New cars, old cars and horsepower ratings.

[BadBanana]

Having not run a SS/GT car since 1990, I have a question about the GT cars. It was originally developed so those with older S/S cars could use the newer engines as long as that "style" motor was originally available in that "style" body. Is it now OK to use a newer body in GT?

[james schaechter]

I don't like the idea, just because. However, we are at a point where the new cars are lining out most of the old ones. I think Greg's idea has some merit.

I was talking to a few last year in the industry. I think it would have to come from the manufacturers and the aftermarket industry to get NHRA to consider it.

I think there is some value. If you have a 66 Nova in E stick like ours and then someone anyone puts a stick in a Drag Pak 5.7 we are hosed.

Now even if we could afford or wanted to step up to the new car, it is a six figure pill to swallow. If we could put newer engine combos in the old cars, we would be able to:
1) science out the new combo in the old car
2)The old car would have more value since a person could be more competititive with a newer engine in it.
3) it would allow a racer to run the old car while they built a newer car over time. ( more realistic $$ wise)

This also allows the manufacturers and aftermarket to support us more since there is more marketing and sales opportunities for them. Ford SVT, GM Performance, Mopar, etc.

I was thinking more of using existing combos in the guide in a GT type format. Not just any crate motor.

I know it isn't ideal, but I don't worry about the new cars as much as I worry about the points meets and nationals becoming Top Dragster and Top Sportsman only races.
There are a lot of older cars in garages because they have no chance against the new stuff. We would do well to get these cars in the lanes and help keep this sport going.

( Stock Class Racing)

[Alex Denysenko]

this train of thought goes right along with the 3 speeds for 2 speed cars program

[Alan Roehrich]

I'll just say that adding more combinations to the mix, when NHRA cannot control what we have now, does not seem to be very prudent and leave it at that.

[Greg Hill]

Alan, I'm saying the only new combination might be small block Chevy like the 350 fast burn . The rest of the combinations are already being run. One other thing no one has mentioned is that the hp factors would get right in a hurry. Barry, I would love to have these new cars in their own classes but that hasn't happened and I don't think it will. This is not what I want, but not factoring these cars properly has put the older cars in a non competitive situation that will take years to resolve itself.

Is it possible that NHRA purposely wants guys with the older cars to just go away? Maybe the factory showdown will be the way of the new Stock Eleminator. The manufactures will sell new cars with the new race cars out. Old cars or the guys who race em mean nothing in today's sell now world.
I wish they would just tell us the truth. Give us a years notice or something.Then I could stop spending money, and get on with my life. I'd hate to buy or build a 100k plus race car, that could be obsolete if our class falls by the wayside.

[Lew Silverman]

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven

Is it possible that NHRA purposely wants guys with the older cars to just go away? Maybe the factory showdown will be the way of the new Stock Eliminator. The manufactures will sell new cars with the new race cars out. Old cars or the guys who race em mean nothing in today's sell now world.
I wish they would just tell us the truth. Give us a years notice or something.Then I could stop spending money, and get on with my life. I'd hate to buy or build a 100k plus race car, that could be obsolete if our class falls by the wayside.

The NHRA "gave" the New Cars their own class, and then didn't require them to race in it! What was the point of the FS/S class at Indy anyway?

I don't believe that creating more classes in Stock Eliminator is the answer. Fairly regulating the combinations that are already on the books is. I think the New Cars are great, but I also think that only having New Cars in Stock Eliminator would be boring. But to the Manufacturers and the NHRA, it seems that having the New Cars beat up on the old cars isn't as much fun as having them beat up on each other. And until they get a handle on the horsepower factoring we're just twisting in the wind.

[james schaechter]

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven

Is it possible that NHRA purposely wants guys with the older cars to just go away? Maybe the factory showdown will be the way of the new Stock Eleminator. The manufactures will sell new cars with the new race cars out. Old cars or the guys who race em mean nothing in today's sell now world.
I wish they would just tell us the truth. Give us a years notice or something.Then I could stop spending money, and get on with my life. I'd hate to buy or build a 100k plus race car, that could be obsolete if our class falls by the wayside.

I don't think NHRA has the vision necessary to help us survive. There are some great people at NHRA, but I do not feel like the people at the top making the decisions listen to them.
This type of discussion is good because it might just spark the right idea that is actionable.

I am with you on this Todd, but I think we have to work together to make our own luck. As far as racing, as long as there is desire, we can race each other. Look at the success of the many grass roots associations. These racing associations behave much more like NHRA should in many ways. I wouldn't sell that Bird just yet, if NHRA dumped us, it isn't the end, maybe an opportunity.