Re: "factory stock"
 

A 9" tire may be a limiting factor at the starting line, but not so much at the finish line. It seems like the "Factory Appearing" cars also have to work with tire restrictions, yet run surprising numbers on street type tires! The quest for HP ($$$) is never ending. It's just a matter of when and where it's applied. It's a fine line.

Re: "factory stock"
 

Thanks to everyone who shared their costs. FS/XX is the most exciting thing to happen to Sportsman racing in quite a while. I hope you guys can control costs, but innovation is the name of the game. Super Stock 68 Camaros became Pro Stockers and its hard to believe it wont happen again.
Mike A114

Re: "factory stock"
 

This was the best "show" ever for the factory cars. A glued track, time between runs to adjust cars, a bump spot on the score boards after 16 cars, and great performance by most cars.

Don't change the rules unless you have one, aka the Chuck Rayburn rule.

Enjoy the show of fast cars walking the fine line on the balance beam.

Cost: go as fast as you can afford.

Re: "factory stock"
 

I’m not sure, but it seems you never hear the guys driving these cars bitch about the 9” being unsafe. Other then one or two the teams that struggle to make consistent runs. But seems the guys that declare that the class needs bigger tires are the ones that don’t compete.
The 9” tire is one of the draws to the class, it makes it a tuner game as well, not just about bought HP for the well off teams. It helps level the playing field

Re: "factory stock"
 

Yepper....You nailed it. Makes my street rod look a lot better. Easier on the old body too ! I'm just glad someone can do it as its a neat class !

Re: "factory stock"
 

If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch. That's a mantra I have used in my life. US/A class is far less expensive but the fun factor is waaaay less and they are not worried about 9 inch tires.

Re: "factory stock"
 

If the fast guys in A/SA and AA/SA chimed in on what they have invested it would be shocking.

Re: "factory stock"
 

A guy I know ran Top Stock 15+ years ago, and at that time he said he was the only non-millionaire running it.

Re: "factory stock"
 

Several guys have ~$250k in their cars.

My budget is SIGNIFICANTLY lower then everyone else in the class. Most of parts are bought at dealer pricing or used. We do the vast majority of the fab and work at the shop with friends/family. The only exception being the Engine was built by Bischoff(BES) with parts I supplied again from used and dealer cost parts. Price from memory have all of the receipt but not that important at the moment.

BuyFordRacing- BIW 15k
Aeromotive- Fuel system 3k
Holley- EFI 5k
Weld/Cartel/M/T- Wheels/tires 3k
Santhuff/BuyFordRacing/TeamZ- suspension 6k
Strange/BuyFordRacing- brakes/driveline 8k
Fezell- used GF5R transmission/clutch/bellhousing 7k
BuyFordRacing/PoynterFord/BES- engine 55k
Holbrook/Whipple- Blower/intake 6k
Me/friends/shop- chassis $2500 in material and WAY too many hours to keep up with.
Brother/Friends/me- paint $2k material and WAY too many hours to add up.
Kerlin Ford- 13 F250 Diesel 38,500
Millinium trailers- 32’ Tag 18k

Annual budget to go racing 30k not going to all of the races.

Plan on bringing spare engine, trans, clutch, disks, hoist, disk resurfacer, tools, differential, rear gears and trans gears, wheels and tires and blowers.

You’ll test at least 3 blowers, cylinder heads and cams at a minimum.

I’m shoe string budget that the string has broke and had to tied a few times lol. Have no other bills and we make “ok” money between me and my wife.(still less then a lot of others in the class but above average income) this is also why it took me nearly 4 years to build it.

Re: "factory stock"
 

Fast and fun are both relative to what you're dealing with. Maybe you should build a 302 Maverick and give it a try instead of just assuming.

Re: "factory stock"
 

I agree ^^

I have fun in my Q/SA 4 cylinder Stocker every time I go to an NHRA event.

Not fast, but is budget fun :)

Re: "factory stock"
 

NOT FAST !?!?!?!?
Your car comes with a Turbo-Warp Drive !!
It ran some lazy low 12's second runs.. :D

Dan

Re: "factory stock"
 

So 120k for your car with blowers and cams not used... But can your car go 8.10's or better? That is truley the question for this class and how long before the bump is 8.00 or 7.95.

By the time its all said and done running the season and support eqipment including the car 200K to run the first season. (Being a VERY resourceful person.)

Maybe 50 to 85K the second if your motor doesn't go catastrophic.

Mad respect for you Sir, doing it that way.

That is almost the same way my program works. Without turning wrenches and having good friend help me work on my car no way would I get to play. If I could, I would have a blower combo in mine and would belly up for some action. Maybe someday...

Re: "factory stock"
 

Maybe NHRA will consider a NA series since there is so much interest in the blower cars. Would give more racers a place to play and IMHO would draw just as many racerst.





Bret Velde
2003 SS\LA

Re: "factory stock"
 

They had one and killed it... FS/X

Re: "factory stock"
 

We are going to find out this year. My engine is within a few HP of Turks so it has the power. Being a stick car is going to be the trick to get right. When we set this program off the goal was 7.9s. BES gave me the power and we have started an even badder bullet from what we’ve learned on this one.

I’m to stubborn to stop until the car goes to the top of the heap. Just going to keep plugging away till it gets there and find ways to get it there.

Re: "factory stock"
 

NHRA finally has a stock appearing door car small tire heads up class that has power adders.

If you enjoy this type of racing, check out your local track if they run Ultra street, Ultimate street, Street outlaw, MX235 or x275. (there are many names for these classes so can be confusing)
For years local tracks have been running these classes and at the start there was some junk there but now Ultra street has a national Championship. J C Beatie (owner of ATI ) runs a COPO camaro sometimes at Cecil county street car event in Ultra street class as NHRA legal trim.
Ultra street record holder is actually N/A.

Cecils races usually runs 2 qualifiers then into eliminations the 1st saturday of the month in season. So get a good day of heads up racing for $20.00 and see some fast cars. Cecil does have bracket and Index classes too, kind of like a NHRA divisional.

Re: "factory stock"
 

Re: "factory stock"
 

Yeah I know, that's why I said their own series, NO racing a XX in the finals. It could work and be just as successful.





Bret Velde
2003 SS/LA

Re: "factory stock"
 

A non blown series could work very well and be just as popular. Just keep it out of Stock Eliminator, get the rules right. There was a sponsor for that series already in place and I'm sure he is still there.

Re: "factory stock"
 

Now I doubt very much that NHRA would even consider trying to find the time to run two different Factory Stock showdowns at a National Event but running F/X might be something to consider at a Divisional or a National Open. The track operators are always looking for ideas for a Saturday night show to put people in the stands. Maybe something to go with the Alcohol and T/S-T/D qualifying.

Re: "factory stock"
 

We had one at the Dutch in 2016, after some people were asking for it. 2 people entered. Nobody else. The NA deal is dead. It’s all about the XX.

Re: "factory stock"
 

The NA combos were not as close in power as the blower combos are. David and Bo pretty much killed everyone.

Re: "factory stock"
 

That’s true