Just talkin' here,

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Tom Broome

Sounds like you're assuming I have something against slow cars.....I don't. A couple of Months ago I was having a weak moment and considered a T/SA combination......briefly. I've got too many out of date race parts already

NHRA already has more Stockers than they know what to do with, there is no room for Pure Stock and Crate Motor. Not to mention the tech inspection hassles.

How fast? Late model car fast, not 60's fast. I'm not picking on 60's cars, there are plenty of REALLY fast 60's cars out there. But face it, the participant age is getting older. To survive, NHRA needs a younger crowd. It's sad to say, but most of them can't relate to the cars we grew up with. Most don't care about older cars, I see it every day. There are multi-generational family(s) out there racing. But they're the exception, not the rule. What classes do you see a younger generation attracted to?

Tom...you wrote it down..Dan wants slow(er) cars..!
You are taking a back stroke now?

NHRA shot Stock in the foot not adopting the IHRA classes.
They wanted control of the sport and the Sheep went along with it.

But ooopps.. the Threads are now talking about the demise of S/SS.
They did not defend their sport and now reality is striking.
I saw the writing and now it is at everyones feet.
You are reading those posts?

As for Tech...big deal...Been torn down many time.
NHRA will have the whole engines pulled to inspect them to death.
CM are easier to tech.
The number of PS cars was not logistically a big issue.
So that is a lame argument.

All the Canadian Open Races invite IHRA cars.
Why.... because it helps their car count.
Not every Division has a plethora of cars..
Especially the western states where local is a day drive.

Want to grow new Class racers.
Incorporate platforms they can afford and upgrade.
That is how all of us got started.
Add some foreign makes to open it up.

Before IHRA killed S/SS, 6 guys building brand new PS combinations.
Got tons of questions from others what to do.
A few discussed moving from Stock to PS.
Two were trying to get their newer cars certified for Class.
I have their forms..

Dodge, Chevy SS, Mustang owners complained their cars were not listed because of the 2008 limit IHRA decreed. Bang Bang

Think about it.
1969 Camaro Stocker probably has $million invested in it over the years.
Originally a 15 second car now running in the 8’s after 50 years.

You want to save Stock you got to go back the roots that got us started.
Where you could drive to the track.
Put your racing tires on and compete.

At Mason Dixon S/SS meet we had 3 PS cars.
2008 GTO and 2015 Chevy SS
Greg Orris’s 08 GTO can run in the 11’s and is Stock.
Been bracket racing since he got it.

I did the same thing with mine to run Brackets and IHRA Stock.
Step by step got my F/PS 95 Impala SS quicker every year.
My car can run on/under the K/SA on a cool day.
Working to make it run it on a hot day.

CM is adopted in SS, called GT
Dan Fletcher’s 1969 Camaro has a LS engine in his.
Our B-Body Impala SS community is doing it for the Street.
That would energize Stock with all the makes.
Even within a platform like a 403 in a mid 80’s Cutlass.
Adding a 4bbl on a 307 Nova or 2v 302 Mustang

If you want Stock to survive we have to band together.
Have to follow the trends that are working.
Traditional, CM, GT, PS and whatever to keep it interesting.
Get it back to a point where there are so many Stockers.
Tracks can have regular local races like they did in 70’s and 80s.

Think about the bigger picture
Stocker owners often have 2-3 friends or entire family’s following along.

If they build it they will come !
Then comes the evolution !

D

[Mike Jones]

Originally Posted by Tom Broome

So, let's slowly phase the racers out of the market, and replace them with more malleable participants. NHRA doesn't want to "fire" the current racers.....they want them to leave of there own free will.

When they got rid of Pro Stock Truck, I remember hearing about law suits from racers who were left without a class. Don`t know the conclusion.
NHRA has nothing to worry about when it comes to participants in Stock. I think there will always be enough and why not collect the money? But if they were to "phase out" Stock, would there be legal ramifications?
MJ

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

But if they were to "phase out" Stock, would there be legal ramifications? MJ

Knowing that the NHRA is a "not-for-profit" and knowing the salaries being paid the B-O-D, I would participate in a class action suit.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Mike Jones

When they got rid of Pro Stock Truck, I remember hearing about law suits from racers who were left without a class. Don`t know the conclusion.
NHRA has nothing to worry about when it comes to participants in Stock. I think there will always be enough and why not collect the money? But if they were to "phase out" Stock, would there be legal ramifications?
MJ

Yep, and the Comp racers won, and settled for an undisclosed amount.

Now the perps tip toe around and squeeze classes out , little by little.
Believe it yet?

[Tom Broome]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Yep, and the Comp racers won, and settled for an undisclosed amount.

Now the perps tip toe around and squeeze classes out , little by little.
Believe it yet?

Exactly, that's why I said 'phase the racers out', not phase the class out. Make it so objectionable that the racers want to quit.

[Don Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Chipper Chapman

And also to the consumer they want to sell tickets to. Fast heads up is what people want to see these days, and unfortunately, that's not us.

I am not sure Fans want to see fast cars , just maybe if an announcer explains the handicap racing the excitement would be there > fans like to see the chase

[Jeff Jewell]

I just realized I am tied for the 2nd oldest car entered in Super Stock for Gainesville... Geez...

Now if they would make a COPO version of the Corvette...

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by Don Kennedy

I am not sure Fans want to see fast cars , just maybe if an announcer explains the handicap racing the excitement would be there > fans like to see the chase

This is part of the problem. The announcers that NHRA has these days are boring at best. We grew up down here in the SE and we had Hasley Hood as our announcer. He was hands down the best announcer I have ever heard. He knew every driver, where they were from and really understood the sportsman classes and handicaps. He would talk up the big handicaps when they came up and he had stories about most of the racers. We need better announcers when we race. Unfortunately we now run when the fans have either not arrived yet or have left for the day. that is why some of the interest has gone.