S/g 1983 - Page 3

supergas565 · 07-31-2009, 04:36 PM

I think it would be cool to go back to simpler days, but if you think spectators are going to line up to watch 135mph cars race when now they are used to watching the pro's at 200+ - 300+ I believe you are sadly mistaken.....I for one enjoy running 9.90 @ 165+

Anyone notice that these types of threads have only recently started popping up since NHRA raised its $$$$ and the economy has been in the chitter......???????

Rick Blake

Tod Lane · 07-31-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supergas565

I think it would be cool to go back to simpler days, but if you think spectators are going to line up to watch 135mph cars race when now they are used to watching the pro's at 200+ - 300+ I believe you are sadly mistaken.....I for one enjoy running 9.90 @ 165+

Anyone notice that these types of threads have only recently started popping up since NHRA raised its $$$$ and the economy has been in the chitter......???????

Rick Blake

I don't recall them lining up for S/G lately... Maybe at the concession stands or restrooms...

Ed Fernandez · 07-31-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supergas565

I think it would be cool to go back to simpler days, but if you think spectators are going to line up to watch 135mph cars race when now they are used to watching the pro's at 200+ - 300+ I believe you are sadly mistaken.....I for one enjoy running 9.90 @ 165+

Anyone notice that these types of threads have only recently started popping up since NHRA raised its $$$$ and the economy has been in the chitter......???????

Rick Blake

Not really.We've been discussing shut off turn on racing for a while.I started the current thread after seeing the 1983 S/G film.

Mopar Steve · 07-31-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEMORIES

I "grew up" with Johnny Labbous at my local track in the seventies. I remember when he got his first Omni 024. He was a killer driver in brackets and heads-up classes. Here's a couple of photos.

Wayne.

Those are pics of the original McCandless Omni that Johnny got. This is the car that was re-bodied into a Laser. It was either the third or fourth car that Herb built.

Johnny's other Omni has the grille openings closed off. He preferred the McCandless car though.

Also, I was told a lot less than 12 cars from McCandless Performance. More were built from the original jig at Fabrication Inc.

Larry Munk · 08-01-2009, 06:24 AM

I owned one of the origional West Coast Pro Gas cars. It won the Winter Nats the first time for Pro Gas. Ron Williams raced it forever and Bob Tietz borrowed it for the Winters. When I got the car the simplicity of the operation was a lesson some today could use. 2 wheel trailer a timing light and some lead was all you needed to go race. Throttle stops and trans brakes screwed the class. I got out before all the electronics BS took the brains out of the helmet. Back then at the local track you were treated like a small time hero. And yes a Pro Gas show would even bring a crowd to lowley Roadrunner Dragway in Albuquerque New Mexico.
Super Gas as it's run today is on it's death bed. Who gives a rats patoot if your running 160 when your putting the crowd to sleep on the starting line.

CBS · 08-01-2009, 06:31 AM

Hey Ed....when was the last time you drove a 9.90 170 super gas car...I bet you hated it....Its really a pretty fun ride...The old days are gone....and you have play under the current rules....whatever they may be....

Rock Haas

supergas565 · 08-01-2009, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tod Lane

I don't recall them lining up for S/G lately... Maybe at the concession stands or restrooms...

Your right and I never said they were....????? My point is simply: the fans don't go to watch sportsman race at National events and never will, just my .02

I don't think anyone needs to blame the empty seats on NHRA either.....this economy sucks period....had to park my **** due to it and not a happy camper about it, but NHRA didn't do it. I do feel they couldn't have picked a worse time to increase fee's though....that was less than brilliant....LOL

Rick Blake

MEMORIES · 08-01-2009, 08:49 AM

Here's a couple of Super Gas greats from my local track, Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip in North Georgia. Floyd Cheek in the Vega, went on to be an IHRA Quick Rod champion and in 1997 was IHRA Pro Stock world champion.

Wayne.

Rich Biebel · 08-01-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBS

Hey Ed....when was the last time you drove a 9.90 170 super gas car...I bet you hated it....Its really a pretty fun ride...The old days are gone....and you have play under the current rules....whatever they may be....

Rock Haas

Ed races a slow "6 banger" stocker.....and is retired so he has time to think this stuff up I think....

Somehow I really doubt that spectators are going to be anymore enthused about watching slow cars race compared to a t-stop categorie......and they also won't care if .90 cars have timers or don't. They can't tell 170 from 150 from the stands anyway for the most part.

I've raced them all.....slow to fast..My first Jr.Stocker went in the 14's-15 but that was 40+ years ago. Fast is way more fun than slow.......t-stop or not...

Sorry Ed......I tell it like I see it.....Your car would make a good S/G'er....I recall a few back in the old days...........

Rich Biebel · 08-01-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEMORIES

Here's a couple of Super Gas greats from my local track, Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip in North Georgia. Floyd Cheek in the Vega, went on to be an IHRA Quick Rod champion and in 1997 was IHRA Pro Stock world champion.

Wayne.

Labbous' car was very "trick" as far as suspension wise from what I saw......I think he was footbraking very early in S/G and the car really popped the front end out of the beams very quickly and easily.......he was R/Up to a friend in the final of S/G at the SummerNationals around 1986.......

07-31-2009, 04:36 PM	#21
supergas565 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 18 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: S/g 1983 I think it would be cool to go back to simpler days, but if you think spectators are going to line up to watch 135mph cars race when now they are used to watching the pro's at 200+ - 300+ I believe you are sadly mistaken.....I for one enjoy running 9.90 @ 165+ Anyone notice that these types of threads have only recently started popping up since NHRA raised its $$$$ and the economy has been in the chitter......??????? Rick Blake

08-01-2009, 06:24 AM	#25
Larry Munk Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 135 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: S/g 1983 I owned one of the origional West Coast Pro Gas cars. It won the Winter Nats the first time for Pro Gas. Ron Williams raced it forever and Bob Tietz borrowed it for the Winters. When I got the car the simplicity of the operation was a lesson some today could use. 2 wheel trailer a timing light and some lead was all you needed to go race. Throttle stops and trans brakes screwed the class. I got out before all the electronics BS took the brains out of the helmet. Back then at the local track you were treated like a small time hero. And yes a Pro Gas show would even bring a crowd to lowley Roadrunner Dragway in Albuquerque New Mexico. Super Gas as it's run today is on it's death bed. Who gives a rats patoot if your running 160 when your putting the crowd to sleep on the starting line.

08-01-2009, 06:31 AM	#26
CBS VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Commerce, Mi Posts: 1,387 Likes: 1 Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: S/g 1983 Hey Ed....when was the last time you drove a 9.90 170 super gas car...I bet you hated it....Its really a pretty fun ride...The old days are gone....and you have play under the current rules....whatever they may be.... Rock Haas

08-01-2009, 08:49 AM	#28
MEMORIES Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 298 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: S/g 1983 Here's a couple of Super Gas greats from my local track, Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip in North Georgia. Floyd Cheek in the Vega, went on to be an IHRA Quick Rod champion and in 1997 was IHRA Pro Stock world champion. Wayne.