The end of class racing....again...

[1320racer]

As I’ve stated before…

This is going to die, the only question that remains is when. My guess is the final curtain call happens in 10-15 years when you'll have less than half the class racers you do today. stock, super stock, comp will be decimated due to the large loss of racers. What little new blood is interested in drag racing, are going bracket racing where at least they have a chance of winning money that will allow them to be more competitive. Further they don't have to deal with NHRA's rules nor take a week off of work to compete at a 3 day event where you spend most of that time doing no racing.

This has been a long time coming. America fell out of love with their cars, no longer has a car culture. Young men and women no longer dream of the day they get their driver’s license much less dream of buying or building a hot rod. It’s no longer cool and the reason why auto shop no longer is a curriculum in high school. Without the youth of America loving cars, there is no future for drag racing except maybe on a screen gaming.

[Eman]

A few years ago it was Pro Stock and Fuel classes that were dying with low car counts. Now in this supposed horrid economy I've been listening to people moan about all of those classes have new teams and new drivers. Drag Illustrated has promoted races and so have others. Seems every week I hear about a lot of renovations at tracks all around the country and even new tracks being built. I guess I don't watch enough TV or play on FB.

[El Duderino]

1320,

Yes, you have commented on this topic, before and before and before...

The problem with your long winded, repetitive statement is; you are a former .90 racer who pretends to think you understand class racers.

You DON'T.

Your time would be better spent commenting on something you are actually participating in. You know, sitting in your garage, staring at the race car that you don't race

[1320racer]

El Douche is back again, aka imakehp aka Dave Kemblowski from DRR a pathetic old man that ain't ever done shyt on the track and no longer races, he had a reputation of being a hack with 1 reviewer referring to him as a "churlish slob" when he owned The Balance Shop in Cali and his only reason for posting on Class Racer is to bait me, having joined this forum on 1-14-24 with 22 of his current 25 posts commenting about me/my replies while he attempts to hide behind a computer screen, scared to own his comments. He's a self proclaimed billy badass that never got respect in the racing community and clearly was bullied in school with that last name.

Further El Douche has never been a former competitive racer in any class much less S/SS nor .90. Further yet, he is wrong as usual as I am not a former .90 racer.

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

El Douche is back again, aka imakehp aka Dave Kemblowski from DRR a pathetic old man that ain't ever done shyt on the track and no longer races, he had a reputation of being a hack with 1 reviewer referring to him as a "churlish slob" when he owned The Balance Shop in Cali and his only reason for posting on Class Racer is to bait me, having joined this forum on 1-14-24 with 22 of his current 25 posts commenting about me/my replies while he attempts to hide behind a computer screen, scared to own his comments. He's a self proclaimed billy badass that never got respect in the racing community and clearly was bullied in school with that last name.

Further El Douche has never been a former competitive racer in any class much less S/SS nor .90. Further yet, he is wrong as usual as I am not a former .90 racer.

Well Mr.1320 here's the thing - I don't know you or Mr.El Duderino 'cause I'm just another pathetic old man who is not trying to bait you but maybe you should lighten up a bit as you seem to be down on Stock - Super Stock and the NHRA for many years .As a racer who has raced in New Jersey alot not to mention D1 and many other divisions I can't remember seeing you at all let alone winning anything anywhere in Stock or S/S yet you act as an expert on these matters .Why not just have a little fun instead of trying to belittle folks . Merry Christmas PS - Wally may be in his grave but his spirit lives on thru many of us.

[CMcAllister]

"It's the economy, stupid." James Carville

As with many hobbies and avocations, the economy and disposable incomes has a lot to do with who participates and at what level.

We've been stuck in the mud for the past 4 years. I see attitudes, outlooks and reasons to be optimistic getting better every day. I see people with that "let's roll up our sleeves and get busy now" frame of mind.

I'd like to think fuel will come down and travel not be so expensive. Inflation not be such a killer to budgets. Business pick up.

Now that we know what the next few years won't be, we can be optimistic about what they will be.

As we get into 2025, I think people will feel more able to spend some money, get cars back out, and get out of that bunker mentality. When things get tight and uncertain, often parking the race car is the first thing that happens for many people.

[bigshow2966]

Buddy of mine has a small transmission business he's run for almost 30 years. In the last 4 years he has seen his business see-saw up and down. The week before the election his phone had pretty much stopped ringing, not even any tire kickers. He was afraid if things didn't change he was done.

Saw him the other day and since the election things have picked up very well. He's guardedly optimistic he's going to make it.

[CMcAllister]

I don't really agree with the notion that class racing is dying. At least not anymore so than other types of drag racing, save for the street outlaw, no prep, no time, drag radial, Pro Mod stuff. At least in this part of the country.

Eight grade points to get into most national events. 130 and over 100 cars respectively at the Dutch. And the notion that every one involved has gray hair? Plenty do. But I see plenty of younger and young people involved in the lanes as well.

Granted, it's not easy or cheap. It's not for the guy who wants to drag his stuff out Saturday morning, go to the track, get done and get home Saturday night, and leave it sit until next Saturday. It's not for the guy who wants a minimum of rules to pay attention to.

Too many people eat and sleep this stuff to declare it dead.

NHRA could do a lot to increase car counts as well, if they wanted to. Increase the payout beyond the humiliating levels they are now. Revive the contingency program and reduce the costs for companies to participate. Open the Big Shows to more cars.

[1320racer]

who is in the white house has nothing to do with class racing as we know it dying.

[KRatcliff]

Originally Posted by CMcAllister

"It's the economy, stupid." James Carville

As with many hobbies and avocations, the economy and disposable incomes has a lot to do with who participates and at what level.

We've been stuck in the mud for the past 4 years. I see attitudes, outlooks and reasons to be optimistic getting better every day. I see people with that "let's roll up our sleeves and get busy now" frame of mind.

I'd like to think fuel will come down and travel not be so expensive. Inflation not be such a killer to budgets. Business pick up.

Now that we know what the next few years won't be, we can be optimistic about what they will be.

As we get into 2025, I think people will feel more able to spend some money, get cars back out, and get out of that bunker mentality. When things get tight and uncertain, often parking the race car is the first thing that happens for many people.

A lot of this does impact all forms of discretionary spending such as our racing and class racing in general. Inflation is a direct impact, but equally impactful is over regulation (or agencies writing their own regulations).

This was thankfully slapped down with the recent Chevron deference reversal. In simple terms, the EPA was writing the regulations when it is the job of congress to do that. The EPA is the enforcement arm under the Executive branch. They cannot write legislation and enforce it which was what they were doing more or less.

Fortunately the RPM Act never proceeded which would have included race cars which the EPA Act specifically excluded. The RPM Act would have included them. That would definitely been headwinds for our collective interests.

Who we vote for is somewhat like the butterfly effect. Good and bad.