End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Maybe its because of my advancing age or maybe its my long ago memories, but more and more I believe that if we continue to simply rely on NHRA or anybody else to improve our place in racing, we as a group of Racers will fade from exsistence. We need to take more responsiblity and work with not only the sanctioning bodies and sponsors, but also with all local business, schools etc..

There are a few people, too few, that want to really try and save Stock and SuperStock racing. I know its hard to have 50% agreement on anything much less 100%, but we as Stock and SuperStock Racers are in control of our own destiny.

Long ago NHRA had a race, racers paid to race, and spectators paid to watch and all was well. Not anymore. Very few races have full quotas in our Classes, even with the reduction of quotas. This hurts not only NHRA or IHRA it hurts everybody. From racers, sponsors, businesses etc.. Take a look at the grandstands at any National Event (forget Divisionals). Dismal when compared to the way it use to be from my memory bank.

What we need is more Michael Beard types, objective Divisional Directors (Believe we found one in Trey Capps in Div 4), and a true commitment and desire to promote our (S&SS) catergories from all competitors.

Its easy to say it but pretty hard to accomplish, but we as a group need to stand up and try something different. If we don't get more involved it will only keep getting worse and then.....Adios.

RJ

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Oops. I was typing at the same time as you. :D

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

RJ, I see you added some more words to your Spanish vocabulary. :)

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

NHRA did have a good crowd when the Super Stockers ran this was during class 1970 and 1971

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...SFA/SSFA04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...SFA/SSFA09.jpg

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Check out the stands at Bristol this past weekend!

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Pittsburgh last week...
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...51855583_n.jpg

...and they stayed all night.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...41677394_n.jpg

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Michael what type of race was this?? Was it the Nitro Jam format with reduced entry for spectators, Jet cars, Fuel Harleys, Grave Digger/Big Foot, Nostalgia Funny's and Fuel Altereds 2:00 AM wrap up style style or what?

Just curious

RJ

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Spectators were $25-$30, Kids $10. It was a Nitro Jam (Top Fuel vs Jet Dragster, Bob Motz, some Nitro Harleys, Pro Mods, etc.) and double-header Pro-Am. It was supposed to rain on Sunday, so we ran both Pro-Ams on Saturday. Started qualifying about 9:30am, and completed both races and the Nitro Jam show around midnight-ish.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

In 2011, Donna and I moved to the Ozarks, in Missouri. We took both race cars, but only raced the stocker at "big payout" bracket races..... Several tracks around there, none are NHRA and all are 1/8 mile.
What a riot.....fans right next to the track (dangerous but fun)......When they would run the 10.5 cars and the street tire cars (street slicks?)......they would fill the place.
To me, it is kind of like the NASCAR fan that goes to the races to see the crashes.....the 10.5 cars often hit the walls.

Now......what I am saying is that you could advertise and bring in a National Open and not draw the crowds they do............We don't crash (very often) thank God. Or peddle into a wheel stand at 300 ft.

Additionally, the people on the guard rails, all the way down the track, are drinking beer, and whooping and hollering.........I would guess that they draw 1,000 - 2,000 spectators....

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Coverage coverage coverage.. I was lucky enough to go to US Open this past weekend and everyone asked me who I saw. Being it was my first time to any PGA golf event, My answer "If it isn't Tiger or Phil I have no idea who they are." They are the ones getting constant coverage.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Guess we'll find out next spring... I plan to advertise the Northern Class Nationals toward a spectator market. New territory for me, but I believe there will be a return on investment, and I believe in THE SHOW -- that's you.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Micheal I hope that you have a successful race, I am sure with your great enthusiast and preparation it will be a success. Maybe take a lesson from the Super Modified(Roundy round type) and their fans which allow fans to add a contribution to first lap,mid lap leaders) I always thought that we could also profit from that ideal. This has help the Super Modified to survive.also have everyone show up with open trailers to get local people talking.lol Claude

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Stock/superstock will never draw a crowd on its own merit. The spectator of today want to have the WOW factor, and if tracks combine the two crowds will stay in the stands and watch s/SS. Perfect examples are: this past weekend @ Atco there was an event that had nostalgia SS and bracket cars, plus the WOW factor of jet cars , etc. I attended
The Pitts Nitro Jam which had the stands full and people stayed in the stands to watch
S/SS. It is very simple fix, if people adjust the show accordingly.


Richard Preiser
SS/DM 161

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

I think people would come out to watch if they could make a bet like in horse racing.It gets real exciting when there is money on the line if you pick the winner of each race.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Its all about money, and we need to do as much as possible to gain that end.

Whether its an impromptu car show at a mall, business, or school we need to get more people exposed to S/SS cars in general. Simple things like handing out some free tickets or free parking passes would get these people inside the gates.

People spend more money on concessions, t-shirts and caps than you can imagine. The biggest step is getting them inside the gates. That is an area we need to help with. The more exposure we can generate outside the gates will show up as increased revenue for track owners inside the gates.

We need to talk to our Division Directors about things we can do as racers to help anyway we can. At the same time the DD's need to convey to the track owners what we will do to increase revenues; so we could gain some sort of concession, such as Randall Klein bought up about perferred parking spots.

All it takes is for a small group of people to get together to come up with 2 or 3 things that might be beneficial. Talk to DD'S or whomever, we need to try something so everyone will benefit.

The worst that can happen is nothing.

RJ

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Unless it is "fixed" like everything else in Chicago>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Sorry, I didn't mean to say that....LOL

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

I think Pinks proved that you don't need nitro/jet cars to draw a crowd. From a racers prospective this wasn't the best show to watch on tv but they knew how to fill the stands at tracks across the country. Much of this was with cars that weren't near as nice or impressive at the average stock or SS car.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Before Speedworld closed down.....I offered a "Match Race" with Kip Martin...In a best 2 out of 3...We are a little quicker than Kip, but the wheel stands would be awesome and great pictures.....Plus, dragging the brake at the other end might (would) require a 3rd and final round.... It was Mopar vs. Ford. The whole deal was to give them as something to advertise..................."Local Racers in a Show Down - Watch the Wheel Standing Super Stockers from Phoenix" - "Its Ford Vs. Mopar"....it never happened.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

x2 Good one Gary lol

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

I hope this idea gains traction because I have placard ready to put in front of Pedigo's car when he drifts away for a little while.

http://cdn.meme.li/instances/300x300/38839983.jpg

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

RJ,

For the sake of discussion (peaceful) only. Back in the day when the stands were full and Stock and Super Stock ran, just how many other classes were running? Are we watered down with classes? I do not mean to trounce on any one in particular's class, just a question. Besides the S &SS was there other "bodied" classes, and was the "draw" of the crowd, something that looked like what they could buy at the dealer? What were the time of day that the Stock and Super Stock were run back then? Were they run before most people were out of bed or could be at the track?

I ask this to help analyze the view that the spectator was getting then and what it is now.

I still have intentions of running Stock myself, and if my finances don't go totally down the toilet with the economy, I will be racing you all, provided we still have the class.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Where I think NHRA is over looking things is, nobody in Pro Stock engine building or crew chiefs came out of any other classes than, modified (comp), super stock or stock. Bracket classes and junior dragster can make drivers but the real brains started in sportsman class cars? With them kind of letting sportsman racing kill it’s self only gives them an excuse to end them and hope they migrate into the super classes. One thing that I think would help is for the stock, super stock have horsepower and changes done by a committee of racers. Then have the racers elect a certification team. With a committee of peers doing the changes, takes out the silly automatic factoring system, and does not give any thought to density altitude? And you could allow the use of Holley 750s on small block and 850s on big blocks in super stock? A Holley is cheaper than a q-jet or 4gc and leaves the horsepowers alone; this puts the old cars more in line with the fuel injected cars. Then if they need power the committee could adjust it. I know for a fact a lot of cars setting at home now because the horsepowers are out of line because of going fast in the spring or fall.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Steve, I think you touched on an important part of this equation.
When I started racing, everybody went to the track on the same day. You ran Stock, Modified, Comp or maybe Top Elim or Exhibition..plus maybe a Funny Car match race to bring in more spectators..This was hyped on the local radio stations..Then the NHRA Divisional would roll in once a year.

Lately , around here we had NHRA Opens, Divisionals and Nationals, Summit Series bracket racing, Nostalgia events, Pontiac Drags, VW Drags, Buick Day, NMRA, NMCA, PSCA, ADRA brackets, AZ Grudge, AZ Fastest Street Cars, NHRA Hertitage series, Diesel Drags , Flathead and Inliners, Club Days, for a while, Fun Ford, Super Chevy...I'm sure I'm missing a dozen more...each with their own little subculture , followers ,and all their own format for racing.
1/8 mile , 1/4 mile , flat out, breakout, full tree ,pro tree ...on and on , but you get the point.

No wonder Speedworld could never even break even for a lot of their meets.

I 've said it before, but I think it's the old Humpty Dumpty syndrome, and I don't think anyone will ever put it him all back together again...in my opinion.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

No thanks Conway, I'll take my Thermo Quad over a Holley any day! Jim:D

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Haaaye!

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

You are so right, Mark......you could spend $20,000 to promote a "Diesel Black out" drag race........and draw 20 diesels, and 50 fans. That makes no sense. You could spend $20,000 for advertising a John Force match race with whoever............and maybe break even. I'm just saying...

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Of course you could keep you thermo-bog, either solid fuel or mixer! But if a simpleton like me wanted to run a Holley we could?

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

That's because they knew Jeff was in that car!

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Yes sir, of course you could!!! Jim:D


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Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

"What were the time of day that the Stock and Super Stock were run back then? Were they run before most people were out of bed or could be at the track"?

Last year at Indy, while helping a friend in Stock, some of his friends from his home town came to watch stock and super stock eliminator. They called and said they were at the gate and could not get in untill 9AM. The problem was it was 8AM and the stockers had already started running. When I ask the NHRA people at the gate about it they said the racers gate was open but spectators had to wait until 9. So much for filling the grandstands.:confused:

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

I had a similar experince at Topeka several years ago. My son and I went up into the stands by the starting line on the pit side to watch Stock and Super Stock qualifying on Thursday am. We were run out of the stands because I was told they were for reserved seating. Cost $10 dollars to get in on Thursday, only tickets being sold. Good thing there was only about 10 people in the stands. Didn't take too long to get us out.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

On Thursday?! What a joke... They need to get rid of the reserved seating that's pointless with the lack of fanbase these days.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

another problem is the bracket racing format. all the editorials I read anymore do nothing but bash bracket races. people want to see heads-up racing. look at how popular pinks was. stockers and super stockers have the coolest looking cars on the property but we need a format like comp runs or something like that. just my opinion.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

It would be better but the high dollar guys would rule and can you imagine NHRA having to keep up with every class every round with the CIC. No way.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

That's just what we need to do.Let's all run heads up so the guys with the most money are the most competitive.If a bracket racing format had never been implemented we would be like NASCAR,50 individuals who can afford to compete.

Joe Mocci

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

I don't think that would help by the 4th or 5th race all that would be showing up are the cj, dp, copo's and obscure combos like trucks, turbos and caddys. I do however believe there needs to be more consolidation of classes which would promote more heads up runs. You wouldn't necessarily have to have a comp like budget driving people out, but it would at least make you be some what competitive in your class.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

I think there are alot of things that effect stk,ss, things are alot different now,as example,kids play sports now almost year round,and travel alot,people have have alot more options for entertainment,one thing that comes to in the 70's you went to movie theater,had 1-2 movies that may show for 2-3 weeks or longer,at that time you drag raced you ran stk,ss,mod,alky classes? pro stock,funny car,top fuel or et bracket that was all run and did'nt pay much.,we had 4 tv channels here,abc,cbs.nbc and pbs.
We did'nt have big discount superstores,we had main streets filled with locally owned businesses.
Then there are'nt mechanically inclined people like there used to be,the majority of people could do basic stuff on their cars.

I don't know how to fix class racing,just some of my observations,also I know bracket racers that have raced 20 years and don't even know class racing exist or what it is.

I also remember you could win alot of money in the 80's compared to what it cost to race,and now it seems like win about the same amount,but alot more to race.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

As I see it we have two main problems, first we have an organization (NHRA ) whose top management doesn't understand class racing and could care less, but probably the biggest challenge is simply demographics. Look at the average age of stock and super stock racers. As we age and quit racing who is going to take our place? We have some younger racers but if you look in the staging lanes at almost any race you will see a bunch of racers in their 50's, 60's and 70's. other than 2nd or 3rd generation racers there are very few new racers coming in to our sport. I don't know if there is an answer for this problem.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

Greg you are right on with that I have six grandkids 4 want to drive but not the right age. I hope there is still stock and superstock when they are.

Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??
 

One issue is the $ fears. Many think S and SS needs to be affordable by everyone. Bracket racing IS affordable for anyone. Thats where to race for limited money. If you want spectators, class payout, attention, you need a Heads Up show. You name the cars but it cannot be one of everything on a dial in.
The factoring issue is a BIG problem. Too much slowing in class kills it too.
Have a Limited number of classes for the money. People will complain. Some cannot continue but team car idea would allow guys to pool money and continue if cost is too much.
CiC in eliminations of the 10 or 12 class winners.
TOO many classes, variants to satisfy one or two racers. Racing is not Bracket format.
Racing is Heads up winning.
Want a cheaper Class Car? own 1/4 of it and work together.
Want to own it? Create a Modified type class for ONE combination for everyone with strict limits. Not 10 wt breaks.....