Stick vs Auto

[Tom Meyer]

ar#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET-- Speed
339L Randi Lyn Shipp 5411 Chris Knudsen
E6 -0.018 10.912 93.99 ****WINNER**** 0.009 10.910 105.31
D/SA Dial: 10.64 (+/-): 0.272 C/S Dial: 10.66 (+/-): 0.250
Prior rounds:
E5 (P Devore ) 0.017 10.650 0.030 (B Speer ) 0.004 10.670 0.040
E4 (D Whalen ) 0.035 10.582 0.012 (J Lopez ) 0.034 10.534 0.014
E3 (L Deforrest ) 0.016 10.610 0.020 (G Emmons ) 0.005 10.585 -0.005
E2 (L Henderson ) 0.036 10.627 0.047 (J Tolston ) 0.004 10.556 0.006
E1 (J Emmons ) 0.033 10.784 0.224 (G Picek ) 0.000 10.558 0.038
Qualified: #6 10.609 -0.941 #25 10.583 -0.767

[james schaechter]

Originally Posted by oldskool

This might help someone who is undecided, make up their mind.

There are a lot of people who post here who are retired & no longer race. So, maybe some of ya'll, who have the time & wouldn't mind doing it, could search back thru the DRC records & record the number of stick vs auto wins at nat events. DRC has over 20 year of records.

Anyone really interested could also look up the division races. I'd be interested in those figures myself, but not enuff to do the research.

"...I don’t think that holds water any longer if a racer takes advantage of the latest technology..."

Stick cars were winning races long before 21st century technology was available. Pontiac history is what I'm most familiar with. So, when I think if stick cars, I immediately think of the stick Pontiacs I remember. The Truman Fields cars come to mind. His 1st car won Stock @ Indy in '73, with him driving, & in '77 with Mike McKinney driving. Well, I assume there were plenty of auto cars entered, at both races.

I remember seeing Jack Mullins snatchin gears in his old Pontiac wagon. He won Indy in '75. Probably had to run several auto cars to do it. Also won the Sports Nats that year, IIRC. So, even with old technology, there were SOME drivers who could stick race good enuff to win races.

BUT, what percentage of races have been won by stick cars, in the last 20, 30, or even 40 years ?

Just as strictly a side note here, and only because I'm a Pontiac Freek, I figure most guys ran a stick in the '64-'66 GTO's because the only legal auto trans was the 2-speed, which some call a Super Turbine 300. I think I read that all the 2-speed only cars can now run a 3-speed. Is that correct ?

Just for numbers trivia, I checked the Stock Q-list at Indy in 2000 & 2010. Out of the 128 field, in 2000, there were 39 stick cars. In 2010, there were 26 stick cars. Gotta be reasons why MOST Stock racers choose an auto trans.

You can find all sorts of interesting info from the numbers on DRC. Some of the Indy Stock winners cut a string of lights with the worst being below .030. Most were below .020. Not many stick racers can cut 7 lights in a row, less than .030.

Here's an example: Peter Biondo's worst light was an .026, in round one. Best light .000, in the final. WOW !

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2005#indextop

A stick car did win Indy stock eliminator in 2000. I was there. LOL

[Frank Castros]

Da champ!

[oldskool]

I LOVE it !!!!

These highly competitive threads are really good entertainment !

ALMOST makes me wonder why most all racers don't run a stick. LOL

[4406mopar]

Originally Posted by oldskool

I LOVE it !!!!

These highly competitive threads are really good entertainment !

ALMOST makes me wonder why most all racers don't run a stick. LOL

Running either one is better than just running your mouth.

[J&S Racing]

It’s called a man handle for a reason

[rboyle]

I guess my question is not clear. Basically looking at same combo is the 4 speed faster than .15 over the auto? Liberty vs Metric 200 both well prepped. Not asking which is more manly or even more consistent. Maybe which brand of 4 speed manufacture is preferred too?

[Steve Stasko]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

Also no secret that stick cars require more drive line maintenance. Some folks are unwilling or not motivated to do that work.

And there's the bottom line at the end of the day...

[james schaechter]

Originally Posted by Steve Stasko

And there's the bottom line at the end of the day...

They are not nearly as bad now as they were 10-15 or more years ago. Good axles shocks and driveshaft. Clutches are way soft compared to what had been run in years past.

I see plenty of auto guys on their backs under their cars so I think maintenance is just part of racing

[Rich67stang]

Originally Posted by rboyle

I guess my question is not clear. Basically looking at same combo is the 4 speed faster than .15 over the auto? Liberty vs Metric 200 both well prepped. Not asking which is more manly or even more consistent. Maybe which brand of 4 speed manufacture is preferred too?

Rich,

For your combo you would probably use a Jerico or Gforce transmission with a Mcleod Soft Lok single or dual disk clutch. I get my clutches done by Advanced Clutches. Not any faster if the Converter and trans gears were correct in auto, IMO.