Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

I want to add the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe, with the Turbo and Base engines to the guide, but I'm already running into road blocks!

I have contacted one of the NHRA's Tech directors about getting it added to the Guide, but he doesn't have a contact at Pontiac anymore.

With GM being the ginormous conglomeration that it is, I have no idea where to even start looking there.

Anyone know who to contact at GM?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Why can't you just call it an 08 Solstice coupe, it's in the guide.
OBTW, one of my favorite combos!

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

I came really close to building one of those! I think it would be a cool combination.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

I asked Tech a few years ago about a "Hardtop Coupe", and he said "To the best of my knowledge the Solstice was never available from the manufacturer with a hardtop, with that said it would not be legal for Stock or Super Stock."

So I said but wait, it was available as a hardtop coupe in 2009! (Which isn't in the Guide.)

Then he said that GM would have to submit data for to be added to the Guide.

And here we are!

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

While the guide calls it a "Coupe", there is a bit of a difference between the 2006-08 convertible & the 2009 Coupe aerodynamically. Plus the 09 coupe weighs about 80lbs more than the soft top.

And if the rumors are correct, the 09 is eligible for the 15% rule...

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Call Pustelny. He's been working with the GM Racing guys for years, and can probably give you a starting point. MPR Racing.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

It will be interesting if you can get this done , since Pontiac has been out of business for quite awhile . The Marketing folks are usually the ones that make the decisions on what vehicles they want showcased in the different forms of motorsports . Pontiac Marketing is long gone , which is truly disappointing to me . Good Luck .

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Good luck! Doubt they would have any interest in adding an older car. The only thing the manufacturers are looking for are new copos, drag paks, and cobra jets and maybe a new street version here and there.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Really? They just added a 1969 Trans AM and a 1983 Z28 to the Guide for no other reason than they could.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

If I am looking at the classification guide right the '08 high HP version is a G, H, and I car. How fast has these cars run in showroom stock condition? These are some pretty tough classes for an unproven combo to jump in.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

That's cool , wondering if a GM rep had anything to do with that .

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Does Pustelny work at MPR Racing? I didn't see a contact link on MPR's webpage.

Thanks!

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

The power train info had already been submitted by the manufacturers. Tech simply had to verify trim. And in the case of the Trans Am, Delorean wanted the Trans Am to be considered a separate combination. At the time he was really hung up about competing with European cars.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

MPR is Mike Pustelny Racecars, so I guess you could say he works there.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

There was an unwritten policy that for a combination to have a separate line in the class guide, there must be a separate model identified by the manufacturer or the shipping weight with the options for the combination must be 50 lbs or more than the shipping weight of the model it started was added to. All that information was based on specifications submitted to the NHRA by the manufacturer to the AMA (Automobile Manufacturers Association) or the MVMA (Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association) in later years. Since the 1969 AMA specs for a Firebird does not even list a Trans Am as an option over the Firebird 400 or the Ram Air IV or any added equipment specified for a Trans Am, that is likely why the Trans Am has not been a line item for all these years. The info in the class guide is likely just made up to please somebody.

1969 Firebird AMA Specs

In the case of the 1983 Z28, it was not considered a separate model by Chevrolet but merely an option for existing models. And, when you add up all the extra weights of the components for the Z28 package, spoiler (4.4 lbs), mirrors (2.6 lbs) and Z28 Special Performance Package (19.8 lbs), the total is less than 50 lbs to be added to a Berlinetta. So it would not have be considered a separate line item. Again, the line item was added ot the class guide because some people pitched a fit about it.

1983 Camaro MVMA Specs

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Jimmy, here's some stuff I found on an unmodified HP version :


1/4 Mile ET: 14.013
1/4 Mile MPH: 97.830
1/8 Mile ET: 9.014
1/8 Mile MPH: 76.780
0-60 Foot ET: 2.075

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Would that be with about 4 lbs. boost? ;-) ;-)

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Thank you, you proved my point. The 1969 Trans Am is distinctly different than the Firebird.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Correct. I just don't know if it's a good idea to post phone numbers, but I can tell you that the number for MPR on the website will get you directly to Mike.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Thanks! When I googled MPR Racing, an engine shop in Miami filled the first 2 pages of search results!

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

I hope they will include the Mallet edition in the guide. I have a 2007 solstice that has an LS-7 with a T-56

duplicate

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Dwight, I contacted NHRA and pointed out that in 1969 the TAs were an option and not a separate car. They quickly responded that it makes a legal combination. My 69 TA car that was built by Alf Weibe was my reason. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the Edelbrock heads approved, so running against all the combos with them soured the deal. Truman and I redid the hp numbers, but by then lost interest. A RAIV 69 TA stocker would be cool, but Casey says a 10.5 RAV NMCA car heads up would be cooler. 😀 It takes everything I can muster to keep the black car going, the Sunbird is moving very slowly, but close, the 69TA 80% done but just sitting there. I have $23,000 in it with much left to go.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

Exactly the point of my post. The TA was an option on top of a Firebird 400 but not a separate car. The 1969 AMA specs do not have any reference to a TA option but that may be due to the TA option being conceived and offered after the factory sent specifications to the AMA. However, since there are no specifications for the weight of a TA or the TA option in the AMA specs, that is probably why it was never included in the Class Guide.

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

I was just correcting this, because there was a reason. I have no idea about the AMX discussion, but Garrett Ghezzi's AMX is awesome!

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

I was just thinking about the dealer-installed option they had in 09 where you got a different MAP sensor, a ECU reflash, and an additional 30Hp & 80ft-lb, all covered covered under warranty!

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

What's a 15% rule?

Re: Adding a Pontiac to the Guide?
 

that's the 15% of the racers that are on the phone trying to get their wierd combo approved or their hp lowered