Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I do understand that we are competitors, and want to eliminate the other driver. To build a racer within the rules, that nobody can catch is truly the ultimate form me! The sense of acomplishment for a little performance gain every now and then can be huge (especially when it's something you built and not something you bought). But do you need to go fast in "A" rather than "M" to enjoy the sport. Fast is important for class and the occasional heads up match up in the eliminator. In my racing experience @ 9.90/150 I noticed that, down track when siide by side it felt like 40 MPH. And that was in Roadster style cars, it did'nt seem fast because the speeds were close. I have also raced 13.50/105 and it seams the same to me down track. I do understand the chase/being chased advantages and driving abilities. To me it's about preparation (car and driver), being consistant on the starting line... evaluate and compensate during the run...play the final card approaching the stripe. Now (in the eliminator) you need to do these things no matter how fast you are! So I say no, you do not need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S eliminator racing. (my opinion). Although it does seem like most of the "hitters" are on the fast side.

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I don't! It does seem that the "rational" thinking is that a faster car is easier to dial as it's not as affected by the wind and weather. The "hitters" seem to like being the faster car so they can see the race "play out" in front of them to better make finish line decisions.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

As someone who raced a seventeen-second HF/SA for 3 1/2 years for Billy Nees, NO, don't have to be fast (in actual ET) to enjoy it. I had as much fun in Billy's car as anyone with a 9-10-11 second Stocker or 8 second Hemi SS/AH or SS/AM (Well, maybe a Hemi would be a BIT more fun, and whole lot more work :) ). That's the beauty of Class Racing, you can build whatever you like, whether it's a particular car you like, if you like finding "odd" cars to flog and work on (like Billy, Bob Shaw, etc), whether you like to set records, win Class, and be the "big dog", if you like to test your bracket racing "hit the tree and drive the stripe" ability against some of the best in the world, whatever makes you tick, you can pretty much find it here. Oh, and the great people all over the country and Canada is also what makes it fun and enjoyable, too.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I could rock a W/S car :D

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I don't care who you are or what you drive, if that win light keeps coming on in your lane, you're having fun.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

There are so--o-o-o many ways to look at S and SS and they all can be fun. Fun is what you make it. Going fast, winning rounds, winning class, making your car faster next week, making something go fast no on believes or doing it all yourself... on your budget.
All these are out there for your decision.
They are all RIGHT! Chosing one for your own reason is what its about.
Good Luck....the best part is being able to enjoy multiple reasons at once.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Wade,
Where is your '60 Vette going to fit in SS?

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

:D How about if you looked at from a different perspective.If track time is what is enjoyable
the slower car is the way to go. for example: 200 runs in a year @ 9 sec/run equals 30 minutes of track time ( not including staging, burnout, turnoff, etc). The same 200 runs @ 15sec/run equals 50 minutes of track time. I think i need a slower car.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I've raced pretty fast cars.....I've raced slow(er) cars.......I'll take fast any day of the week. There is no way I would have the enthusiasm to race if I had a slow car. I dislike being way out front trying to find my opponent especially in the dark. Drag racing for me means I have a decent amount of power under my foot......and I way prefer being the chaser......

I prefer races that have two cars fairly close on the race track. A race between a fast and a slow car is not my idea of a good drag race.

Probably the most fun car I can think of to race would be a fast stick shift anything.....might not win anything and the amount of work to race it could be a lot.....but it would be way high on the fun meter letting out a clutch again....

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I do rock a W/S car!!! It is a lot of fun

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I enjoy a race between a fast car and a slow car.It's just as difficult for the fast car as the slow one to make top end decisions. Why so many have built fast cars,I believe,is the redlight thing. The slower car redlights-the fast car wins. I believe this mentality is hurting S/SS. The fun of these eliminators is the many different cars/trucks that run, be them fast or slow. I say the redlight thing should have been looked at years ago.
Jeff Ross

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I think Troy LITERALLY means "rock" a W/S car!

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I just like getting the win light. It's a lot of fun beating the faster car.(and they are all faster than me!!!!!!)

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

that's funny

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Mr Morgan, you had .04 on me at Orlando's Nat'l Open in 2002. :)

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

This comment about sums it up.Dial a bit hard, drill the tree(no red light),if the AA car passes you at 1250 feet, you know he's gone!! In 1992, I bought a 68 Chevelle Malibu 2 door hardtop for $500.00(these are all gone now!!)restored the car, paint, interior, wiring, weatherstrips,etc. put a 12 bolt in it with 5.38's, a used but good 1.98 Powerglide, a C-8 converter,and a basic 327 250 horse engine. On some Firestone tires, this car went 13.0's at Palmdale on a 13.38 index. I kept the costs down because I originally planned on putting a 396 in it. We.., I still run the 327 and the 396 stuff is still in the corner.Since then, I've built another two door hardtop, a wagon,a four door for Tony Janes, sold him the #1 car,built the second hard top for me, and built another 2 door for my son to drive to high school and his first year of junior college, got it back, took it to Tony's, who took it to Phil Mandella's, and it's 90% done as a SS/LA car. I think we've had fun with our slow cars.I'll go faster when this gets old.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I believe I've experienced those tremors!!

It's fun just to be involved in Stock/SS racing at any level from my perspective. (way more fun than watching from the sidelines and wishing for the means to own/drive a "fast" car).

For some, it's a toe in the pond, for others it becomes a career long "crawl".

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

yes

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I hope not. Some day I'll finish my Shelby stocker and it will be a good deal slower than my SG car was. I think the reason I'm building it and the reason a lot of guys run what they do is because their familiar with the car and engine. I was probably one of only a very few SG cars around with an FE engine in it. I have a lot of years experience with that engine and it seemed like the logical thing to do was build a car around one.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I think you are right, but hey, I don't mind going slow. And I imagine he could "rock" a W/S car, especially heads-up LOL. The win light is all that matters, and I am starting to get it down. I love watching and racing in huge stagger races, whether I am the fast car (local brackets in the family race car) or the slow car (the 76 Pinto in W/S). Fun is in the eye of the beholder!

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Roger, I believe the 60 Corvette is a natural SS/LA. I have a 283 from a 65 SS/MA Chevelle, and the combustion chamber volume and carb venturi may be wrong for the 60. But I think it can be used as a GT/KA. Both classes run off of a 11.45 index with the GT having a few more pounds. Either way I can get the rest of the car worked out and start to get some experience in the Super/Stock arena. I just want to get some seat time, and I'll learn how to dodge-um on the Q-sheet. LOL

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I've said for years, "It's not how fast you go, but whether or not you go back to staging for the next round, that makes it fun". If the bad assed fast guy is sitting in the bleachers during eliminations and I'm in staging, I know I'm having more fun than he is.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I know I`ve always had a good time with my V/SA entries over the years. I can see why those that start in the lower classes move up to quicker combos,due to continually spending money to go "slow". The ones that stay with the slower combos over time seem to get it figured out and do well.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I want to be the fastest in my class. Doesn't matter what class.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

fastest in class is always good. It does'nt matter how quick you go it does'nt that seem fast after a few passes. Going rounds is the most fun.
Mike Taylor3601

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Wade,

The amount of fun one can have is within oneself. Is going 135 in a stocker fast, or is going 35 in a Wal-Mar parking lot fast. The thrill of accelaration has no bounds only it's limits within oneself.

One of the cool things about leaving first is you get to see some great undercarriage shots from the huge wheelstands in the rear view mirror. After that you just start looking around to see who you know in the stands, wait a couple of seconds and find your opponent. Yeehaa.... here he / she comes. Then you have all this extra time on your hands as your nearing the finish line to analyze what the heck is going on. Now would be an excellent time to be able to lick your back. The line approaches and the winner is .......

Wow, man, that was fun.

Did you have fun, win or lose? There is your answer.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA the other end of the speed spectrum

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Ron, don't forget the coolest thing about the lower classes.....you're always in front on those down track National Dragster photos! LOL My buddies ask me about the "X" in the rear cage....I tell um it's a target crosshair!

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Lol, Ellis you have a station wagon. What kind of "rocking" are we talking about!

Diversity is great in this class, I enjoy it.

The most exciting races I've ever had were having to spot somebody 4+ seconds. Lane I specifically remember racing you at Denver several years ago. You dialed up a ton right before we ran. There's nothing as eye opening as coming up on a car with around 40 mph and watching him dump you. The Wilwoods got abused that lap :rolleyes:

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I would vote a strong no re speed and enjoyment. My slow truck may top out at 110 or 111 with a tailwind, but on a marginal or cold track, slow=safe and more consistent. 9 second stockers at 40 degrees is a bit of a stretch on the enjoyment scale. More speed is fun though, especially those 130+ blasts, but not needed to enjoy. Its just as fun to be a 10 second vega with your 15 something towpig as it is a 9 second stocker.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

So true. That's the biggest rush I get (at least until before the next round)

I race a slow bracket car I and will say that a slow car is always out front. The driver of a slow car that cuts a good light, has a consistent car, and can judge the rate of gain of a quicker car can win on a regular basis.

However, learning rate-of-gain as well as speed and distance can only be achieved through many runs at the track.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

It depends on how bad you want to win. Winning in this sport demands that no stone goes unturned. The faster cars win more rounds, period. So if winning is your top priority, get a faster car.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Two things make it fun:

The hole shot you put on that monster next to you

and

The Win

Doesn't feel much different with my SRT8 at 13 secs, or a super gas at less than 9...

First out, and first over... is why I race.

David
The New Hemi Guy
________
Mercedes-benz w136 specifications

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I love the slower cars, I've race fast cars and slow cars but I love leaving first, less pressure. Since mathematics can be applied to racing I once calculated at Indy many years ago that 1% got a perfect light, 10% .05 to .12, 33% .13 to.45, 26% .45 to whatever, 24% red lite and 6% broke. 56% disqualify themselves right off the get go, the secret is to be in that 44% as many good racer have shown such as Dan Fletcher even if he isn't always the fastest car he still falls in that 44%.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

I have a friend and fellow racer who probably would disagree with you on the above thoughts, and he's wearing a big "3" on his station wagon this year to prove it..."Jody Lang"! There may have been two racers who finished higher than he in last years national points, but there were countless others who finished BELOW HIM...oh and by the way, no one out did him in Div. 6 AGAIN!!!

I too enjoy my slower roller because I don't need to spend as much money or time working on my car, to make it competitive, because I have one (of several) road less traveled kind of entries. I definitely enjoy(ed) the times when I beat the cars that are (were) supposed to beat mine because they have more money in them than the total financed cost of my '04 Chevy Colorado pu. truck (tow vehicle), which was $27K! Moreover, I know full well that most all of the races I've lost (since my car's become competitive), have been my fault as a driver, not my having a slower classed stocker...as ALMACK clearly stated, "many runs at the track", would help make me more successfull like one "Mr Jody Lang" has now been for three decades! Besides it will be a great enjoyment to me, should I become:

1. The first fwd stocker racer to win a national or a divisional event this century.

2. The only repeat winner of either of those types of races.

3. The first person to win a seasonal points championship (divisional or especially national).

4. The first fwd stocker participant in the "All Stars" race.

5. Heck, even becoming the first top ten national (if not divisional) points finisher would be something I'd really enjoy!

Most (if not all) of the above is out there waiting to be accomplished, and I have the desire, I just need more of the funds to get out there enough to improve my driving/judgement of the stripe skills...the rest would take care of itself as it has for Jody, Jimmy D., Fletch, Pete B., Mark F., Mike I., and Edmond & his brother Scotty R. (amongst numerous others). Most of the above named guys may race the faster stockers, but seat time is the primary reason they're so well known, and so good...not the car, but the driver...

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Well Troy,I do remember that one myself as well. I dialed the way needed,I had a qualifying sheet in hand,and did what was "necessary" to maybe get through the round. You are correct though,those races are a lot of fun!! Running a quicker car doesn`t guarnetee you a round win,if you know how to win,you can be just as deadly as a "AA" car. Lane

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Hey Lane,

I remember your race with Scotty Richardson @ Douglas's divisional (I believe in '96), he may have won the world championship in Stock, but his efforts were side-tracked since he couldn't beat "THE HAWK"!!!

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Thanks for remembering Gary. That was a long time ago!! Still one of my finer moments!

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

No, I guess not.
When I was in high school, I used to read the Hot Rod Indy coverage (hidden in my notebook, of course). I was fascinated by the 50 Olds's, Studebakers, Hudsons, Corvairs, in other words, normal everyday mom and pop cars. Cars I might be able to afford after graduation.

Later, I found out how much fun it was to win a trophy by inches, no matter what the actual ET was.

Truth be known ,in 1986 ,when I drove Bill Shurla's Escort at the Summers, I had the option to drive a B/Stock Firebird instead. The reason I didn't was because I wouldn't have had a chance to drive the car the weekend before to get used to it. I opted for the FWD Ford, for that reason. I didn't really care about the fast or slow business.
It all worked out in the end anyway, but that's probably one of the reasons , to this day, why I've never even driven a 10 second or faster car.

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Hey Mark,

I'm glad you chose the Escort too, because you chose to run a "road less traveled" type of car, and won one of the most ballyhooed races of the year, and became a racer in a class by yourself...the one, the only, "FRONT WHEEL DRIVE NATIONAL EVENT WINNER"!!!

Re: Do you really need to go fast to enjoy S,S/S racing?
 

Ya Mark, that 1986 win of your's inspired me to do an Escort too after talking to you in Bradenton. Never won anything with that car but I did have a lot of fun with it. In fact it's the same car that Harry (Underdog) Morgan races now. He put an automatic in it and has had fun with it for the last 16 years.