What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

How about this? With Ford, Chrysler and GM all having new muscle cars how about Pro Stock being just those body styles with pretty much stock appearing bodies. For motors 358 inches with a spec blower. 10.5 tires and manual you gotta shift transmissions. How long before these cars would be as fast as the present pro stockers? The SS/A Mustangs are already close to the 7's at over 3200lbs. Make the min. weight around 2500 lbs. This should really get some interest from the manufacturers and the fans and maybe be affordable enough to attract a bunch more new teams. With identifiable bodies from the big three it should be great.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

I could become a fan again.....it's been a LONG time!

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

In today's economy how could you obsolete the investment today's Pro Stock teams have? How many of you guy's could/would step up to the plate? The only way NHRA would do this is if the factories pay for it!

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

In a few wordds remeber PST

Only thing wrong with the idea is it makes too much sense

:-) peace

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

Who cares......Greg has a great idea. They already pizz away more money in the Pro "FUNNY" Cars than we could ever think about so what would be any different? It would save them money in the first season and more teams might jump in. Sell the junk they use now to Comp and T/S racers.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

Just might spark some real interest again ! Be a cool idea !

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DId you ever notice how many Comp cars there aren't:rolleyes:
And of them, most are small motors not 500cubers.. TS is >800 so.........................:rolleyes:

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

If the economy was good like it was years ago. And Big time big money sponserships were in good supply like it was not so long ago. I could agree about changing things in a major way. But they are not we would be asking teams with millions of dollars invested in the current rules package. To sell it for pennies on the dollar to start over with a new rules package. It would be like telling stock and super stock racers to sell your current car to a bracket racers for next to nothing and buy a Cobra Jet,Drag Pack or camaro to play the game or sit home. The ones who can afford it would. The ones who cant wont. In the end every one who is racing now that cant afford it is one more team who is out of the game and I doubt there will be enough new player to take thier place. And that will mean alot less cars out there running pro stock than there is now. Jeff Burk (Of DRO) started out wanting to get rid of the hood scoops and switch them to fuel injection. Now he wants to get rid of the current rules and move the import cars up and make them the new pro stock. I could go for a change to fuel injection but to drop everything and start over with a whole new rules package is a bad idea. I think in the end it will kill the class. Just look at Greg Stanfield he just won at Pomona in a car with a huge number of passes on it for a pro stock car. Does he run that car because there is some advantage to it. Hell no he does it because he could not afford a new car and he is not the only one working with a shoestring budget. I see every time there is a rule change in your classes there are people up in arms about it. Imagine if NHRA told you that you had to buy one of the new cars to play. Thats what you are asking for pro stock if this were done to them.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

With some minor rule changes...it should have reflected the short live AA/SM
ala Bo Butner. That chapter is closed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voLrzlSdC2I

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

You need to get that looked at. You bumped your head along the way somewhere. Save money? Selling everything for pennies on the dollar?. Sounds like a great idea....Where does the line start?

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

Exciting idea but as other have said, the transition to this point would take loads of money and would leave the racing operations of every team with parts they couldn't use.

Personally, I like how close the racing is now and know that overhauling the class in any manner would take money and lots of effort. Also, everyone keep in mind that parity is key in this class. Its easy to come up with an idea, but its hard to figure out ways to implement it smoothly and cheaply which I think many people forget.

I say leave it alone. I've been watching Pro Stock for 17 years from the age of 7 til now(age 24). I'm just as excited to see Pro Stock as I was when I was young. I guess there's just more to the class than body styles in my opinion.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

I would keep the drivetrain the same, chassis the same, just make them use a stock body. Just like they come out of the factory. No more paint on headlights and taillights

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

OK.....Then what would you do in all your infinate wisdom. Where will the current teams be when and if Pro Funny stock just goes away like Pro Stock truck. Without BIG corporate sponsorships and corporate money being thrown at NHRA for the class they will be left holding the bag. An empty one at that. It couldnt get much more boring than it is now. They all look alike. GM dosent have a current body style (will the Camaro ever appear?), Ford dosent seem to care, and Dodge?????? They are not even helping the stockers. Stay with restricted engines (one carb or throttle body, 4 speeds instead of the very expensive Liberty 5 speeds, and OEM bodies. Sure they will be slower but still in the low 8's to high 7's and some of you high rollers could even play with the super stars. You always whine about being treated like red headed step children in stock and S/S.
But dont worry.....NHRA will NEVER change from it current heading until its to late.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

I think this is a great idea ,might spark some new interest and teams,even tv seems bored with the same old same old. change is not always easy but needed sometimes.
they need to bring fun back to racing!!!!!!!

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

Off the subject.

Terry -

Is Lake Placid, FL anything like the Lake Placid in the movies?

Dwight

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

I read somewhere that it cost about $3 million to run a pro stock team for a year. Why not have rules that encourage more participation and have bodies that are recognizable to any one. I think you could easily see pro stock racers that compete on a regional basis with costs much less. It would be a financial hit to the current pro stock racers but in the long term interests of the class I think it makes sense.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

No.....I call it the "land of the living dead" or the staging lanes to the grave. If it wasnt for all the car shows all of the time, the 4 drag strips in the area, and so many Harley guys riding all the time in the good weather here I would have rolled over and died........LOL. The one in the movies is up in the frozen north of New York.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

I just thought that if it were like the movies, you were looking to add excitement to your life. If you had to deal with those huge aligators and stuff like in the movies, it would keep your heart beating.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

Greg, I think many could agree about the Body looking Production but then there might be all one body winning due to very equal power but very different aerodynamics but....
NHRA removed trucks and lost legally for the same reason they might lose on Cars.
If the economy doesnt change soon the Sponsors will dry up and Pro will look like Comp.
Too much cost for the technology, TOO little pay back.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

LOL.....We have alligators in most lakes and cannals but nothing THAT big. Mostlly 10-12 feet and under.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

I had proposed something similar to NHRA several years ago as a Jr. Pro Stock, a new heads-up class for sportsman racers. Challengers, Moostangs and Carmaroes, 358, EFI, 90mm single throttle body, NO TUBE CHASSIS cars, must start with a real body. Bodies-in-white are available for all three now. Heads-up would appeal to more fans. I think the move to the tube chassis was the beginning of moving from Pro STOCK to just old PRO and nothing stock. Maybe run them on a 10.5W tire? It seems like a lot of the new SS cars would be able to jump over in a hurry. I'm not in favor of the superchargers. I think that would just make them even faster and maybe force the tube chassis back in for safety purposes. Make them fit templates to keep them looking STOCK! My $.02!

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If it costs 3 Million to campaign a current P/S car if you reduce the costs to 1 Million the current teams could scrap 2 million in parts and still break even, plus you would add teams.

Or, put the current teams on notice, the rules change in 2013, use up you stuff and don't repurchase.

I grew up with Pro Stock from its inception, the current class holds no interest to me what so ever. These cars look nothing like "Stock".

Just the opinion of a cranky old man

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

A lot of people love it like it is. Can you imagine any of the present Pro Stock racers being interested in going slower? It's hard for me to imagine anybody interested in normally aspirated engine development not being interested in Pro Stock.

I wouldn't hold my breath until it happens.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

I remember something like this ? was it called "Bo Stock" as refereed by some on this thread .Yea the fans loved it as did quite a few racers

Bo Kenney
Bo Stock

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

I remember when Pro Stock cars had to use the factory STEEL quarters and roof in their construction, I can't imagine that is the case now. I like the idea of a Super Stock style chassis with a 358" limit. I tend to think they'd need at least a 14"x33" tire to hook them safely - especially with a stick.

Todays Pro Stock is of absolutely no interest to me whatsoever - there is absolutely NOTHING 'stock' about it !!!!

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

If you hang around a Pro Stock pit area during a national event you would learn many, many do like them just like are. If you like Stockers, watch the Stockers. I don't think any of those guy, or Comp guys, have any interest at all in looking like Stockers. They have nobinterest in us and don't watch us either. More people watch them than us, or Comp.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

Ed, I think you're wrong on this. I think this along with comp are dying. It takes a real gear head to appreciate the sophistication and technology that go into making these cars run as fast as they do and there are too few of those people who can afford to race these cars and too few that enjoy watching. Even though the racing is very close in Pro Stock it's not exciting. The cars all look alike, they go down the track with very little drama and it's basically a boring race from a spectator's view.

One of the reasons I suggested a spec blower and a 10.5 tire is that you would never know what was going to happen. Oh one other thing, as far as going slower than they do now the new 10.5 record was set somewhere this weekend at 6.002 at 233mph. If something isn't done to infuse this class with some excitement it will be gone in a few years.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

This thread reminds me of a thread on Outlaw 10.5. Its seems that some of you are getting all caught up in the name Stock being in the class name just as some get caught up in Outlaw of 10.5. They seem to think that outlaw can only mean no rules when definitions can be manipulated to anyone's interpretation. Just because Stock is in the class, doesn't mean that each car has to be the purest of stock as an OEM car fresh out of the factory. If it makes you feel better, call it Pro Car. Also, you guys have no eyes at all if you can't clearly tell the difference between the three cars being run. The GXP's look nothing like the Avengers or the Mustangs. Pro Mods(Camaro Mod) are more copycats than Pro Stock.


In terms of this thread and my opinion on where I believe Pro Stock should be.
I believe they should keep some spec wheelbase, 2500 or 2600lbf minimum weight, the same 500ci engines, clutch, front clip must have all factory equipment(grills, lights, openings e.t.c) and be within 1 inch of stock body dimensions, rest of body must remain within 1inch of stock dimensions. At the beginning of each racing season, each body will be tested in the windtunnel to determine the aerodynamic drag at max speed. Weight penalties will be assessed to ensure each body style can perform equally with another at speed. This will ensure no performance advantage for any body style since we know the OEM manufacturers didn't build the car for performance on the track. This would be a much more realistic transition and wouldn't slow them down as much. No need to put fuel injection on here yet because its probably on its way.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

I like the current drive trains, sound mean, rpms to the skay and fast.
But makeem use Mustangs, oh they are already. Camaros and challengers. Like they did before my time. Limit hood scoop height. thats it. leave the rest alone. Then you could enjoy, Stock, Super Stock, and Pro Stock, all in one great show.

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The bottom line is......it doesn't matter what we or the fans think. It will be what the Pro Stock racers association think. They may go as far as EFI of some spec for 2013, but other than that .....forget about it!

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I'm with you...not sure why NHRA would rehash a ADRL class anyway. Pro Mod just demonstrates what they think the fans want and anything that slows the Pro Stock cars more is not likely.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

Greg, when I'm visiting with Edwards I can't tell that the crowd at his pit area has gotten any smaller. The car count has gone down, but so has our's. I'm very interested in and impressed with the technology involved and much of the newer stuff we use trickled down from there. I don't see those cars any harder to tell apart than the ones on the street. They are no harder to tell apart than SS/GT or Comp cars. Much easier than funny cars or fuelers. People that don't understand or appreciate the technology and very close competition doesn't have to watch them. Don't expect them to be slowed down. As far as "drama" going down the track, who in their right mind would want to make a rule change that would put them at more risk of crashing their cars? Watch that 10.5 crap if that makes your motor run. There are people that are into that.

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Well said!

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

Ed,

Speaking from my experience, you would be surprised at how many Comp guys/crews and Pro Stock guys/crews have some interest in Stock and Super Stock. Some even have cars of their own that they tinker with or have their kids in. Many don't know the HP stuff or some of the finer details, maybe like you and I do, but they have interest none the less. When a group of these racers stand and watch these cars run and shake their heads and comment about how fast some the upper class cars run is a true compliment. They understand that they are not the only guys that work hard at this. For the most part there is a true respect of the efforts and quality of cars that compete in these categories. Now there are also some that despise anything other than Comp and these are usually the ones that have been around forever and never competed in anything that has the amount of rules restrictions as Stock or Super Stock does. On a side note: If anybody here has not seen an Australian Pro Stocker make a pass on YouTube, you need to check it out and look into the rules. These cars are pretty impressive for 400 inches, but don't look for this kind of car in NHRA.

Re: What Pro stock could and maybe should be.
 

Stock/Superstock Forum?
Don't give a damn about Pro Stock.