Class versus brackets winning a round

[SS Engine Guy]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

I do, I have, and would certainly do it again.

Been there done that too....enjoyed it. But that is back in the days that most everyone could work on their own stuff and tech would give you a year off for just about anything. Since then we have been watered down by "cheat of the week" technology backed up by lawyers and threats of lawyers not to mention the "buy your hp factor" that we are forced to contend with. Until tech officials are allowed to enforce the rules without outside interference and factors are with-in 5-10 hp correct (and that will never be because of ahfs) we will continue to be in the same situation which is basically screwed.

[Jeff Lee]

This Bracket / Class racing subject gets brought up what...every 3-5 weeks, 6 weeks on the high side? And the same town criers bring it up and the same town criers seem to elevate bracket racing and downgrade class racing.
Most all of us started with bracket racing. There's nothing wrong with bracket racing. I could go and bracket race my stock 2005 Ford Expedition this weekend if I wanted. I could go and rent a 'Vette if I wanted a faster bracket ride. I could literally gather friends and find enough parts, a minimal amount of cash and throw together a 12 second car any week I wanted to and go bracket racing with a "real" race car.
But as I said in my first post, class racings not for everyone. If you don't want to enjoy class racing, whether as a racer or spectator, walk away. And there's a bracket race at every track almost all year long, weather permitting.

[Gary Parker]

There is nothing wrong with bracket racing. When I want to help myself stay sharpe, I go to the local track and race brackets with my stocker. And thease guys, and gals are as good as anyone. That being said, Yes most of the time we put a dial in on our cars in the staging lanes, but it is what it took to get us there that is differant. Can anyone tell me the national record in pro et, or super pro. How about the national record in super gas or super street. Records and performance is only part of racing s/ss. Then we still have to get it done on the track. Just my 2 cents

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Daran Summerton

Stock - Super Stock is an addiction like it or not, quite possibly as strong as drugs, or gambling. Everyone has different levels of addiction and bank accounts has a affect on this issue. I currently am looking at running a points race and the Gators and that's about it only because I consider that an expense that would incur on any weekend getaaway. I use to run every Divisional and 3-4 Nationals but there is ZERO incentative for me to go out and make my car any faster to win maybe $200. It is a shame because I love class and the people who really try and work on their cars. The addiction is no longer what it once was and whether people realize it or not the same people who bitch none stop on here is just a natural reaction in their addiction withdrawls. See ya in the lanes, when I can.

Daran,

Did you buy Scott's old car?

Smitty

[randy wilson]

In perfect air we can run .75 under, in just good air, .6 under. We are not hitters but would quit if it went to just dial in, no tech.

[Dick Butler]

Interesting comments which pretty well point out that Most love the class challenge of making a vehicle with RULES go as quick as possible.
Some point out the weak point of having too many possible classes where yes you can be the worlds fastest but of 3 cars on earth very little hype or recognition. This seems to point out the BAD part of too many classes. A back door comment for combining classes or limited numbers of possible classes. Then at least the 20 guys in the country racing the same combo knows you are good if you win or set the record. Today who knows the names of the record holders? who cares unless its your class.. I only check dragster to see what my competitors ran in their races as a gauge of my performance.
We all see a win as a win but a high % appreciate class wins better. Then there is Jeff who seems to mis understand the poll intent as bringing down class. No it was pointed at showing the challenge of fastest car (of whatever form) drives most S and SS racers. Would making fewer classes and "forcing " a limited kind of cars or combinations add anything? to the greater good? of the Class racing by causing MORE of it? Class at Indy is the only true place enough current cars can enter at one time. What if an event with 80 entries in S or SS had 10 cars per class? Wherever you raced.

[art leong]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Interesting comments which pretty well point out that Most love the class challenge of making a vehicle with RULES go as quick as possible.
Some point out the weak point of having too many possible classes where yes you can be the worlds fastest but of 3 cars on earth very little hype or recognition. This seems to point out the BAD part of too many classes. A back door comment for combining classes or limited numbers of possible classes. Then at least the 20 guys in the country racing the same combo knows you are good if you win or set the record. Today who knows the names of the record holders? who cares unless its your class.. I only check dragster to see what my competitors ran in their races as a gauge of my performance.
We all see a win as a win but a high % appreciate class wins better. Then there is Jeff who seems to mis understand the poll intent as bringing down class. No it was pointed at showing the challenge of fastest car (of whatever form) drives most S and SS racers. Would making fewer classes and "forcing " a limited kind of cars or combinations add anything? to the greater good? of the Class racing by causing MORE of it? Class at Indy is the only true place enough current cars can enter at one time. What if an event with 80 entries in S or SS had 10 cars per class? Wherever you raced.

Dick here you go again with this drivel. About reducing classes.
Whose fault is it if nobody else builds a car for the class you run in?
In that case lets get rid of AA, A, B, and C stock because according to this most of the older cars are quitting, mand that will leave just one car. So get rid of those classes!
I run a class where there are only 3 cars in the country. So I guess my class should be done away with? If not name some?

PS My car might be for sale shortly, so why don't you buy it for the greater good?

[Travis Miller]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

What if an event with 80 entries in S or SS had 10 cars per class?

If that turned out to be the norm at enough events in a season, within the next couple years there would probably wind up being 2 cars in each of those few classes and the sanctioning body would drop the eliminator for lack of participation.

While today there may be a lot of classes with some only having a few cars each, there is a lot of participation overall. That fact alone keeps Stock and S/S the popular eliminators that they are. Numbers overall not numbers per class are what has kept Stock and S/S alive all these many years. If you do not believe that, just look at the eliminators that have priced themselves almost into oblivion in the name of performance. It is overall numbers that those who run any business look at......including those in charge of drag racing sanctioning bodies.

Travis Miller

(Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

[Dick Butler]

Travis, You missed it. I meant what about a meet NHRA only ALLOWS 80 entrants.
There might be 200 if the field were OPEN but many events are limited due to space, time, etc....
The thing that keeps S and SS fun is the racers who LOVE to build cars and tune them to run fast. Seems many things become a negative to making one run fast by working on them but approved if they are a "new Kid on the block car"
Art, you are a perfect example. A fast car, scienced out , a pleasure to you. I give you credit for working within the rules, parameters whatever but......Who do you race if there are 3 cars?. If you were the fastest of a class with 20 cars even if they were all turbo, fwd cars wouldnt it seem greater accomplishment?. Especially if 15 came to INDY and YOU beat them all on common ground?
No disrespect intended to FWD, Turbo or 3 car classes, only discussion...

[Daran Summerton]

It's a twin sister to Scott's car but SS/NA and yes it's for sale! Daran