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Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN
I'm glad that my post did not make you mad but the point is that there are way to many things allowed in stock and super stock today. Each year it seems that new things are allowed. That means expensive things. . I agree with the other guy posting here about the cost. The only thing about the super classes is that the start stop and go in the those classes are not generally spectator appealing. Why build a 155-165 MPH 9.90 car. Yes you can build a complete running Super Class car for less than a killer stocker engine today if you are half way good at doing things yourself and stay in a reasonable MPH rang for whichever class you are competing in. . I have heard some guys have 3 to 4 thousand dollars tied up in the "Stock" heads alone of today. That is CRAZY ! I hope Wesley will be able to help get stock back on the right road again and the new equipment being brought in at INDY will put a stop to it. . If not then I see stock dying in a very few years except for those who are made of $$$$$$$.
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I fully agree. In my opinion, the big money has (and always will) continue to influence that direction. And like any economic model, the money is like a pyramid, with the participant herd thinning the higher up it goes. And that small herd no doubt continues to have influence on the rules. Those same rules for aftermarket parts were relaxed while I was building my car AFTER purchasing what was previously required (Beehive valve springs in stock come to mind). My son was also in grade school who watched what I went through, leaving impressions that ultimately would influence his lack of interest as an adult. He now says "why would I spend $50k on a car that runs 10 seconds flat out when I can spend the same amount to go 8s or faster in something else?" Then he says "besides, that class car stuff is way too confusing, and NHRA isn't the only game out there. Most of my friends haven't even heard of it anyway, while everyone knows about imports, mudding, and street outlaws. The huge crowds prove it, dad."
In retrospect, NHRA should have never caved to outside influence, instead pour their energy into compiling lists of approved parts (if it ain't on the list, you're DQ'd PERIOD), and follow a better suited protest/claimer program commonly used in circle track racing. At least in that system, it keeps out players with deep pocket influence while still forcing the low buck racer to pay his dues without destroying his budget in the process. And it would lessen NHRA tech enforcement workload, putting more responsibility back on the racers to ensure they stay within the boundaries instead of pushing them, or paying someone else to push them.