Fixing National Event Sportsman Quotas

[Greg Reimer 7376]

Seems to me that around the last half of the 1970's, Sacramento Raceway used to have an indexed class which featured big inch big block Chevys, four speeds, Dana 60 rear ends and all and most of the hitters were 55-57 Chevys and they ran on a 9.50 index. Giant wheel stands, four speeds, excitement, the crowds loved it. It was called Pro Gas. After a few seasons and some car magazine coverage, Orange County Raceway tried it and it took off pretty well down there. Then, NHRA decided to feature it to see what the crowd would say about it and it got called Super Gas as we still know it today. That was a door car class that the fans loved. It was featured by NHRA at the 1980 Winternationals and it was well received. It seems, however, that the original crowd pleasing concept was lost pretty quickly. Something that was rather exciting like that was liked then, who is to say an exciting and competitive category like that might not be appealing now?

[Stan Weiss]

Originally Posted by goinbroke2

My “opinion” is that, if I built a 190mph 9.90 car so I can always be the chaser… if you lower the index I’ll still run 190 but at 8.80. Or, I’ll build a motor to run 200@8.90…. And zero has changed. Still a 2 second delay as I ensure I am the fastest and always chase.

I don't race the 90 classes. But sometime ago I did some simulations for someone that does. As you say MPH. He didn't want to run any quicker ET but wanted to pickup another 10 MPH on the top end.


Stan

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Greg Reimer 7376

Seems to me that around the last half of the 1970's, Sacramento Raceway used to have an indexed class which featured big inch big block Chevys, four speeds, Dana 60 rear ends and all and most of the hitters were 55-57 Chevys and they ran on a 9.50 index. Giant wheel stands, four speeds, excitement, the crowds loved it. It was called Pro Gas. After a few seasons and some car magazine coverage, Orange County Raceway tried it and it took off pretty well down there. Then, NHRA decided to feature it to see what the crowd would say about it and it got called Super Gas as we still know it today. That was a door car class that the fans loved. It was featured by NHRA at the 1980 Winternationals and it was well received. It seems, however, that the original crowd pleasing concept was lost pretty quickly. Something that was rather exciting like that was liked then, who is to say an exciting and competitive category like that might not be appealing now?

Hi Greg! I think that it's called "Southeast Gassers" now!

[1320racer]

again, the 90s are long gone no mind the 70s! you've got to stop talking about what was and thinking that it's as easy as turning the clock back 50 years.

Originally Posted by Greg Reimer 7376

Seems to me that around the last half of the 1970's, Sacramento Raceway used to have an indexed class which featured big inch big block Chevys, four speeds, Dana 60 rear ends and all and most of the hitters were 55-57 Chevys and they ran on a 9.50 index. Giant wheel stands, four speeds, excitement, the crowds loved it. It was called Pro Gas. After a few seasons and some car magazine coverage, Orange County Raceway tried it and it took off pretty well down there. Then, NHRA decided to feature it to see what the crowd would say about it and it got called Super Gas as we still know it today. That was a door car class that the fans loved. It was featured by NHRA at the 1980 Winternationals and it was well received. It seems, however, that the original crowd pleasing concept was lost pretty quickly. Something that was rather exciting like that was liked then, who is to say an exciting and competitive category like that might not be appealing now?

THAT car culture, that love of cars is long gone and not ever coming back with today's youth and beyond and those young men 17-25 and their girlfriends or wives that made up the crowd then are now in their late 60s to mid 70s, those that are still alive and few of them are still coming to spectate at an NHRA National event.

[GUMP]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

THAT car culture, that love of cars is long gone and not ever coming back with today's youth and beyond and those young men 17-25 and their girlfriends or wives that made up the crowd then are now in their late 60s to mid 70s, those that are still alive and few of them are still coming to spectate at an NHRA National event.

You are living in a bubble. In the Southeast, the car culture is still pretty strong. We have a lot of heads-up series that are very popular and draw BIG crowds.

[1320racer]

I'm not, but you are, I've raced in the southeast at numerous tracks, both bracket racing and NHRA Divisionals and what we do is not heads up racing

[Keith 944]

What does any of this have to do with the original post of fixing national event quotas?

[GUMP]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

I'm not, but you are, I've raced in the southeast at numerous tracks, both bracket racing and NHRA Divisionals and what we do is not heads up racing

I'm sorry, I guess I got caught up in your generalizations?

[Keith 944]

Speaking of which, do they really need to be fixed at all? I don’t like it anymore than most on here but it is what it is. There was a time when we mailed in our intentions and were sent back a letter to say if we were even invited to participate or not.
There is only a limited amount of time. They have already cut out some classes at nationals so more in other classes can get in. Pretty soon we won’t have any national events to attend at all. I’ve said it 100 times the more we sit on these forums and bitch about it the more they laugh and figure out what they can do to screw us some more.
We already have super stock. What if they cut out stock to bring in? Let’s say an exhibition class of nothing but electric vehicles that’s the new wave isn’t it? I’m sure Eddie would love that. We already lost our manufacturers midway so that you can’t even buy auto parts at a national anymore but you can sure buy a lawnmower. That’s what I need at a national, a lawnmower I think you get my point