Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

Been there done that too....enjoyed it. But that is back in the days that most everyone could work on their own stuff and tech would give you a year off for just about anything. Since then we have been watered down by "cheat of the week" technology backed up by lawyers and threats of lawyers not to mention the "buy your hp factor" that we are forced to contend with. Until tech officials are allowed to enforce the rules without outside interference and factors are with-in 5-10 hp correct (and that will never be because of ahfs) we will continue to be in the same situation which is basically screwed.

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

This Bracket / Class racing subject gets brought up what...every 3-5 weeks, 6 weeks on the high side? And the same town criers bring it up and the same town criers seem to elevate bracket racing and downgrade class racing.
Most all of us started with bracket racing. There's nothing wrong with bracket racing. I could go and bracket race my stock 2005 Ford Expedition this weekend if I wanted. I could go and rent a 'Vette if I wanted a faster bracket ride. I could literally gather friends and find enough parts, a minimal amount of cash and throw together a 12 second car any week I wanted to and go bracket racing with a "real" race car.
But as I said in my first post, class racings not for everyone. If you don't want to enjoy class racing, whether as a racer or spectator, walk away. And there's a bracket race at every track almost all year long, weather permitting.

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

There is nothing wrong with bracket racing. When I want to help myself stay sharpe, I go to the local track and race brackets with my stocker. And thease guys, and gals are as good as anyone. That being said, Yes most of the time we put a dial in on our cars in the staging lanes, but it is what it took to get us there that is differant. Can anyone tell me the national record in pro et, or super pro. How about the national record in super gas or super street. Records and performance is only part of racing s/ss. Then we still have to get it done on the track. Just my 2 cents

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

Daran,

Did you buy Scott's old car?

Smitty

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

In perfect air we can run .75 under, in just good air, .6 under. We are not hitters but would quit if it went to just dial in, no tech.

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

Interesting comments which pretty well point out that Most love the class challenge of making a vehicle with RULES go as quick as possible.
Some point out the weak point of having too many possible classes where yes you can be the worlds fastest but of 3 cars on earth very little hype or recognition. This seems to point out the BAD part of too many classes. A back door comment for combining classes or limited numbers of possible classes. Then at least the 20 guys in the country racing the same combo knows you are good if you win or set the record. Today who knows the names of the record holders? who cares unless its your class.. I only check dragster to see what my competitors ran in their races as a gauge of my performance.
We all see a win as a win but a high % appreciate class wins better. Then there is Jeff who seems to mis understand the poll intent as bringing down class. No it was pointed at showing the challenge of fastest car (of whatever form) drives most S and SS racers. Would making fewer classes and "forcing " a limited kind of cars or combinations add anything? to the greater good? of the Class racing by causing MORE of it? Class at Indy is the only true place enough current cars can enter at one time. What if an event with 80 entries in S or SS had 10 cars per class? Wherever you raced.

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

Dick here you go again with this drivel. About reducing classes.
Whose fault is it if nobody else builds a car for the class you run in?
In that case lets get rid of AA, A, B, and C stock because according to this most of the older cars are quitting, mand that will leave just one car. So get rid of those classes!
I run a class where there are only 3 cars in the country. So I guess my class should be done away with? If not name some?

PS My car might be for sale shortly, so why don't you buy it for the greater good?

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

If that turned out to be the norm at enough events in a season, within the next couple years there would probably wind up being 2 cars in each of those few classes and the sanctioning body would drop the eliminator for lack of participation.

While today there may be a lot of classes with some only having a few cars each, there is a lot of participation overall. That fact alone keeps Stock and S/S the popular eliminators that they are. Numbers overall not numbers per class are what has kept Stock and S/S alive all these many years. If you do not believe that, just look at the eliminators that have priced themselves almost into oblivion in the name of performance. It is overall numbers that those who run any business look at......including those in charge of drag racing sanctioning bodies.

Travis Miller

(Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

Travis, You missed it. I meant what about a meet NHRA only ALLOWS 80 entrants.
There might be 200 if the field were OPEN but many events are limited due to space, time, etc....
The thing that keeps S and SS fun is the racers who LOVE to build cars and tune them to run fast. Seems many things become a negative to making one run fast by working on them but approved if they are a "new Kid on the block car"
Art, you are a perfect example. A fast car, scienced out , a pleasure to you. I give you credit for working within the rules, parameters whatever but......Who do you race if there are 3 cars?. If you were the fastest of a class with 20 cars even if they were all turbo, fwd cars wouldnt it seem greater accomplishment?. Especially if 15 came to INDY and YOU beat them all on common ground?
No disrespect intended to FWD, Turbo or 3 car classes, only discussion...

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

It's a twin sister to Scott's car but SS/NA and yes it's for sale! Daran

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

I race against everybody . It's called a qualifying sheet.
As far as popular classes goes.
Very simple answer Dick. TIME and MONEY. If you go into a popular class, unless you are underfactored greatly. You are going to get your A** handed to you till you spend a ton of "Time and Money". How many fast cars could go fast on wishes?
Try to S**t in one hand and wish in the other and see which one fills up first?

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

I've been bracket racing for sixteen years and class racing for five. Bracket racing is fantastic practice for class racing, better than any practice tree. Unfortunately, a competitive stocker is fragile and expensive compared to a typical bracket racer. Taking one to a bracket race is almost like shooting at cans with a $$$ Olympic target pistol. I took my C/SA Max Wedge wagon to the local season opener to shake it out this year and wounded the motor in the third round, causing me to take the season off. Ouch! I really wish I would have done it in the third round of an NHRA event.

Bracket racers frequently think of class racers as snobs but unless you've raced in Stock/Super Stock you just can't know what we know. I could probably bolt together two or three nine second 440 bracket motors for the cost of one legal Max Wedge but try telling that to the guy in the primer grey Duster in the other lane. He cuts .00 lights all the time and is gunning for his fourth straight track championship. He hasn't touched his motor since he pulled it out of Aunt Bessy's Imperial eight years ago. Our kind of racing makes no sense to him. Why should it? On the other hand, it's interesting to consider how many things that we class racers do that can actually make bracket cars cheaper. We learn the tricks that make stock equipment fly because we have to. If a bracket racer follows our lead to make his race car launch harder and more consistently on stock style suspension then he doesn't have to buy and install an aftermarket ladder bar or four link set up, for example.

I've had some good fun by building and racing a bracket cars but to tell you the truth I'm addicted now to driving my stocker now. I'm not a snob. I still go to the local bracket races but I got a driver. He's having a blast and I love it when he wins rounds! I guess the most important thing is just to be at a drag race in the first place since I have so many good friends that I have met and will meet in drag racing. It keeps me coming back no matter what's racing, except junior dragsters, wait a minute, I've got a four year old and a six year old...

All wins are great. I still remember my first win light. My favorite so far is my divisional Wally. He sits on a shelf and tells me it's okay to keep throwing good money after bad at this crazy habit. He wants a big brother.

Happy Holidays
Chris Barnes
Wagons of Steel
Stock #6621

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

You are correct. Not many of us still building our own engines. Most just write a check anymore. That is almost as much fun as driving. Nothing like outrunning a pro built engine with your own stuff.

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

Dick,

For the most part, I ignore your mindless but constant ramblings about minimizing the number of classes but my concern that one of the numerous letters that I'm sure you have written to NHRA might one day stick has lead me to ask you to mind your own friggin' business and stay the hell away from those of us that are actually racing. We (Modifed Compact) already got 'downsized' a few years ago when NHRA reduced and consolidated our classes into Modifed Stock. I was OK with that but I dodged a bullet in that a 4 cylinder super stocker doesn't have a lot of options once your class is gone. It isn't like changing weight or something relatively inexpensive would have switched me to another class, I basicly would have had an expensive bracket car. I've been racing in SS for 24 years and would like to leave it that way.

As imperfect as the rules and classes might be, most everyone that races wants things left the way they are. One more anonymous pushpoll on a website don't mean anything. I know you used to race but you don't anymore and don't have any financial stake in the consequences of rule changes and elimination of classes. I would appreciate it if you would limit your ranting only to matters that directly affect you. If it were your class that was being eliminated, you might have a different view on life.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

Chip,

As you know, I finally finished my SS modified car. I am still a bracket racer, but enjoy the rules that come with class racing. The one thing that I do not like is when one racer decides to have a big d@#$ contest and hammers an index in ss for .5 when no other racer is even close, what was accomplished.. nothing just spending more money. And the best part is after the racer kills the index, does not run the class anymore. Thats ok, I'll dance around the ladder. Chip, dont waste your time trying to get class racers to respect bracket racers, they just don't get it. P.S. I have more $ in my modified motor than my new mullis w/ 555. Somebody told me once "SS water is just fine come on in!" LOL



Richard
SS/EM 161
Quickrod 12

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

Jim Caughlin, Sorry to ruffle your feathers by discussing Class racing. I guess sitting on the sidelines and reading posts prompted me to be curious about active opinions and thanks for yours. At least without a car I have nothing to gain by asking questions I dont mean any disruption to active racing. Just curious. Im sure if NHRA doesnt respond with action to active racers, my questions are unlikely to affect judgements...Thanks again.
I have had my class eliminated when 56 chevys went to SS. We sat out while I saved the money to convert and then continued to work and learn.

Re: Class versus brackets winning a round
 

That about sums it up for me.

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