Honestly

[Billy Nees]

after all, we ARE all "Gentlemen" here, right Ed?
After reading Mark's thread and knowing that the majority of S/SS Racers are 55++, IF you had it (S/SS racing) to do all over again, would you knowing what it's become?
Better still, IF you were 20 years old again and had the choice to start racing here in the 21ST Century knowing the way things are now, would you? Could you afford to?

[Dan Bennett]

So much has changed. When I first started, it was with my daily driver in Showroom Stock(AHRA). As time went on I got better jobs and some extra money for better parts, moved to Stock and then Stock Production which was halfway between Stock and Super Stock. I had fun the entire time since the people I was racing were mostly doing the same thing.

Even if a young person could afford a performance car that's still being sold (doubtful) there is no way they could be competitive today. That smooth and steady progression is gone. It now takes a purpose built car that costs a whole bunch of money just to get started.

When I worked for Roy Hill at his school, he'd tell every class that he had it easy. Each year something came out that was faster and it was easy to adapt. He didn't have to make the jump from an 11 second car to a Pro Stock all at once. We've lost that.

I'm part of the generation you mention in your other post. And while I think that sportsman NHRA will survive somehow, I can't help thinking it will be in a form a lot of people will get turned off from.

[Terry Cain]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

after all, we ARE all "Gentlemen" here, right Ed?
After reading Mark's thread and knowing that the majority of S/SS Racers are 55++, IF you had it (S/SS racing) to do all over again, would you knowing what it's become?
Better still, IF you were 20 years old again and had the choice to start racing here in the 21ST Century knowing the way things are now, would you? Could you afford to?

A 20 year old me would probably race if I wanted to. One thing I have noticed is even though we are getting older it still cost a lot to race. Especially if you are on a "fixed" income from retirement. You start wondering if you can continue to afford it and the travel, entries, fuel, parts, etc, etc. A 20 year old should be receiving pay raises, cost of living adjustments, etc.

[Jack McCarthy]

honestly billy,

stock and superstock have become so bastardized from what i signed up for in 1976 that i really have no desire to continue .... if the damn car would slow down i might quit. i cannot believe i was dumb enough to build a second car and dumb enough to believe 4 emails from pat the director of our classes and once again have same screw me.

this year ive taken a break due to the two injury total wrecks a home fire etc and ive really not missed it > am going to indy thursday to watch class which is only semblence left of what i signed up for.... maybe someone will get tossed in teardown only place it even has a chance to happen anymore.

RIP what i once loved and lived my life for >

captain

[Dave Noll]

YES

[Chevy55]

Would we do it in today's world is not even a logical comparison, the knowledge and money required today is far beyond the reach of a kid in his 20's entering the workforce and attempting to compete. What I've seen is kids are lucky to get even one friend involved to work with them, it's parents or it just doesn't seem to happen.

[Larry Hill]

I would still fly toy airplanes and learn how to compete. Then learn how to race.

[Spyphish]

Thanks to SS/AH, I am now a millionaire. BUT I started with 3. Lemons 24 baby. Good luck at Indy. Phish

[Jeff Stout]

20 year old today would be into drifting from his high school days. 40mph roll racing as they like most mph. Drag racing a stock eliminator is far from there interest unless its in the family or a neighbor.

[John Winslow Jr]

My three boys are 31, 25 and 24. All Live for stock and super stock, hope to have them all driving in the next few years,