Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

I want to address is to start adding Forign Makes to Pure Stock.

There is a lot of resistance to this but want to provoke a conversation.

Especially since many Foreign makes are now being made with American Muscle, Blood Sweat and Tears..

My objective is to double the amount of cars participating in IHRA.
Do what NHRA refuses to do since they have more money.

Pure Stock would be a great segue to test the interest of the other half of the racing community..the YOUNG BUCKS who tend to like foreign makes.

FWIW I started like many as a young guy and we just stuck with it.
But not a lot of new young guys followed.

But there are millions of new young kids to attract with Foreign makes.
AND intersted in seeing European and Asian vehicles competing.

TO me as a successful business person

It is good common sense business.

I bet ONE DOLLAR to anyone who want to bet.
IF you let Foreign makes in THEY WILL COME !!

and will come in droves..well at least more than a few :eek:

Seeking feedback !

Dan

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

I'm not sure that they will come. A few years ago, NHRA introduced the Sport Compact series to pull in the import cars. The series only lasted a very short time and then faded out and finally dissappeared.

Ken Kopecky
1454 E/SA

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

No thanks..JUNK EM ALL

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

But you have to bring in the young generation that has some spending cash.
Not mega racing dollars.

Attract the kids.
Eventually about 80% will eventually fall out.
Kids, Jobs, school, stuff.
But you capture that other 20% that stays.

Dan

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

As a fellow Pure Stock'er Dan my personal opinion initially is that I don't have any use for them. They are of no interest to me BUT there is a large sport compact and import crowd doing a lot of amazing things with their cars. Whether or not you like their platform you have to respect the results. I do have a couple other points though for ponder ...

1. As I look at the "Live from ..." pictures posted from folks attending events (which I love to see!) look at the average age of many of the Stock and Super Stock racers. I'd be curious to know the median age at any given event. I promise you it's hovering somewhere close to 50. Not that these folks won't race for a long time but "young people" don't seem to be attracted to class racing unless their parents got them going in it. I fear that if new blood doesn't come in one day it will be dead. Heck, look at the numbers now at events as compared to 10, 20 ... 30 years ago. You can't argue that it's not declining and although the economy may be to blame some racers are retiring and not being replaced.

2. The old cars are becoming harder to come by and how many 20-year olds can afford a DP, COPO, CJ, etc.? The imports and sport compacts are very affordable and of interest to those people. I'm sure every generation of racer and gearhead may not agree with what the next does with the cars that are available to them but if they are modding, learning, building, ... racing what does it matter?

And finally for a "what it's worth" ... and please don't kill me for this ...we recently pulled the transmission, differential, and entire rear suspension from our CORVETTE and EVERY bolt was metric and I noticed on more than one part a stamping where it was made outside of the USA. I thought about that more than once while I worked on it ...

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

Dan, I understand where you're coming from but in my opinion it's not feasible for the following reasons:

1. IHRA depends heavily on the NHRA Class Guide to police their Stock and Super Stock classes (including Pure Stock). This Guide took a lot of work over many years with the cooperation of the domestic manufacturers to reach it's current level of completeness. I can't picture IHRA having either the interest or resources to develop a Class Guide for the multitude of foreign combos to make it feasible, even if they somehow got the foreign manufacturers to provide the factory specs for inclusion.

2. While it's true that the majority of young people are into foreign cars, I haven't seen very many of those cars that are stock. The way they seem to prefer to build them would not create cars legal for Pure Stock.

3. The tuner crowd seems uninterested in racing in classes with a bunch of rules and restrictions. That is what Stock and Super Stock is all about.

I realize that the above comments are generalizations and that not everyone is like that, but I think a majority of them are, and that would pose a significant roadblock to your idea. My 2 cents.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

Local track has a test and tune on Friday nights. Average Friday car count is close to 200. Most are kids with RICE rockets. They have fun but, I'm not sure many would want to follow the rules that close. They like to put turbo's and NOS to them.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

I never thought about the classification guide; good point! I don't know that IHRA even has the man-power to address this issue which would have to happen before they could race. Putting together one of those would have to be overwhelming and unbelievably time consuming.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

^^ So true.

Very few (if any) young kids want to spend money on a class car with tightly restricted rules
.
It's easier to just add their NAWWWWZZZZ........ LOL

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

OK- I'll jump in ......I agree with Kenny - it's been tried and failed to produce results .That and the fart can muffler era is long over ...............

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

I do not know much about IHRA but NHRA sure needs a boost in moral and car count. That "fart can" crowd brings money and new blood and none of us are getting any younger.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

Thanks for the response. Still there is hope.

We need their young blood...
So the Vampire American cars can suck their blood.:eek:

The world has changed around us and the sport has to grow what grows around it.

YEAH NHRA generates the Class Rules and Specifications.

IHRA can do that too and know what to do...
Do a little bit at at time.

Contact European and Asian car makers tell them what the intent is and to send in specs.
Establish 15 - 20 cars a year eligible for PS with in certain engine ranges.
Few in each category V8, V6, 4Cylinder especially the cars built here.
As it grows the initiatives it will migrate to Stock and Super Stock.

Sure some of those Supercharged and Turbocharged cars would give our new American Muscle a healthy run for the money.
The Caddy/G8/GTO are Aussie designed cars with American name tag.
Many have Sticks in them to help reclaim peoples man-card (as discussed in another forum)

I do not care what manufacture you build for. Our American employees will get a kick out of seeing their products compete. The new American pride building a great car regardless of the manufacturer. They are coming here because of our pride of craftsmanshp and work ethic. Celebrate it !!

If anyone wants to get confused about the genesis of America Design. Most of our WW2 aircraft were designed and built from Immigrant Engineers.
Done a quite A bit or research and publication in the past.

Japanese Zero used a Pratt Whitney designed engine, British Injection technology, Bendix instruments, Ignition and brakes, Hamilton Standard Propeller, later Browning 50 Caliber Machine guns. All on License !!

Nobody has a monopoly of the sun or monoply about ideas.

This is about racing and opening up IHRA to do something that NHRA does not want to do.
IHRA has to learn to do some of their own things to attract the public.

Coordinating with car manufacturers will bring out more sponsors from Dealerships.

Our 60 and 70's era is over and done amazingly well and will maintain a healthy future.

Without new blood and getting over the prejudices drag racing as we know it is going to make changes anyway.

Just want to capture some of that new emotion, get the public curious and provoke a little thinking.

Dan

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

Just to follow up on Tar Heel..

He just took a 26 mpg Corvette and made a few modifications and ran happily under the index on a tough day.

Based on my experience he put in about $2000 focused on the 3 T's
Tire, Trans(converter) , Tune and gear too and now competitive.
Bet when he drove it home got 20mpg..:D

Before all said an done will put in another $5000 to run a second plus under.

Will have reliability and not worry about high spring pressures wrecking his engine.

A lot of these ricers and euros if properly classified would be a stepping stone of this same process.

For everytime one of these new cars enters IHRA.
Some manufacturer is going to sell them parts.

It is not just about IHRA it is about the Parts.

Just like a womans dress...

IT is not just about the Dress
but the Amazing array of assessories that go with the entire package.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

Most import drivers that I have met are not interested in spending that much money on the modifications to run the numbers that they will run in Pure Stock. Let alone spend the money to run sanctioned events. Most would rather add nitrous, etc. and run test & tune.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

Well lets see..you maybe right !!

Maybe some will try that already have it on their vehicles from the factory.

Dan

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

Uh...what? We are still talking about DRAG racing right?

Just kidding...interesting idea but Jeff Kempton has some pretty good points.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

You most remember that for Generation X&Y the Honda Civic is what the 55 56 57 Chevrolet Belair 67 68 69 Camaro's was to our Generations. We better make room for them. I do remember that class racing wasn't always populated by the one with the biggest bank account. We respected the low buck to no buck engineering that made this sport great, remember that probably most car we're flat towed to the track for many years, WHY: because most weren't in a financial position at a young age to afford anything else. Look, if we had access to NOS most would have thrown it in our cars instead of balancing and blueprinting it(since it wasn't available).lol Claude Ruel p.s. I like what the COPO's, Drag Pacs and Cobra Jets have brought to drag racing but I love all that is lurking under the K on down the alphabet of Stock. The Rambler is for Ed.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

No comment......................(lol)

I vote no.........................

What would happen the 1st time you pull one or two in for tear-down ( Tear down ?? ).....

They also like heads - up .....never see any bracket racing at my track.. ( just test & tune)

Lot of work for it not to work..................

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

They're used to tapping computer board keys not turning wrenches.Nice car Claude
but a '57 Rebel would have been nicer.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

I don't know, Charlie...Say what you want about NHRA..about whether they actually have a plan, or they just wing it, ....they always come back with something...right or wrong..
Let's look at this year's Gators... 35 % of the Stockers were new, factory race cars!
Plus they have a new clientele that won't mind paying $350 -400- even 500 dollar entries in a few years..
So what?..They lost a few of the low budget guys...Collateral damage!

I don't think they are worried about Pure Stock right now, do you?

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

[QUOTE=Dan Fahey;378634]Just to follow up on Tar Heel..

Bet when he drove it home got 20mpg..:DQUOTE]

Actually Dan we got about 23-24mpg but the AC wasn't on since it was cool that night. ;)

I applaud and appreciate Dan you wanting to add cars and new blood to the sport as you think outside of the box for new ways to attract racers. It's sincerely appreciated and as a fellow Pure Stocker I'm right there with you bud!

Waiting on Mr. Baker to get back to me with cam specs so that I order a new Bullet cam and add headers when it's apart this summer. 26 more days until summer vacation!!! :cool:

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

I remember those Ramblers..
My Uncle Orlando loved them !

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

[QUOTE=Tar Heel;378717]Thanks Steve:
Going to keep poking here and there.
A conversation with the Webmaster has given me a few ideas.

Undertand this..there are a heck of a lot more kids graduating from High School then in our time. There are a ton of Foreign makes and there will be a percentage of interested racers to take on the Pure Stock Challenge.

Bragging Rights are Bragging Rights...AND My $1 Bet is still on !!

I bet if when properly marketed they will come.
AND
willnig to put my 40 years of Busienss Development to work to promote Pure Stock...

IMHO Pure Stock is the modern day version of Junior Stock but that is another conversation but with long tested rules.

AND I do remember FLAT TOWING and using Towing Hubs.
Which I still have and need to figure out how to rebuild.

Bit of my history. I am a business start up specialist. Know how to start and build successful businesses.

FWIW I started a Corporate Soccer League in 1986 and it is still going on today in Florida and built $multi-million businesses for other companies and Started mine in 1993 , celebrating our 20th year in business.

If you want to ping me at work 301-217-0425 x 400

My intent is to multiply the interest in Pure Stock and do it adding Foreign makes. Hopefully antagonize and provoke a few US makers and dealerships, shops and gas stations to start.

Time to break the mold and guarantee the American Motor Head Teeth will come out to show these Foreign Makes what Drag Racing is all about.

IT is all about the Attitude !!

One thing that will happen ...more heads up bragging rights racing, controversy, griping, and all that goes with a competitive organization.
AND if popular enough local racing will start up again.

Tar Heal knows about our ISSCA Impala Club and how dynamic it is, even today it is amazingly huge, despite being a dominant GM B-Body organization.

ALL help, ideas, support and criticism are appreciated.

Bring it ON !

Because I am .. !!

Dan

Richmond - Pure Stocker Pits
 

Hey ..please contact me if you are going to Richmond.

See if we get together and cordon off a little area for Pure Stockers.

Contact me at work danfahey@dansources.com or ping me on Class Racer.

Dan

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

As a 35 year old fan of Stock Eliminator, and as a driver of a Honda S2000, I would love to be able to run my car in Stock or Pure Stock!!

The car, stock from Honda has a lot of features that make it a fun car to drive; a 4 cylinder engine that puts out 2hp per cubic inch & revs to 9 grand (& can rev up 11,000!!!), has rear-drive, a manual transmission, and is lightweight at only 2830 lbs.!

But it's not in the Guide, I spend 8 months a year out of country, and I dont have the time to jump through the hoops to get it listed.

Like a lot of guys who run a foreign car, I have fun at the Test 'n Tunes, but it would be a lot fun to run Stock/Pure Stock and put some of you guys on the trailer! :D

It's odd that there are about a half-dozen foreign makes/years listed in the guide. Are those listed only because someone wanted to run that specific combo, and jumped through the hoops to get it listed?

Kyle

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

How about instead of foreign cars they put the late model off the show room V6 Challengers,Mustangs and Camaros in the guide??
Last year the wife ran a show room stock V6 Mustang convertible 14.50's straight out of rental fleet, and that was in about 3600ft of air. What am I missing??

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

WOW LOVE IT...this is exactly what we need..!
S2000 is an excellent profile for a Pure Stocker and is a quick little car.
Gears Tune, Tires, Header and attitude !!

kyle ..please send me your engine specs.
Time to start compiling a list for IHRA.

We do not have to wait for NHRA..
Time to take charge to help our association.
I do not think they mind us racers doing some leg work for them.

I SURE hope Mike Baker is reading this !!!

Dan

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

Worried?? No Mark, they are not worried about anything that involves the sportsman racers. As long as the they can get big $ from the crowd for Top Eliminator seating on Sunday to watch the pros blow up and throw parts in the stands, all will be well in Glendora.

I am only suggesting a way to involve new blood in the sport. Mark, you have been racing for what, 5 or 6 decades? When was the last time you saw a youngster who wanted to race a 69 Camaro or a 2013 Camaro? Honda's are todays Hemi Cuda's and SS 396 Chevelle's.

I think it is time for a change.......................jus sayin'

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

Charlie don't forget Mark Yacavone won Stock Eliminator in Englishtown With a four cylinder Escort, he was a revolutionary way back then. You're right Mark, NHRA isn't looking back in their rear view finder for the racers they've ran over with their price gouging.Claude

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

YES I remember that !!

The Flint Stone mobile..

He needed a new set of Tennis Shoes after the race :D

Mark nailed them with other slow Stockers too.

Remember Stan Welch in his W/S Station Wagon who also seemed to take the stripe a lot.

D

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

I just hope I don't have to put neon lights under my Camaro to be legal after a rules change.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

It will make Collector changes easier :D

BTW nice pic of your launch !!

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

That was taken when I had a stick in the car, doesn't leave quite like that now.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

What class and what ET does it typically run?

D

Pure Stock Racers send me your email
 

Hello all Pure Stock Racers

Send me your email.
Going to start a database of Racers.
Same goes for anyone considering building a Pure Stocker

Or anyone wanting to have their Foreign or Domestic Car Certified to run Pure Stock.

Eventually going to create an online magazine of sorts.
Small at first and let the layers build over time.

This is going to be a long and sustained to get more and more people interested.

Going to be fun !!

Dan

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

I have pitted next to the ricer crowd at bracket races and they are very passionate about their style of racing. It certainly isn't keeping their cars pure stock. They don't want to deal with rules and certainly not teardowns. Bolt on a turbo,intercooler,methanol injection and some good electronic control and hang on. You won't see them on the track in a 15 second car. Their way is more bang for the buck. Good luck.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

That is what I have seen around here at the Friday night TNTs.
For sure the dealing with rules part.

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

I take it you've seen Carey Bales S2000, Kyle? That car is amazing !!!!

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

Yes sir! Carey is fast!

Re: Pure Stock Thread - Foreign Makes
 

I haven't seen it in person, but I have seen plenty of pics & vids! Very impressive!

I had the car for sale about a year ago, then I saw pics of Carey's car and thought, WOWZERS!!