Super Stock "GT" and SRAC
 

I put this in the new car forum because I'm trying to get more new cars in GT. NHRA is willing to have a 7lb and a 7.5lb class according to Glendora, but the SRA says they don't need it. To use some of the new car motor combinations which actually are easier and some cases cheaper to race than older combinations. Also it will encourage the many people that have already built their hot rods with new motor combinations to race NHRA and compete. With the HP ratings on the newer combinations it could put these cars between 4-5,000lbs. I tried to get a hold of Dave Mohn, it's to my understanding that he is the chairman of the SRA. I have not heard back from him yet, what do the sportsman racers feel about having a 7lb and 7.5lb class?




Any advice on this will be helpful.


Jim D'Amore

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

I could see a 7.0 and 7.5 pound Class in GT. Currently, GT/A(A) and F/GTA are 8.00 pound Classes; the same as SS/E(A). Making a 7 and 7.5 pound classes (same as the current SS/C and D would be a help to the higher-horsepower cars (both in regular GT and F/GT). I was told years ago that the current format was used so that "The GT cars would not upstage the traditional cars in S/S". Maybe that is still the case. 7 and 7.5 pound classes would allow for high-HP cars the chance to compete without weight 4,000 (or more) pounds. The 390 AMX motor, and others (LS-6, L-89, etc; though many of them would still weigh a lot in GT), as well as the new motors that are 500 (or more) HP. Just a thought.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

I know a number of people that will be able to run their car in NHRA GT if there was a 7lb class. GT runs with Super Stock anyway so that would help the car count. I noticed at most of the events this year the Super Stock car count was down. This would definitely help the guys who want to run the newer engine combinations.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

With 7 & 7.5 Lb. classes you might be able to fit some intermediate size cars with shipping weights in the mid 3,000’s into the F/GT ranks using some of the bigger normally aspirated combinations, which might get some interest. But, even at 7 Lbs. and the low GT ratings, I think the blower motor cars from all three brands might need to be based on a full sized wagon platform to find something with a high enough shipping weight. Country Squires running 8.? @ 150+, sounds like Halloween.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

Why stop at 7.00? SS/A and FSS/A are at 5.00, why not in GT? For what it's worth, I'd vote "yes".

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

This is a good idea. I (and many others) have asked for this for quite some time. The answer is the same; "there is no interest in this". I think NHRA has either bad information or no information in relation to these classes. It's just too easy; the hp factors are in place, the tech information is in place, and the SFI regulation in relation to speed and safety are in place so what's not to like. I like 6 lb start, but anything would be a help. It was brought up at SRAC, but to no avail. NHRA has already created 26% new F GT classes in SS (for 12% of the cars I might add) so why not make these new classes available since they seem to want more classes than cars (can I say Comp). Maybe we can use one of the messages from Christmas like Miracle on 34th Street, where several thousand letters are dumped on the judge. A little Christmas humor there. The FGT classes that these cars would fall in are very poorly utilized and most "new" motors fall above the 8 lb minimum. Maybe someone can get a coordinated effort going on these classes.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

IT seems the most difficult to get the most obvious things accomplished. Gt starting at same as SS would seem so obvious. Same for FSS. Mr. Teuton could you please give a stronger input to NHRA for the racers.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

I think it's a great idea. I've been asking about it for 2 years but it keeps getting turned down. Not sure why because I can't think of one single downfall. It'll bring more cars into S/S and it will let the new combos slide into the older cars. I'd love to see a new 426 in a SS/AH car.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

As for the no interest comment from NHRA, in the1980s there were requests for a7 and7.5 in gt so small block and bb could be separated by lighter bb car. BBC in A was 3610. SBC was 2600+.
If performances of Gt,SS, andF classes proved to be close to same could combine them

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

Start it at 6.0 lbs. I would think that Chev., Chrysler and Ford would love to sell more engines and components, right? NHRA added gawd knows how many new classes to accommodate the 2008-later 'factory race cars' (and rightfully so). So why not add a few more GT classes at the top?

It's strange how things evolve....in the '80's, the GT classes were NHRA's way of getting newer cars into Super Stock with older engines. Fast forward 25-30 years and now it's the new motors that need a home in older cars for Super Stock.

Bob Dylan said it best: ;) -Al

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P3-AFGGvks

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

A lot of NHRA members that I have been talking to would love to see this happen. At first I thought it was the NHRA that didn't want it but after speaking with two high ranking members of NHRA in Glendora I found out that they have been more than willing to do it for the past two years.


Sportsman racer advisory council has been turning it down. Saying that the sportsman racers do not need it or want it. I'm going to post highlighted in Yellow the gentleman who say we don't need it.


https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...e1&oe=571DEDEB






Jim D'Amore

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

You know Jim, I just don't think that is true. I was on it (SRAC) along with Jeff Taylor until a couple of years ago, and it was brought forward and not acted on by NHRA. People have been asking for this for years, and it's worse with the new cars with all the new motor combinations that are out there now that were not before. It was always 'no interest'.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

Jeff,


I can only tell you what NHRA told me and they are good to go. When you sat on the board why didn't they approve it then?


I've only been involved with 3 race series over the past 30 years. Fun Ford Weekend, NMRA, and NMCA. If they could start a new class that would bring 100+ cars to the race series they would do it in a heartbeat. To most racers their race cars are their second or first love. It would be cool to see a 2016 Supercharged COPO engine in a 69 Camaro. The same goes for a 68 Shelby with a new Coyote cobra jet engine. Or like David Barton said a new 426 Hemi in a old Dodge.


If its the SRAC or NHRA maybe we can bring them together and this could happen...


Jim D'Amore

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

It would be great.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

Jim thank you for putting this issue on here so maybe we can get this done!! The weight breaks for the upper GT classes should be the same as FSS and SS ! Its a shame that we have all these new engines and nobody can run them unless you have a newer factory car. Could the big 3 be worried that racers would build cars, instead of buying the new cars, if they had classes to run them in ? It seems obvious that we need these upper classes but why doesn't NHRA move on this issue. Bob

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

Since the SRAC represents the sportsman racers do you think they would be so kind as to come into this thread and let us know where they stand on it? I know there are a couple SRAC members viewing here, because I can see who's online on the bottom of the home page. I see 2 members names active that I listed yesterday.


I talked to NHRA Pat Cvengros yesterday, his words to me were that he's back in office January 11th if the SRAC submits a green light to him it will be put on the books immediately. They are willing to do it.


So please SRAC council members for Stock and Super stock, post in here and let us know where you stand on this.


Jim D'Amore

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

Jim, there is no earthly reason for any SRAC member to oppose this. I will contact Emmons in Div 4, and maybe everyone could contact a member. Thanks for the effort. I am glad Pat is involved, I have found him very reliable.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

Sent mail in favor to Chairman of committee.
Everyone needs to help this one get attention. It is common sense....

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

NHRA has made it easy for us to contact them as their phone numbers and email addresses are listed everywhere. They are very accessible and approachable at race events as well. One of the first people I approached at a national event was Mark Lyle NHRA starter, extremely friendly and truly cares about the sportsman racers. Bruce Batchelder, Danny Gracia, Pat Cvengros, and Dave Ley have all been tremendously friendly and helpful since I've joined the NHRA in 2009.

I would have sent out more emails to the SRAC and the stock/super stock committee but after searching online I found limited access to email or phone contacts. One of the emails got bounced back to me and the other has not sent a reply yet. They were the only two I found.

Jeff Teuton,
Thank you it's always nice speaking with you.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

I sent Gary Emmons, Jimmy DeFrank, and Brad Zaskowski,

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

Jeff,


It looks like you have the contact info for the right people. Thank you for your help on this.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Jim D'Amore

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

I talked to Mony Jones and he is all for this. Let's get this done so gt can start using the new factory stock engines. You would think the big 3 automakers need this.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

I can assure you Mopar is in favor of this. I am not sure about Ford or Chev, but maybe someone can email them if you have the address. Jesse K. with ford posts here sometime, maybe a PM.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

Ford Motor Company's Jesse Kershaw is on board and wants this to happen as well. We just exchanged a couple emails with Jesse and he told us he has asked about getting this done for the past 3 years. I also spoke to Jamie Meyers and Robin Wright of the Copo program and they're on board.


The only people who have not replied here yet are the SRAC. NHRA says they will do it, the manufacturers are on board, the racers want it...I will try to contact the SRAC members again myself.


Jim D'Amore

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

Emmons (D4) and Zaskowski (D3) are on board.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

I spoke with Mike Crutchfeild and Gary Emmons today. I've spoken to both of them at the race track briefly in the past. After speaking with them at length today I was amazed by their knowledge and ideas about the FGT lighter weight classes. I want to thank Mike, Gary, and Jeff Teuton for sharing their many years of experience and NHRA sportsman racing knowledge with me.


This is one of the cars I want to put into FGT for the 2016 season. This car has history in the NHRA. It was Jack Roush's personal car and he gave it to JDM Engineering to race! We also have two other cars and more to come as the year goes on.

Re: Super Stock "GT" and SRA
 

This is our project for Factory GT that will be debuting in 2016. We are currently in the process of deciding on which engine combo, and would really like to see the lighter weight classes added for all the reasons Jim and others have already stated.