Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

In an effort to support our local track and bring new blood into stock and superstock class racing I am wondering if there is any interest in starting a local association with more liberal rules than the sanctioning bodies impose so that we can start building an affordable local/regional series. The local track management seems open to new ideas so either reply to this post or send me an email.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Put me down for support of this assoc. although I am up in Calgary I have no problem towing down to Spokane , going to be there for the divisional next weekend!

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Looks like we now have three (my friend John Langdon doesn;t know it yet-lol) - we now have a start! I look forward to meeting you at the division race in Spokane next week-end. Please email me your contact information, if it looks like we can generate enough interest I will keep everyone up to date on the progress of getting this project off the ground.

If you know of any other racers in your area who may have ET cars that are pretty close to meeting the stock/superstock rules please encourage them to send me their info as well.

One association in the Midwest is allowing cars that look feel and smell like a stocker or superstocker although they may not have a $20K-$50K class legal mill under the hood.

Loosening up the rules a bit to include cars that are close will hopefully get some of these people hooked on stock and superstock class racing without them having to sell the farm to build a car.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

This sounds like IHRA Stock / Super Stock doesn't it??

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

The problem seems to be up here it's hard to get any class guys to show up for anything less than a divisonal race. Most of them won't even run national opens it seems like. The other issue is that if you loosen up the rules, most stock racers don't like racing 'bracket' guys, even though is just a glorified bracket race.

The only way to make it work is to have a really good payout. Something like 100$ to win, and hopefully pays at least 1000 to win. If you can get 20 - 30 cars you can do that and actually pay out some round money too.

I don't have a stock legal motor in my car at the moment, but if the rules are more lax I would be interested.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Great input......actually it would be great to get some of the existing stock & superstock guys interested in the association but for many great reasons, cost, travel, payouts, etc. likely an exercise in futility.

I think the main focus of the local/regional association would be attracting "new blood", people who have always wanted to class race or people who class raced in the past but were eliminated based on the high cost to compete. People like you who may not have a legal class motor but who's car is for all intents a stocker.

As far as format goes the collective association would need to agree on the format, classifications,rules etc. As far as format, here is something some of the other groups are doing.

The eliminator would be just like stock eliminator is today without the mandatory heads-up if two cars in the same class happen to get paired up. Yes, just foot brake bracket racing - the only difference is no one will have to play the shut-off at 1000' game to avoid the heads-up race. This would get a lot of newbies into the association and everyone would have a fair shot at winning an event.

More importantly, each event would also have a class race. This would offer something for the go fast guys to run every round heads-up, plus offer the fans something they can actually understand (no shoe polish and the first one to the end wins).

In its infancy, the association would probably not have a large enough draw to have many cars in each class. So until we could get this association built up maybe the class event starts out as some class/heads-up racing and some grudge racing - still heads-up and still fun for fans and racers.

At the end of the day, if we could organize a group of 20-30 racers who would be willing to attend 1-3 events per summer I think we could put together a great association and some fun drag racing.

If we can get this off the ground, I will gladly donate all of the time and effort to get this organized as well as put up some $$ to sponsor the class/association events.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Jody went to the divisional there last year and he was parked in an area that had goat heads. They said they were going to get rid of them. Do you know if they're still there? I think I will be going to the divisional next weekend. Should I take my street tires for the front?


-Toby

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

I would bring the street tires just to be safe. They have made quite a few improvements to the facility but as of about 4 weeks ago the area where they had us park last year stills look about the same.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Thanks, I will bring them. Maybe I will see you there. Have a good one.


-Toby

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

For those not familiar with "Goat Heads" they are a small thorn that when dried out, is more than a nuisance with lite weight front tires and slicks... and the palms of your hands!

While changing a slick that had gone flat because of these damn things, I had a thorn spine go into the fleshy part of my hand so deep, that I had to go to the emergency room for treatment. (Yakima (WA) Points Race was infamous for these damn things.)

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Do you know if they will be selling VP at the divisional?


-Toby

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Great explanation of goat's heads, Larry. I was wondering what in the heck you guys were referring to.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

No, it doesn't really.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

They did not sell VP at last years division race. I just tried to call the track to find out for sure but could not get a hold of anyone. Will try again and let you know if I hear anything - I would plan on bringing some fuel.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Cindy just called back and they will in fact have VP fuel at the track - the distributor just left Cindy Gibb-Arias office about an hour ago so she tells me!

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

I have to ask where you are from - from your Avatar i am thinking you are the gentleman from my home town in Great Falls, MT. There is a guy there that specializes in 3-duece carburetor set-ups? Just curious?

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Yes, they are very hard on front tires, especially the 29" MTs with the vertical grooves. The goat heads fit in the grooves very nicely and poke a hole in the tire. I remember one time at Yakima I had to plug my fronts 4 or 5 times. After that I started taking the street tire fronts I use on my bracket car.

They aren't as hard on slicks as long as you have plenty of wear left. I don't think Beard's slicks would last too long. :) They wreak havoc on scooter and bicycle tires though.


-Toby

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Thanks a lot for taking the time to find out. It's much appreciated.

I'm still driving home from Sonoma. Had another rear dually tire blow last night. I haven't had a tire blow for a few years. I guess it's making up for it this trip. :)


-Toby

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Better change them all Toby. The rest won't be far behind.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Yeah, you're probably right, but if I change them before they blow I don't get the pro-rate discount. :)

The tire I blew on the way down I got 50% off the new one. This last one I got 60% off.

I've been buying my tires at Walmart for about the last 8 years and I don't think I've paid full price for a tire since I switched from 16.5" to 16" rims and I had to buy 7 of them about 8 or so years ago. And there's always a Walmart just up the road. :)

The price of tires has really gone up lately. 3 or 4 years ago the Uniroyal Liberators that I use cost $96 now they are $140.

Edit: I should clarify that I have paid full price for the front tires though as they don't blow. They used to cup real bad, but since I started rotating this last pair they have worn really nice. I have almost 60,000 miles on them and there's plenty of tread left.


-Toby

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

I got to thinking after the divisional race this week-end, I recall a couple of IHRA Crate Motor stockers up in your neck of the woods racing at Edmonton. If we are to get this Stock/SS association put together, we would want to make sure the IHRA Stockers are welcome as well.

I also got some good feedback at the division race that if we actually put on our event between some of the divisional, national event or national open races when some of the traveling division 6 guys are on their way to or from a venue, we would definitely have interest.

Bottom line is that if we could attract the "traveling regulars" from a schedule and payout perspective we could run the event identical to a division race with the option of running class depending on interest level/car count.

This would also give the local/regional people interested in getting started in class racing a chance to race against some of the best guys in the country as well as learn more about what class racing is all about.

A lot of new people who would like to run class have a hard time understanding all of the rules, indexing, weight factors, blue print specs., etc, and do not even know how to get started.

Just some ideas,

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

You have to realize that stock is a performance based class. With relaxed rules and no chance of heads up races what makes it any different then a typical bracket race. If you want to call it a stock/superstock asso. and want to attract the class cars you probably should stick with the class format. Just my opinion. Class racing is not for everyone,thats what makes it special.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

The problem with that is the cost of having knowlegeable people to weigh, fuel check, and inspect cars. I doubt a "Circuit" could support that kind of expense (increased entry to cover expenses) and a lot of tracks dont even have a set of scales anymore. The circuits run here on the east coast by Dave Ley in Div 1 and Jim Wahl in Florida and others work pretty good. The fun factor is back with fair car counts, you get to visit and swap lies and rumors with your friends and a chance to win some fair money is good with a resonable entry fee even if is a bracket race which is about 98% of class racing anyway. Just my 2 1/2 cents.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Who am I to say what should or shouldn't go on into a performance based series but I have several friends who do run in the class and have been a huge supporter of the class for years. But hear goes....

I could be wrong but I believe FJ Smith's CanAm series does not have heads up runs for similar classed cars to PROMOTE good sized fields.

Maybe Dave Turner or Venice Perno could comment and clarify.

If you want to get the series up and running, established so to speak, make it more attractive for everyone to compete and get their feet wet without one class car scaring all of his/her peers away. You guys and gals compete at a lot of NHRA nationals and divisionals to be able to strut your performance advantage. Use the association to allow everyone to stay sharp! Yes, I know it is not what the integrity of the class was built on but associations can put their own spin on things to stay healthy and viable.

Just my .02 cents for what it may or may not be worth..

Mike

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Our rules for our Association is pretty simple--any NHRA and IHRA-legal cars welcome. No heads-ups (no scales, fuel check, etc). Ladder is either by card draw for round 1, or random pairing and the ladder is set for round 2 based in winning reaction times. A car must dial it's class Index or quicker. I know George Mirza's All-Start Circuit in the Northeast does have heads-up runs. Check the S/SS Association Forums on here for different rules, it should help get you started with some ideas.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Thanks for the input, ideas and advice .............. please keep them coming. Once we have established a base of interested racers, the idea would be to take all of this information and decide as an association the best direction to go with rules and formats to maximize participation.

If you are a class racer and race in one of the established stock -superstock associations please submit a post or a reply to let us know what you like, don't like or any other suggestions that you think would make your program better.

I would also like to hear from the open comp guys and the "respect the index" racers with stock and super-stock type cars. I have been doing a bit of research here and I am thinking you guys are up to something pretty cool as well! I have also heard that the fans pretty much go nuts for this stuff based on the heads-up nature of the racing. I think it is cool if that both cars run under the index, they are both out (respect the index)!

One possibility may be to add a class within the Stock/SS association for the close to legal NHRA and IHRA cars to run under the open comp format. This would eliminate the headaches associated with trying to classify a car that is not built per the rules.

To have any chance of success at getting a Northwest Stock/SS program off the ground we need to attract as many people as we can with an interest in class racing, stick as closely as we can to the roots of class racing or at least to where we are today and incorporate some of the "already proven" best ideas for a local association racing format.

If you live in the NW and are interested in class racing or interested in knowing more about what all of these guys are talking about please post your questions. If too embarrassed to post please send me an email and I will respond non-publicly.

Thanks all for the input so far!!

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

OOPs...sorry I forgot to mention your races Mike. I was in a hurry this morning. I always enjoyed going to your Stock and S/S races and so did Don. By the way Don is building a new 73 Duster for J/CM and it should be finished in about a month or two if he can stay off the couch.....lol.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Yep, that's me!

I've known / raced Stew and his Buick for over 30 years....

I think I've seen your car back here at a cruise or car show within the last couple of years right?
Any way check out my website (About Us)...

I'm interested in seeing your new association get off the ground and become successful also...

Another S/SS program is the USA Sportsman - they've been at it for awhile also, so you might get some good input from them.

http://www.usastocksuperstock.com/Home.html

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Larry,

I was back in GF in about 2001 or 2002 or so with the car & met you then. I usually run around with uncle "stewy" when I go back.

IHRA gave the old stage1 and Great Falls, MT some great ink in June/July checkout the issue 13 of DRM - pgs 4,10, 25-26. I am sending uncle stewy a copy.

http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=42025

When will I see your car and see you out racing - we will need you to come to one of our events assuming this association gets off the ground!

I will look you up next time in town to visit family - probably in the fall!

Jody Plummer

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

cant belive i missed this thread, im getting rid of my 64 nova for a 67 nova so i might be up to this depending on how the winter assembly goes.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Sounds good. The reality of it all is that it will likely take the remainder of the summer/fall to generate enough interest, decide on the format, form the association (again depending on the level of interest), decide on when and work with the new track management to get something in the schedule for next season. Based on feedback from racers at the Spokane divisional, I am thinking maybe a race in the spring and one in the late summer/ fall strategically positioned so that the division 6 touring competitor's may be interested in stopping by on the way to somewhere else. None of this is set in stone again just some ideas. Where are located and do you know anyone else who may be interested?

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

im in spokane, i work in tech so ive probably seen you a few times. not anybody off hand, its just to 20k bills of a class engine that has scared me away

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

I checked this out and happen to know a few racers who compete in this series! I am thinking this is definitely on the right track - thanks for the heads-up. The payouts are attractive and I like the fact that all association fees are returned to the racers in one form or another - this is an absolute must to keep folks happy.

We will have to solicit some more volunteers/advocates to help organize and manage the association, especially for the Super Stock guys. These cars are some of the coolest on the planet but we would need a Super Stock racer to champion the Super Stock effort - Any suggestions/volunteers? There was a very cool Superstock AA Barracuda at the Spokane division race - he was fairly local and seemed to be a pretty decent character - maybe he would be interested. Not sure if he cruises the forums? If anyone knows this gentleman, please forward his name and contact info and I will contact him. Lastly, posting the races on YouTube is a great idea to draw more people in!

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

I understand the $ issue - as someone earlier posted, it is a performance based class, but, I am thinking we can find a way to work around some of this for our local association. We do have some local nostalgia stocker and super stockers that have been relegated to bracket racing (against their will) based on cost and rules migration. Ideas are welcome - let me know what you think before spending a jillion $ on a motor.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

i think its great! you could have a few different classes, some sort of up-to-date stock and SS then a nogstalgia stock and SS then a GT class?


i guess i could run in a GT of sorts since the only motor i have laying here is a 302 thats been warmed up that i was using in my nova for bracket duty, this is the main reason for getting the 67 nova better for stock or super stock.

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

The next step in planning is to get contact information for all people interested in this association.

I am preparing a proposal to take to the new track management and will need a list of interested people (actual cars) that would attend the event(s) assuming the rules, format, etc. were ok.

Please email me your contact information and/or forward contact information for other people you may know that do not read or post on the forums.

This list needs to be actual car count- the goal is 20, we are at about 10 right now.

Those of you who have already sent info to me need not reply again.

Thanks

Re: Stock/Superstock Association Spokane, WA
 

Paul, you have a PM.