Lets Root Cause the Detriment of Class Racing

[GTX JOHN]

Well, this is probably not the right post to respond
to this.

Last week when we had class in Bakersfield, we put iron
heads on both our Stockers. The only thing the aluminum
heads do for us is take some weight of the nose of the cars.
Even with the 30 pounds off the car the Aluminum heads (We have
the best ones money can buy) slow the car down about 5 to 7
hundreds. Plus, they are very fussy about temp. and consistency.

But the "X" iron heads we have are too valuable and scarce to
run all the time. We will probably never find another set good
enough to turn into competitive stocker heads. I have destroyed
most all my good "X" heads over the last 50 some years. I look constantly
for them and often travel to the big automotive swap meet nearly every month
down in California.

Fortunately, we have three finished sets of top-quality Aluminum heads
as they are no longer produced and getting harder to find as
well. However, we have some hope of finding more as they are only
some years out of production = Not 50+ years and even back then
only a two-year production deal.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

But the "X" iron heads we have are too valuable and scarce to run all the time. We will probably never find another set good
enough to turn into competitive stocker heads. I have destroyed
most all my good "X" heads over the last 50 some years.

Imagine how many sets of "good X heads" you would still have if there were some knowledgeable people in place doing tear downs and it was no longer a mandatory process to have to make stock heads into Stocker heads?
Do you think they would crack if they weren't ground so thin? ;-)

[GTX JOHN]

The heads I have destroyed have been from going down
the racetrack a lot of passes for nearly 60 years! Things do
break periodically on race cars despite the care they receive.

We run several similar stockers generally 15 times a year
not counting testing and have been since my boys could
drive (They are 33 and 40). It is not from any modification/grinding
or any other form of cheating that was done in preparation of them that broke them.

These heads we mostly find (when we ever do) are beat up from 50 years of driving in a car
on the road and have been rebuilt numerous times by not the best of shops.
With only 4 bolts around the cylinder, they tended to blow
head gaskets and overheat on the road. The heads tend to be very crack prone from
usage and the quality of the castings.

I do not know you Sir and you certainly do not know a DAMN thing about
my race cars! If you get out to Vegas = I would be happy to show
you the destroyed heads and broken pieces anytime you want to
inspect them.

My cars were torn down numerous times thirty years ago or more and were
NEVER found illegal or bounced for anything! Once we were torn down
3 races in a row back then due to "experts" complaining incessantly about our cars.
I guess the techs back then were not any good either!

[Billy Nees]

John, you've got to re-read my post. It took me a long time to figure out just how to word it so that I would NOT be accusing you of anything more or less than anyone else is doing. I've got a bit more respect for you than that.
Also, I put my "like" under your post before you edited it. If/when I get out to Vegas, I will definitely look you up!

[GTX JOHN]

Now this is simply a weekend hobby for us
and we are the furthest thing from experts.

That being said it is our experience on our Small
block Mopar heads = the port configuration (shape)
with its insuring effect on velocity are what actually make horsepower
Not bigger hogged out in size ports (Read thin walls) with impaired
velocity. That and paired with proper valve shape and seat configuration.

But as I stated above = I am not an expert like you are Sir and many others
on this forum and that I have great respect for and have learned a lot from.
I have never claimed either her or anywhere else. to know very much about this Hobby.
However, I do know intimately my nearly a dozen race car and exactly how they are built by us.

After the torment and repeated harassment, we received last week
(Most of which I never even elaborated on except the first of several incidents) =
I am seriously considering retiring from Stock/Superstock after the World finals.
This was after another similar threatening violent incident at Vegas Nationals.
I truly do not feel safe at the track anymore at my age and health. After discussions
with the official and numerous witnesses, I have come to the conclusion that unless
violence is threatened or undertaken toward their officials - they have zero interest in
hearing about it.

I can mail you the head right of my car after that race for your inspection and you can see
for yourself why we do not win class or heads up races very often anymore!

Again, with all due respect Sir: You do not know a DAMN thing about my race cars or
or anything about me none of which you have never even laid eyes upon.

[GTX JOHN]

Withdrawn

[Billy Nees]

John, you're OK in my book and I'd have your back anytime.
We spoke in Vegas a few years ago. You were racing an Aspen? wagon.

[GTX JOHN]

I appreciate the support of all my friends on here.
The issue is that we are all aging out and just can
not contend with someone 1/2 our ages and a head
taller (Not to mention in way better shape even if we do not
want to admit it).

After the last race we attended at April Nationals
in Vegas = In the Superstock staging lanes one of the racers
challenged me to a fight on the spot. He followed me nearly to
the front of the staging lane trying to get me to get out of my Aspen.
Everyone behind me was surprised to see the goings on. It rattled
me so bad that I forgot to turn on the fuel pump and wasted the time
trial.

Following that problem, I was ashamed (I no longer can effective defend myself)
and did not go to any more NHRA races this year until Bakersfield and had
the confrontation in the staging lane in Class Final. It made
it very hard for us to focus and do a good job racing in the final.

I did not elaborate on this earlier in this thread, but my son tells me that the
same folks came to our pit several more times during the race and flipped him off and
tried to instigate a fight while I was resting in the Toter. Apparently, they thought
I was the one that turned them in = But I was not and in fact have never turned in
anyone for a violation no matter how obvious it appeared to be. Actually, I was never
anywhere near his car as I have four of my own to prepare for the race.

I understand the officials position that we need to police our own
battles and they have a race to run. Unfortunately, I have aged out
these last few years and do not have the ability to handle the battles
any longer. Anyone who remembers me from 30 years ago know that
back them = If a man insisted on a fight with me - he could have it. Now
it is not so much being scared the beatings I would get (I have taken
my fair share over the years), but the embarrassment of have
everyone watching me get pummeled in the staging lanes!

Most of my good friends at the track have already passed the last number of
years. They are many of the guys that I so loved so much to visit with there.

So it is probably time to hang up my helmet in the shop and play with the Grandkids.

Sorry for the Rant!

I am truly heartbroken over the turns of event this year that have happened.
Racing is one of the things that keep me going and motivated in these later years.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

Withdrawn

John,

Do not let others take away your joy, especially in a sport that you enjoy.
There are many of us that enjoy your presence and camaraderie with you at the track.
Don't give up. Giving up is surrendering to others.

[bubski]

One of the most detrimental trends Bubski is concerned with !! Is the lack of racers goin for the National Record when you just made the quickest and fastest passes in the history of your class yet refuse to put it to the tech test and get the certification for it !! Isn’t this a Performance based Class ?? What happened to the pride in having National Record holder spelled out on your car ?? There used to be 20 plus cars at the Dutch and similar fast Opens and Divisionals 20 years ago to break and set records !!