Where is the pride? Is it just a checkbook?

[JHaleyH374]

Personally, I take pride in not only being able to drive my car, but being able to work on it as well. There's just something special about knowing every nut and bolt in your car and being able to point to it and say "Yeah, I did the work and drive it too!"

[Adger Smith]

Wade,
I understand what you are saying and I do agree there is a certain amount of pride in being a "DYI" type guy. I've been fortunate enough to have God given talents to be a DYI guy in the automotive arena. (some other areas, No) I have found that just because a guy opens his check book and says build it fast and damn the expenses doesn't mean he doesn't have pride in what he is doing. I've seen it with customers for many years. Their pride is based upon ownership, accomplishment or other forms of gratification that they seek. They all feel they have accomplished something and I think they have. First they got off the porch and are running with the big dogs. There are so many people that don't even make an effort to be involved. Second they realize they need to pay their way. It is just like I pay the Heating and Air guy and Plumber and Doctor. I dare not do my own Brain surgery. Looking at it the other way I don't consider myself less of a person than them just because one of my buddies owns a getaway home in Florida or one of my engine customers invites me to his get away Villa in Mexico. They enjoy the fact that my talents give their rides power. I'm going to enjoy the path God has given me through life, use my talents and live with the Joneses as my neighbors. (Jones family with the pool) !!

P.S. I'm sure glad my Heating and Air guy put in that new unit, correctly, 2 years ago so I can type this while being warm and cozy in this 17 degree weather. let's see : what did i pay him for it??

[buzzinhalfdozen]

I think some are missing Wades point, I think he's simply pointing out that there seems to be more "check book" racers now than ever before. Maybe it's all the attention these new cars are recieving or just the fact that you can scratch off a check and have a competitive race car right out of the blocks. Most of the racers I know do most if not all of their own work, some because they take pride in doing it themselves, some because they don't have the financial means to have it done for them. Either way is OK with me personally I find a sense of pride in doing most all of my own work, it challenges me and provides an outlet, some folks bowl, golf ect. Don't really care how the other racers do it if they think a 100 large stocker is the ticket than more power to em, I'll just carry on with my junk. Joe

[herbjr]

Racers havent done their own work for a long time. When is the last time a racers built his own Super Stock car. And I mean build it not buy a roller and finish it. The days of racers doing all their own work is over unless they are in the business to build cars or motors. How many class racers that are fast build their own motors from TOP TO BOTTOM. Even some of the top engine BUILDERS(haha) in this country are engine assemblers. The days of doing all the work in house is gone due to specialist who do only heads, custom pistons etc. Its all about the money anymore and has been for a long time.

Herb Jr

[AC]

Originally Posted by herbjr

Racers havent done their own work for a long time. When is the last time a racers built his own Super Stock car. And I mean build it not buy a roller and finish it. The days of racers doing all their own work is over unless they are in the business to build cars or motors. How many class racers that are fast build their own motors from TOP TO BOTTOM. Even some of the top engine BUILDERS(haha) in this country are engine assemblers. The days of doing all the work in house is gone due to specialist who do only heads, custom pistons etc. Its all about the money anymore and has been for a long time.

Herb Jr

Wally Zalak in D1 built his own corvette in 2010 in his garage, welded the cage, installed the rear, suspension,brakes etc..., put his own motor together, the thing is a beauty, may not be the fastest but he built it!! Im sure he takes pride in his car but im sure he wants to win races as well.

Let me ask you guys this, where is your pride that all you do is bitch and complain. You want pride, go out and win the race, money means crap unless your the last one standing.

How many racers whether circle track, road racing or drag racing jump into cars and go out and kick ***!!! Thats pride, get in the car and win. You complain about these factory stockers, how many heads up runs have you had with them, how many are racing in their class?

I built my own stocker a few years back, yeah it was fun but you know what, it was also a bitch, pride for me was trying to go rounds and beat the guys you all whine about. Instead of stock or super stock they should call it whiners and super cry babies because their are more cry babie in this game then racers.

life is not fair, not everyone is dealt the same cards, I wonder sometimes how you guys function in life! May be their should be a mamby pamby forum sponsored by kleenex for you guys.

[Andys dad]

How many racers can say they do not try to buy "going faster" in some form or another.

You know "trick of the week" stuff - or stuff that has evolved (been allowed)

It all a matter of perspective

I look on this as a piece of history not just a car

We will definitely not be the fastest V10 - others will be able to build a real motor


:-) peace

[1320racer]

herb...dead on with a zero!

1970 is long gone, it's the year 2011.

Count me amongst those that have professionals build their car as well engines and transmissions and I'm in good company with the majority of serious sportsman racers

[Adger Smith]

Wow, eveyone was typing at almost the same time!!!

[Casey Miles]

HerbJ: You have hit a point that alot of people seem to miss, but there are still some of us out there who still answer the question " Who is your engine builder?" , you are talking to him. Granted, personaly I can't be as competitive as the check writers, but that $5. bottle of shoe polish makes up for that in a big way. It's disapointing that people don't do as much of there own work as it used to be, but time moves on, along with the sport. It's the same as our country, it's service oriented versus manufacturing based now.

Has anyone esle do the math on the Mopar's V-10, it can be as big as 532 cubic inches in stock rules. Rated 450 HP, yah hoo!

Casey Miles
248H Stock?

[Hemiparts]

The problem i see with guys building their own cars is the rules have gotten so that most folks can't build their own legal roll cages. You can build motors and trans and rears all day long but cage work can be tricky. As far as someone owing the car and not driving it, in some cases the owner can't drive his car due to medical reasons but still want's to enjoy the sport as an owner. my .02

Chris