What's wrong with Stock?

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by GUMP

How is that much different from an SS/P car running an SS/AH car?

The difference I was referring to is that I do not have a roll bar....yet.

All Super Stockers require a roll bar at minimum.

[GUMP]

Originally Posted by ALMACK

The difference I was referring to is that I do not have a roll bar....yet.

All Super Stockers require a roll bar at minimum.

So, why isn't this an issue at the combo races?

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by GUMP

So, why isn't this an issue at the combo races?

Dunno.

I will say that earlier this year I was at a combo race and in the 2nd round I got paired with the SS/GT Mustang that just won at Indy over the weekend.

Needless to say, I perked up when he came buzzing by me at the finish line.

Thus...the reason I think about the mph difference more with my "bar-less" Stocker.

The bar is going in this winter.

[Bobby Fazio]

Just make the FS/A index 9.60 and FS/B 9.85, problem solved. Of course FS cars should be subject to AHFS like the rest of us though, that was pretty much a joke but a great marketing technique to guarantee that a boatload of new Chevrolets got to run all out, get lots of spots in the Stock Eliminator field, compete at and eventually win the 60th annual Chevrolet US nationals!

Some numbers to ponder:

-The qualified average for all the FS cars at Indy was -1.255 under.
-The average for all entered FS cars was -1.1985 under, not counting Bill Skillman or Jim Harrison.
-25 of 30 FS cars made the field.

-The average qualified NON-FS stocker was -1.004 under
-33 of the these were factory race cars averaging -1.056 under.
-58 factory race cars made up the field of 128 --> 45% of the field.
-The average for all entered NON-FS, NON FACTORY RACE CAR stockers was -.897 under, not counting Jim Tool. The bump was -.882 under.


And just for the hell of it:
-5 NON-FS cars will get immediate HP today, 3 of which are factory race cars.
-30 NON-FS cars will be subject to review, 17 of which are factory race cars.

[Signman]

If the manufacturers want the big stage of NHRA Class Racing they need to pony up the ca$h for a separate eliminator, pay for TV coverage and see if it turns into sales. Just a marketing strategy.

The issue with Stock Eliminator in Indy was the the gift of no HP for the Factory Shootout Cars plain and simple.
Bobby's post makes this clear.

[RJ Sledge]

Greg

Very good original post Greg.

We all seem to agree that the problem is about "Bogus" hp ratings on the New Cars, Factory Influence (spelled $$$$), lack of enforcement of Stock rules for F/S cars and NHRA not following their own rules, etc.

So what can be done to persuade NHRA to do anything different?? I like the idea of not contributing to their bottom line and staying away from the National Events, but I don't see that happening. Just look at how many attended INDY knowing they had no chance of making the Eliminator, but its their money and time and they chose to go and had a good time.

Who speaks for the majority of us? Who could/would talk to NHRA? Most important is who would listen at NHRA??

Trying to get all the Stock Racers to agree is like trying to herd a bunch of cats, slim chance of that happening.

RJ

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by GUMP

So, why isn't this an issue at the combo races?

Who says it isn't? Speed differentials and chassis construction don't know what class designation is on the window, or what event it is. I ran the Turismo at the Spring Fling one year, and ran a car that was close to Top Sportsman territory first round. He wrecked in front of me. If he would've lost it 300' sooner, he would've gone through me. Scared the h*ll out of me.

Rules are minimum guidelines, not maximums. If I were to seriously race the Turismo again, particularly in 1/4-mile country, I would give heavy consideration to putting a roll bar in it.

[Dennis Forbes]

Originally Posted by Charley Downing

And the new cars dead horse keeps get beat. The problem is not new the cars or there bogus HP ratings. The problem is you guys don’t like the new style of SS/STK racers with large amounts disposable income. All you old time 70’s, 80’s and 90’s racers are mad because $125,000 buys your way to the top. And your $50,000 stocker with bogus heads and intake or $75,000 SS car with a $35,000 Eng that comes dyno and ready to run is left in the dust. But 10 years ago all of you that are crying had no problem spending that money and beating the guys that were spend less money than you. Now the tables have turned and they have the advantage and you don’t. That’s the real reason you all are mad, everyone always throws stones at the people at the top.

Amen Charley...!

[Bruce Noland]

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[Carguy49]

Originally Posted by GUMP

NHRA is following their own rulebook. Maybe, instead of being selective with your quotations from the rule book, you should share the whole section?

You are right. I didn't include the next paragraph which includes the following - that OEM may apply for inclusion of any special production runs. Special runs must be a minimum of 50 units and need not be showroom available.

That being said, if the index for the Factory Showdown cars was lowered and the AHFS system was applied to ALL CARS things would be less frustrating for the racers.

Greg Hill mentioned that Scott Burton just packed up and left Indy. He has a very fast car (B/SA .977 under and 70th on qualifying list) and was scheduled to run Joey Wilkes (same class) who qualified at 1.409 under.

It has been offered to lower the indexes to 9.60 for FS/A and 9.85 for FS/B, good place to start. And implement the AHFS for all.