Old days ///New days ?
 

Just sitting here thinking about the old days of drag racing compared to now days.
I personally am an old school guy and find it hard to change to the new times of drag racing....Luckly my son was raised up during my prime time experience in drag racing and has been involved in the changing of our sport...
I know things have to change ,but don't you think back in the old days we respected the sport a whole lot more...Look at stock and superstock how it has changed, the $$$ it takes now to have fun and all the choices we have in finding the right class or car that you want...Throttle-stops ,combo class wins , sometimes no class run-offs (just pick fastest car per class for the win) over and under-rated cars........Enhancements $$$$$
Not bashing here ,just wondering how some of you feel about the changes that have gone on in the years.. I am still enjoying it ,especially to see my son doing what i loved all my life doing....
Some changes are good and some not.
I guess my question is what do you or do you not like now.....and what would you like to see change......?

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

I think its to late Danny..The "cows" have all already left the barn.

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

You have heard the saying. You can't go home again! and Nothing is forever.v

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Danny I started racing in 1962 and raced every weekend before the local race track was sold to build houses about 5 years ago. And guess what ? The land was cleared and underground wiring for power was installed and roads were built and not the 1st house has been built. The nearest track is 100 miles one way and they dont have a weekly bracket program. Do I miss the old days ? YES but I still have as much fun racing in the new days. But It seems that we are racing for the same purse amount and the expense to race has escalated so I cant race as much as I use to. Also I enjoying helping my son Frank race my old Camaro in Super Stock.
Allen

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Old days - I did'nt race in the old days, but I did watch and it was so cool! The old Modified Eliminator with the Corvettes was the sweetest hands down. 10,000 RPMs...and three pedals...10 deep on the fence...WOW!

New days- Whenever I get this Corvette of mine done, I'll do my best to follow the current class rules. I'm not spending the money to go fast, even though that's the coolest. I'm just building a nice piece and looking for the eliminator portion (dial-in)....Keep those Mustangs out of SS/LA! LOL. I like it all, NHRA Nationals/Divisonals...IHRA Nationals/ProAm/TOC...any combo races...etc The Corvette will have a legal tag and will be enjoyed on the street as well! Sweet!


Wade Mahaffey

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

They say that the only constant thing is change, so we shouldn't be all that surprised.

I still do miss the old days though. I started racing in the mid-60's on Long Island where it wasn't that unusual to be able to race 4 times a week if you didn't mind the drive to New Jersey! NHRA/AHRA/UDRA tracks with-in a couple of hour tow, and flat-towing with NMW hubs and a Lakewood tow bar! I don't know if I could stay this active now, 40-some years later, but I'd sure like to try! I moved to South Florida and had two tracks close by on the East Coast, and at least 5 others you could do on a weekend.

I've always been told to be careful what you wish for, so I am. Would I like to see things back the way they were, sure, but there are also a lot of things that changed because they had to - the economy and the environment did a lot to slow things down. I also don't listen to the oldies station because it depresses me that I'm getting older!;)

I really enjoy the Nostalgia movement, because that was a simpler time for me, something about being a kid that's still a wonderful thing, the world full of endless possibilities. I just thank G-d I can still remember back that far and I still have good friends like you Danny to share it with!

Lew
(Old but definitely NOT out!)

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

You know, I'm really torn about this subject. About the time I've decided the best time was the sixties, I'll realize that the best times are now.

I remember how cool it was for a street rat to have all these cars driving up and down the streets and racing out on the flats. It was FUN back then to walk into a dealer as they all had cars on the lot you'd drool over.

As for class cars, I really don't think the relative difficulty has changed. I raced at least once a week locally and always did well. I had no trouble winning class and 90% of the time won my eliminator, too. Remember those days? But even then a class car was something really special and exotic. I'd go to Indy every year and be in awe of the cars I saw there.

So my stripper 340 4spd Duster was pretty strong at home, but I wasn't in the same zip code as Mark Coletti.

I don't like what's happened with the new ringers being accepted, but think back and you'll remember that a handful of cars were the killer combination even back then. I don't really support what class racing has turned into, but I'm not sure it's really all that different.

The one thing I'm sure of is that even though I miss my LS6, better cars are being sold today. There's not a single car from the 60s or 70s that can compete with a new Camaro, Mustang, or Challenger; let alone a Z06.

So like I said, I really don't know what to think. Things seemed to be clearer then without all the politics of today. As for the horsepower factors, do you think the guy in 1968 with his new 390 Mustang liked running 396 Camaros? I know how it turned out on the street.

I'm done. The more I think about this the more confused I get.

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

I've been at the track since I've been in diapers (1964) and trust me the best year of racing went by over 20 years ago.

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

I fully agree. Except for class and heads ups it's pretty much dumbed down to bracket racing. I really hate that part.

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Although my opinion will probably infuriate many folks, I firmly believe these are the good ol' days.

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Bret - You're not alone in your thoughts and feelings .Many just won't come out and say it .Me - I'm having the time of my life .........And I've been to a few drag races ! ! !

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Remember when you could race the heads-up classes without electronics and still be competitive? AND have fun?
But then again, what Bret says is true. Every day that goes by will be "the good old days"

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Yeah -- how could anyone be competitive in heads-up classes without a throttle stop. Thats just CRAZY! :rolleyes:

I only wish I could have grown -up in the 50-60 70's era. I remember having to write a paper in high school answering the question: "If you lived a previous life, what would it have been?" I wrote a paper that said I must have lived a previous life in that era because of my extreme passion for the muscle cars and even the luxury cars of the time. If I could travel back in time, I would love to experience the early days of drag racing. I also think that although things have changed, we still are part of an awesome sport that combines some the most pristine examples of true muscle cars and impressive examples of modern performance vehicles. Old days or new days, we can all be grateful that we have this wonderful sport to share.

Eddie Bolton

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

ok Brett, my biggest problem is to much electronics but my wife said I'm to old fashion anyhow

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

In the good old days I remember, those classes, and even bracket racing, did not even exist. If you weren't fast enough you worked & learned until you were. People didn't give up and go bracket racing if they couldn't run fast enough right away.

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

In one respect I believe Bret to be right. There exist so many different "designer" ways to go drag racing today that anybody should be able to find something that suits them. I believe that this is a good thing for drag racing as a whole. It has however "splintered" drag racing into many smaller venues and I'm not sure yet whether that is a good thing.
One thing that I do know is the easy access to "over the counter" horsepower and "off the rack" cars has already stifled the creativity of drag racing (think TF and PS) and will continue to creep (think Stock) until it all becomes boring to the fans and/or the participants. That could make "big time" drag racing go away. I hope not.

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Ed, haven't woke up from that coma yet? In the 21st century (mostly) everyone wants instant access and instant satisfaction (not to be confused with personal satisfaction) without getting their hands dirty or having to think. That's what Cleetus and Buford are for (guys like you and me).

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Its all ready boring, nothing new in TF, PS, and FC, same *****, have not watched since pro's stopped running points meets. The days of the Grump & Sox are long gone and there is nothing new to see.

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Let me first say that if you have not read Bret's article about his first drag race experience you have got to read this. Very well done.

Danny you and I have this discussion quiet often and I do really miss those days, but It is really hard to replace the feeling you get at the track with your son helping tune and driving along with your grandsons checking air pressure cooling the radiator (12 years old and 4 years old). My wife and I still pulI this old race car down the road together just like we did for so many nights for almost 40 years. I told Roy Hill and Dickie Estavese (spelling ? "Daddy Warbucks") one Friday night at Z-Max that if I dropped dead right beside that car, they could tell everyone that I went home doing what I loved best.

Now, let me end this by saying that when I read Class Racer, National Dragster and other sites it seems that we are back in the old days. Many of you remember the days when the Chrysler Hemi moved on to the scene. Remember when we started altering the wheel base of the cars, adding scoops with tunnel rams.

Danny I do really miss the days of the "BIG" Gas and Modified race at Kinston Dragway every year.

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Come to think of it these new days might just be the old days and repeating a little history.
I guess i may have been being a little selfish cause i do still love it , and helping my son and watching his son@4 years old not caring about nothing but our two race cars.when my grandchildren(2-boys @ 4 years old ) come visit all they want to do is ride in the stocker. I guess i have created 3 monsters that love the sport....

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Back in the late 60's early 70's when I ran stk and SS there were similar issues to today. 'Factory' or 'paperwork' cars that were never built but 'class killers'. guys/combos that killed your record and made you obsolete, factories deciding who would win class at indy prior to the indy race, etc.

It's pretty much bracket racing now, as long as you can run at or under the index. But I think you can still pick a combo that suits your budget and be competitive. In fact it might be easier to find a combo with the fairly liberal add/remove weight rules. Like everything else, there is more technology available, and of course racers being racers it will be used. (All of you have a cell phone? Get to check out drivers reaction times on Dragracecentral?We are all on this web site conversing?!!)

It still takes a consistent car and some good driving to go rounds same as back then. The best part is that we are all doing what we enjoy, or we wouldn't be doing it!

Mike Moller

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

Mike,

Interesting idea about the reaction times! I've noticed that 1320go doesn't post the RT until the race concludes.

I did have a good friend who had a Suburban he raced in Sportsman bracket. His son would drive the truck and my friend would sit in the tower and call him on the mobile phone to let him know what his light was! Of course he had a lot of time as most Suburban's aren't that quick! :D

Lew

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

That's what I call good sportsmanship and mentoring for the future generation.

Re: Old days ///New days ?
 

I have to agree with Mr. Dirt these are the best times, like many, I've caught myself wanting for those days gone by, but after reviewing some of those times , they weren't as good as I made them to be. I wish that a gallon of gas was still less then 80 cents but those days are gone. I have found that the best way to enjoy these days is to influence a younger person into our sport, this is the only way we'll see any growth. I still think that NHRA should bring in a new class such as Pure stock only available at Divisional Races(instead of snowmobiles and legend cars) this would bring in new blood with new cars and old cars alike. I believe that if you hate electronics in racing, race in a class that electronics aren't used. I 've come to enjoy watching 90's racing, this came about, after watching as many rounds as I could at last year INDY'S race, after a while I got to love the difference between the ones with timer and the ones with foot to the wall approach. You just have to look at the big picture. Just think about this, we've all have friends that aren't with us anymore and can enjoy life like we're enjoying it, so go out there and enjoy it instead of bitching about it(nothing wrong about expressing yourself about subject s you don't agree about) , but do something positive about it, such as Jack, Ken, Thomas, Toby the Hills and so many more who take the time to send pictures, Videos, and great reporting that helps us enjoy our sport even more. My three cents. Claude Ruel