Interest in Modified?

[herbjr]

Originally Posted by Doyle Evans

Mr, Evans thank you, this is what I was looking for, I have a car that I believe would fit a Mod. class and I know at least 5 other racers that do also. That makes 6 and counting. Thanks Joe Buchanan

THANK YOU - FOR THE INTEREST AND STARTING THIS THREAD



I think racers and fans alike would be interested in reviving the category. But this time around make it a doorslammer only class, and forget about weight breaks for using automatics-Door cars with manual transmissions only!

While I am in this thread let me give a shout out to Doyle Evans!

NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU MIKE, READY TO JUMP IN?


Ok guys at a track operator Ill make this offer. You get me 20 cars Modified type, now SS production cars can run as well but we will call it Modified, and I will do a race for it.

1000 win
300 RU
150 Semi
75 1/4's


I know this isnt alot but its a start. My brother and I have had a TON on our plate the last year but have now figured out how to run a track and not let a track run us. As always Xtreme Motorsports will pay 100.00 bonus to any stick car that wins a race at Piedmont. So its really 1100 to win. If we have enough we could have the first race in April before Rockingham National..

Herb Jr

HERB WE REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO FOR THE CLASS RACERS!



DOYLE

2009 will be a better year for class racers at Piedmont Dragway now with this Modified idea it can only get better. How about we allow open bodied cars but run open bodies and door cars seperate. Hell we could even run sticks and autos seperate as long as possible.

Herb
PiedmontDragway.com

[mloboda]

Originally Posted by herbjr

2009 will be a better year for class racers at Piedmont Dragway now with this Modified idea it can only get better. How about we allow open bodied cars but run open bodies and door cars seperate. Hell we could even run sticks and autos seperate as long as possible.

Herb
PiedmontDragway.com

With all due respect, Herb. ( and I mean respect- it can't be easy to run a drag strip and put up with racers),
I believe this thread was started with the intent ( correct me if I'm wrong, Joe) of resurrecting a semblance of the modified production class car that was so popular in the 70s-80s. A high winding small block 5 speed car. Adding open body cars and automatics to the idea kills it with me before it gets started. The only reason people long for the "modified days" - it was a stick shift only class. Wild, unpredictable runs were the norm. To me, allowing an automatic car run in a modified class is blasphemy.
Herb, make it a REAL modified catagory or don't bother.

[trmnatr]

Originally Posted by mloboda

With all due respect, Herb. ( and I mean respect- it can't be easy to run a drag strip and put up with racers),
I believe this thread was started with the intent ( correct me if I'm wrong, Joe) of resurrecting a semblance of the modified production class car that was so popular in the 70s-80s. A high winding small block 5 speed car. Adding open body cars and automatics to the idea kills it with me before it gets started. The only reason people long for the "modified days" - it was a stick shift only class. Wild, unpredictable runs were the norm. To me, allowing an automatic car run in a modified class is blasphemy.
Herb, make it a REAL modified catagory or don't bother.

Thats fine, BUT their are few sticks out there today like that so you have to go with the trend - Sticks or Automatics, just make the payout higher for stick cars

Open body cars, i dont think that would work well

What about CID limits? What would they be, 335? 360? 355?

There would have to be rules such as any 23° head with any mods N/A or something to keep the class like Pro Stock {tight racing}

[Michael Lyons]

If you want to get the car counts necessary for ANY class to survive you have to allow as many cars that are currently legal in various classes to be able to participate. So you have to allow autos and automated shifters and front wheel drive conversions etc.. sure you can leave the dragsters out because there would only be a few that are still around. And you'll probably have to dial in or some comp racer will come in and stink up the show. I can understand everyone has a fond memory but those days are long gone. It has to be a profitable venture for the tracks and easy for the racers too. If you have to completely change your car from the way you normally run it in IHRA or NHRA competition, people won't come. I'm sorry if this offends or bums out any of you ole diehards but its just the facts given the state of economics these days. If the race was run in conjunction with a large event weekend in enough advance notice so people could plan and work it out in their schedule that might help out the car count alot. Maybe even run it on a Weds or Thurs before Rockingham and then all people would have to do is take one additional day off to attend. And that would be kinda like the old days too where you'd race a couple times each week.. just a random thought...

Oh yeah, hey sst1988 wipe your chin...

[Michael Lyons]

Heck I'd probably even be willing to send a $100 to the track as a collection for a fund to pump up the purse, even if I couldn't attend. If enough people could chip in a donation, you could have a much larger purse and that would bring the car count!

[Doyle Evans]

I'll say this much.
Look at the response and the views this thread is getting. Looks like a lot of potential players and a lot of interest.

It would be nice if Jerico or G-Force or someone like that would come up to the plate.
Remember factory modified!!!!

[Michael Kilduff]

Did someone say high winding small blocks with 5 speed transmissions??

Well here is a feast for ya, I am thinking this was late 70's in Houston....

[Michael Kilduff]

Here is another video from the same event I think.....gotta love the vette at the end

Doyle, I will be jumping in soon enough, will be getting started on the car really soon. But if you are lookin' a driver for the Vette just remeber what I always say-

'Have helmet, will travel!'

[herbjr]

Originally Posted by mloboda

With all due respect, Herb. ( and I mean respect- it can't be easy to run a drag strip and put up with racers),
I believe this thread was started with the intent ( correct me if I'm wrong, Joe) of resurrecting a semblance of the modified production class car that was so popular in the 70s-80s. A high winding small block 5 speed car. Adding open body cars and automatics to the idea kills it with me before it gets started. The only reason people long for the "modified days" - it was a stick shift only class. Wild, unpredictable runs were the norm. To me, allowing an automatic car run in a modified class is blasphemy.
Herb, make it a REAL modified catagory or don't bother.

With all due respect and having a race with as many cars as possible would be nice lets allow only TRUE 4 SPEEDS none of these trannys we have today.........with that being said no we cant do that...if they fit the old rules from 2000 they can race. Wt break for auto and everything.....No heads up runs.....I have been talking to a few people already, we have some big ideas for this and we cant exclude anyone.

I can put you guys in front of 4000 spectators if you can race on Friday July 3rd, and if you have never raced at a local track on a Thursday or Friday night in front of a packed house you dont know what your missing.

Ok so what about July 2nd and 3rd, Ill do a Stock SS combo on Friday and a Modified only race on Thursday July 2nd.

Feedback Please....

Herb jr

[mloboda]

Originally Posted by herbjr

I can put you guys in front of 4000 spectators if you can race on Friday July 3rd, and if you have never raced at a local track on a Thursday or Friday night in front of a packed house you dont know what your missing.

Feedback Please....
Herb jr

We DO race at local tracks in front of a packed house EVERY time we race - UMTR stick shift ONLY races.
Yes, spectators will PACK THE HOUSE to watch JUST stick cars.
I think you are not giving the potential draw of a stick shift only modified production class race much of a chance before automatically (no pun intended) thinking you need automatic cars to make it a show.
Trust me on this one, NOBODY is interested in watching automatic cars. It's like going to a "gasser reunion" and discovering most of the "gassers" are just powerglide posers. Spectators are confused because, while the cars still look cool, they just don't seem exciting like they remembered it back in the day. Why ? Because instead of seeing a bumper dragging stick shift Willys, they see a powerglide that just sort of scoots off the line and doesn't bounce all over the track like a stick car does. BORING.
If you do decide on a manual transmission modified production race, I and several other UMTR racers will tow 8+ hours to be there to support this great idea ( if it doesn't conflict with the regular UMTR schedule- July 3rd is a conflict for us).
On the other hand, I have zero interest in racing against automatics. 10 stick cars racing side by side are more exciting to watch than 200 automatics. Make that 500 automatics.