End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??

[Michael Colaluca]

Exactly!

I have several buddies that go grudge racing quite often. One spent the same amount as it cost to build a nice 318, for an entire vehicle that runs in the 5.80 range in the 1/8 mile!

That is where racing is going unfortunately. The younger generation doesn't want to spend money on a car that goes "slow." They would rather slap nitrous on a 5.0 mustang or a v8 s10.

The only person I have seen around my age, or 10 years older rather, was started by their family. Haven't seen someone really jump into it from a younger generation, however I could be wrong.

I do not believe allowing the import cars would change anything. Kids that race these days just would rather go fast. Don't understand rules, or why someone would use a quadrajet or thermoquad carb to race.

[Jeff Lee]

I've been saying this to deaf, SELFISH ears to years. Decrease the amount of classes which will push towards more heads-up runs, make those that try, try harder and sponsors will be happier all at the same time. I know that the two out of two OEM's I've spoken to whole heartedly agree with me and I've not communicated with the 3rd OEM representative.
How to do this? Simple. Combine classes like Top Stock; I.e., A-B-C race together on B weight, D-E-F race together on E weight, and so on down the line. At the same time, combine sticks and autos.
This gets shot down due to those trying to protect their turfs, plain and simple. But I'd rather loose a small turf than the whole turf.
I'm at Boy Scout camp this entire week. It's a lot more rewarding than drag racing but I see the politicos here too. Damn, everybody's got an agenda and turf to protect!

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Michael Colaluca

Exactly!

I have several buddies that go grudge racing quite often. One spent the same amount as it cost to build a nice 318, for an entire vehicle that runs in the 5.80 range in the 1/8 mile!

That is where racing is going unfortunately. The younger generation doesn't want to spend money on a car that goes "slow." They would rather slap nitrous on a 5.0 mustang or a v8 s10.

The only person I have seen around my age, or 10 years older rather, was started by their family. Haven't seen someone really jump into it from a younger generation, however I could be wrong.

I do not believe allowing the import cars would change anything. Kids that race these days just would rather go fast. Don't understand rules, or why someone would use a quadrajet or thermoquad carb to race.

I think Stock has a golden opportunity to rebrand itself and grow.

Mentioned adding the foreign makes.
Seem to get a lot of push back preventing them from being added.

The current generation have their loyalties to many Imports, like we do ours.
IT would start slow but it will catch on and grow.

I have been watching "Are you Faster than a Redneck"
Love that program and that competitive gritty attitude will prevail if Imports are allowed to compete in S/SS.

I can see the announcer now building up the Impatience.

Heck Toyota is already sponsoring National Meets.

As far as current branding of S/SS !
Having a Muscle Car S/SS Meet would attract fans.
I do not like the word Nostalgia.....old !!

But Muscle Car S/SS Racing concept should attract fans if properly marketed.


D

[Michael Beard]

I've been hearing the doom and gloom "there's no new young racers" since *I* was a kid.

Brandon Peterson
Charles Myers
Cody Phillips
Corey Taylor
Travis Womble, Jr.
Joel Warren
CJ Perry
Tabitha Draughon
Hillarey Sloan
Jamie Southards
Lee Norton
Michael Crumpler
Jake Sealey
Amanda Manuel
Courtney Young
Tyler Bell
Kevin Riner
Cameron Collins
Curtis Smith, Jr.
Jamie Holston
Mike Longhaney
Jeff Longhaney
Eddie Longhaney
Corey Lucas
Cam Tingen

...and that's just in the Carolinas, off the top of my head.

[Michael Colaluca]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

I've been hearing the doom and gloom "there's no new young racers" since *I* was a kid.

Brandon Peterson
Charles Myers
Cody Phillips
Corey Taylor
Travis Womble, Jr.
Joel Warren
CJ Perry
Tabitha Draughon
Hillarey Sloan
Jamie Southards
Lee Norton
Michael Crumpler
Jake Sealey
Amanda Manuel
Courtney Young
Tyler Bell
Kevin Riner
Cameron Collins
Curtis Smith, Jr.
Jamie Holston
Mike Longhaney
Jeff Longhaney
Eddie Longhaney
Corey Lucas
Cam Tingen

...and that's just in the Carolinas, off the top of my head.

I have only been racing in stock for the past 10 years, and I haven't seen nowhere that many people join here in division 4. From what I can recall in the past 10 years who started racing stock and still are:
Jimmy Hidalgo
Jacob Pitt
David Buckner
Thomas Marlow
David Latino

I'm sure I missed a few, as that is all that I can recall off the top of my head.

I do not believe any HRA will be getting rid of the classes anytime soon. However, I don't see the car counts being big like they once were 15+ years ago.

[Bobby Zlatkin]

What Jeff Lee said. Except the part about Boy Scout camp.

Too many classes. Seems everyone has their own class made just for them.
In 1968 N/SA had 27 competeors at Indy. In 1990 G/SA had a like amount. Now winning class in those years and surviving teardown was really something to be proud of. Not singleing for class.

You could cut 2/3 of the classes and most everyone could adjust their cars (mostly with weight) to fit right in one of the remaining classes.

It gets me when I see a car advertised "can run F/G or H" or another "can run M/N or O". Well which is it?

You used to have to change engine combo's to change class. What, '57 Chevrolets had eight different engine combo's they could run. How many do '69 Camaro's have? Now you just add or subtract weight.

Too many classes.

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

I've been hearing the doom and gloom "there's no new young racers" since *I* was a kid.

Brandon Peterson
Charles Myers
Cody Phillips
Corey Taylor
Travis Womble, Jr.
Joel Warren
CJ Perry
Tabitha Draughon
Hillarey Sloan
Jamie Southards
Lee Norton
Michael Crumpler
Jake Sealey
Amanda Manuel
Courtney Young
Tyler Bell
Kevin Riner
Cameron Collins
Curtis Smith, Jr.
Jamie Holston
Mike Longhaney
Jeff Longhaney
Eddie Longhaney
Corey Lucas
Cam Tingen

...and that's just in the Carolinas, off the top of my head.

How many of them know how to finance/build/maintain a class car after their father's or grandfather's pass away? I'll be the first to admit that I won't be able to.

[Michael Colaluca]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

How many of them know how to finance/build/maintain a class car after their father's or grandfather's pass away? I'll be the first to admit that I won't be able to.

I was talking about this the other day with my wife and some others.

There are hardly any more cars trailered on an open trailer and a pick up, or even a small motor home. What do we see when we go to the track? We see stacker trailers and toterhomes as the regular.

What 20-30 year old person can afford that? Surely you can do it cheaper. I go to the track in a 1986 fleetwood and an enclosed trailer. On top of that, you have the cost of the stocker. A stocker engine will easily run you 10+ depending on the combo of course. Then you add fuel and entry, it makes it quite difficult. This isnt the 1960s and 70s where they run stock and super stock at your local track every weekend. It seems that if you want to run your car on the weekends, you can go bracket racing. (Thanks, but I would rather save the engine that I saved up for.)

If you want the younger crowd to bring their own cars, if seems that a whole different eliminator will need to be created. I enjoy this class as much as anyone, and will probably race in it until I cant anymore. I just don't see a 28 yr old buying a 20-30-or 40 thousand dollar stocker, when he can get a 275 or a 10.5 car.

If I am wrong, please let me know.

[Dennis P Chapman]

Originally Posted by Michael Colaluca

I was talking about this the other day with my wife and some others.

There are hardly any more cars trailered on an open trailer and a pick up, or even a small motor home. What do we see when we go to the track? We see stacker trailers and toterhomes as the regular.

What 20-30 year old person can afford that? Surely you can do it cheaper. I go to the track in a 1986 fleetwood and an enclosed trailer. On top of that, you have the cost of the stocker. A stocker engine will easily run you 10+ depending on the combo of course. Then you add fuel and entry, it makes it quite difficult. This isnt the 1960s and 70s where they run stock and super stock at your local track every weekend. It seems that if you want to run your car on the weekends, you can go bracket racing. (Thanks, but I would rather save the engine that I saved up for.)

If you want the younger crowd to bring their own cars, if seems that a whole different eliminator will need to be created. I enjoy this class as much as anyone, and will probably race in it until I cant anymore. I just don't see a 28 yr old buying a 20-30-or 40 thousand dollar stocker, when he can get a 275 or a 10.5 car.

If I am wrong, please let me know.

You hit right on the head and not going to get better for us or younger people.

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

I've been saying this to deaf, SELFISH ears to years. Decrease the amount of classes which will push towards more heads-up runs, make those that try, try harder and sponsors will be happier all at the same time. I know that the two out of two OEM's I've spoken to whole heartedly agree with me and I've not communicated with the 3rd OEM representative.
How to do this? Simple. Combine classes like Top Stock; I.e., A-B-C race together on B weight, D-E-F race together on E weight, and so on down the line. At the same time, combine sticks and autos.
This gets shot down due to those trying to protect their turfs, plain and simple. But I'd rather loose a small turf than the whole turf.
I'm at Boy Scout camp this entire week. It's a lot more rewarding than drag racing but I see the politicos here too. Damn, everybody's got an agenda and turf to protect!

Unfortunately the very reason I got so obsessed with class racing may be the very reason of it's impeding doom - over complexity to the average spectator. When you count the number of designations, confusing rules, unexplainable slower cars, bracket-index-breakouts, it's no wonder the average fan ends up walking away from the stands. And as I've said before, lack of self-marketing from most racers to non-traditional outlets (car-shows, seminars, other varying non-motorsport venue solicitation) and less than desirable engagement with spectators continues to seal the fate of Stock & Super Stock. It is no longer up to the "HRAs" to sustain its future, but the participants and supporters.