"WHAT IF" part 4

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by treessavoy

There is a ground swell of people that want to bring back the old "junior stock" from the '70's. The days of high winding small blocks and tri-five chevy's but of course there is no place to race these cars,

Perhaps this would give them an opportunity.

Jim

IHRA has allowed the older cars for years. The pure stock class is just like the old Jr. stockers and yes we plan on having a place for them in the class racers association but be prepared for tear down inspections if you run one of them.

[vic guilmino]

i like the old pure stock no headers no slicks etc

[John Lang]

Keep the tire rule at 9" ! Use the NHRA & IHRA classes alike for stk and ss, my suggestion! John....

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by John Lang

Keep the tire rule at 9" ! Use the NHRA & IHRA classes alike for stk and ss, my suggestion! John....

The fly in the ointment here. Two points, IHRA allows (1) 10.5 tires and (2), they also allow the springs to be moved inboard for tire clearence. NHRA doesn't allow this. My contention, why not allow a maximum of a 10.5 tire, those that have NHRA legal cars, if they can fit them under the fenderwells, can run them.

The view I'm taking, you're cross polinating here, so some cars have already been built under one rule structure. Some might take it that using the IHRA rules makes it more liberal. The 9 inch tire really won't bother me, that's been my plan from the beginning. As I've stated, I'm building a crate motor car. I do want to keep it within the confines of NHRA rules, in case I decide one day to build a 301 Pontiac or 403 Oldsmobile motor.

To me that's another issue, what about those of us that populate these classes, crate motor and GT. Since I can't run NHRA events with this car as a crate motor or GT stocker. My option to use the rules that are allowed, give me a little more leeway than the guy running a car that competes in NHRA. If I chose to take advantage of them.

Robert Swartz

[Harry 6674]

Originally Posted by John Lang

Keep the tire rule at 9" ! Use the NHRA & IHRA classes alike for stk and ss, my suggestion! John....

I couldn't agree more. If you want fat tires, narrowed rearends and moved in frame rails theres Super stock. It ain't stock. Course you could still run stocker tires but it could be a handfull with the narrow track. Sort of like driving with one of those inflateaspares on.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Harry 6674

I couldn't agree more. If you want fat tires, narrowed rearends and moved in frame rails theres Super stock. It ain't stock. Course you could still run stocker tires but it could be a handfull with the narrow track. Sort of like driving with one of those inflateaspares on.

This quote just shows how much some dont know what they are talking about. They are not allowed narrowed rears, they are not allowed to move the frame rails and if you want to call a 10,5 (non W ) tire fat then go for it. They are allowed minor movement of the rear leaf springs to clear the side wall. The 10.5 tire was allowed mainly for the higher HP cars in AA and A, etc at the time this came about some of the southern IHRA tracks that these races were held on were not of the highest caliber in the traction dept. Besides have you ever seen how much modification of the wheel house and external fender is required to put a 9 inch slick on something like a 66-67 Chev Nova for NHRA. Oh yeah...its just a "STOCK" bolt on deal.....lol.

[Harry 6674]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

This quote just shows how much some dont know what they are talking about. They are not allowed narrowed rears, they are not allowed to move the frame rails and if you want to call a 10,5 (non W ) tire fat then go for it. They are allowed minor movement of the rear leaf springs to clear the side wall. The 10.5 tire was allowed mainly for the higher HP cars in AA and A, etc at the time this came about some of the southern IHRA tracks that these races were held on were not of the highest caliber in the traction dept. Besides have you ever seen how much modification of the wheel house and external fender is required to put a 9 inch slick on something like a 66-67 Chev Nova for NHRA. Oh yeah...its just a "STOCK" bolt on deal.....lol.

I apologize if the frame narrowing is incorrect. I was going from Robert Swartz post. IHRA is not out west so I am not familiar with your rules, sorry. If you believe there are no narrowed rearends in NHRA stocker you may also be mistaken a little bit.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Harry 6674

I apologize if the frame narrowing is incorrect. I was going from Robert Swartz post. IHRA is not out west so I am not familiar with your rules, sorry. If you believe there are no narrowed rearends in NHRA stocker you may also be mistaken a little bit.

Yes I know that some of the NHRA cars and IHRA cars also have slightly narrowed rear housings. Who really cares as long as it looks correct. I was just saying that the amount they moved the leaf spring for side wall clearence was usually less than 3/4 of an inch on each side. This is in comparison with all of the body work required to fit a 9 inch stocker tire on some body styles. In time I hope IHRA changes the wording in thier rule book. A 9 inch radial is quicker than the 10.5's anyway.

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by Harry 6674

I apologize if the frame narrowing is incorrect. I was going from Robert Swartz post. IHRA is not out west so I am not familiar with your rules, sorry. If you believe there are no narrowed rearends in NHRA stocker you may also be mistaken a little bit.

Harry,

I too, could have phrased differently the wording. I guess it was a bit misleading. If your not familiar with IHRA rules, there are some differences. I don't see the rule differences being so substantial that we all can't come to some compromises and have a race. As Terry stated, IHRA rules allow minor inboard movement of the springs. And I took that from the rulebook. Here again, the car I'm building, a 1979 Firebird, I have no intention of running anything larger than the 9" tires.

No, you are NOT allowed a narrowed rear end. Now, something I've heard but can't substantiate, is some guys have mini-tubbed stockers in IHRA? Maybe someone currently racing can clear that up for me? Here again, I wouldn't do it because I one day may want to build either a 301 Pontiac or a 403 Oldsmobile engine to run NHRA events. I want my car to retain it's versatility.

On another note, even though I don't presently have a car ready to race. IF I had a say on the name. I like the CRA = Class Racers Association. That's my two jingling penny's.

Robert Swartz

[Michael Beard]

9" tires are fine, IMO.

The 10.5 tire was allowed mainly for the higher HP cars in AA and A, etc at the time as the southern IHRA tracks some of these races are held on are not the higest caliber in the traction dept.

Past tense. Even by the time I joined IHRA 9 years ago, I think they were already putting that old legend behind them. The 'popular image' of the condition of IHRA tracks from way back when is an outdated misconception today. I'll take my 9" M/T radial down any IHRA track without hesitation.

Back to naming the organization, remember that it doesn't *have* to be an acronym. "ProStar" for instance, is a motorcyle racing organization. You define what *you* want, and do the branding & marketing to give it life & meaning.