Where is the pride? Is it just a checkbook?

Wade Mahaffey · 01-12-2011, 09:37 AM

As I read the threads on the new Mustangs and Challengers. I see that the cars are factory built as a race car. Then taken to a chassis shop, then a body/paint shop, then an engine is purchased from a builder, etc,etc and then in some cases someone else drives it! If you take that senario and win with it, Do you feel like a winner? If you do, I'm happy for you and to each his own. I guess I'm just old school, but I see that as a fan with a check book or a sugar daddy. It tickles me to watch sports on TV and see the fans screaming for their team to win. They feel, that they are a winner if their team wins! When they did'nt throw the ball, catch the ball, hit the ball, etc, nothing, notta, no effort at all, just watch! How can you be a winner, if all you do is watch what somebody else did to win! "The glory belongs to the man in the arena". Now I know there are many out there that would say it's a team thing. I respect that, and agree somewhat, (being a retired career firefighter) and know the importance of the team concept. In the big game, if I'm on the bench or in the dugout all game and the team wins....I'm a winner.....but I sure don't feel like one! (my opinion only) Where has the pride of building your own car gone?

Wade Mahaffey

Ed Wright · 01-12-2011, 09:42 AM

Here we go! :-)

Billy Nees · 01-12-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Here we go! :-)

Ready Ed? Stock and SS racing (and pretty much all of Drag Racing) has stopped being a sport in which the participants get their "personal satisfaction" out of "creating and doing" and become a sport of participants who "buy someone elses creations and do".
I am going to guess that (as Andys Dad says) it has just all become a matter of time and you can make more money but not time.
I truely don't care how other people spend their money, it's their money, they made it let them spend it as they see fit. Maybe they get their "personal satisfaction" fix by making their money. I enjoy building things, I like to eat and stay warm and dry too. As long as I can make enough money to stay fed and warm I'm good with having time to build more things to go get my "personal satisfaction" fix with but I'll admit that I'm a throwback.
There have always been "doers and buyers" in racing but money has gotten easier to come by (not for me) in recent years (apparently) and there are just more participants with the ability to "buy" what the "doers" are willing to do.
That being said, if NHRA would make a Class Win count for something again, make winning Class count as a guarantee of a qualifing spot again, grow a set and come up with an immediate horsepower fix for all of the new combos and make the purses something less of a joke, maybe more of us could find less to bitch about.

AC · 01-12-2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

maybe more of us could find less to bitch about.

i highly doubt that

1320racer · 01-12-2011, 11:23 AM

All these type of threads are really about is those that ain't going rounds and ain't winning races using the excuse that they were outspent.

What we do ain't cheap nor is easy to be on top. It requires MONEY, lots of it along with dedication, driving skill and some luck!

X-TECH MAN · 01-12-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wade mahaffey

as i read the threads on the new mustangs and challengers. I see that the cars are factory built as a race car. Then taken to a chassis shop, then a body/paint shop, then an engine is purchased from a builder, etc,etc and then in some cases someone else drives it! If you take that senario and win with it, do you feel like a winner? If you do, i'm happy for you and to each his own. I guess i'm just old school, but i see that as a fan with a check book or a sugar daddy. It tickles me to watch sports on tv and see the fans screaming for their team to win. They feel, that they are a winner if their team wins! When they did'nt throw the ball, catch the ball, hit the ball, etc, nothing, notta, no effort at all, just watch! How can you be a winner, if all you do is watch what somebody else did to win! "the glory belongs to the man in the arena". Now i know there are many out there that would say it's a team thing. I respect that, and agree somewhat, (being a retired career firefighter) and know the importance of the team concept. In the big game, if i'm on the bench or in the dugout all game and the team wins....i'm a winner.....but i sure don't feel like one! (my opinion only) where has the pride of building your own car gone?

Wade mahaffey

x 10

herbjr · 01-12-2011, 10:19 AM

So I guess Buddy Martin shouldnt be proud of what he did since he owned the cars and never drove them. Or how about almost every NASCAR TEAM there are only 3 owner drivers out there, Or Vinney Barone for spending money to give Biondo a ride in the comp car. I mean my opinion is if you have enough income to do this at that level then let those people do it. Why bitch because someone can afford to do it this way, I cant afford to run a Challenger or Mustang but I dont have a problem for anyone who has WORKED THEIR *** OFF TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY to be able to buy one. I dont like alot of things in this world but if someone wants to spend 100K to run a stocker then thats their business.

Herb jr

Andys dad · 01-12-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herbjr

So I guess Buddy Martin shouldnt be proud of what he did since he owned the cars and never drove them. Or how about almost every NASCAR TEAM there are only 3 owner drivers out there, Or Vinney Barone for spending money to give Biondo a ride in the comp car. I mean my opinion is if you have enough income to do this at that level then let those people do it. Why bitch because someone can afford to do it this way, I cant afford to run a Challenger or Mustang but I dont have a problem for anyone who has WORKED THEIR *** OFF TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY to be able to buy one. I dont like alot of things in this world but if someone wants to spend 100K to run a stocker then thats their business.

Herb jr

Well said Herb

Also some guys choose to have a $300k motor home and trailer.

I am going to tow on a $1500 trailer and race a $100k car.

BTW - I am very proud I have worked and been able to afford it

:-) peace

dragracer9911 · 01-12-2011, 10:48 AM

Wade, as you know, I have a lot of respect for you as a man and for your fabrication abilities. I grew up in this sport with Dicke Estevez, who build everything from the car to the engine. He fabricated the car, did the body work and painted it. He did minor upholstry work. Even though he was not a transmittion man, he has rebuilt his C6 the night before a race when he couldn't get it fixed but the trans man of the day. He has rebuilt the rear as well. But, having that be said, he also had different engine builders, transmittion men, and rear end men as well. At one point in time, he worked with a can shaft company to help develope FE cams, to the tune of a cam a week. He commisioned a guy in NJ to make a base intake that allowed a 351 Torker to fit a FE motor. As you also know, hin and Alfred did rollbar and tub work to support the "habit". He did most of it because he couldn't affo0rd to pay someone to do it.
I guess what I am driving at is, not everyone can do what you or Dickie, or a lot of other people can do, or they can to up to a point. Most everyone has a fabricator do their suspension, tubes and rollbars. Most have a engine builder, trans man, or get their rear for Strange or Mark Willimans, etc. In alot of ways, these guys that are racing "Factory" car are rebuilding them after they get the car. I know a stock racer that has a competitive older mustang that Ford gave him a body in white, some exterior trim and some interior trim and he still has over $70,000 in the car and it's not finished yet. In hind sight, he wishes he wasn't give the "free" car.
We allo do what we can with what we have, whether it's a Class car, a bracket car, or street rod. Some may look at your roaster and say look at that guy, "guess we all know who has the money". I may know what it took for you to build that car, how much work and time you personlly spend on it, what you sacrificed to afford what you didn't fabricated or all the side work you did to be able to afford it, but the average guy doesn't know that.

Tom Sr.

B.D.D.2 · 01-13-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herbjr

So I guess Buddy Martin shouldnt be proud of what he did since he owned the cars and never drove them. Or how about almost every NASCAR TEAM there are only 3 owner drivers out there, Or Vinney Barone for spending money to give Biondo a ride in the comp car. I mean my opinion is if you have enough income to do this at that level then let those people do it. Why bitch because someone can afford to do it this way, I cant afford to run a Challenger or Mustang but I dont have a problem for anyone who has WORKED THEIR *** OFF TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY to be able to buy one. I dont like alot of things in this world but if someone wants to spend 100K to run a stocker then thats their business.

Herb jr

Very well said!!

01-12-2011, 09:37 AM	#1
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Where is the pride? Is it just a checkbook? As I read the threads on the new Mustangs and Challengers. I see that the cars are factory built as a race car. Then taken to a chassis shop, then a body/paint shop, then an engine is purchased from a builder, etc,etc and then in some cases someone else drives it! If you take that senario and win with it, Do you feel like a winner? If you do, I'm happy for you and to each his own. I guess I'm just old school, but I see that as a fan with a check book or a sugar daddy. It tickles me to watch sports on TV and see the fans screaming for their team to win. They feel, that they are a winner if their team wins! When they did'nt throw the ball, catch the ball, hit the ball, etc, nothing, notta, no effort at all, just watch! How can you be a winner, if all you do is watch what somebody else did to win! "The glory belongs to the man in the arena". Now I know there are many out there that would say it's a team thing. I respect that, and agree somewhat, (being a retired career firefighter) and know the importance of the team concept. In the big game, if I'm on the bench or in the dugout all game and the team wins....I'm a winner.....but I sure don't feel like one! (my opinion only) Where has the pride of building your own car gone? Wade Mahaffey

01-12-2011, 09:42 AM	#2
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Where is the pride? Is it just a checkbook? Here we go! :-) __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

01-12-2011, 11:23 AM	#5
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: Where is the pride? Is it just a checkbook? All these type of threads are really about is those that ain't going rounds and ain't winning races using the excuse that they were outspent. What we do ain't cheap nor is easy to be on top. It requires MONEY, lots of it along with dedication, driving skill and some luck!

01-12-2011, 10:19 AM	#7
herbjr VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greensboro NC Posts: 1,027 Likes: 1 Liked 83 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Where is the pride? Is it just a checkbook? So I guess Buddy Martin shouldnt be proud of what he did since he owned the cars and never drove them. Or how about almost every NASCAR TEAM there are only 3 owner drivers out there, Or Vinney Barone for spending money to give Biondo a ride in the comp car. I mean my opinion is if you have enough income to do this at that level then let those people do it. Why bitch because someone can afford to do it this way, I cant afford to run a Challenger or Mustang but I dont have a problem for anyone who has WORKED THEIR *** OFF TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY to be able to buy one. I dont like alot of things in this world but if someone wants to spend 100K to run a stocker then thats their business. Herb jr

01-12-2011, 10:48 AM	#9
dragracer9911 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 75 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Where is the pride? Is it just a checkbook? Wade, as you know, I have a lot of respect for you as a man and for your fabrication abilities. I grew up in this sport with Dicke Estevez, who build everything from the car to the engine. He fabricated the car, did the body work and painted it. He did minor upholstry work. Even though he was not a transmittion man, he has rebuilt his C6 the night before a race when he couldn't get it fixed but the trans man of the day. He has rebuilt the rear as well. But, having that be said, he also had different engine builders, transmittion men, and rear end men as well. At one point in time, he worked with a can shaft company to help develope FE cams, to the tune of a cam a week. He commisioned a guy in NJ to make a base intake that allowed a 351 Torker to fit a FE motor. As you also know, hin and Alfred did rollbar and tub work to support the "habit". He did most of it because he couldn't affo0rd to pay someone to do it. I guess what I am driving at is, not everyone can do what you or Dickie, or a lot of other people can do, or they can to up to a point. Most everyone has a fabricator do their suspension, tubes and rollbars. Most have a engine builder, trans man, or get their rear for Strange or Mark Willimans, etc. In alot of ways, these guys that are racing "Factory" car are rebuilding them after they get the car. I know a stock racer that has a competitive older mustang that Ford gave him a body in white, some exterior trim and some interior trim and he still has over $70,000 in the car and it's not finished yet. In hind sight, he wishes he wasn't give the "free" car. We allo do what we can with what we have, whether it's a Class car, a bracket car, or street rod. Some may look at your roaster and say look at that guy, "guess we all know who has the money". I may know what it took for you to build that car, how much work and time you personlly spend on it, what you sacrificed to afford what you didn't fabricated or all the side work you did to be able to afford it, but the average guy doesn't know that. Tom Sr.