How long do you think 40 to 50 year old cars can continue to be raced?

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

Although I have only been running in Stock for 8 years now, I have been hanging around with a few buddys Stock & S/S cars for more like 20. And in that time, it seems that most "new" racers have either moved up from the brackets, or are following Fathers, Uncles, or older brothers who have been racing class for years. I have seen very few 20-30ish racers entering Stock or S/S without prior family involvment.
In addition to a limited Stock schedule (typically 1 NHRA Nat`l event and maybe 3 LODRS), I also run in a stickshift association bracket series, and have ran in a local Stock-S/S association, both close to home, and have noticed that even our local tracks bracket program has been dwindling over recent years. Now some must be blamed on the economic situation, and skyrocketing real estate costs, however, I think than many younger people don`t like the "silly" restrictive rules that are the backbone of Stock & S/S. Our local tracks Friday nite "Street Legal" races are normally very well attended, but the majority of cars are either imports, late model cars, or 80`s-90`s Mustangs & Camaros. I have talked to a bunch of these younger people, and most think having to spend money on "junk factory" heads is crazy, when you can buy new aluminum aftermarket stuff for less. Why spend money on a blueprinted class legal engine when you can go faster with a nitrous oxide kit, or a supercharger? They don`t care how poorly their cars suspension is setup, a low 12 second car going 125 MPH is not uncommon. Plus they don`t want to pay more at the gate, and possibly lose 1rst round, when thay can "race" the street legals all night for $25. or $30. Sad but true. JMO

Rory,

Seems you and I have talked to some of the same people. A handful of guys I work with look at me like I'm from Mars when I tell them I'm building a second car to run in Stock. They just can't fathom why I want to build an engine with factory iron heads and a hydraulic camshaft. Then when they find out you have to run a "stock" suspension and 9" tires, they just don't get it. Like you said, when you can get aluminum heads, good roller cams, shoot, you can order a whole engine straight from the catlogue, almost guarantee you can run in the 10's out of the box. Like you said as well, they would rather attend the street nites and run their cars as much as they want.

Alan, I will say this. I've looked at some of the cars the younger guys have built. I'm not 100% convinced they have taken the easy way. Some of the set ups with the power adders, twin turbos and the electronics. They have to work on these cars, just in different ways than we did/do. Actually, I'm amazed at the power some of these guys make with the imports. On the other hand, many of my friends don't understand why I don't want to build a nitrous motor or put a delay box in my bracket car. Personally, it's not what I want to do.

Bring on the new cars.

Robert Swartz