Z-MAX car count
 

Bruton builds a Palace and no cars.
NHRA needs to try Crate Motor cars !
The car count would be 100 or more, not 67.
I know of 30 or 40 cars in the area.
Some really nice cars!

OK, beat me up ,,,,,

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Ken
not having super stock elim prob hurt and
all the talk about the police harassing racers can't be helping the situation.
A four day race at a facility that large shouldn't need to drop a class
just my opinion

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

In North Carolina races dump Stock an put in Super Pro .........:-)

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Hi Angelo,
Yeah, No Super Stok was a bad move.
As far as the police harassing, I have never had a problem in NC. Just one time that I caused. lol
It's a super facility, I hate to see it not used.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

I don't understand not having Super Stock in the heart of Super Stock. I agree with the comments about not having problems with the security personnel. When we were there we stay three days and two nights inside the track. It was a party all three days. Cook-outs every where. Cool night to stroll through the pits and every security person you met was very cordial.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

I guess in North Carolina some people just don't get it.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Not sure what you mean by that...explain?

As I have mentioned before, there are no NHRA races w/in a reasonable tow to get grade points. There are 6 IHRA division races and 2 national events (no grade points required) in the state so everyone pretty much races locally. If Zmax had a national open and a division race it would surely help their car count as the locals would be able to get a couple of grade points and then we could run the national events. There are usually 300 cars at the division 9 race at Mooresville which is only 30 miles from Zmax (if that far) and I'll bet maybe 20% of those racers are there this weekend. That means there are a couple of hundred sitting at home watching on the computer like me.
It's a shame we, the locals, can't support Bruton...I enjoyed it last year when they included super stock in the fun!

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

If the event does not reach the quota, you do not need even one grade point to enter.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Alan,
I was told you have to have 1 grade point regardless. If it was 0 I would've went.
Chip

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

I've been told you have to have a minimum of 1 also. Most guys/girls don't even have NHRA licenses anymore for this reason.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

WOW, you sound like a spoiled brat !! LOL You right sided racers have so many racing opportunities compared to us left coasters, it just struck me that anything more than a hour or so away is too far to go to. I don't think you'd like the big drives that we have to get to our races, this includes Div. 5, 6 & 7, esp. div 5 !!!

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

I got into Bristol last year with 0 grade points. In fact, I had actually entered Atlanta and St. Louis before that, with no grade points, but had to withdraw for scheduling reasons.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Racers who were smart enough to build a stocker to run at BOTH sanctions did not have a problem with their entry. Maybe those 30 or 40 with "stockers" that do not fit should start rethinking their race agenda. It might be to their advantage in the near future.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Ken,
I'm with you on the crate motor thing but Jason made a real good post. That's one reason I got rid of my crate motor car and went .90 racing. Now I can do both.

Alan,
I was told you can't even register without a grade point. Explain how you did it and help us out here.
Chip

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

If you think the car counts are bad, check out the numbers for Memphis in 2 weeks. Granted, not a palace but within a fairly easy tow for a ton of racers. Will be interesting to see the stands during the TV coverage and of course hear whatever WJ has to say during his interview ( if he gets one ).

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Well looking at car counts at IHRA races I really don't think that crate motors would make that big of a difference. Here is an idea, car count is low because the economy is hurting and concerning a lot of people right now and they are staying closer to home. That is it. It is no big deal, NHRA and Bruton are going to have to suffer through it like every person and business in this country.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

It was simple. I went online and entered the Sunday before the race, after about 10 or 12 AM. As I said, I entered Atlanta first, then Ie couldn't make it, so I withdrew, and finally ended up going to Bristol. I didn't do anything special, I just entered.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Interesting, because before I had any Grade Points I tried calling NHRA and was told that I needed at least one grade point to enter a National Event period....no exceptions unless I happened to be a past champion :rolleyes:

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Legend, by the pictures on drag race central there are a lot of IHRA "90" guys racing. A few i recognize have never been to a NHRA event at all. Jr got in last year with 1 grade point. He was asked to drive a stocker there this weekend but could not swing the time off from work.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

I believe Brian has hit the nail right on the head.....many people are feeling the pinch. Washington tells us things are getting better?? Well, "show me the money"....costs are still skyrocketing, INCLUDING nhra's fees, etc. WJ

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Alan did you have grade points from the year prior? You can use the current or previous years count what ever is higher.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

I had not accumulated a grade point in 15 years or more when I entered to Bristol. The first grade point I accumulated in the last 15 years came at Bowling Green after I ran Bristol.

I think I accumulated 3 grade points last year after I entered the one national event I ran. The car has been sold and I have not run since Reynolds last year. I have accumulated no grade points this year, and may not race next year either, if the money situation does not improve.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Mr. Kelley is from Texas and does not represent the racers of North Carolina. His statement made no sense.

In my opinion, NHRA does NOT need crate motor cars. I own a crate motor car. If I want to run an NHRA race, I will take an NHRA-legal car.

Now, not having Super Stock at this event does not make sense to me.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Not only should it have had Super Stock, but it should have had class eliminations for Super Stock as well, and it should have been a 3 day race instead of four. One reason I did not go this time (as a crew chief, not a driver) is I'd have had to leave on Tuesday night. That's ridiculous.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Michael, That works for you, but not everyone can barrow a car.
I'm building another stocker so it can cross over.
Only because I had a buyer for the CM car.
Ken

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

That's funny Bernie! Based on my age that makes me sound young again...haven't been called a brat in years. You are right, us "right sided racers" have more options than you guys but not necessarily more NHRA options. The nearest NHRA divisional for me will be 7-8 hours away. Just trying to make a point as to why the car count may not be that great at Z-max. You are right about one thing, I wouldn't like the big drives out your way, hence, I have no desire to live there either.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Dead-on!

I own an NHRA-legal Stocker. I haven't raced it in a number of years, but may take it out a couple times next year (with a For Sale sign on it) I bought & built a crate motor car because I choose to run IHRA. If I cared to run NHRA, I would either race my other car, or put a 'traditional' motor in the Volare. NHRA has "borrowed" plenty of IHRA ideas already. The organizations don't have to be the same. If NHRA allowed crate motors, they'd pick up 10 cars, and lose 15-20 cars from guys who don't want to race against them. Let them do their own thing.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

I think Alan and Michael are both dead on. Four days is silly, especially with small fields, and the no SS cars makes no sense either. If you don't have full fields, why exclude classes? Looks like they would want the entry fees? Div 4 car counts are down this year also. Some guys are out of work, others are nervous about maybe getting layed off, some shop owners are suffering with slow business, so don't feel like they can afford to race.

I was looking for No Problem results (must be some rain down there) and noticed the NHRA Div 7 race only showed 27 SS cars. Lots of race cars on the left coast, probably the same reason other areas are down.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

DW,
I know a lot of IHRA regulars went to Atlanta last weekend to get a grade point. I hate to miss a national event 100 miles frm the house. It's all good though we will be at MIR next week then on to THE ROCK.
CHip

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

If you think Charlotte is bad, look at Dallas. They got SS w/class and Stock w/o. About 70 cars in both so far.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Both Brian and Michael are dead on.

While there is a lot of ranting on here about this and that, fact is, the economy is in the dumper and people are laying low. Virtually all forms of busniess are feeling the crunch and I'm sure NHRA is as well, along with the racers who attend these races.

Personally, I have no desire to race against crate-motor Stockers. I have nothing against the concept, and it is a cool idea that works for IHRA, but NHRA doesn't need it. When the economy rebounds the car counts will come back. If you spend the same time and effort building a crate-motor Stock engine, how is it cheaper?

What would be cool is a heads-up crate-motor class with each manufacturer supplying one small-block and one big-block naturally aspirated engine (two weight breaks) using the current Stocker rules format. With only a 6 engines to police (Mopar, Chevy and Ford) NHRA (or whatever the sanction) could closely monitor the cars. Winner and runner up remove a head after each race and use a scope to look at the bottom end.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Evan,
IHRA had that class they called it TOP STOCK. We see how that worked out for them.LOL

I agree with the cost thing. A competitive crate motor engine will cost as much as a competitive trditional engine.

Chip

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

The first part of the question is PARTS avaliabily and body styles. Most are much cheaper to obtain going in. You dont have to kiss some collector whores ***** to buy heads,intakes, etc. or a 67 to 69 Camaro. Not every one desires a late model Mustang or Firebird with FI.
Second part....we tried this in IHRA and no one seemed interested (Zero interest) so we came up with Top Stock then GM ramed the crate motors down our throats if IHRA wanted a sponsor for a heads up class and the rest is shall we say HISTORY. Maybe the timing was weong and 9 years later it could work if the NHRA guys were not such "Pureists" in the "Stock" concept? Hell, theres nothing stock about them today anyway except the name of the class. Neat idea and glad to see someone come back up with the again.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

NHRA *has* crate motor cars... they're called Cobra Jets and Challengers... :rolleyes: Not to mention all the superceded parts, fuel cells, wheelie bars, CSR/Meziere water pumps. -=shrug=- It is what it is.

Just pickin! ;) Like I said, doesn't matter. I've always said, "Tell me what the rules of the playground are, and I'll go play on it."

Hope the weather holds off today.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

just have to say .i love it. **** nhra.would love to see them fold.

asta

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

The economy theory makes sense...but only to a certain extent. With low car counts, why would NHRA turn away those with "money in hand" over not having a lousy grade point??? Do the powers at NHRA deem rules are more important than where they get the money from?

Just another self inflicted bullet wound to themselves IMHO.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Micheal, if you already have a NHRA legal Stocker, why did you feel the need to build a crate motor car to run IHRA? I thought that a NHRA Stocker would fit into an existing IHRA class, no?
And, yes, wheelie bars, electric water pumps etc may not be "Stock" but they are used on cars that were factory produced vehicles. Frankly, I see nothing "Stock" about a V8 Vega Stocker, a V8 powered FWD conversion "stocker" or a 1970 car with a 2000 era engine with an aftermarket intake and Holley carb.Considering that IHRA has many more classes than NHRA, and typically far lower car counts, even without the need for grade points or pre entry, I guess NHRA must still have some appeal. Enough appeal that ex IHRA President Bill Bader switched his own track the NHRA a few years back. Being on the West Coast, there is no IHRA racing for most of us to try, other than Edmonton, while NHRA is everywhere across North America.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

NHRA "stock?"/IHRA "crate stock?" - what is stock anymore?

crank - yes
aftermarket rods - no
aftermarket pistons - no
lightweight pins - no
$400+ rings - no
billet cam - no
ceramic lifters - no
big O.D. pushrods - no
500lb+ valve springs - no
lightweight retainers - no
aftermarket valves - no
bogus ports - no
any valve job - no
bogus chambers - no
bogus manifold runners - no

Just an example about how "not stock" NHRA or IHRA stock eliminator really is anyway. After 1985 or so calling anything stock is a moot point. I say let the rest of crates in, the CJ's and Challengers really are anyway.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

I'm like Michael, I disagree. It will not likely help the car count at all, it just makes for more rules and more tech, and NHRA is not interested in that. Besides, the fact that Stock isn't really stock any more is not a good reason to make it even less stock.

Re: Z-MAX car count
 

Alan. the crates have specs like anything else, so tech is tech. Just saying it might be a good idea to have the option, if the crates don't show up, there's no harm done.

I left a bunch of stuff off the list (relocated lifter bores, relocated intake ports, etc.) stock has been long gone for a long time. As I'm sure you know, if you're not thinking like a comp racer when you're building a stocker these days, you are going to be slowwwwwwww.