Rambling thoughts on S/SS racing

[Jim Parsons]

Rambling thoughts on Stock/ Super Stock Drag racing
• No other form of motor sport offers as many ways to lose
• No other motor sport where victory is not always decided by arriving at the finish line first
• No other motor sport where total concentration is required down to a split second from the start to the complication
• No other motor sport do the participants try to predict there exact performance with numerous changing variables unrelated to their vehicle
• No other motor sport requires your expertise in meteorology
• No other motor sport where a coin flip prior to competing can determine the out come
• No other motor sport where physical fitness and youth is not required for success
• No other motor sport where success is not solely determined by the quantity of money invested
• No other motor sport where an early start is not given a second chance
• No other motor sport where the worst foul start does not determine victory
• No other motor sport is more difficult to explain to a spectator
• No other motor sport where your competition will help you to race against him

Please feel free to add or subtract about our crazy racing sport

Jim Parsons
F/S 5305

[Randall Klein]

worst for actual track time vs prep time (incl towing both ways!)

[Bob Shaw]

No other motor sport where you are penalized if you go faster than your competition in your class.

[Jim Hawkins]

Originally Posted by Randall Klein

worst for actual track time vs prep time (incl towing both ways!)

I remember coming home from a long road trip and my neighbor asking how I did. I told him how I lost a real close race. After explaining to him how it played out he asked me how long that race lasted. I told him about 10 seconds, the perplexed look on his face was priceless!

[Dave Siltman]

No other (motor)sport where you are disqualified for doing better than you thought you would.

[jmcarter]

Originally Posted by Randall Klein

worst for actual track time vs prep time (incl towing both ways!)

That’s the thing about running a car on a road racing track. Local car clubs normally associated with SCCA hosts weekend events at places like Road Atlanta (unlike NHRA, the track does very well in the Atlanta area given proper promotion and focus on giving participants great bang for the buck). Have attended many of those including COTA in Austin, Road Atlanta, Seattle Raceway, etc. By the end of the weekend you’re absolutely exhausted from adrenaline rushes, extended periods of high concentration and in many cases you drove your ‘race’ car to the track. Suspect this is why Sonoma has virtually abandoned drag racing, they simply pull more participants and spectators hosting full track events. With all that I still prefer drag racing, just pointing out proper promotion (i.e. Norwalk) can make our racing greater for everyone and that if NHRA doesn’t turn the ship there are other automotive ventures that offer great seat time for relatively modest expense.