new A/FX CLASS

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by GUMP

I'm pretty sure that the "Suits" didn't come up with this new class.

In one way or another, "the suits" are involved. Be it taking something from someone or some kind of "support" in other ways.
They have, for the most part, lost focus on the majority of their members AND their customers.
These people (the suits) are "supposed" to be the "experts" in the field of Drag Racing and as such should be right on top of any new trends but they keep getting beaten to the punch by others. And when they ARE "beaten to the punch" they have been known to condemn the "others". Look back at how they maligned the street outlaws initially.

[J.R. Haddad]

Regardless of the topic, we always end up on the same highway, new cars
shouldn't be allowed to run in Stock, and NHRA is the enemy. The NEW CAR issue isn't new. Unfortunately, I am old enough to remember as a very
young lad, the 1970 season at our local track. Stock Eliminator was run
weekly at almost every track across the nation. Two new cars were brought out that year, A 1969 Camaro 427 4 speed car(B/S) and a 1970 Olds 442
W-30 (F/SA at the time) and this was my Fathers car. The dominant car up
until that point had been a 1959 Chevrolet, running in N/SA, and a 1953
Oldsmobile, running in V/SA. The wailings of protest could be heard for
many miles. "How can we compete?? Look at the parts they get from the
showroom floor. Heads, cams, aluminum intakes, etc. etc.It is called evolution. But look at the fun. When Billy beats a New Car with his Pontiac/ Buick/ Cavalier/ all of the Junior Stock contingent goes crazy with elation.
Lets face it, we're having fun, and if we're not for what it costs, then we are crazier than most. Rather than bashing NHRA, or beating up Gump, who has made tremendous contributions to our sport, let's get pro-active.
We have been given a soapbox with our reps for each class/division. Either the reps are not interested( which I don't believe) or they perhaps feel that their voice isn't heard. I would love feedback on that. If they feel powerless, a meeting with NHRA is warranted to establish each parties abilities to help us move forward, in the best harmony that can be achieved. In the meantime, let's not hate on each other, we are in a world that is presently derisive enough. Let's enjoy our hobby together, and always strive to make it better.

J.R.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by J.R. Haddad

In the meantime, let's not hate on each other, we are in a world that is presently derisive enough. Let's enjoy our hobby together, and always strive to make it better.
J.R.

On this I'm sure we can all agree.

And just to be clear, I personally don't have any problem with the new cars.
I DO however have a problem with the absence of any Tech Inspection.

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

On this I'm sure we can all agree.

And just to be clear, I personally don't have any problem with the new cars.
I DO however have a problem with the absence of any Tech Inspection.

Well Billy since we are being clear I also have a problem with NO TECH - but here is the thing - the problem is with you and the 'dime rocket ' type old cars - if you were to put in a thin head gasket lets say - it would pick up some ET for sure so we need some Tech .Sure I'm no engine builder but there really isn't much that can be improved with the modern engines easily as they are well developed from the start - it's progress ! ! !

I'm sure everyone knows that I love muscle cars but we can't have an eliminator full of 50 plus year old cars - even the fans in the stands like and are excited about seeing a good old fashioned 'old vs new' drag race ............ All that plus those of us who know you are sure it makes your day when you win a round against a modern era racer .

Yes, I know this is a bit off the F/X subject but since you brought it up .........Anyway I like the F/X cars but feel we won't see very many of them .

[Billy Nees]

For crying out loud Jack, over the past 2 years I've raced a 2005 car and a 1999! That's a whole bunch newer than most of the stuff out there. And you of all people should know that I'm not going to spring for head gaskets if I don't NEED them. Where are you going with this? Would you like to see NHRA pull the "20 year" rule out of it's ***** again? Let's just agree to like all of the stuff that's out there now.

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

For crying out loud Jack, over the past 2 years I've raced a 2005 car and a 1999! That's a whole bunch newer than most of the stuff out there. And you of all people should know that I'm not going to spring for head gaskets if I don't NEED them. Where are you going with this? Would you like to see NHRA pull the "20 year" rule out of it's ***** again? Let's just agree to like all of the stuff that's out there now.

Billy do you realize that your 2005 car is only 7 years older than both of my COPO's????

[GUMP]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

In one way or another, "the suits" are involved. Be it taking something from someone or some kind of "support" in other ways.
They have, for the most part, lost focus on the majority of their members AND their customers.
These people (the suits) are "supposed" to be the "experts" in the field of Drag Racing and as such should be right on top of any new trends but they keep getting beaten to the punch by others. And when they ARE "beaten to the punch" they have been known to condemn the "others". Look back at how they maligned the street outlaws initially.

From what I have seen, the FX class has been mostly driven by racers. Obviously, the tech department and OEMs have been involved to pull it all together.

I see it as a natural growth from Stock Eliminator and Showdown. Pro Stock has become too much of a departure from the production cars to show even a hint of the class' roots.

There are reportedly quite a few cars being built. You would think that all the Showdown teams would eventually make the switch.

Only time will tell if the class is viable or not.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by GUMP

There are reportedly quite a few cars being built.

From what I've heard, an awful lot of Racers have been asking for their chassis deposits back................
BUT, "time will tell".

[Keith 944]

Someone please explain to me and to the casual observer/fan. What is the difference in that Camaro and any other pro stock? Other than a different engine combo, they look identical. Is there really a need for another class? Most of the X pro stocks in comp are the same way, no difference to the fan…. Sorry I thought it was a great idea at first but then realized that’s what pro stock used to be before a loss of parity and so now the all Camaro show that it turned into. I would’ve loved to of seen them somehow fix pro stock invest more into that instead of creating several more classes that just may not work.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Keith 944

Someone please explain to me and to the casual observer/fan. What is the difference in that Camaro and any other pro stock? Other than a different engine combo, they look identical. Is there really a need for another class? Most of the X pro stocks in comp are the same way, no difference to the fan…. Sorry I thought it was a great idea at first but then realized that’s what pro stock used to be before a loss of parity and so now the all Camaro show that it turned into. I would’ve loved to of seen them somehow fix pro stock invest more into that instead of creating several more classes that just may not work.

Ya know, about a million years ago, Michael Beard approached then IHRA Pres. Bill Bader (R.I.P.) with a program he called International Pro Stock. Tube chassis, "stock" roof and rear quarters, 2.0L turbocharged engine using an OEM block and head.
I'll grudgingly give Michael credit but IMHO, this concept would take off and fly today and there are dozens of 2.0L cars/combos all over the world. I don't think it would become like "Camaro Stock" any time soon and in a short period of time they would probably be as fast or faster than a current P/S car.