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.