stockers

[jeff_kovalik]

Originally Posted by Jeff Swanson

Can you give some examples? Are we talking items like wrong emblems, spoilers, fog lights or something like the wrong carb?

This is a slippery slope. I will keep my specific observations to myself, but again, these were items so bad that I honestly laughed out loud a few times. I am not the trim and emblem police, and while I agree those items should be correct per the combination of car claimed, they are not solely responsible for a tenth or two. I only noted items that would result in a performance gain.

Who is ultimately responsible for ensuring these cars are legal?

#1: Is it the racers that police themselves and call people out to the car owner/driver? (That’s a fun conversation)

#2: Or do you report illegal things to the proper NHRA official at the race?

#3: Both?

Some would not be comfortable with #1, but some certainly will when your exact combo is the one affected. #2 is fairly easy and could be done anonymously enough to not create conflict if so desired.

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by jeff_kovalik

My two cents...

After many years of bracket racing, watching class racing from the other side of the fence, and helping several friends with their S/SS cars, I was finally able to put together my own (first) stock eliminator car. I stepped in deep, going right to A/SA with a 440 Six Pack Challenger. Most would say that's crazy, but I have gained a lot of knowledge over the years and have great support from many experienced class racers, so I felt that I could put something together that was decent. It has been a struggle to have the rulebook in one hand, a wrench on the other and put a car together that runs under the index. It should not be easy, but it should be possible - by the rules.

The double race (Sportsnats & LODRS) at National Trail Raceway this year was an eye-opener. With the message that Indy would not have class eliminations, it was clearly "the" race to be at because there was possibly no other opportunity to get that always sought after class win. WOW, what a field of cars... it drew the best cars from around the country and they put on a show. I was personally very observant of the Stock eliminators that were in attendance. I was appalled at the some of the blatant visible illegal items on many cars. If some racers are brazen enough to install those parts on their cars, knowing full well they are not legal...it makes you wonder what is inside the engine & trans? I am all for being creative and smart. Testing, testing and more testing of new parts, new settings, moving cams, moving weight, chassis settings... It becomes almost an obsession, and I really enjoy the challenge, but the rulebook is always in arms reach.

This should not be easy...class racing is special, and stock is the most difficult IMO. I have talked to so many people (mostly bracket racers) not familiar with stock and when you explain the rules, they just shake their heads and ask "how???" I love that reaction.

Some have said I'm naive, some have said "it's stock, and nothing is stock", some have said "they all cheat because they never get checked"

None of those statements is acceptable.

We have a rulebook, and the racers that choose to participate in class racing need to have the integrity to follow it. As soon as a racer knowingly makes the decision to put the rulebook aside, they become the problem. NHRA has a process to challenge other racers, and frankly I'm surprised it doesn't get used more often. If I had a fast class car (I don't) and someone paid the fee to have me torn down, I would consider it a compliment. In my eyes, to be fast, protested, and passing tear down, should earn a Wally!

I wish everyone the best, safe racing for all!

^^

Yep

Back in 2013-2015 when I was setting records and going thru all the teardowns, I occasionally took the T-Bird to local brackets.
Some were curious about the car after seeing the 4 cyl. Stocker run 11's and would stop by my pit area.


They had questions and after I explained what Stock Eliminator was about and all the restrictions and rules, and what I had to go thru after setting records, the typical response was " screw that....sounds like a lot of work "

My response : " Yes, and that is why very few people do it "

lol

[Mike Gray]

Originally Posted by stock1080

Another point, how can a "stocker" engine cost $20k? I just saying, or am I envious?
I been apart a few times and passed, I know I feel ok about my car, and "ok" is good enough for me.

Easy I have already exceeded 20K and I'm not paying anyone to build it. I'm paying for top quality machine work, completed heads and a carb but other than that I'm doing all the work myself. I built a faster super-gas motor based on the same engine for 1/2 the money. If you want to maximize hp on a stocker and run closer to the top the cost go way up.

[Rusty Davenport]

Not stealing the post, but I have seen cars lately on qualifying list that have moved 2 classes away from their shipping weight/factor...…..has the rule moving one class up or down been deleted ??? Maybe I missed the change or is this part of the new do it yourself mode ??? Just curious.

[HR9121]

Originally Posted by Rusty Davenport

Not stealing the post, but I have seen cars lately on qualifying list that have moved 2 classes away from their shipping weight/factor...…..has the rule moving one class up or down been deleted ??? Maybe I missed the change or is this part of the new do it yourself mode ??? Just curious.

Rusty some cars like mine can move by changing the year model because of shipping weight difference. If I claim mine as a 91 it is a G H and I car or as a 92 it's a H I and J because of a small difference in shipping weight. Same car through and through but small difference in shipping weight.

[GTX JOHN]

I have been racing and collecting cars for the most part of the last
60 years. I know most of the Stock/Superstock Racers in the Western
part of the Country on a first name basis and have for many. years...........
I have not seen any of the Obvious Infractions that people are alleging!!!

This Thread is BS with some significant documentation!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those that Can.......................DO!
Those that Can't.....................THROW MUD!

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by bykr

It's interesting when you see Stock Elim.engines for sale that have Stef's oil pan, lightweight crankshaft, etc.listed.

If the parts are in the NHRA Accepted parts list, they are deemed legal.

Also, there are many like myself, that ships their OEM or NHRA approved replacement oil pans to Stef to have them baffled and screened. It is within the parameters of the rule book.

One area that I have seen big violations is in the piston configuration such as thinner ring grooves than those shown in the spec and still the piston has the correct accepted part number.

I was discussing this subject with a well know engine builder that builds some of the fastest engines in the country and he told me that NHRA has told him that he is one of the few engine builders in the country that has pistons with the correct ring grooves and location.

[bykr]

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

If the parts are in the NHRA Accepted parts list, they are deemed legal.

Also, there are many like myself, that ships their OEM or NHRA approved replacement oil pans to Stef to have them baffled and screened. It is within the parameters of the rule book.

One area that I have seen big violations is in the piston configuration such as thinner ring grooves than those shown in the spec and still the piston has the correct accepted part number.

I was discussing this subject with a well know engine builder that builds some of the fastest engines in the country and he told me that NHRA has told him that he is one of the few engine builders in the country that has pistons with the correct ring grooves and location.

Ok, the rulebook is kinda confusing. Says baffles/windage trays acceptable, then "modifications of any kind prohibited". I took that to mean things attached to the block .ie windage trays ok, but no pan mods. One of those gray areas I guess.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by bykr

Ok, the rulebook is kinda confusing. Says baffles/windage trays acceptable, then "modifications of any kind prohibited". I took that to mean things attached to the block .ie windage trays ok, but no pan mods. One of those gray areas I guess.

Clear as mud.

[Frank Castros]

This forum made up mostly of active racers continually speak of the sustainability of class racing but on the other hand there there’s cars in competition aren’t in compliance with the rule book or so I’m told. With that be said isn’t time that the racers take responsibility for the future of it all and stop blaming the sanctioning body? I loved Brett Velde’s suggestion of a sponsor that will subsidize the cost of a dedicated technical team. Pursue that great idea and police the questionable characters within your own division. If you see something, say something. Make our sport great again!