Newbie looking to start in stock

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by Bidwell84

I'm wanting to get into stock eliminator. Exluding just buying one outright, what is a suggested car platform to start with. I have experience bracket racing but my car cannot be turned back into a stock elim car. So that being said what is good car to use. Mustang, Camaro, Cutlass, Pontiac, Buick, or a Mopar and what years. I'm not partial to anything brand. I don't mind the dime rockets. I like being the slow sometimes.

Thank you, Dustin.

Here are my views:

The other suggestions are all 100% spot on.......If this is for you, figure out how you will get to those 300-600 mile away tracks also......How old you are, family situation, job will dictate what you can do yourself or not......best bet to compete is buy one, educate yourself on EVERYTHING concerned with the car and its class......pour over the paperwork that the car has(dynos, etc) and most importantly the time slips....get Nitro Joes stats so you can compare and contrast and also get a feel for where things are in your desired class.....download the NHRA stock guide and go pouring through it so you too can see the "dime" rocket potential.....if you buy as suggested, you can always build another at your own pace....a pre-raced car will also come with its prior owner's way to run with it list....ie leave at 120, not 150 degrees, etc, air pressure....just race it, don't screw with it till you get seat time, then you can slow it down to your hearts content!

Also, you need to figure out stick versus auto, FWD versus RWD, and lastly stock versus SS. Go slowly and you will see in a few years if its for you.....Might also want to grab a classracer that earns their living in the field to check over the car, chasis too you might have to spend $$$$$$ just to make it safe, or decent.

Good luck....Eric.....70/71 challenger(bought it), 96 dakota(bought it) 09 dragpak(had it built but only after I got my feet real, real wet with the prior two) 77 Gremlin(of course I bought it....I can't think where to find one!)