The Future Of Stock

[Ed Carpenter]

Quotas are down to what 60 cars per event now. Why do anything you won't be able to get into a race anyway. I thought when Clifford came in he was going to do all this great stuff for the sportsman? He hasn't done anything. Hell we don't even have to tech before going down the track. Who would have thought that would ever happen?

[Mark Yacavone]

I know this is Evan's opinion and not NHRAs at the moment, and I thank him for addressing an obvious problem, but not the way to go..in my opinion.
Bringing in more non-stock Stockers, and even stealing another IHRA class, which we talked about right here about a month ago, won't fix the problem NHRA created.
Want more classes? They're already here. There are plenty of classes that aren't represented at most nationals.
Here's how you bring them out:
100 entries at all events running class.
64 car field. Class winners , plus low ET qualifiers. No combo class.
Build the right car, and you might get in the eliminator with a .30 under piece...for a while, anyway. That will lower the cost for a few.
For?
Against?
Why?

[Mark Yacavone]

I thought I might add this.
Closest class race from Phoenix- 600 miles round trip.
65 quota..Takes 5 gp's to get in.
5 gp's , round trip, 3300 miles.
Want to fix a bad system? Good place to start.

[David Lee]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

I thought I might add this.
Closest class race from Phoenix- 600 miles round trip.
65 quota..Takes 5 gp's to get in.
5 gp's , round trip, 3300 miles.
Want to fix a bad system? Good place to start.

great point.

[Evan Smith]

Bret,

Please re-read my story. Combining sticks and autos would cut the classes in half. It's time. The cars, for the most part, are equal in performance. As far as my other ideas, I didn't say add new classes, instead, let the cars fall within the current structure where they would based on hp and weight.

These are just ideas to create dialogue amongst racers to keep our style of racing attractive. I see so much negativity on the 'net in terms of racers complaining about NHRA, but hardly anyone has suggestions to improve anything. Maybe there is nothing wrong with the current format, but it never hurts to toss ideas around.

My crate engine idea was not to make racing cheaper, but to get the manufactures more involved and to offer an option for racers not wanting to run a 30-, 40-, or 50-year old engine, but still race a car they currently own. A byproduct would be less time spent sourcing old parts and cost savings to those with expensive engine combinations.

Thanks,

Evan

[ALMACK]

I would think that GT/Stock would be the last final desperate step to take if Stock gets to the point that a 64 car field cannot be met on a regular basis at national events. Not a problem right now, but I would say GT/STK might be something to look into 5 years from now.

The immediate problem I see right now are the OBD II cars (1996 and newer) listed in the NHRA Classification guide. There are a bunch of 1996 and newer cars in great condition for sale ( at a very reasonable price) that would make great Stock Eliminator entries if the factored horsepower was not so high. Racers are afraid to build these newer cars because they do not feel they will be competitive. So, they do not get built.
Plus, the build cost is much less than a 60'-70's car which are increasingly hard to find at a decent price.

I did some research last year and found that not one single 1996 and newer Ford ( traditional Stocker) entry was given horsepower in the last 13 years. So it's not like racers are building new "traditional" Stockers right now and are going out blasting their index.

Solution:___If NHRA would give all 1996 and newer models currently listed in the classification guide (that have not ran at least 1 tenth under index ) a 15-20 % reduction on the factored h.p. then that would attract more racers that are fans of these late model vehicles to get out there and build a newer model Stocker.

That's the area that needs attention, IMO

[ALMACK]

And crate motors in NHRA Stock would absolutely be the last desperate step to increase entries, IMO.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by ALMACK

Solution:___If NHRA would give all 1996 and newer models currently listed in the classification guide (that have not ran at least 1 tenth under index ) a 15-20 % reduction on the factored h.p. then that would attract more racers that are fans of these late model vehicles to get out there and build a newer model Stocker.

Good luck with that! That would have fallen under the "Obsolete Combo Rule" that Yac, Dwight and I tried shopping to NHRA a couple of years ago.
I'm beginning to think that the NHRA would rather just run ET-2. They don't need any knowledgeable personnel to run it.

[James Perrone]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

I thought I might add this.
Closest class race from Phoenix- 600 miles round trip.
65 quota..Takes 5 gp's to get in.
5 gp's , round trip, 3300 miles.
Want to fix a bad system? Good place to start.

Mark why is it always about you not able to go to national events with 1 or 2 grade points? Its not reality .You want to go to old system where a soft car is KING .Oh we have that already FSSS
Please go racing already or move EAST young man .I'm about to go 700 miles
for divisional race I have a grade 8 I'm good

[BRETV]

Originally Posted by Evan Smith

Bret,

Please re-read my story. Combining sticks and autos would cut the classes in half. It's time. The cars, for the most part, are equal in performance. As far as my other ideas, I didn't say add new classes, instead, let the cars fall within the current structure where they would based on hp and weight.

These are just ideas to create dialogue amongst racers to keep our style of racing attractive. I see so much negativity on the 'net in terms of racers complaining about NHRA, but hardly anyone has suggestions to improve anything. Maybe there is nothing wrong with the current format, but it never hurts to toss ideas around.

My crate engine idea was not to make racing cheaper, but to get the manufactures more involved and to offer an option for racers not wanting to run a 30-, 40-, or 50-year old engine, but still race a car they currently own. A byproduct would be less time spent sourcing old parts and cost savings to those with expensive engine combinations.

Thanks,

Evan

Hey Evan,

I agree with you whole heartedly on combining sticks and auto's it's way overdue and I thought your article was very well stated and we need to throw new ideas around. I just don't understand trying to create more classes when the powers to be keep lowering quotas and can't even police the classes they already have. Just my $.02. Now get that Cobra back out here!! LOL




Bret Velde
2003 SS/LA