Support your local Combo/Association races!!

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

-Jeff N, heads-ups are something I would consider. Pittsburgh has no scales (for the IHRA Div'l races, they use the IHRA temporary scales 'weigh with the front tires, weigh with the back, and add it up' method), so there would be no heads-ups there at Pitt. Quaker and Hagerstown, assuming their scales are accurate and still work, we could work with.

I would have to pay (another expense) a qualified tech person (or at least knowledgeable person) to run the scales. Maybe not so much for the tradtional S/S and Stock cars. But for SS/GT, for example. Not saying you or anyone would do it. But let's say you're running your car, GT/FA 1975 400/180-328 (or whatever it's rated at now). And you claim it as such. But it actually has some other, higher-rated combo in it (427/425, 396/375, etc or something similar) and runs silly fast (same with a GT car with a 327/250 and claiming it as a 283/220) or fast enough to win a heads-up. The average Weekly Joe tech person won't know what combos can or can not fit whatever GT, SS/AM, or even some Stock classes. He certainly wouldn't know the difference between a SS/DA legal 427/425 and some guy that claims it, with an LS-6 454/450 in it.

Again, I don't know how many, if any, would try it, but it could certainly lend itself to MORE potential cheating, more than that could be done now.

As it is now, with no scales, heads-ups or qualifying, any edge gained by cheating is nullified. Going two seconds under would not gain any advantage to anything (no bye, no easy Class win). Other than Hagerstown, the only automatic SS/GT cars we had were all GT/HA or lower (except Gene McBean GT/BA), so I doubt you'd get a heads-up, even if we chose to scale and do them (unless you can get your car legally to H weight).

Mike - I'm not sure if you're aware of the fact that at your last race you had three past and current tech people in attendance that I know of - I'm sure with little or no expense you could get some qualified help if needed ..................

Mark - Thanks for the vote of confidence - I not only supported your group but also the East Coast Assn. and the Tri-Staters - And although I've not raced with the New Englanders I've tried to support them any way I can .We do need these Associations - that said I'm still chasing those elusive Wally's ............And will continue to until they pry the steering wheel away from me .

[Dave Turner]

I am extremely proud to own a Stock Eliminator car, and consider myself fortunate to have numerous competition options. The group offering exceptional value for Stock, Super Stock and NSS racers in my neighbourhood, the Can Am Series, is about to enter its 16th year of action in the region surrounding the Eastern Great Lakes. Without the local schedule, my budget would restrict me to 2 or 3 races each season under IHRA or NHRA sanctioning, for which both driver and car would be ill prepared. Call these combo series the minor leagues, if you choose, but I credit the members of this group with providng the means to hone my driving and preparation skills in advance of National or Divisional entry. These guys are tough, and challenge me to be at my best. The track record of our membership is exemplary! There are no heads-up runs, but I know where my stuff ranks against national standards - we have Nitro Joe to thank for that.

The example I offer is similar to the successful history of many of the associations represented on this forum. I think it's exciting to think that some basic groundwork could result in an annual BIG event comprised of 3 or 4 series with numbers to rival car counts of the past.

In retirement, I plan, God willing, to travel further afield and chase along the trail - if it still exists. Until then, I will enthusiastically support any grassroots organization within my reach.

[Jack McCarthy]

i'm dying for a heads up... only heads ups ive had in 4 years have been against that damn caddy !!!!!!!!!! (im 0-3 but got him HP twice)

race when ya can, if ya can afford it, and have fun...
captain

[Chris1529]

Mike, I truly hope people support the tri-state stock/ss association this year. I always enjoy racing with you. But at the same time, I don't think racers should be criticized for taking their class cars to other divisional/national races that are farther away. That is why most people build class cars. It is nice to the have option of the association races, but if guys choose to take their cars to another race, so be it.