We're Evolving!

Billy Nees · 01-06-2010, 11:54 AM

Heck, just last night I grew a third arm out of my chest and my wheezie fell off! Now I should be able to get half again as much work done on my car and not have to spend nearly as much money on other things!
But seriously, Evan Smith posted an excellent reply on another thread about how Stock has been "evolving" through the years and the subject seems worth (to me) discussing.
It is obvious that NHRA has (through want or need) been scaleing back it's Tech Dept. and it's policing and interpretation of it's rules has become less and less soooooo what will Stock Eliminator eventually "evolve" into?
Please, no arguing and no personal agendas just your own personal thoughts on where we're headed.
I honestly do believe that we will wind up being a "9"tire, flat hood" catagory given all of the cutbacks in tech and the way the rules have become "liberalized" over the last 30 years. Kind of a "Make it look Stock and put a crate motor in it" Bracket eliminator. Or we will wind up being an eliminator with maybe a dozen approved combos (dare I say "crate motors?) that NHRA can police.
Just my thoughts and opinions. Put on your thinking caps boys!
Also, there are some very smart people on this forum and it seems to me that the same half a dozen people are the only ones posting. Now does that mean the others don't care, aren't as smart as I give them credit for being or are too smart to be posting on this forum?!?

GUMP · 01-06-2010, 12:02 PM

One good move that the NHRA has made in the new rule book is the runner C. C. rule for stock. It at least gives a little hope that it won't go over to crate motors.

Paul Merolla · 01-06-2010, 12:21 PM

Billy, first off I'll say thank you for all your recent posts - it's putting some life back in this board...along with Evan's excellent replies. Even though I have yet to hit the track in Stock (this year, God willing) I have some thoughts on this topic of evolution. I consider myself to be part of the "we need more tech" crowd; I'm curious as to the mindset of the current crop of class racers... i.e. what percent want more tech, less tech, etc. My hunch is that most racers would be in favor of more stringent enforcement of our rules, and even-handed application of them across the board. That being said, we all know NHRA doesn't appear to be heading in that direction - whether it's a financial reason or otherwise. So - what could those of us that care about these classes do to further our agenda as far as tech goes? All we usually hear is, "These classes are dead, NHRA is killing us off, I quit, etc." Well, the way I see it is, if enough people are dedicated to this sickness, then we should be able to do something to preserve it and not just let everything "happen" to us. How bout some positive ideas...whether it involves NHRA or not. I know organizing racers is like herding cats, but throwing your hands up is chicken dookie if you ask me. I'll start....what if we really got behind AHRA? I know there are a thousand negatives, but it's essentially a clean slate - racer friendly, same rules as NHRA, not run by bean counting A-holes. Let 'er rip! Flame ON!

X-TECH MAN · 01-06-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Merolla

Billy, first off I'll say thank you for all your recent posts - it's putting some life back in this board...along with Evan's excellent replies. Even though I have yet to hit the track in Stock (this year, God willing) I have some thoughts on this topic of evolution. I consider myself to be part of the "we need more tech" crowd; I'm curious as to the mindset of the current crop of class racers... i.e. what percent want more tech, less tech, etc. My hunch is that most racers would be in favor of more stringent enforcement of our rules, and even-handed application of them across the board. That being said, we all know NHRA doesn't appear to be heading in that direction - whether it's a financial reason or otherwise. So - what could those of us that care about these classes do to further our agenda as far as tech goes? All we usually hear is, "These classes are dead, NHRA is killing us off, I quit, etc." Well, the way I see it is, if enough people are dedicated to this sickness, then we should be able to do something to preserve it and not just let everything "happen" to us. How bout some positive ideas...whether it involves NHRA or not. I know organizing racers is like herding cats, but throwing your hands up is chicken dookie if you ask me. I'll start....what if we really got behind AHRA? I know there are a thousand negatives, but it's essentially a clean slate - racer friendly, same rules as NHRA, not run by bean counting A-holes. Let 'er rip! Flame ON!

Problem is....unless it has to do with NHRA most on here dont give a rats butt. You know as well as I do the purse could be a $1,000,000 and there are guys who wouldnt run anything else but NHRA if it was in their back yard because of their ego's.

Paul Merolla · 01-06-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Problem is....unless it has to do with NHRA most on here dont give a rats butt. You know as well as I do the purse could be a $1,000,000 and there are guys who wouldnt run anything else but NHRA if it was in their back yard because of their ego's.

OK, so how can we force a change in NHRA? NOTE: The question is NOT, "Why will NHRA never change?"

Bobby Zlatkin · 01-06-2010, 03:17 PM

About two years ago when there was talk of a 'for profit' corporation buying the professional side of the NHRA only and not the sportsman side, it seemed to everyone that would be a terrible thing. In retrospect, it probably would have been a good thing.

Let's face it, the only thing the professional and the sportsman drag racers have in common is the venue. The race track. Other than that, our interests are different. We' re not doing this for a living (well, the most of us), We're doing it for fun.

Maybe if the two had been seperated, and the sportsman side remained 'not for profit', still belonging to it's members, we could control our own destiny.

That's why I believe sports national events are much more fun for a sportsman racer than national events where we suck hind teat.

We could still have Indy as the premier event. Just a different weekend.

I never could understand how our organization got sold out from under us. Instead of the organization being our adversary, it should represent the wants of the majority.

Bobby Zlatkin · 01-06-2010, 12:21 PM

One thing you can bet on, even if it would get down to only two approved combo's, there will still be people complaining that the guys with the "other combo" will have a soft HP rating and will have an unfair advantage.

Dave Turner · 01-06-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Also, there are some very smart people on this forum and it seems to me that the same half a dozen people are the only ones posting. Now does that mean the others don't care, aren't as smart as I give them credit for being or are too smart to be posting on this forum?!?

I think the really smart folks sit back and watch all the thrashing about for their own amusement......or they're working on their stuff?

Bob Pagano · 01-06-2010, 04:55 PM

Bobby Z hit it right on, best thing that could have happened. Before long everyone will be running Nostalgia Drags with different groups or Orgs. Look a NMCA, any mod as long as it looks original, hell half the mopars dont even run the correct hood scoop and tech......".looks good to me "

Dick Butler · 01-06-2010, 05:01 PM

Bob, If only there were rules and specs to Nostalgia so it werent all Dial In but I understand . It is hard to police and hard to justify the costs today...

01-06-2010, 11:54 AM	#1
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,486 Likes: 3,587 Liked 7,683 Times in 1,731 Posts	We're Evolving! Heck, just last night I grew a third arm out of my chest and my wheezie fell off! Now I should be able to get half again as much work done on my car and not have to spend nearly as much money on other things! But seriously, Evan Smith posted an excellent reply on another thread about how Stock has been "evolving" through the years and the subject seems worth (to me) discussing. It is obvious that NHRA has (through want or need) been scaleing back it's Tech Dept. and it's policing and interpretation of it's rules has become less and less soooooo what will Stock Eliminator eventually "evolve" into? Please, no arguing and no personal agendas just your own personal thoughts on where we're headed. I honestly do believe that we will wind up being a "9"tire, flat hood" catagory given all of the cutbacks in tech and the way the rules have become "liberalized" over the last 30 years. Kind of a "Make it look Stock and put a crate motor in it" Bracket eliminator. Or we will wind up being an eliminator with maybe a dozen approved combos (dare I say "crate motors?) that NHRA can police. Just my thoughts and opinions. Put on your thinking caps boys! Also, there are some very smart people on this forum and it seems to me that the same half a dozen people are the only ones posting. Now does that mean the others don't care, aren't as smart as I give them credit for being or are too smart to be posting on this forum?!? __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm not spending 100K to win 2K

01-06-2010, 12:02 PM	#2
GUMP VIP Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shelby, NC Posts: 1,817 Likes: 2,157 Liked 2,336 Times in 549 Posts	Re: We're Evolving! One good move that the NHRA has made in the new rule book is the runner C. C. rule for stock. It at least gives a little hope that it won't go over to crate motors.

01-06-2010, 12:21 PM	#3
Paul Merolla Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 610 Likes: 242 Liked 293 Times in 65 Posts	Re: We're Evolving! Billy, first off I'll say thank you for all your recent posts - it's putting some life back in this board...along with Evan's excellent replies. Even though I have yet to hit the track in Stock (this year, God willing) I have some thoughts on this topic of evolution. I consider myself to be part of the "we need more tech" crowd; I'm curious as to the mindset of the current crop of class racers... i.e. what percent want more tech, less tech, etc. My hunch is that most racers would be in favor of more stringent enforcement of our rules, and even-handed application of them across the board. That being said, we all know NHRA doesn't appear to be heading in that direction - whether it's a financial reason or otherwise. So - what could those of us that care about these classes do to further our agenda as far as tech goes? All we usually hear is, "These classes are dead, NHRA is killing us off, I quit, etc." Well, the way I see it is, if enough people are dedicated to this sickness, then we should be able to do something to preserve it and not just let everything "happen" to us. How bout some positive ideas...whether it involves NHRA or not. I know organizing racers is like herding cats, but throwing your hands up is chicken dookie if you ask me. I'll start....what if we really got behind AHRA? I know there are a thousand negatives, but it's essentially a clean slate - racer friendly, same rules as NHRA, not run by bean counting A-holes. Let 'er rip! Flame ON!

01-06-2010, 03:17 PM	#6
Bobby Zlatkin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mills River, NC Posts: 417 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: We're Evolving! About two years ago when there was talk of a 'for profit' corporation buying the professional side of the NHRA only and not the sportsman side, it seemed to everyone that would be a terrible thing. In retrospect, it probably would have been a good thing. Let's face it, the only thing the professional and the sportsman drag racers have in common is the venue. The race track. Other than that, our interests are different. We' re not doing this for a living (well, the most of us), We're doing it for fun. Maybe if the two had been seperated, and the sportsman side remained 'not for profit', still belonging to it's members, we could control our own destiny. That's why I believe sports national events are much more fun for a sportsman racer than national events where we suck hind teat. We could still have Indy as the premier event. Just a different weekend. I never could understand how our organization got sold out from under us. Instead of the organization being our adversary, it should represent the wants of the majority. __________________ Bobby & Norene Zlatkin L/SA

01-06-2010, 12:21 PM	#7
Bobby Zlatkin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mills River, NC Posts: 417 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: We're Evolving! One thing you can bet on, even if it would get down to only two approved combo's, there will still be people complaining that the guys with the "other combo" will have a soft HP rating and will have an unfair advantage. __________________ Bobby & Norene Zlatkin L/SA

01-06-2010, 04:55 PM	#9
Bob Pagano VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Holland, PA Mooresville,NC Posts: 1,163 Likes: 239 Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Re: We're Evolving! Bobby Z hit it right on, best thing that could have happened. Before long everyone will be running Nostalgia Drags with different groups or Orgs. Look a NMCA, any mod as long as it looks original, hell half the mopars dont even run the correct hood scoop and tech......".looks good to me " __________________ Bob Pagano A/SA

01-06-2010, 05:01 PM	#10
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: We're Evolving! Bob, If only there were rules and specs to Nostalgia so it werent all Dial In but I understand . It is hard to police and hard to justify the costs today...