WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

I like 4 drivers in Pro Stock really well and thats 2 of them

If the Pro racers didnt turn the class into multi million dollar programs, Which started in the late 70's to early 80's, all the racers today like WJ and KJ could afford to compete

Like my buddy said about the pro racers wanting this big $$ class,, Be carefull what you ask for, you might just get it !!!!!! It took some years but now we are here were they cant run in what they made,,,,

In My Opinion, i hope WJ and KJ get a sponsor but it probally wont happen

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Boy are you right, they have turned pro stock into a mega bucks deal with electronic shocks and all, they deserve what they get. All three of those pro classes are out of control and now the grim reaper is at their door.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Hopefully Delco will stay with KJ.......Rumor I have heard is that the Professor may race a "Brown Truck"

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

i would think at this point that info would be out, but i hope you're right

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

If all the pro category racers start suffering from the same fate of cutbacks and lack of funding will the NHRA put its racing on hold? I mean who will be left to pull in the fans?

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

yes they could, but they would never take a step backwards

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Maybe NHRA will realise the sportman shows are pretty good and promote them a little bit more. Several years ago the National Dragster did a servey on the most popular eliminator 1st was Funnt Car 2nd was Super Stock. Never heard much about it after that.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

I feel NHRA Pro Stock should have an affordable Pro Stock class such as the following rules,,,
- N/A
- Any compression up to say 13.5:1
- Any engine that uses a factory stroke, can be factory block or aftermarket
- Must be 23 degree heads
- Any Automatic (no more than 3 gears unless factory equipped), any manual up to 5 speeds
- Any rear
- Any suspension

Basically a Super Stock class where any 23 degree head can be used, any compression, any rods and that would be a Pro Stock class but make it where the engines have to be as follows (GM for example)
- 283, 302, 305, 307, 327, 350, 400, 396, 427, 454

Cant be strokers

That would put alot of bracket racers in competition with a 427 etc in their car,,,,,,,,,

Classes should be run in an index if needed

Min race weight for example,, 3200 pounds for small block cars and 3400 for big block cars

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

they already have that, its called SS/xM or Comp

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

I noticed that the KB team has not pre entered yet either. I can't see them sitting out though.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

they could make all classes more affordable by going to a spec head comparable for the big 3. look at www.headsup-racing.com

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

What kind of 396/427/454 engine has 23-degree heads? What about the Hemis?

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

They could add a little nitrous and run the Pro Mod circuit ;)

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Yup, and who can afford to run in it?

What it boils down to is they need a super stock type class for door cars that can run STOCK VALE ANGLE HEADS for the engine they choose where you can use any compression etc to make it cheap enough for people to run in

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

NHRA isn't going to change the Pro Stock rules ..... unless there are no more entries and then the class will probably die. It is easy to race on someone else's dollar so let's see how some of these guys like spending their own money like most of us sportsman racers do. Mr personality and his son can sit out for all I and NHRA care ... everytime they interview Mr personality on TV he never says anything good and when he gets his butt kicked it's always someone else's fault ... at least John Force says good things about NHRA ..

When are guys going to learn ... racing is not about how much money you can or can't spend, it is about performance ... if you can't keep up or don't have the funds, find something else to do ...

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Have you priced a bass boat lately? Those things are pricey!!! LOL.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

About 90% of what WJ has to say about NHRA is the truth. He accepts his part in his losses about as much as any racer I've seen. But yeah, he does often have a case of sour grapes.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Sean,
Yes sir I have, but then everything is expensive, from bowling to horse racing ... what is that old saying, the price of the boys is the type of their toys ?? or what seperates the men from the boys is the price of their toys?? (someone help me out here) besides how can you put a price on this much fun ?

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Talked to Arlene on weds. said with out help they MIGHT run the Gators.
Have not tested but a new car is done.
Will lease engines.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Kurt is entered at Pomona.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

..................I think it is......If you can't run with the big dogs, stay out of the kitchen.........or something like that!!!!! hope that helped.......

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Chuck;
The saying is "The difference between a man and a boy is the price of his toys".
My favorite is Whoever has the most toys when he dies,wins.

Ed F.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Seems like whom ever lives the longest playing with their toys is the one who really wins to me.. somethin about dying don't sound like a win to me..

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Mike;
That's presuming that you do live a long life.Actually I take it as a knock on guys with alot more money than brains.And we've all seen some in our lives.

Ed

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

At least WJ builds his own power and in house R&D. Sponsors going away is tough and probably going to get tougher.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

One thing I could never understand is why they needed two haulers? I am sure they could conserve some major $$$ by putting both cars in one hauler, and consolidating the two crews into one slightly larger crew.

I have never understood why the "Pro's" need to have seperate haulers for every car anyway, let alone now some teams have the car haulser, and a sererate rig just for parts, technical systems, and some hospitality stuff. There is no reason why a smart racer cant run out of a much smaller rig, with alot less overhead and go just as fast. If the majority of the budget is spent on the car and parts, and not flashy golf carts, and semi rigs, even fuel racing could be done on a budget.

This would open up alot of wasted pit spece and more "Sportsman racers" could get into race as well, ultimatly creating more $$$ for NHRA, and a full show for the spectators.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

A reason for two (or more haulers, and other transporters) is the STUPID marketing scheme of brand awareness through signage, rolling down the highway 24/7 billboards, and coroporate egos. This marketing ploy is pervasive, by ads everywhere at TV events, even to the extreme of companies logging screen time with a stop watch top justify adv dollars when sponsor contracts are up. a millisecond of a backrow running NASCAR entry is added up until the overall minutes of screen time can justify Tide, Fram, DirectTV or Skoal mkgt gurus to justify millions of $ of expenditures

Lets review all the $ spent for Olds being mfg of the year, Buick's NASCAR fling, Kendall Oil, WR Grace, TRW, SplitFire, the milk bottles that Jeg's had for a short while, and on and on...yep good old marketing there for brand awareness and customer loyalty...ya just gotta laugh when the next NHRA/NASCAR press release comes out trumpeting the next synergistic relationship thats going to take some obscure product "to the next level" with a "good fit"between say "AJAX Snow Tires" and the "loyal" race fan

Do they really believe that stuff their putting out?

How about a quality American made product and a fair price, and racer support...now there's a good fit with a loyal base

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

WJ is sponsored by GM,Kurt by AC Delco,conflicting sponsors.I'm sure both cars have their own chassis and tuneup.Multi car teams have different primary sponsors.
NHRA wants the pros to bring the support vehicles.They pay a parking premium for them.I'd like to know what the Army team pays for their layout,they take up alot of suuare footage.
What the extra sportsman entries bring in in comparison to the pro parking fees would drop NHRAs
money intake.Dont forget,we are filler the pros are the show,like it or not.


Ed F.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Quote
"Seems like whom ever lives the longest playing with their toys is the one who really wins to me.. somethin about dying don't sound like a win to me.."

I'll second that Michael :~) Wish I could have made it past the crash of '99 & run you the next round in the finals. You missed a good steak dinner that Sat night. Donna had it and all the fixings. Of course I didn't throw it out... :~) Maybe later at some race..

My opinion of the GM / JW deal is they will be back when GM gets all the Bailout money they can.... Just like all those grounded Corp Jets...
Just .02

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

W.J. & Kurt enter 1st two races and the gators

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Greg Stanfield has entered "ALL" the races

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

I just received an email from Kurt and he plans to compete for the 2009 championship and will announce his sponsor officially very soon.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

Either competition plus or Drag racing online (cant remember where I saw it) had a news bit yesterday stating that the AC Delco deal is not dead yet. But may be soon because GM has AC Delco up for sale. It will be interesting to see what ends up being on the car for primary sponser with all the speculation that I have read in the last couple of months.

Re: WJ & Kurt Sitting Out for 2009 ???
 

I remember going to LaPlace Dragway back in the 70's to watch my hero, Bill Jenkins, match race Ronnie Sox, Don Carlton, or maybe Don Nicholson in Pro Stock with his smallblock Vega. He had cordoned off the area around his Vega with a small rope and some small poles that were pretty close to the car. It was much like sportsman racing. One could walk right up to him and speak to him while he attended to his car. Those were the good ole days. Today, Pro Stock is expensive and is pricing itself out of racing. While the racer still uses his/her abilities and ingenuity to traverse that quarter mile it's like all you notice is the commercial ad whizzing by. Just my 02.