Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

I have been racing for many years and have always wanted to race in stock or super stock, and I have finally decided to go for it, but I have some questions. Where do I need to start to get going? After I get a car (since mine is a local bracket car), how do i get a license? Can I just register for a divisional event? How many races do you need to get into a national event? How much does it cost to enter?

I have a bunch more, but don't want to just make a huge list of questions on here. Does anyone have any webistes that have information about all of this?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

I can get you started just a little bit. This information may in some cases be different in Super Stock or the faster classes in stock. I'm running in N/SA.

There's no special license needed and you just enter a divisional at the track, no pre-entry required. For national events you have to have enough grade points to get in under the quota before it fills up. You get one grade point for each divisional or national open. They use the higher of you GPs from last year or the current year.

You can find a lot of this on nhraracer.com.

A divisional entry fee is $170 as I recall. Others can give you more info and correct anything I got wrong, I'm still pretty new to this myself

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

All good questions. Do some advance planning concerning what class you would desire to run and things like affordability, availability of parts, required maintenance and how hard you want to chase it. No licence is required if you run slower than 9.99 et in the quarter and you may just show up to run a divisional or open. You need about 4 or 5 grade points to enter a Nat., unless your lucky and someone pulls out last minute. It's like 240.00 + 120.00 insurance fee for a Nat.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

The car will probably be in the 10 second range. How often are you torn down? Not asking for "suspicious" reasons, mainly for the hastle of it.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Tear downs aren't done as often as they once were, mainly only at US Nats. I'm not sure if you're looking at converting your current car to a Stocker, but choose carefully before you take the plunge. Many are often further ahead if they just buy a proven car from the get-go.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Before you start you have to contact the NHRA and get a permanent number and membership. You'll get a permanent number card which will also serve as "license" of sorts. Your permanent number and class must be applied to the car with paint or stickers (no shoe polish).

When you enter your first divisional you'll be teched and all your safety equipment will be checked (belts, clothing, etc.). Get a rule book.

You'll only get torn down if you set a record or you're protested. Teardowns are random at Indy. Of course, there is always a threat of any unannounced teardown at any event but that rarely occurs.

Good luck.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

I will be buying a car, the one I have now is FAR from legal in either class.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Zach There is a J/SA Pontiac in classifieds that has a hurt motor to what extent I don't know but the car has been around and proven. Not sure what your budget is, check the classifieds here often and folks are putting proven combo's on there.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

I would recommend a lower classed SS/GT car, GT/L-Q.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

I'm new too, this website and classracerinfo.com are a welth of knowledge. I suggest you look at classifieds here and stock/superstock on racingjunk.com, buying a running car is WAY cheaper.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Zach,
What is your brand?
Mike A114

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Chevys

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Did you win the LOTTERY ?

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Haha!! No, but the car I have now has a stripped interior, fiberglass hood, a lot of stuff that is not "stock"...plus I would like to keep this one together so my Dad can drive it.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Go to some races and ask a million questions. Get answers to the same questions from different people.
Have fun!

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

I believe you can get a nice stocker and be racing for less than 15k, in some cases 10k.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

The most popular brand
Buying or building? you probably already know pros and cons
The common classes are well populated with fast cars
they can run -.85 +under the index
it takes the best stuff and money
for those reasons, the less popular combos,
like late 70`s and 80`s Novas, Monte Carlos
with 267 or 305 2 barrels etc.
can be raced against fewer cars in a slow class.
The index is typically more favorable.
Dwight Southerland has a class info tool,
that you should get familiar with, no matter what you decide.
keep us posted
Mike A114

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Bill boges had a very nice I think u/sa Monte Carlo for sale not sure if he sold it that would be a fun car to start with

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Just trying to get a chuckle with the Lottery question. Listen to some or most of these guys. They can lead you in the right direction and it is much cheaper to buy a running already built combo. The WIN THE LOTTERY statement was to bring some insight to other expenses such as travel, gas or diesel for the tow vehicle, motels or motor home costs, entry fees and NHRA insurance for things like golf carts, pit bikes, etc,, time away from work, upkeep etc. It was much less expensive when I did it back in the 1970's. Entry fees then for the Sports Nationals and the Gator Nationals was only $40 for each and that included car, driver, and one pit crew.There are a lot of great guys and women who race the stock and sportsman classes. Listen to them as most will not steer you wrong. Nothing in life is free but we only get one chance at life. Go for it if its affordable to you.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

X2. Well Said

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Zach,it is definitely cheaper to buy than build...but there are 3 questions you need to ask the seller before you consider any stocker. #1 is the car NHRA stocker legal right now? As priced. If I leave you're house and go straight to a divisional, will the car pass tech as sold? If the answer is no...move on. #2 has the car been raced in stock eliminator recently? Will the car run at least a couple tenths under the index as sold? #3 have any recent time slips? When you get to your first div make sure you have the head's and intake casting numbers,know what class your entering, min weight etc. Hit the scales first adjust your weight. Go to tech and get out your license / membership, jacket,helmet, and the date tag on your harness turned out for easy inspection. That's the hard part. It gets fun after that. The stocker community is very tight. No big egos, most will baby sit you all weekend till you get a little comfort zone. Good luck!

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

In my humble opinion, the only way to buy a used race car (one that runs), especially if you don't know the seller (or the history of the car), is have the owner take the car to the track, preferably an NHRA divisional meet or a National Open where the car has to pass technical inspection and have the owner take the car down the track for a run or two. If you are satisfied with what you see and have made the financial arrangement prior to this test session, pay the owner and load it up in your trailer and take it home right after it goes down the track the last time. This might sound like somebody that does not trust the seller, but actually it protects the buyer and the seller from he said - he said - or she said.

On the other hand, if you see a car you just have to have, then buy it, pick it up whenever and you get what you get.

Good Luck and hopefully you like what you buy.

Gary Merrick
3522 Stock

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

Contact Dean Ribeiro on this site
He has more "connections" on "Used Race Cars" than a Verizon FIOS Lineman!

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

This is the best advice anyone can put on here about buying a class car.

Re: Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer
 

I want to thank all of you that took the time to answer these questions for me. It really does show that this group of racers is tight! I can't wait to get going!