FWD stockers

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Chuck Weissberg

I have been away for quite a while... I am wondering how/why NHRA has killed off the fwd class? I have not seen too many fwd stockers in competition, or did I miss something?

I wouldn't say that they've "killed them off" but they certainly haven't catered to them.
Because of the class structure most FWD combos are single-class cars (a combo that can only run/fit in one class) which isn't a good thing.
The Manufacturers haven't exactly been very interested in supplying the specs on their FWD combos. I think that the newest FWD FFFord in the guide is a 1993.
"Hard Core" parts aren't readily available. BUT, a good "scrounge" (Yac) could put together a fast car using stock parts if he did his homework.
FWD combos can generally be assembled on a much tighter budget than a RWD combo and the indexes are soft. BUT, entry fees, traveling expenses, etc, stay the same so even though you could build a Stocker on a budget, it's not cheap to go NHRA racing.

IMHO, the NHRA is "catering" to the Manufacturers purpose-built racing programs and their "Superstock" Stockers (SS combos allowed to run in Stock) while ignoring the REAL cars that they build.
They are much more fun to watch and drive BUT we are supposed to be talking about an Eliminator called "Stock".

[JP1738]

Billy, speaking of that '93 fwd ford, I have one and aspired to build it into a stocker before I got my station wagon. It's a 1993 ford festiva with a 1.3 liter 4 banger and a 5 speed. Would've been a blast. I might still do it if I ever get gobs of free time.

It's the car I drove to high school and college, still have it and drive it every couple of months.

[goinbroke2]

Buddy had a 92 festiva and I owed a 94 aspire and 96 aspire. Those little cars were a blast to rip around in, lol.

Wonder what a 1.3 festiva would do in the 1/4? Be fun having a SS go by at 150mph when you're going 60mph! BWAHAHAHAHA!!

[Pete L]

I looked into running a 2007 Chevy HHR as a fwd stocker about 5 years ago. When I contacted NHRA, they said no problem as long as Chevrolet would provide the specs and they gave me a name to contact at Chevrolet.
Turns out the Chevy folks were not interested. Here is their response:
“Hi Pete. Unfortunately, vehicle/engine specifications including part numbers are not readily available for past model GM cars. NHRA also requires submitting parts and they could be difficult to track down after more than 10 years of being out of production. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”

[Mark Yacavone]

DP, The 93 Festiva has No Engine Specs (NES) submitted by Ford

It's a no go in Stock..

[doglover44]

Originally Posted by Pete L

I looked into running a 2007 Chevy HHR as a fwd stocker about 5 years ago. When I contacted NHRA, they said no problem as long as Chevrolet would provide the specs and they gave me a name to contact at Chevrolet.
Turns out the Chevy folks were not interested. Here is their response:
?Hi Pete. Unfortunately, vehicle/engine specifications including part numbers are not readily available for past model GM cars. NHRA also requires submitting parts and they could be difficult to track down after more than 10 years of being out of production. Sorry I couldn?t be of more help.?

HHR would be a cool stocker

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Pete L

I looked into running a 2007 Chevy HHR as a fwd stocker about 5 years ago. When I contacted NHRA, they said no problem as long as Chevrolet would provide the specs and they gave me a name to contact at Chevrolet.
Turns out the Chevy folks were not interested. Here is their response:
?Hi Pete. Unfortunately, vehicle/engine specifications including part numbers are not readily available for past model GM cars. NHRA also requires submitting parts and they could be difficult to track down after more than 10 years of being out of production. Sorry I couldn?t be of more help.?

You could get the combo in the guide yourself but it would take some time and effort. You'll need a donor car and a sympathetic parts man (or 2) but it can be done!
You should also check out the internet and see if you can find a copy of the MVMA guide for the year you need!

[Pete L]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

You could get the combo in the guide yourself but it would take some time and effort. You'll need a donor car and a sympathetic parts man (or 2) but it can be done!
You should also check out the internet and see if you can find a copy of the MVMA guide for the year you need!

Yes I thought about that ... then I sold the donor car and moved on. Would have made a neat stocker though.

[Tom Meyer]

Congrats to Brent Kopejtka for finishing third place in Div 5 stock points. His E FWD stockerl put fear to many.

[Charles Stewart]

Originally Posted by Pete L

I looked into running a 2007 Chevy HHR as a fwd stocker about 5 years ago. When I contacted NHRA, they said no problem as long as Chevrolet would provide the specs and they gave me a name to contact at Chevrolet.
Turns out the Chevy folks were not interested. Here is their response:
?Hi Pete. Unfortunately, vehicle/engine specifications including part numbers are not readily available for past model GM cars. NHRA also requires submitting parts and they could be difficult to track down after more than 10 years of being out of production. Sorry I couldn?t be of more help.?

Both NHRA AND CARS MANUFACTURERS are missing the boat here, with this best way to attrack new young people to NHRA Stock category.
I'm not sure of the willing of both partners to resolve this issue.