"factory stock"
 

Just got back from Gainesville last night,havent been to a National Event for a while,let me tell ya I was impressed when these cars rolled out ,you could feel the excitement in the stands,everyone at the edge of their seats,they all have their own distinct exhaust note,COPOs Drag Pack,and that Quad cam Ford wails going down the track at 9000 plus RPM,200 foot long wheel stands,sideways,pedaling as they lose and gain traction, and you can tell what kind of cars they are from the stands,
NHRAs on to something here, hope it gains momentum,and yes I think it will eventually replace Pro Stock,the premier class back in the day,thanks to them for all the R&D through the years, but they have refined them to the point that they are now boring,look like swollen jelly beans from the stands and the intakes look like they would be better suited at the end of your driveway on a post as a mailbox with that huge throttle body to put the letters through ,put the carbs back on them!
Thanks to all the competitors for putting on a great show!!!

Re: "factory stock"
 

Without a doubt my favorite class in NHRA drag racing today.

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As long as they can find a few more millionaire Dodge owners - it will be a class of the future.

Ron

Re: "factory stock"
 

I am looking forward to seeing the class grow, maybe someday they will come to the west coast.:D

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x2!

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Everybody's all happy and giddy....until one manufacturer starts to dominate.
....and as these cars evolve and start to become "boring" to some......the smiles will turn to frowns :(

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I suspect as long as manufacturer bias is not allowed to creep in corrupting FSS class rules and evolution does not include altered DNA creating another "Funny Stock" I think we got a winner here!

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As long as they stick to the 9" tire format, they'll stay competitive and popular.

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Exactly!!

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Billy,
What happens when they finish monkeying around under the hood?:)
Mike

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I can't tell you how amazed I was to these people lining the fence on Friday morning Q1 to watch these cars. Then when eliminations began it was unbelievable to see the crowds watching them, it really gave me some hope that there are still alot of drag racing fans left, not just Top Fool fans but real drag racing fans!

Re: "factory stock"
 

Steve - It was at Vegas a few years ago and they dropped it. If you're serious about getting it back I would contact Brian at SAM as the class sponsor or some hitters at NHRA.

Pat Cvengros (NHRA tech) and I fought pretty hard to keep it but we were shot down by other players in those discussions. They felt there weren't enough cars out west.

To get car count up my thought was to make it a Vegas "Double Down" event. Run the season final on Saturday to crown a winner, and the next season qualifier or first elimination on Sunday. Or something along those lines to incentivize participation.

The other benefit of having these cars in Vegas is that manufacturers could use them in their SEMA booths and potentially the class sponsor could do an event there kind of like what Pro Mod does. A series finale in St. Louis just doesn't have the same cache.

Re: "factory stock"
 

I agree. The small tire is the key. It must stay exciting and unpredictable. NHRA needs to keep a close watch on the engine combination to keep all three makes competitive.


I can't wait to attend Indy. 35+ cars attempting to qualify will be like the good old days of pro stock.

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One race on the west side is a pretty hard case to sell a guy on building a competitive car...

If there were three plus races on the left coast I bet they would have had many more people get involved. My guess is we will never know.

They for sure have a great thing going IMO. I wish they showed them on FS1 and dumped Pro stock motorcycle.:p

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I Love watching Factory Stock.

I couldn't understand why Leah Pritchett's front end sits So High going down the track,
you would think that's definitely NOT aero dynamic.

I noticed the Mustang's sit level going ALL the way down the track.

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Barton's COPO also sits high .

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That is a problem no west coast FS/XX I bought a new Copo and a motorhome and trailer hoping to run that class out of the west coast this season. There is nothing even remotely close, So I am running FS/AA it is an 8.50 car my plan was to redo it to be competitive in FS/XX for next season but if there is no place to race in the factory stock showdown why bother spending another 50 grand to still be in the same class dialing my handicap. If that class will grow it needs to be at every event, if not there will just be 5 or 6 top cars running out of a major shop or factory backing and the few others will gradually disappear or it will become another pro/stock with factory backed teams.

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My point exactly! I bet there are more then a few fellows like you ready to step up.

Sure world be cool to have an East coat West cost league (whatever you want to call it) then bring the top players together at the end for a real showdown...

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I'd like it to become the next Pro Stock but probably won't happen.

Re: "factory stock"
 

Why would that be good all prostock has become is a bunch of factory backed professional teams. A regular racer can't compete with the millions needed and the corporate and factory backing. Right now you can buy a FS/XX car and be able to compete with a reasonable investment. Why turn it into another prostock when we have one now. It would be better to keep it in stock eliminator and not go into the pro classes.

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What do you think the cost to campaign would be?
Mike A114

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I like it when people use the term "step up" - You mean spend at least $200,000

If you can afford that - contact me I could use a loan ..

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At least if it were Pro Stock they would be real Stock not the jelly beans !

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^^ this

If the FS/XX were to evolve into the "new " PS then the one requirement NHRA should stick to would be that all body panels conform to the same shape and measurements as factory produced cars.

Just my opinion

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Did anyone see the full page add in National Dragster #59 page 115 inside back cover , which is very pricey..... Its a good one....

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even better they have to stay just as they are no more tube chassis cars with panels attached. just like they are built now real cars.

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i think it would be nice if nhra made an east coast division and a west coast division. gather points to qualify to race at indy and settle it there.

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There's nothing Stock about Pro Stock except the brands

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I’m also curious what everyone thinks it takes money wise to be competitive. I know what many have in theirs and what I have in mine. Curious what everyone thinks it takes from the outside looking in.

*note took an 8.18 to make the bump last race on the NHRA side. NMCA is an all run field and it also took a 8.0-8.1 to win.

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Jody, I agree 100%. I attend Indy every year for all 6 days, but this year will be extra special.

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The B/W car was in ND at the end of last season, for $150K. In one of Geoff Turk`s replies, he hinted the motor was tired after 20 passes. "Fastlane" thought It would cost $50K to step up his program to put him in the show. The cost of campaigning 8.18 at +3500 lbs., would probably make a lot of Comp guys blush. The Quota for FS/XX at the Gators was 50. Are there 50 cars in the country?
Mike A114

Re: "factory stock"
 

Well based off the fact you are a Cobra Jet guy that has been around here for a wile you already know.

Price of a factory car 100 to 140k for just the car.

Now let’s talk getting there...

Engine. On good authority, 30k to 50k if you have a Factory motor to start with. If you don’t look at 50 to 75k for a REAL built that plays with the big boys... If you are a Track Pack guy/gal you might need 3 or 4 for a season.
If Ford or Chevy we will say two. Say $125k

Transmission. Take that TH-400 to a good builder and get all the Top shelf parts and tricks of the trade set up 7 to 9k. Now a Converter Top shelf again 1000 to $2000. Again if you want to “Step up” you better be going through that unit ever two or three races or just have a spair... $22k

Chassis. This is not something anyone can do... Lots of great chassis tuners out there but not a ton that know exactly what this class needs... 5 to 8k here. Just for grins $10k ready to rock with testing.

Now all the other small stuff that always bits ya in the butt $20k.


So I’m going to say $175k + 130k car... I could totally be off here but let’s say 300k. IMO this would be a good place to plan on and if it’s less, Wooo Whoooo!

Now Rig and trailer for a guys like this... just going to say 150k being conservative.

Now let’s travel... each race, 5 to 7k Minimum To get there and be ready to hit it hard.

So I am no expert but have done a fair amount of homework on this class and quickly realizing I’m not in the same country let alone zip code to play with these guys.

That is my guess if you are not a Shop or a business that would have a special in one way or another.

Anyone have a Half Millon laying around and want to mix it up?

I bet there are more people out there then we would think if they opened up races on the west side and give them races to run.

But what do I know?

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Cost will quickly get out of hand and it will a millionaires only playground.....

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By the sounds of all that sounds like its a pro class already ! How many of those factory stock guys travel the whole factory shoot out tour ?

Re: "factory stock"
 

Ross, I think most of your estimates aren't a mile off but there are a few areas I think you can get by with far less.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'Track Pack' but if you meant Drag Pak, I have two of the aluminum engines.

While the killer tune ups can be rough on some parts (exhaust valves, rings, an occasional piston), all the expensive hard parts can generally be reused and remain unharmed. Very different from my days running the '68 SS Hemi. Turns out my 20+ pass motor that went 7s had cam timing wheel to cam gear rivets loosen up and that's really all that was wrong with it. The fix for that will soon be in and it will be back in action for not a lot of money. The second one I loaned to DSR, is still running fine as the issue on their E2 loss wasn't core engine related.

My trailer cost $16k in 2006 and still does a pretty good job hauling the car around (but it also looks like I bought it in 2006). I do plan to upgrade it to a new one but all in, way under your $150k. Granted my rig is a very, very modest one in the class.

There is no way around it, it is an expensive class to be competitive in and even more so if you employ a lot of help to build, maintain, tune and support the car at the track. That said, a few guys working together, with a passion and far less than a million dollars each, can compete. I hope to see more of those teams at each race.

I can think of far worse ways to spend money and know I am blessed to be a part of it : )

Looking forward to the next round.

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My Copo was 125 grand Motorhome 230 grand new trailer on the way 23000 extra tools equipment 3000 I put about 20000 into parts updates so far and another 10 or so coming It was 8.50@160 right out of the box. I came up with the 50 grand number because I spoke to both Patterson and Barton each said 70-80 grand to make it competitive. Engine, Coan trans Lamb brakes full update of suspension updated cage and they said gain 150 HP I am not sure that will do it now 3-4 months ago most were running 8.20s a very few were 8.10 to 8.19 now everyone is about a tenth better. To run 167-170 @3550 lbs at sea level it takes 1300-1350 HP the motor from the factory is 1050-1100 tuned well so 150 HP will not cut it now will still need another 100. to run with the top dogs. I think the 50 grand additional will do the motor and suspension and get to 8.15-8.25 enough to be competitive at some events on the west coast if they ever get here. Right now I am stuck at the 8.50 mark for a month or two until I have a few weeks between events for the cage update. Right off the trailer my 60 ft is 1.21 from what I see the top cars are right around there also after all there work. I think the 9 inch tire limits it to not much better 60 ft times but whether you smoke the tire or get off the line it seems like 40% smoke them that's why some of the faster cars have lost to slower cars. Hopefully we wont have rain this weekend at the pacific open at Fontana and I get to run my FS/AA but not FS/XX untill next season.

Re: "factory stock"
 

Thanks for in insite on your program Geoff!

So realistically the 175k number not including a car is about spot on.

As far as “rig” a Dually pick up goes 70k and a nice trailer well into 30k. Now swap the pickup for a RV/Motorcoach even used and you easy 100k and we are back to pretty close to that number again.

With the Average working salary around 50 to 70k a year we are talking 3 years work to just run the class for one season.

IMO You of all people should have NEVER loaned a motor to DSR! That is just insane. Those guys don’t have a back up motor too bad for them. I understand good sportsmanship but they have enough money to have 3 spair engines an extra car and whole Hospitality tent for each pro driver. For you letting a pro driver ride your coattails with all you have invested boggles my mind after all the work and effort you have put into your program and get where you are!

So even if we are talking travel stay (no RV) and everything else 5k per race 7 races 35k just to be there. Again not a set number but for reference there is a total 200k+. Makes the Comp guys open an eye. I hope more guys like you fell it is worth the investment and the class grows. It’s a special breed of folks to toe the line.

Re: "factory stock"
 

Ross,

Agreed, your numbers are not far off. It's expensive.

With just a few of us Mopars out there, our only chance is to stick together. The DSR folks have been great, let me use their support equipment and pitched in to help me also.

The insanity probably began when I started racing Mopars back nearly 40 years ago : )

I won't likely be able to play at this level for long, but while it lasts, I'm making hay while the sun shines, searching for another 7 at an NHRA blessed event and having fun. See you out there.

Re: "factory stock"
 

As we saw in Gainesville, I think the 9 inch tire is unsafe... maybe go to a 10 inch tire. At 8.0's and 170 MPH do you think a 9 inch tire is enough to be safe? How about any tire that will fit without any changes to the wheel department? Just asking???

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A tire with the same specs 94 circ 30 in but 10.5 instead of 9 is available from Hoosier I would change in a minute. I think it will not happen because the 9 inch tire controls the HP which controls the money spent.