NHRA ProStock changes coming!

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

I'll offer some constructive suggestions for improving Pro Stock.

First, get rid of the goofy bodies, go back to pure production bodies, or bodies in white, checked by templates. All steel. One small spoiler, no wicker bill, no spill plates, set 30 degree angle, body width, 6" tall. Stock wheelbase. Maximum. 6" hood scoop height. Maximum 16" X 33" slick. Fuel injection, 1500 cfm throttle body, maximum of two. No exotic materials in the engine, or anywhere else in the power train. Leave the current 500 cubic inch, 2350#, 5 forward speeds, manually shifted format in place. We're already asking teams to build all new cars and move to fuel injection. Forcing them to an entirely new power train program simply is not economically feasible or fiscally wise.

Make the cars look like production cars with slicks and a small hoodscoop. Fuel injected, since carburetors are apparently an evil relic of the dinosaur era. Leave the 5 year rule in place, two door rear wheel drive sport coupe only.

That allows the current power train programs to remain relatively intact, while moving into the fuel injected era, with cars fans can relate to, and keeping performance close to where it is, with an even set of relatively simple rules that are the same for everyone. Maybe Ford will play, maybe they won't, but if Chevy and Mopar will, then Ford has no excuse.

The new television contract combined with the marketing program should make it more attractive for OE corporations and sponsors.

Like Alan described and limit them to 400 CID small block engines like the Australian Pro Stock classes.

[theman440]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

I'll offer some constructive suggestions for improving Pro Stock.

First, get rid of the goofy bodies, go back to pure production bodies, or bodies in white, checked by templates. All steel. One small spoiler, no wicker bill, no spill plates, set 30 degree angle, body width, 6" tall. Stock wheelbase. Maximum. 6" hood scoop height. Maximum 16" X 33" slick. Fuel injection, 1500 cfm throttle body, maximum of two. No exotic materials in the engine, or anywhere else in the power train. Leave the current 500 cubic inch, 2350#, 5 forward speeds, manually shifted format in place. We're already asking teams to build all new cars and move to fuel injection. Forcing them to an entirely new power train program simply is not economically feasible or fiscally wise.

Make the cars look like production cars with slicks and a small hoodscoop. Fuel injected, since carburetors are apparently an evil relic of the dinosaur era. Leave the 5 year rule in place, two door rear wheel drive sport coupe only.

That allows the current power train programs to remain relatively intact, while moving into the fuel injected era, with cars fans can relate to, and keeping performance close to where it is, with an even set of relatively simple rules that are the same for everyone. Maybe Ford will play, maybe they won't, but if Chevy and Mopar will, then Ford has no excuse.

The new television contract combined with the marketing program should make it more attractive for OE corporations and sponsors.

This sounds like the way to go -

[Jared Jordan]

What do they do about aerodynamic differences? The Challenger and Camaro are both much larger cars than the Mustang in terms of frontal area (or so it appears to my naked eye, anyway...) and presumably have a larger drag coefficient, which will be even more apparent at 215 mph than it is at 165-170 mph. I love the idea of going back to stock appearing bodies, but there's a reason NHRA went away from that in the first place.

Scale down the bigger car(s)?? I'm no engineer, obviously. The changes are exciting. If nothing else, there will be short-term renewed interest in the class.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Jared Jordan

What do they do about aerodynamic differences? The Challenger and Camaro are both much larger cars than the Mustang in terms of frontal area (or so it appears to my naked eye, anyway...) and presumably have a larger drag coefficient, which will be even more apparent at 215 mph than it is at 165-170 mph. I love the idea of going back to stock appearing bodies, but there's a reason NHRA went away from that in the first place.

Scale down the bigger car(s)?? I'm no engineer, obviously. The changes are exciting. If nothing else, there will be short-term renewed interest in the class.

The further they get from factory bodies, the worse the class gets, and the less the spectators identify with the class and cars.

Part of the reason for the body rules was that everyone went to FWD, and conversions of bodies that don't fit the rules. Give them a wheelbase range to work in and leave the bodies stock.

If the factories want to race, they'll build a competitive body. They did it for years. They can do it now.

To address another post, I don't think 400 cubic inches and "Australian" blocks works. Leave the long block alone, it allows teams to use most of what they have and keeps performance close to where it is.

[Dyno]

the new 2016 Camaro body is smaller in size than the 2015 body.

[Mile High]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

So, your problem with Pro Stock is pretty much that there are no weight breaks or handicaps, everybody gets 500 cubic inches and 2350 pounds, and the same rules, but your favorite OE corporation won't make the effort to compete. So, they need to throw 300 pounds on the Chevrolets, and make them pull a plug wire if they are not racing another Chevrolet. Got it, thanks. Wonder why Alllen Johnson and Mopar don't need that?

Instead of making it where all manufacturers want to participate lets keep it an all GM class and bore everyone silly. Why watch when you know a Camaro is going to win. How competitve has AJ been this season, up until the last race he hasn't. V Gaines is a nice guy but it will take a near miracle for him to get a win. I do wish Ford would get involved. I would watch with more interest. Sorry, just my 2cents.

Jeff

[Superfan1]

Originally Posted by randy wilson

What crowd?

The attendance on Thursday at Indy has definitely increased the last couple of years because of the Factory Stock Showdown. I don't know if you would call it a crowd; but it is certainly heading in that direction.

[Carguy49]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

I'll offer some constructive suggestions for improving Pro Stock.

First, get rid of the goofy bodies, go back to pure production bodies, or bodies in white, checked by templates. All steel. One small spoiler, no wicker bill, no spill plates, set 30 degree angle, body width, 6" tall. Stock wheelbase. Maximum. 6" hood scoop height. Maximum 16" X 33" slick. Fuel injection, 1500 cfm throttle body, maximum of two. No exotic materials in the engine, or anywhere else in the power train. Leave the current 500 cubic inch, 2350#, 5 forward speeds, manually shifted format in place. We're already asking teams to build all new cars and move to fuel injection. Forcing them to an entirely new power train program simply is not economically feasible or fiscally wise.

Make the cars look like production cars with slicks and a small hoodscoop. Fuel injected, since carburetors are apparently an evil relic of the dinosaur era. Leave the 5 year rule in place, two door rear wheel drive sport coupe only.

That allows the current power train programs to remain relatively intact, while moving into the fuel injected era, with cars fans can relate to, and keeping performance close to where it is, with an even set of relatively simple rules that are the same for everyone. Maybe Ford will play, maybe they won't, but if Chevy and Mopar will, then Ford has no excuse.

The new television contract combined with the marketing program should make it more attractive for OE corporations and sponsors.

I like the way you are thinking. This idea might need some refining to make it work, but you are on the right track. With the new S/S cars capable of mid to high 7's, what would it take to run 7.0's or quicker?? The bodies should remain as close to stock as possible (no more goofy bodies), and work on removing unneeded items to lighten them a bit (say 2500 min.) What did P.B.Candies car weigh when it went 7.859 at Indy last year?? Well over 3000 lbs. I am sure.


Danny, I too, liked Pro Stock Truck. Shame on NHRA for getting rid of that program.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Mile High

Instead of making it where all manufacturers want to participate lets keep it an all GM class and bore everyone silly. Why watch when you know a Camaro is going to win. How competitve has AJ been this season, up until the last race he hasn't. V Gaines is a nice guy but it will take a near miracle for him to get a win. I do wish Ford would get involved. I would watch with more interest. Sorry, just my 2cents.

Jeff

The class was dying when they were catering the rules to suit a given combination. It does not work. Any brief spike seen in attendance and participation when it is tried is short lived, at best.

The rules are the same for everyone right now. You have 2350 pounds, 500 cubic inches, and 5 manually shifted forward speeds for everyone, GM, Ford, and Chrysler. The only thing keeping Ford out of Pro Stock is Ford, period, plain and simple. It is unfortunate for Ford fans that Ford is not willing to put forth the effort, but that is a decision that Ford has made, despite the efforts of guys such as Morgan and Cunningham, among others.

[600ci]

Originally Posted by Geerhead55

They already had it,, it was called Pro Stock Truck: 358 ci limit - 5 speed gearboxes and 7 second ETs. I loved it and thought it was the ultimate small-block/ stick shift class. NHRA didn't think so I guess,,, they killed it. Thanks NHRA!
Danny Durham

427-429-426 gm-ford-chry small block push rod engines
stick shift (no pro stock trans)
all steel bodies except hood
10 inch tires