So, are you a........
 

"Builder" or a "Driver"?
I stole this question off of the H.A.M.B.. So sue me.
Simple question, is there a simple answer?

Re: So, are you a........
 

Both, simple answer lol.

I like to work on the cars and drive them ,get the same satisfaction making them nice as I do driving them.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Back when I got started, I could go fast and could win because their was no breakout. I called myself a builder. Years later (and the breakout) I started winning a few races, so I called myself a driver.

Re: So, are you a........
 

I’m a learner that likes to go rounds.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Ya know, maybe there should be a third category here,
Are you a Builder, a Driver, or a Tuner?

Re: So, are you a........
 

Yes!

Re: So, are you a........
 

I'm not near as smart as alot of you guys on this board so I guess I'm going have to call myself a driver.

Re: So, are you a........
 

I drive and pay the bills
Been know to change parts

Re: So, are you a........
 

I like building them more than I do driving them!

Re: So, are you a........
 

We've had this conversation several times over the years, if there was a gun put to my head and I had to pick one or the other, definitely a builder. Racing is validating that you did it right.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Yupp.........both

Re: So, are you a........
 

both (in my own mind)

Re: So, are you a........
 

I would have to say both. I built my 1968 Camaro super stock car. All welding fabricating and chassis. I build my engines but have a machine shop do the machine work. I do the assembly. Do my own transmission work and set up the rear end. I even did all of the body and paint work.
I think that qualifies me as a builder. I had a really talented mentor that taught me the craft when I was younger.

I just verified my driver status by winning the D2 divisional in Reynolds a couple pf months ago. That was my first big win in NHRA. I have also won an IHRA Iron man and won several SSSSA races along the way.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Not much of either , Rick

Re: So, are you a........
 

Half-assed at both.

Re: So, are you a........
 

I am really not very good at either one:
But I love cars and enjoy the people and
spending time with my son!
I also enjoy going places and staying busy.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Both, and always trying to learn both crafts.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Maybe I am misreading this question but I take the point to be if you had to chose between the two. Of course most of us would say both but what if you had to chose between one or the other. Personally, the idea of racing a car that I did not build would have no appeal at all.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Good morning Billy,
I would like to think I'm a little of all three. Unfortunately my lack of personal time kinda prevents me from being good at any of them. I'll be giving you a call here shortly and we can discuss that at length. Have a good day and a Happy 4th of July to all.
God Bless America!

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

Re: So, are you a........
 

Beginning to think I’m a student of both. Think I got a D- last year! Mike McMahan 2543 H/SA

Re: So, are you a........
 

i love the challenge of building something new, making it come to life, but when it fights you or the desired result is not there it becomes personal and the drive or obsession to make it right takes over, i seriously enjoy that challenge. driving the car is as much fun (faster you go the more fun it is) , i hate the travel and days away from my family.

Re: So, are you a........
 

I love building them and see them exceed my expectations.:)

Re: So, are you a........
 

A builder who occasionally experiences moments of brilliance as a driver !

Re: So, are you a........
 

I tell friends and family that I am a car mechanic that likes to drive. I was a commercial and corporate aircraft mechanic most of my professional career.
Now retired, I get to play with many classic and modern race cars.

I must say that I am new to STOCK, and love all the GREAT people that have answered all my questions with very helpful advice.

2015 Camaro FS/D

Re: So, are you a........
 

I am both, i have had my hands in all areas of the car, from painting it, installed the roll bar, and the entire drivetrain.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Wish it was the norm, not the exception, that the guy or gal driving a car did most of the work. Winning with the car is icing on the cake. Walking around the Norwalk points meet, only a small minority of the people we talked to about their cars and combos built there own motors. Most didn't knew what was inside their bought motors, Don't remember anyone that did their own cage or chassis fab, tig welding, etc.

Re: So, are you a........
 

I'm more of a driver, and had lots of help in prepping my car for how it is today. I have to give you props Billy, because I'll always remember assistance you gave me a few years or so back that was worth.2sec. However, I'll call myself a bit of a tuner too, because there was no baseline for 60 degree V6's back in the 90's when the Fuel Injection craze really began, and I wasn't close enough to either Woodro Josey, or Craig Railsback (at BDS), to really wake up my Accel Calmap. It's bad enough that my car was horribly factored back in the mid-90's when my first year for production MFI system was so basic, that the X-11 Citations had more power than my 120hp. Having to fight with computer chips for my factory computer system was a pain in the *****! So I went with the Calmap a try, and my last tuning venture was worth a .4sec gain, which was good. What was bad, was I was factored back in '94/'95 to compete against Turbo charged 4cyl Mopars (that came from the Factory with 150hp ratings)! How was that ever fair? Even worse was the 1980 Chevy Citation 4dr version of my 173V6 was rated at 115hp, but those cars were able to run EF/SA, when I was factored to run BF/SA with only 5 extra hp, in a car that was heavier than the Citation (2511lbs Shipping weight for my Z24 as opposed to the 2475 for the 4dr Citation)! I had help from several people to get my car where it is today, but I oversaw quite a bit of it.

A much longer answer than everyone else here, but my hands got dirty in getting it to where it is now too. Plus I pay all of the bills, so I'm glad it's a low buck stocker!

Re: So, are you a........
 

I do everything but paint and align hone and balance cranks !! with that being said I can punish the valve train and driveline line with the best of them !! however I'm not really sure where the finish line is !! or the starting line for that matter !! and its been a long time since I beat the hell out of my car but I'm getting ready to punish it again !!! And I also pay the bills !! And another thing !! if that engines revving to the moon in the lights I prolly won't be lifting !! I guess I'm a little bit of everything except smart enough to lift LOL, Scott Gray formerly SS/L 1079

Re: So, are you a........
 

not really a driver

not really a tuner, nor a car builder.

I can do all 3 in a limited capacity enough to get by. I love challenge of learning each one and keep working to get better.


Todd DAVIS Hoven

Re: So, are you a........
 

Both and not real good at it.

Re: So, are you a........
 

I would love to have your "Limited Capacity" as a driver! Bill Taylor B/S1005.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Part time comedian? 😂

Re: So, are you a........
 

Lol, nope

Re: So, are you a........
 

Hopefully a dime rocket builder/diver in the next few years. I am slowly getting my health back after two pretty big events in the past several years. I survived stage IV inoperable head and neck cancer after they said I had a 30% chance at best. That was followed several years later by a stroke brought on by a slip and fall on an ice covered road(so a stick car is out of the equation for me) But when the right combo shows itself I will end up a Owner/Builder/Driver/Cleaner/Hauler/Shop sweeper/ and doer of anything I forgot to mention.

Re: So, are you a........
 

I'm a driver that is good at repeating smart things that other people said.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Good morning Todd,
I don't think you give yourself enough credit.
Like Glenn always tells me - If it was easy, then everyone could do it !
Enjoy your day.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

Re: So, are you a........
 

NEITHER, Just a "AH Money Dummy" (former millionaire) who now loves Lemons $500 dollar cars. Former_Phish

Re: So, are you a........
 

I do not know one end of a wrench from the other so definitely a driver, luckily I have the support of the Williams Bros here in the UK so that side is well taken care of.

Re: So, are you a........
 

Both -

Re: So, are you a........
 

As a part of the "younger" generation of racers, or probably more accurately, a second generation racer, I still consider myself an apprentice driver/tuner, even after having competed in Super Stock for 4 years now. There is so much knowledge and little nuances, that you can't read in a book, that has been learned through decades of racing, that I hope to continue to learn through speaking with my father and fellow S/SS racers. I have not been fortunate enough to be part of a build, so that title can't apply. My father built and has raced our car since before I was born. But I try to take every chance I get to participate in engine rebuilds, car improvements, etc.