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Dwight Southerland · 06-22-2011, 09:13 AM

Gary -

You have zeroed in on the very good points that need to be restated ever so often so racers can mulch that stuff around in their reasoning brains. Though not all the time, often a very competitive low class car can be built and maintained for far less $ than a competitive high class car. That is not a hard and fast rule, but it is possible, as executed very well by some of the people who have posted on this thread. That should bear enough hope within it to give some people reason to not give up. There are associated challenges mechanically and emotionally that go with the territory of the slower classes that need to be faced, but I doubt if those challenges are as daunting as facing a competitive field in those faster classes that are highly refined, well financed, well supported in the performance industry, and the continuing target of new factory releases that are engineered and politicked to be dominant.

Some of the reasons that NHRA Sportsman drag racing (Stock Eliminator especially) has been so unique in the field of motor sports is that it is possible for participants to share the stage and the competitive arena with the highest performing examples of the sport in a nationally competitive arena with an entry that can be personally owned and created by commonly affordable incomes. You can race against the best of the best (within your unique little niche) in front of a huge audience on a nationally promoted level and claim a victory. The glory associated with that needs to be fully recognized, heralded and defended with extreme enthusiasm. It's similar to the person winning an Olympic medal for table tennis (ping pong). While that winner may not get the same ink and the public attention of the downhill skier or the 100 meter sprinter, that gold medal is exactly the same as his more illustrious competitor.

Those racers who fight for performance and victory in those slower classes have a grit and glory that is not known in the places where the rewards of money and public approval are abundant. All Stock Eliminator competitors know that feeling of satisfaction to some extent because the category as a whole is somewhat unrewarded. But those in the 13 or 14 second or slower classes know it even more fully. I personally do not ever what to see that go away and I applaud and encourage ever one of those people who have the courage to fight there.

My nickel soapbox.

06-22-2011, 09:13 AM	#62
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,999 Likes: 64 Liked 772 Times in 192 Posts	Re: Where are the lower class cars? Gary - You have zeroed in on the very good points that need to be restated ever so often so racers can mulch that stuff around in their reasoning brains. Though not all the time, often a very competitive low class car can be built and maintained for far less $ than a competitive high class car. That is not a hard and fast rule, but it is possible, as executed very well by some of the people who have posted on this thread. That should bear enough hope within it to give some people reason to not give up. There are associated challenges mechanically and emotionally that go with the territory of the slower classes that need to be faced, but I doubt if those challenges are as daunting as facing a competitive field in those faster classes that are highly refined, well financed, well supported in the performance industry, and the continuing target of new factory releases that are engineered and politicked to be dominant. Some of the reasons that NHRA Sportsman drag racing (Stock Eliminator especially) has been so unique in the field of motor sports is that it is possible for participants to share the stage and the competitive arena with the highest performing examples of the sport in a nationally competitive arena with an entry that can be personally owned and created by commonly affordable incomes. You can race against the best of the best (within your unique little niche) in front of a huge audience on a nationally promoted level and claim a victory. The glory associated with that needs to be fully recognized, heralded and defended with extreme enthusiasm. It's similar to the person winning an Olympic medal for table tennis (ping pong). While that winner may not get the same ink and the public attention of the downhill skier or the 100 meter sprinter, that gold medal is exactly the same as his more illustrious competitor. Those racers who fight for performance and victory in those slower classes have a grit and glory that is not known in the places where the rewards of money and public approval are abundant. All Stock Eliminator competitors know that feeling of satisfaction to some extent because the category as a whole is somewhat unrewarded. But those in the 13 or 14 second or slower classes know it even more fully. I personally do not ever what to see that go away and I applaud and encourage ever one of those people who have the courage to fight there. My nickel soapbox.