How long do you think 40 to 50 year old cars can continue to be raced?

Alan Roehrich · 10-23-2010, 09:49 AM

There are a lot of 20 and 30 something people in Stock. Not a majority by any stretch, but quite a few. Some of them are running older iron. Honestly, with the current expense of building a Stock Eliminator car and traveling, few people under 30 can afford it. Especially in this economy.

Consider that a reasonably competitive budget car is $20K. A truck and open trailer is $15K if you want something late model and reliable. That's a budget rig. Next, to compete on a regional basis, you need at least 6-7 three day weekends to run the LODRS races. Then you need another 4-5 three to five day weekends to run the National Events in your region. How many 20 something, or even 30 something people can get that much time off, from a job that pays well enough for them to spend at least $500 for at least those ten weekends?

Saying the big thing keeping young people out of Stock is the old cars is a bit of a stretch, and that's being generous. The restrictive rules angle doesn't play that well either. While there will always be the "take the easy way" element, there will also be those who prefer the technical thinking route. Nothing you can do to Stock, while at least maintaining some semblance of the original intent and spirit, will draw the "easy" crowd. They ain't coming, just forget it.

10-23-2010, 09:49 AM	#14
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,123 Likes: 1,581 Liked 1,874 Times in 422 Posts	Re: How long do you think 40 to 50 year old cars can continue to be raced? There are a lot of 20 and 30 something people in Stock. Not a majority by any stretch, but quite a few. Some of them are running older iron. Honestly, with the current expense of building a Stock Eliminator car and traveling, few people under 30 can afford it. Especially in this economy. Consider that a reasonably competitive budget car is $20K. A truck and open trailer is $15K if you want something late model and reliable. That's a budget rig. Next, to compete on a regional basis, you need at least 6-7 three day weekends to run the LODRS races. Then you need another 4-5 three to five day weekends to run the National Events in your region. How many 20 something, or even 30 something people can get that much time off, from a job that pays well enough for them to spend at least $500 for at least those ten weekends? Saying the big thing keeping young people out of Stock is the old cars is a bit of a stretch, and that's being generous. The restrictive rules angle doesn't play that well either. While there will always be the "take the easy way" element, there will also be those who prefer the technical thinking route. Nothing you can do to Stock, while at least maintaining some semblance of the original intent and spirit, will draw the "easy" crowd. They ain't coming, just forget it. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S