Stocker rules change? Please
 

Hey I have posted a copy of the letter below that I am sending NHRA in hopes of changing the cut off year in stock. I'd like to hear your ideas on the subject. i know some ppl might be for it and some might think the skies falling lol, but i'd like to hear back some honest opinions. Any support would be appreciated.


Dear NHRA,

I would like to start by introducing myself. My name is Shelby Hurley. I am a 17 year old girl and I am currently a senior at Mardela High School located in Mardela Springs, MD. Drag Racing has always been a big part of my family’s life. My father, Steve Hurley, has been racing for years and my mother, Tina Hurley, used to race as well. So as you can see it was only time until I would start racing. I have been involved with sports and clubs at school; however nothing seems to get my adrenaline going like Drag Racing does. It is truly a blast and it keeps people out of trouble.
I am very aware of the rules and regulations you have set for all racers in NHRA to be able to compete fair and safe in all conditions. However, there is one statement in the rulebook I do not understand. There is a year limit set for the cars competing in the stock eliminator entry level. With this said I would like to request a change for the cut off year in stock. This past year I have been running my fathers’ legal 1955 Chevy Belair, which is set up to run either P/SA or Q/SA. It is a very competitive car in IHRA and I would love to have the chance to run it in NHRA. I have asked around and no one can seem to give me an answer as to why I cannot run the car in NHRA.
Along with the Stocker, my father Steve Hurley, also owns another legal 1955 Chevy Belair he runs in Super Stock. The only thing is he is allowed to run it in both IHRA and NHRA. As much fun as my dad and I have racing, it would be nice to be able to bring both cars to a NHRA divisional race or possibly a National Event. Not only would it benefit my family and me, but it would be an easy history lesson for fans and spectators as well. The 1955 is one of the cars that put Chevrolet on the map along with the 1956 and 1957. It would be nice to keep the older cars involved in racing especially since that is where it originated from.
Many others including ourselves do not understand the year limit when it becomes the topic of a conversation between racers. It is discouraging having to answer someone that asks “When are you going to bring the other 55’ out to a NHRA event?”, because you do not know how to answer them other than saying “I’m not allowed” or “It’s in the NHRA rulebook.” I am not only talking about the adults either. I know from experience that whenever a little kid happens to be walking by in the staging lanes they will either say “Wow that is a cool car” or “I have never seen a car like that before”. It is nice to see their generation interested in older cars because that does not happen too much anymore. It is also interesting to see peoples face reactions towards not only our 55’ but drag racing in general, people who have never been around it before.
We even have the up to date sheets for Super Stock and we have noticed that they are the same as the legal tech sheets for Stock. I am not asking you to create a new class for me to be able to run in, it is just a flick of a pen that is keeping me from racing in NHRA. I would love the chance to be a competitive entry along with the rest of the stock eliminator class. I appreciate you taking the time to read this information and I hope you take my request into consideration.



Sincerely,
Shelby Hurley

Re: Stocker rules change? Please
 

I never understood the "1960 and newer" rule in Stock either. I think it had to do, at one point, there was a year rule that a car could not be x-years old to compete.

Also, I don't think it should stop at 1955 either. Why not ANY year car? Bret Kepner did a story in the mid 1990's on a car that competed in IHRA Stock. It was a 1950 Oldsmobile that ran, I believe, Z/SA. Any car of any year should be allowed to compete. Even though a lot of the older combinations may not be competitive, and hard/expensive to find parts for.

See you this weekend at Hagerstown Steve?

Re: Stocker rules change? Please
 

Dad and I are planning on taking both cars up sunday. Dad really wants to attend the CIC race on saturday but work comes first...
Hint-maybe a race like that on a sunday next year

Re: Stocker rules change? Please
 

Mike if you look in the Class Guide most of the old cars have been removed. The 1955 to 1959 Chevys are still there. By removing the word"1960 and newer" those cars could compete.

Re: Stocker rules change? Please
 

A 58 Plymouth with a dual quad 350 would be cool, I have the correct mani and carbs. It's basically a 383/343 with a smaller bore and hydraulic cam, Paul.

Re: Stocker rules change? Please
 

Why not, there are '55s in Super Stock. Great idea I think!

Re: Stocker rules change? Please
 

I'm for it!

Re: Stocker rules change? Please
 

Good luck Shelby. I, too, have a couple of '55s, and would hope that NHRA could address your request. I'm not sure why the rule would seem to exclude the cars, when they are allowed in SS. I think the letter is great, and hopefully you will receive the reply you desire.

Re: Stocker rules change? Please
 

Go for it! We all agree! Jim

Re: Stocker rules change? Please
 

The rule before it morphed into what you have now was intended to stop people from investing tons of money in a car that would be obsoleted It was institiuted about 1973??? (the first year they brought back stock).
The original rule was If the car was more than 10 (?) years old you had to run SS. We bought an "obsolete" maxwedge car for $1200 to use for street racing back then
Then they changed it to it's present fashion. Basicilly a nostalgia car show.
If they didn't people would have had to adapt fwd would be much further along And I'll bet the CJ's would really P people off.