Econo Modified

[randy wilson]

Vette, that sounds like a place to start. The nay Sayers for the most part don't want this to work. The sad part is we're trying to beg racing organasations to race. What a crock. I can't believe with all the after market heads out there they haven't already came up with a spec head class. But I believe spec heads up is the way to go to save local tracks from extinction. Don't tell me I'm the only one to notice the crowd number to car count at circle racers compared to drag racers.

[Rick Shirey]

I really don't understand all the negative comments. I asked the question earlier and I don't believe anyone has answered, so I will ask it again-- When the original C/SM class was thought up I have a feeling it was for the same reason Randy is suggesting this class now, with that in mind I'm sure those individuals had an uphill battle on their hands but they apparently fought through all that and came up with a class that I believe ended up having quite a following from both racers and fans. So what is so different now that so many people are so adamant that it will never happen? I certainly understand the desire to use older cars with manual transmissions, but if the class was structured that I could use my present Super Stock legal 1983 Camaro with a PG, I for one would consider building an engine like Randy and others are suggesting. My present engine is an older SS/CS engine that I broke a rod in. This happened several years ago and I just have not been able to convince myself to spend the money to build another short block with the knowledge that once back together it will never be able to compete against the other CS competitors, not to mention the expense of maintaining such a high RPM engine. All of this is what makes the Econo Modified class interesting to me.

[randy wilson]

Rick, it ain't the fact you can't compete in SS\CS. It's the fact that the heads you have are basically 50 horse shy, and you would have to spend, in my opinion, about $8 to $10,000 to catch up. That's the part I thought would be attractive. Now, a lot of people say the comp guys would just come over and destroy the class. Unless they cheat, which I doubt they would do, they really won't have too much of a leg up on us. I do know they know chassis, short blocks, etc. better then some, but there is only so much power in a short block, and if that beats you, you're real close to winning. As far as the car, and trans, I see the excitement of older cars, and sticks, and how attractive they are, but I think we need to include others just to have a show. That being said, I know there is a slight advantage to newer cars, but that could be addressed. Eventually, with no break out in effect, the autos will probably go by the wayside. I'm just waiting for the word to finish my 67 nova. I already have a guy lined up to plum and wire it. Al Parker said he would go through the chassis, and brakes for me, and start on the short block of my choice, once there are rules. I have a guy already lined up to paint it. That being said, if it never goes, I still have all the bells, and whistles to put it on the street with one of my spec engines.

[Dick Butler]

Nice part of the current Spec Head discussion is it gives ALL brands a fairly level field on heads. Short Blocks are the same. Then its minor tweaks like new versus old Body shape etc but ...Stick /Auto . 50 lb break either way would be a fair start...

[randy wilson]

Works for me Dick. Like I've stated to those who say it will never work. NEVER have we been given the chance to run any of three brands, with almost exactly the same potential. This has NEVER happened, even in Pro Stock. Just think. you would NEVER have to update you're cylinder heads. NEVER!

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Rick Shirey

So what is so different now that so many people are so adamant that it will never happen?

Something called the ProStockTruck lawsuit is what makes it so different.
If you aren't willing to "pay to play" then don't expect your own eliminator.
Now if you were willing to set up your own loose circuit that would travel around to local tracks and put on a show for minimal cost or no cost to the track owner (kind of like midwest nostalgia PS, supercharged warriors) then you might get something going. THAT would be the way I would suggest you get going anyway, if there is interest in it it will thrive.
If one of you wants to send me a PM, I'll give you my ideas on what you're trying to do but I already spelled it out for Dick years ago and he wasn't interested.

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Something called the ProStockTruck lawsuit is what makes it so different.
If you aren't willing to "pay to play" then don't expect your own eliminator.

What the heck does that have to do with this? So some guys built some trucks for an eliminator that wasn't popular.......it sure as hell wasn't for me anyway. The trucks would run , I would go walk thru the pits.
Its a hobby , these are toys.get over it.


Whats this "pay to play" crap he keeps referring to?
.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by joespanova

What the heck does that have to do with this? So some guys built some trucks for an eliminator that wasn't popular.......it sure as hell wasn't for me anyway. The trucks would run , I would go walk thru the pits.
Its a hobby , these are toys.get over it.


Whats this "pay to play" crap he keeps referring to?
.

I'm guessing that news travels slow in your neck of the woods.
NHRA created PST and a bunch of Racers built them, spending millions to do so. It didn't bring in the expected revenues, NHRA did away with PST. Racers that spent millions to build PSTs sued NHRA and won a settlement. I doubt that we will ever see NHRA create a new Eliminator again.
The NHRA Pro Mod program isn't run by NHRA, it is run at NHRA Natl. Events but the Pro Mod Owners make their own financing, not NHRA. That is where the "pay to play" comes from. The owners have to pay NHRA to be there. It will be the same with the TF Harley deal.

[randy wilson]

I really doubt any org. will start this, but we can hope. I believe they will keep doing, what they're doing, until no one hardly shows up to race, or watch. Insanity is doing the same thing over, and expecting different results. NHRA shot themselves in the foot getting rid of Modified, but hate to admit it. The magazines, if you remember, dried up at that point. That WAS the most interesting class in NHRA, and it was NOT the quickest. I doubt this idea would garner a lot of attention at a national, but at a local level, I believe it would. What we might beg for is one div. printing a set of rules, give us a year, and try it at the div. level, and national opens. Just a thought.

[SStockDart]

I'll throw a curve ball out here...
In 2013, there were 798 Super Stockers and 1,112 Stockers that got points in NHRA. Yet we have difficulty filling 80 spots in National Events.....
If another eliminator (Econo Mod) were added, would it take from the existing number and just move them or would it bring in new cars/racers? My guess is that at least a good portion of any Econo Mod entries would come from existing racers....Therefore, why would anyone (sanctioning body) want to do it to just have the same results (number of cars).
Additionally, I have read comments on here about having a "spec" head....What would be the spec head for my Mopars? When you talk about a spec head, you are probably talking about Chevy engines, therefore, you just eliminated Mopar and Ford racers that a garage full of parts.......Econo Mod is a bad idea, IMO.....way to many variables.
What the sanctioning bodies would be interested in hearing is "how can we/they make racing more interesting to attract more cars, more spectators, and new racers"????

We have less than a hand full of sportsman racers that are able to travel the country and apparently make a living....I don't recall what a non-qualifying Top Fuel or Funny Car gets paid....or a first round loser, but I believe it is $10,000 to $20,000. Additionally, I don't believe they pay entry, like us. I could be wrong. I would be in favor of NHRA reducing the number of Qualifying cars in Fuel. Reduce the number from 16 to 12, then allow the fastest first round loser back in.....however the math works out.
Then, move the funds back to the Sportsman racer. Let's face it, $20,000 to a fuel car with a $3,000,000 budget is not nearly as important to them than $4.00 Diesel fuel and entry fees are to us....