Stock Eliminator,,,Boon or Bane?

[1347]

Originally Posted by VE6DRW

The demise of NHRA, along with Stock and Super Stock, has been predicted for decades. Yet, spectator attendance at NHRA National events continues to increase. Fans go to see the PROs and a big show; only a few dedicated fans appreciate the sportsman classes.


However, I think a lot of the problem is self-generated by "class racers"; in that the rise of high-tech fast cars by well financed teams is driving "hobbyist" participants out of active racing. Escalating travel costs are also contributing to the issue.

I think NHRA are exacerbating the problem with an outdated format at regional and divisional events, especially when it comes to payouts and the manufacturer contingency program.

I might suggest the following for discussion:

1. Lower all Stock and SS indexes by at least 4 tenths.
2. Eliminate heads-up no-breakout racing at all but a few select national events (ie: where classes are run).
3. Eliminate the AHFS – move to an annual review based on yearly stats.
4. Loosen fuel regulations at divisional and regional events.
5. Double up all divisional and regional events on extended weekends (to reduce travel costs)
6. Increase prize money at regional and divisional races by at least 50% (minimum $3,000 – ideally $5,000 - to win)
7. Eliminate the grade-point system for national event entry. Maximum 64 cars in each class – 1st come 1st served - entry criteria.
8. Reduce the number of national events for Stock and SS – perhaps 6 maximum (based on geographic regions). Alternate with other sportsman classes at national events to keep overall car counts manageable.
9. Restructure the divisional and national title system for sportsman racers to promote easy participation and reduce travel costs.
10. Eliminate the manufacturer contingency program. NHRA can adopt a fee-based manufacturers certification/participation program and channel fees into the sportsman prize money.
11. Coordinate the individual class-racer associations (12 – at last count) under an umbrella organization to influence event sponsorship from manufacturers and increase payouts.

These are simply brainstorming ideas to provoke discussion. Please, no need for trolls or flame-throwers …

There is really nothing on here that will help the classracer in my opinion.

lowering the classes .4 will kill 25% of the cars if you look in Nitro Joes stats
Getting rid of most heads-up races will drive more racers away and turn it into bracket race.
If you do a review and add HP at the end of the year, you still have AFHS, and if you get rid of Heads up runs you don't need AFHS. I'm surprised you didn't get rid of qualifying the way its run now.
Why get rid of fuel regulations, oh yeah, its a bracket race under you're new rules.
Good luck on increased prize money.
Some people love national events, and having grade points keep those who want them going to divisionals, dropping nationals and getting rid of grade points will do nothing to help the classes.
Helping reduce travel to win a championship will not help either. you can race your local bracket track, go to the bracket finals and still be a champion.
What don't you like about the contingency program? did you not get paid?
I have received over 1500.00 in contingency this year and am only waiting for a couple still, and only 1 I have had no communication with.
I think if the Associations wanted to be together, they would do it. Thats NHRA racing to fall under one sanctioning body.

If you didn't want to get flamed or trolled on your post, don't post it. everything on this group is up for discussion.

[1347]

Originally Posted by Terry Cain

Like that idea and let's even the field and let the old stockers run Roller cams like 60 % of the entrances have with the new cars.

Are we still on the roller cams? have you not been able to get Schubecks or tool steel lifters and a billet cam?

[1347]

Originally Posted by terry cain

like that idea and let's even the field and let the old stockers run roller cams like 60 % of the entrances have with the new cars.

edited

[BRETV]

Originally Posted by Terry Cain

Like that idea and let's even the field and let the old stockers run Roller cams like 60 % of the entrances have with the new cars.

If you wanna run roller cams, run a combination that has a roller cam. We've had enough enhancements to our STOCKERS.




Bret Velde
2003 ??/SA

[Jeff Stout]

There was a stick Camaro out at Speedworld that would destroy the starting line. We would prep and start the event and have several pairs run down track. Good foundation on track then this Camaro would come up and I believe a 9 inch tire that would just remove a 2 foot long section of rubber right down to the concrete. Every pass and every event we would have to address the starting line after him. Not sure if problem was him or me.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Have these cars become so specialized that they are going become a constant problem with the starting line?

Ding,ding,ding, we have a winner!
They have become too specialized period!
The vast majority are nothing more than small-tired Comp Cars.

[john ancona]

Originally Posted by Terry Cain

Like that idea and let's even the field and let the old stockers run Roller cams like 60 % of the entrances have with the new cars.

As has been in the past the Same Dictators come on here ,tell others how the rules for stock should be ,with same self serving attitude ,always ready with a New Jersey attitude to quickly shut down anything they feel it not in (there) best interest but still run all the so called enhancement's were allowed in there own cars along with all the other stock eliminator car , In 50 years I have seen it all play out changes that should have never been made in Stock eliminator I am hard pressed to remember one time any one racer spoke up about any of the changes over the years ,instead almost everyone spent money as the rules changed , now we are beyond a reasonable cost to build a stocker ,also for the record I had a stocker in the 70's when you could have nothing, when you asked Farmer ,can I ,NO was always his answer ,stock should be stock
that is until here come the headers ,and on from there

[VE6DRW]

"BTW - IF YOU WANT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY USE YOUR GIVEN REAL NAME."


Modified the post and my signature. Thanks for the tip.

[Terry Cain]

Originally Posted by 1347

Are we still on the roller cams? have you not been able to get Schubecks or tool steel lifters and a billet cam?

Guess we are. It seems We could find an answer to why only obsolete Schubecks, or $2000+ tool steels are legal in older cars but a roller ain't.

[Doug Hoven]

Originally Posted by Terry Cain

Guess we are. It seems We could find an answer to why only obsolete Schubecks, or $2000+ tool steels are legal in older cars but a roller ain't.

I have no dog in this fight, being that the fastest I’ve gone with my stocker is .60 under(so far), but I have a set of $250 lifters in my engine, a cast camshaft that is plenty big, and not all that much spring pressure, and everything seems to be ok in my valve train. The only thing adding roller cams to all cars in stock is give an advantage to racers that can afford another probably at least $2,000 in a roller cam, lifters, and valve springs to match. And don’t be tempted to buy cheap roller lifers. They can cause similar catastrophic events as a schubeck that experienced valve float one too many times.