" tire or 12" tire, it would have the same results.

As said before, no heads up class is cheap. Add a heads up class format to where the required race car at minimum as a roller is $60-70k. Add what it takes to be competitive, it's going to take a big budget to keep up with it. You're not going to see the average Joe with an open trailer being able to run.

Regardless of the number of "millionaires" involved with the class, I think this class is what the big 3 needs to bring back the "win on Sunday, sell on Monday". These cars are the only ones in the mainstream motorsports spotlight in the states that a fan could buy the same model off of the show room and it practically be the same car.

To have a similar heads up format for the budget minded, maybe NHRA should adapt NMCA/NMRA's Coyote Stock/Chevrolet Performance Stock, and add a Mopar Hemi class. Keep the cars in the 10.00-10.30 range. That's something the average budget fan can relate to, and racer can afford to run. (it's still not cheap, ceramic bearings out the wazoo)

Good points in your post Andy.

Before I got into NHRA Stock Eliminator I almost bought into the NMRA Coyote Stock class it's first year.
That is a hyper competitive group and there are no low buck builds to be seen. Impressive performance for the rules restrictions they work within, but you are forced to keep throwing money at the car If you want to get past round 1.

Glad I chose Stock instead...lol

[ALMACK]

I like the current format for FS.
Exciting to watch, but definitely a big bucks class.


IMO...."Pro Stock" should be a Factory Stock type car but built to "traditional " Super Stock body and chassis rules.

Racers get the safety of the giant rear tires, but the body would still have the factory body panels and front suspension setups so it retains most of the look of a production car.

[Mike Gray]

Originally Posted by troublemaker427

FS/XX cars are not stock eliminator cars anymore. They don't drop back into the eliminator anymore. They are their own separate deal. Why do some continue to hold them to the stock eliminator standard?

Okay, I misunderstood, I thought we were talking about dropping back into stock.
If they can't do that then they should as a group be able to lobby NHRA for what ever they want.

[Mike Jones]

Originally Posted by ALMACK

IMO...."Pro Stock" should be a Factory Stock type car but built to "traditional " Super Stock body and chassis rules.

Racers get the safety of the giant rear tires, but the body would still have the factory body panels and front suspension setups so it retains most of the look of a production car.

They could allow brand specific, naturally aspirated power to keep costs down. Then use cubic inch to weight classification, and call it Modified Eliminator.
MJ