Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Zach,it is definitely cheaper to buy than build...but there are 3 questions you need to ask the seller before you consider any stocker. #1 is the car NHRA stocker legal right now? As priced. If I leave you're house and go straight to a divisional, will the car pass tech as sold? If the answer is no...move on. #2 has the car been raced in stock eliminator recently? Will the car run at least a couple tenths under the index as sold? #3 have any recent time slips? When you get to your first div make sure you have the head's and intake casting numbers,know what class your entering, min weight etc. Hit the scales first adjust your weight. Go to tech and get out your license / membership, jacket,helmet, and the date tag on your harness turned out for easy inspection. That's the hard part. It gets fun after that. The stocker community is very tight. No big egos, most will baby sit you all weekend till you get a little comfort zone. Good luck!

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

In my humble opinion, the only way to buy a used race car (one that runs), especially if you don't know the seller (or the history of the car), is have the owner take the car to the track, preferably an NHRA divisional meet or a National Open where the car has to pass technical inspection and have the owner take the car down the track for a run or two. If you are satisfied with what you see and have made the financial arrangement prior to this test session, pay the owner and load it up in your trailer and take it home right after it goes down the track the last time. This might sound like somebody that does not trust the seller, but actually it protects the buyer and the seller from he said - he said - or she said.

On the other hand, if you see a car you just have to have, then buy it, pick it up whenever and you get what you get.

Good Luck and hopefully you like what you buy.

Gary Merrick
3522 Stock

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Contact Dean Ribeiro on this site
He has more "connections" on "Used Race Cars" than a Verizon FIOS Lineman!

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

This is the best advice anyone can put on here about buying a class car.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

I want to thank all of you that took the time to answer these questions for me. It really does show that this group of racers is tight! I can't wait to get going!