Originally Posted by fredjohnston (Post 532392)

Combining automatic and manual classes will end up costing racers more money and in turn participation will suffer.

Let's look at A, B, G, and H for example, the most popular stock eliminator classes. Stick racers today rarely have heads up runs. If the stick cars are now mixed in with the autos the probability of a heads up race, per race goes up exponentially. Hypothetically speaking where you were once the 2nd or 3rd fastest or even the fastest in your class in your division when the classes are separated, you could now be 5th or worse when its combined. For these stick racers it sounds like you need to either spend more, work more or walk away.

On the flip side, some of the stick HP ratings vs automatic HP ratings on the same car are laughable. Look at the LS1 stick cars for example (Firebird, Camaro and Corvette). Look at the Shelby Mustang stick HP. For the auto racers to keep up they will either need to spend more, work more or walk away.

Leave this one alone.

What does it solve anyway? Less class contingency payout which is peanuts anyway? Less class trophies? Less administrative work for NHRA or Nitro Joe to keep track of? Give me a break.

What does it create? A few more heads up runs per race. Big deal.

Originally Posted by BRETV (Post 532323)

Why make more classes when NHRA keeps lowering the quotas for Natl's?? Stock is one of the most populated classes. I think we need to move the Factory cars to Comp and combine sticks and autos and have less classes. I've been around stock and superstock for 40 years and I can't even keep up with all the classes. So how can a newbie?? Less is more!!




Bret Velde
2003 SS/LA

Originally Posted by Evan Smith (Post 532348)

Bret,

Please re-read my story. Combining sticks and autos would cut the classes in half. It's time. The cars, for the most part, are equal in performance. As far as my other ideas, I didn't say add new classes, instead, let the cars fall within the current structure where they would based on hp and weight.

These are just ideas to create dialogue amongst racers to keep our style of racing attractive. I see so much negativity on the 'net in terms of racers complaining about NHRA, but hardly anyone has suggestions to improve anything. Maybe there is nothing wrong with the current format, but it never hurts to toss ideas around.

My crate engine idea was not to make racing cheaper, but to get the manufactures more involved and to offer an option for racers not wanting to run a 30-, 40-, or 50-year old engine, but still race a car they currently own. A byproduct would be less time spent sourcing old parts and cost savings to those with expensive engine combinations.

Thanks,

Evan

Originally Posted by Frank Castros (Post 532424)

How many twenty or thirty somethings are racing Competition, Super Stock or Stock Eliminator today?
The sustainability of class racing is suspect and I believe short term solutions will be brief.
The NHRA could care less because their marketable product (T/F, F/C & P/S) currently sucks.