3.25% for the DP & CJ is just a slap in the face

[Alan Roehrich]

They will never rewrite the AHFS so that it works correctly and in a timely manner. They'd have to pay someone to rewrite it because they would never use the model given them 3-5 times in the last 5 years by people who understand what is necessary to create a system that works without human intervention and in a fair manner across the board for everyone affected by it. They don't want that to happen anyway, because it would prevent them from playing favorites and having control.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Jason

Time line - late 1960's......if there was an internet back then it would have gone something like this.

"Everyone with 55-57 Chevy stockers are being run out of business. These new Mustangs and Camaros should be put in a different class. We just cannot compete with those new factory built cars. They need to have horsepower added to them or else I'm going to have to quit racing. NHRA needs to do something before Stock is gone."

Well in 1972 NHRA did do something.

Maybe NHRA should do it again like they did in 1972? Todays stockers are already "Super" with all of the allowed modifications,such as wheelie bars, ported heads and intakes, aftermarket alum heads, small journal rods, light wt. short block assemblys, transmissions that never came behind the engines being used, roll cages, elec. water pump drives, heavy pressure valve springs, paper cars, factory limited production combos and on and on and on ! It just could be thier plan for the future? Has anyone ever "THUNK" about that? Maybe history will repeat its self?

[chevy620]

Having just sold my Stocker, that I ran in NHRA, I think the trend to buying a $100,000.00 Stocker and $100,000+ S/Stocker is only growing the class because the guys with cash are getting into it with the hope of the "collector car" paying off down the road. I didn;t notice many of the "new Stockers" in anything but a Gold Rush or Renegade trailer with a Toter or a $300K pusher pulling them (usually two of them). That's cool, and I can appreciate wealth and it's benefits. I just think it is a shame what it will do to Stock and S/Stock eliminator in the long run.

I really liked the Stock class, the guys who run it and the inventive ways they tried to gain an edge. Now it seems you just get out the checkbook, hope NHRA doesn't really factor you correctly and go beat up on conventional cars in the class.

I feel NHRA is going to have to separate the new generation Stocker from the carbureted Stockers. Just too much computer controlled fuel and timing management for carbs to compete against (not to mention they are WAY OFF on H.P. numbers) Just give the new-gen cars their own set of classes and let them beat each other up in class or during heads-up runs in Eliminations.

Not really any different than the way NHRA has allowed all the "Comp cars" into S/Stock. Hood scoops, tube chassis, sheet metal intakes, $30K small blocks running 8.90s. Are those Cobalts and such REALLY a Super Stock car? Are the conventional Camaro or Mopar S/Stockers really on a level playing field as far as reliability and repeatability with a completely fabricated Super Stock Cobalt?

The latest versions of these 8-second S/Stockers will and are doing to the class what rear engine dragsters did to bracket racing. It is a distinct advantage to "come from behind" and to that end racers will drop $130K to have a better shot at winning that elusive Wally. When the guys who really want to win all get the fastest cars, you will have smaller fields of very similar cars, ala bracket racing. Then the uniqueness of S/Stock starts it's trip down memory lane.

Just my opinion as I sat and watched Stock and S/Stock at Indy. Fun to watch, no doubt, but not headed in any sort of direction that will grow the sport.

Good luck to all of you and I hope you choice of class and car turns into a winning combination for you. I have to admit it was nice to see over 300 cars in Stock and S/Stock at Indy....will be interesting to see if that ever happens again after seeing so many excellent cars go home because the new-gen Fords and Mopars ran all over them in class and qualifying.

Jok
"nuthin' but a dragster driver now"

[Mike Fuller]

I know two IHRA racers that were thinking about coming over to NHRA. The current situation has put a quick end to this. They don't have the money to jump into one of these new cars. I suggested that they start buying lottery tickets and maybe they could get lucky and buy a car that would put them in the top of the field.

We need to put these car's in an FX class. That is what they are. No VIN's no air bags. This will make everyone happy.

[Jim Kaekel]

Very good points made by Jok. Jok, that would be a very good start on an article for Drag Racing Online. It does seem like in the last few years that Stock has become Super Stock and Super Stock has become Competition Eliminator. Meanwhile, Ford and Dodge are taking full advantage of a flawed AHFS.

[chevy620]

Great idea on the FX class. Definitely what they have created.

Jok

[Michael Beard]

>> 160 plus stockers and SS at at the 2010 US nationals. Where is that kind of car count in IHRA Mike B?

There isn't. -=shrug=- You got me... I raced four times in three days this weekend, did so on a budget, made good money. Just because the majority of people do one thing doesn't mean that it's the best or makes the most sense. If people who live within a reasonable distance of IHRA events don't support those events, whose fault is it? Those who try it overwhelmingly have a positive experience. What exactly does any of that have to do with the policies of NHRA? Car counts at the US Nationals are because it's the US Nationals at Indy. Even other NHRA events don't come close. The US Class Nationals drew even more cars, which tells us that it's the kind of racing people want to do, not the sanctioning body that makes the difference.

>> 80% of you bitching don't even race at INDY or with NHRA.

I have raced NHRA (Finished #11 in NHRA Div. 1 in my rookie year, and that was in a FWD car.), and I have competed at Indy. NHRA has a number of issues that I don't agree with, so after expressing my opinion about them, I choose to race elsewhere 99% of the time. I'm not into the "battered wife syndrome". Banging your head against the wall doesn't give one's opinion more credibility.

>> Yes HP factors are way out of line right now,

....SOOOOOoooooooo make it right! (or at least make an honest effort to get it in the right zip code) That's all anybody's really asking for!

>>but look at how many new cars and people are in S and SS now.

Yah. $100,000 cars are a great way to get new blood into the sport. That's sustainable. How many new people *are* in S/SS now? That vast majority of people in the new cars are not new to the sport. I think the new cars are really cool, and I wouldn't mind driving one myself, but nobody can tell you with a straight face that they are any semblance of right.

"CJ's and DP's are great because they bring new cars and people into the sport, and it's okay that they're not factored right".... Funny, you don't say the same about the "evil Crate Motor cars", which have brought MANY times the number of cars and people into the sport, and they complain about how soft the crate motor cars are, while the 360 Magnum crate motor is rated 50 HP more than the 5.9L DP engine, which has better specs all the way around. I don't care which side of the argument you support, but be consistent.

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by Roger K Fain

Did anyone else notice that there were no new Camaros from Obama Motors entered to combat the blue oval and pentastar cars in Stock and SS. Guess Barack and Rahm haven't grasped the "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" concept yet.

Roger,I believe there's a problem with getting the minimum weight down on the Camaros.
When that's solved they will be coming.I know someone ready to build one for a customer.
Jeff,it's real easy to kick Len in the *** now for the AHFS.There's nothung from stopping them from rewriting it,with input from the otside,but the ingrates in charge now.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

>> 160 plus stockers and SS at at the 2010 US nationals. Where is that kind of car count in IHRA Mike B?

There isn't. -=shrug=- You got me... I raced four times in three days this weekend, did so on a budget, made good money. Just because the majority of people do one thing doesn't mean that it's the best or makes the most sense. If people who live within a reasonable distance of IHRA events don't support those events, whose fault is it? Those who try it overwhelmingly have a positive experience. What exactly does any of that have to do with the policies of NHRA? Car counts at the US Nationals are because it's the US Nationals at Indy. Even other NHRA events don't come close. The US Class Nationals drew even more cars, which tells us that it's the kind of racing people want to do, not the sanctioning body that makes the difference.

>> 80% of you bitching don't even race at INDY or with NHRA.

I have raced NHRA (Finished #11 in NHRA Div. 1 in my rookie year, and that was in a FWD car.), and I have competed at Indy. NHRA has a number of issues that I don't agree with, so after expressing my opinion about them, I choose to race elsewhere 99% of the time. I'm not into the "battered wife syndrome". Banging your head against the wall doesn't give one's opinion more credibility.

>> Yes HP factors are way out of line right now,

....SOOOOOoooooooo make it right! (or at least make an honest effort to get it in the right zip code) That's all anybody's really asking for!

>>but look at how many new cars and people are in S and SS now.

Yah. $100,000 cars are a great way to get new blood into the sport. That's sustainable. How many new people *are* in S/SS now? That vast majority of people in the new cars are not new to the sport. I think the new cars are really cool, and I wouldn't mind driving one myself, but nobody can tell you with a straight face that they are any semblance of right.

"CJ's and DP's are great because they bring new cars and people into the sport, and it's okay that they're not factored right".... Funny, you don't say the same about the "evil Crate Motor cars", which have brought MANY times the number of cars and people into the sport, and they complain about how soft the crate motor cars are, while the 360 Magnum crate motor is rated 50 HP more than the 5.9L DP engine, which has better specs all the way around. I don't care which side of the argument you support, but be consistent.

"Battered Wife Syndrome" !.....LOL. I couldnt have said it better. Way to go Michael.

[Jim Kaekel]

[QUOTE=Michael Beard;208944]
>> 80% of you bitching don't even race at INDY or with NHRA.

Actually Michael, most of the people posting here do race NHRA or have raced at the US Nationals. I ran it in '96, '97 and '98. Unfortunately, I gave up after I couldn't make the field the last two years.
IHRA is an alternative for some, that I have personally supported and participated in myself, but it appears that they are on the downturn due to the economy and the Evan Knoll/Torco fiasco. They put too many eggs in Evan's basket and are now paying for it dearly.