They say you can't go back....but...??

[Bobby Fazio]

Mike I think it's an awesome idea. The few young people who still enjoy muscle cars and actively attend national events would get their chance to shine on a small budget if there was a pure stock class. I think it would bring in new blood. Jack and Vic, please post valid reasons why you don't agree other than the usual "no".

Other than that I do see the need for the additional tech as a problem because of NHRA's deep pockets and short arms. From an investment point of view, the playing field would be leveled out a bit thus getting more entry level racers but, also, think of all the bracket racers who don't give class racing a thought because of its high cost, they may want to join in now. This results in more entries(more revenue), more attendance with those racers(more revenue), more memberships(more revenue), more competition numbers(more revenue).

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by SStock1373

Mike I think it's an awesome idea. The few young people who still enjoy muscle cars and actively attend national events would get their chance to shine on a small budget if there was a pure stock class. I think it would bring in new blood.

I hate to say it Bobby but it's never gonna happen. The tighter you make the rules, the easier it is to cheat, the more Tech you need to police it, the more it costs the NHRA.
Something that might fly with NHRA and Racers on a tight budget would be some kind of a factored HP to wt. deal using SEALED, approved crate engines. The crate engines do exist, they would be easy to police, just look for the sheared bolts. NHRA could probably get some factory replacement parts money. Maybe 4-6 classes in Stock or SS on top of what we have.
And OBTW, it"s gonna take more than "a few young people" to fly.

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by SStock1373

Mike I think it's an awesome idea. The few young people who still enjoy muscle cars and actively attend national events would get their chance to shine on a small budget if there was a pure stock class. I think it would bring in new blood. Jack and Vic, please post valid reasons why you don't agree other than the usual "no".

Bobby - You and I could debate this issue 'till the cows come home but because you haven't been "around the block" as many times as I have you just won't get it .Also , because you already have a pure stocker your point of view might be biased .That said are you ready to compete nationally ? Are you ready to pull a piston and rod if asked ? And you will be at some time ..........along with everything else the rules must be the same for traditional stockers and pure stockers alike .

[Don Carpenter]

Billy,
I think NHRA had just what you are talking about in mind when they started running index classes at divisionals. But guess what? Little to no participation. I guess it takes less effort to scrible shoe polish on the window instead of making your car run the number!
How about stock and super stock start running a 32 or 64car qualified field off the index, dnq's can run the index classes. You might call it forced participation but it may create interest in those classes. Or you could have a consolation bracket race since thats what most want to do. But god forbid, don't call it a bracket race. Its a combo race!

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Don Carpenter

Billy,
I think NHRA had just what you are talking about in mind when they started running index classes at divisionals. But guess what? Little to no participation.

Don, I've always considered myself a Bracket Racer that went Class Racing. That being said, go to Pittsburgh and try to explain to some of the racers there how it makes sense to spent 3 or 4 or 6 days at a track for 1 race let alone that you spent $150 or $170 or $300 to win $1 or 2 thousand! The IHRA stuff is less expensive than the NHRA but you've got to win the race to break even let alone make anything. When you look at it from that point of view how can the N or I expect any participation?

[7423]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

I've always considered myself a Bracket Racer that went Class Racing.

Not many players on this board would admit to that. I admire your poetry as it also suits myself to a T.

So tell me Billy, where do you think this "class" thing is heading? A combo? Qualified 32 car field? Dial in only, no heads up? I believe there are major changes on the horizon and the old school NHRA disciples will not be very happy.

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Bobby - You and I could debate this issue 'till the cows come home but because you haven't been "around the block" as many times as I have you just won't get it .Also , because you already have a pure stocker your point of view might be biased .That said are you ready to compete nationally ? Are you ready to pull a piston and rod if asked ? And you will be at some time ..........along with everything else the rules must be the same for traditional stockers and pure stockers alike .

Billy I disagree with the tighter the rules are, the easier it is to cheat. I think the less you govern rules, the easier it is to cheat but I could be wrong. NHRA provides a nice stage for us to race on but I firmly believe that they take less and less pride in their product by changing rules instead of enforcing them because they don't want to spend money to hire necessary tech officials. Aren't we entitled to that? Isn't that what we pay for when we renew memberships, competition numbers, and pay astronomical entry fees?

Jack, my car is already in the works to become a stocker and with a little luck it will be ready soon (circa 2017) so I would be screwed if the new pure stock class did come to fruition because I could have saved money! As far as being ready to pull a rod and piston, well of course I'm ready, it was a factory mustang with 160,000 miles and the valve covers had yet to be removed. However, I am like Howard, Fine, and Howard if you wanted to see a comedy show and watch me try to pull a piston and rod it would make for a great dinner time story. I am no mechanic which I hate admitting but it's the truth so someone would have to help me in that scenario!

I know you consider me the new guy but I watched and grew up around S/SS for 20 years before I started driving so I'm not thatttt new!

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by SStock1373

Billy I disagree with the tighter the rules are, the easier it is to cheat. I think the less you govern rules, the easier it is to cheat but I could be wrong. NHRA provides a nice stage for us to race on but I firmly believe that they take less and less pride in their product by changing rules instead of enforcing them because they don't want to spend money to hire necessary tech officials. Aren't we entitled to that? Isn't that what we pay for when we renew memberships, competition numbers, and pay astronomical entry fees?

In regards to your first sentence, making the rules tighter and not governing the rules are two different things. In regards to your second, yes they are taking less "pride in they're product". The people at the top only care about the bottom line and the Techs that love the sport are going away or retireing. And finally, yes, we should be entitled to "that" but we are also entitled to not renew our membership. The days of being a member meaning something are long gone just like post race teardowns.

[Jack McCarthy]

mike, nice try i like it nhra will never go back start your own association.

billy, its not the rules it is the amount and seriousness of teardowns. at the rate they pull nowadays you might win the lottrery first... and always same guys never a non qualifier or #120 at indy then when tossed a few phone calls, and SHAZAAM they are in and the rule is "relaxed" next year.... lets teardown ALL class winners at indy, and 12 or more at all nationals, and three at every divisional, and top qualifier at all opens... hell mr gasket should help pay for the tech guys...

and this is why i dislike combos... no tech, no protests, some even no heads ups

hell lets start a carbs only stocker association ??
merry christmas to the asshole who asked for roller rockers !
jack

[Hemiparts]

[QUOTE=SStock1373;300925]Mike I think it's an awesome idea. The few young people who still enjoy muscle cars and actively attend national events would get their chance to shine on a small budget if there was a pure stock class. I think it would bring in new blood. Jack and Vic, please post valid reasons why you don't agree other than the usual "no".

I am one of those young people who would love to have an entry level class that i can get in to. I am one of the few who go to the hot dog stand while the fuel cars run so i can be back in my seat to watch the sportsman racers. I have a car in the garage right now that i could use as a pure stock car and park my Duster in the shop and use it as a bracket race car. I really hope someone see this and decides to do something to bring more of us " young folks " into the sport and stop pushing us in to " Outlaw Class " type of racing ( 275 radial / 10.5 tire) As they see your number od racer getting smaller just remember Out of Sight Out of Mind.

Chris