NHRA ProStock changes coming!

[SStockDart]

The notion of changing Pro Stock has been going around for years. I am old enough to remember when it began...match races and the whole deal. Similar to Nascar. Spectators can not tell the difference between the manufactures. We , on this site, are either current racers, past racers, or wannabees. One can not judge the pulse of the spectator based on our evaluations. Current spectators do not comprehend the difference between using carburetors or fuel.injection. Spectators want to see something fast with potential for thrills, such as having to pull chutes at half track....or losin. Traction. Half way down the track...The. Direction Pro Stock has gone is just crazy...leasing engines for a hundredth of a second...15 entries at a National Event. The writing is on the wall....we just need to be smart enough to read. it....it has to change with times in order to get more participation....then the spectators will show up . Top Sportsman at least has 20 some entries. I do not have the answers, however, fix it. Top sportsman could be part of the answer, with current body styles..say. 5 years or newer...nitros ok...turbo and blowers not allowed (current kids understand nitros but not the other)...race them at division level also...face it...nhra has a added pro mod. Top dragster, Top sportsman and has not changed pro stock. If we were getting 30 pro stock entries, I would feel differently.

[larrylomascolo]

Can someone tell me how F/I will make it more fan friendly ,I think leave the traditional carb

[Frank Castros]

Originally Posted by larrylomascolo

Can someone tell me how F/I will make it more fan friendly ,I think leave the traditional carb

I agree.

The bodies must conform more toward factory specs, to me they look like Pro Mods.

When I look at the pictures in the '70s and 80's Pro Stock thread in the Nostalgia section I appreciate the visual product because they look like Fords, Chevys and Mopars.

[Alan Roehrich]

Removing the carburetors will allow them to design intake manifolds and systems that have the correct dimensions and still fit under a flat hood. Of course, that depends upon what NHRA allows them to do, especially regarding throttle body size/configuration and injector location.

Much like NASCAR, it seems the bodies are the biggest problem with the cars themselves and the rules. Any time you give a class a name with the word "Stock" in it, the cars should be readily identifiable to the average person on the street. The "jellybean" cars are difficult for the average person to recognize and identify with, so the average fan does not care for Pro Stock. Of course, most of that came about because OE manufacturers ceased to manufacture anything that fit the rules and resembled a performance car. So the problem does not belong to NHRA entirely.

Still, the problem with car count is a matter of the weak economy and the horrific marketing job NHRA has done for several decades. You can change Pro Stock any way you like, if drag racing in general, and the class in particular, is not well marketed, well promoted, and and well covered by the media, it will not make a bit of difference. The fans won't come, and neither will the sponsors.

[Mile High]

Originally Posted by Mile High

I've always wondered why NHRA starts their Sunday show with the fuel dragsters. Why start with the fastest cars on the property. Start with Pro Stock Bike or Pro Stock then get faster. After the casual spectator sees the fuel cars the "slow" Pro Stock stuff is boring. Also they wouldn't have to change the run order for the finals.

Jeff

Think they said Rodger Brogdon sold his stuff to Richard Freeman (Elite Motorsports) too. Another one bites the dust.

It was wrong to make the changes with consulting the teams in the class.

[MAURICE BLENDHEIM]

NHRA and Media? EFI, flat hoods, short wheelie bars, red stripes or blue stripes it isn't going to make a difference. The previous conflicts with some of the senior competitors hurt the class the most. As for the bodies I don't think it matters to a fan. It is the sound of a Naturally Aspirated 500" engine. They have missed the boat on marketing a Premium Product effectively. I think they have finally "John Forced" themselves into a corner. JMHO…MB.

[Bill Koski]

MONEY!
A golfer shows up with a bag of clubs he got from a sponsor and a caddy and if he wins he pockets at least $1,000,000.00, plus. Everybody down to about 20th gets at least $100,000.00.
A Pro Stock racer shows up with 5 or $600,000.00 worth of equipment and 3 or 4 crew and if he wins he pockets $20,000.00? Forget the other finishers.

[keith ohanesian]

"Removing the carburetors will allow them to design intake manifolds and systems that have the correct dimensions and still fit under a flat hood. Of course, that depends upon what NHRA allows them to do, especially regarding throttle body size/configuration and injector location"

How? Their post said throttle body fuel injection. Not port fuel injection. So the throttle bodies and injectors will still be up top and will have a wet manifold.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by keith ohanesian

"Removing the carburetors will allow them to design intake manifolds and systems that have the correct dimensions and still fit under a flat hood. Of course, that depends upon what NHRA allows them to do, especially regarding throttle body size/configuration and injector location"

How? Their post said throttle body fuel injection. Not port fuel injection. So the throttle bodies and injectors will still be up top and will have a wet manifold.

That's sort of a quandry right now, I'm not sure there are any 1400cfm throttle bodies with fuel injectors mounted on top of them. Not real sure where they'll find any, either. If NHRA is mandating that, they're dumber than I thought.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by keith ohanesian

"Removing the carburetors will allow them to design intake manifolds and systems that have the correct dimensions and still fit under a flat hood. Of course, that depends upon what NHRA allows them to do, especially regarding throttle body size/configuration and injector location"

How? Their post said throttle body fuel injection. Not port fuel injection. So the throttle bodies and injectors will still be up top and will have a wet manifold.

My question too. Replacing carbs with TBs ,.. not such a big deal .
Putting them on a manifold similar to Super Stockers, is going to require them to change everything else in the combo too, the way I see it.