Z-MAX car count

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

and it should have been a 3 day race instead of four. One reason I did not go this time (as a crew chief, not a driver) is I'd have had to leave on Tuesday night. That's ridiculous.

Dead-on!

Michael, That works for you, but not everyone can barrow a car.

I own an NHRA-legal Stocker. I haven't raced it in a number of years, but may take it out a couple times next year (with a For Sale sign on it) I bought & built a crate motor car because I choose to run IHRA. If I cared to run NHRA, I would either race my other car, or put a 'traditional' motor in the Volare. NHRA has "borrowed" plenty of IHRA ideas already. The organizations don't have to be the same. If NHRA allowed crate motors, they'd pick up 10 cars, and lose 15-20 cars from guys who don't want to race against them. Let them do their own thing.

[Ed Wright]

I think Alan and Michael are both dead on. Four days is silly, especially with small fields, and the no SS cars makes no sense either. If you don't have full fields, why exclude classes? Looks like they would want the entry fees? Div 4 car counts are down this year also. Some guys are out of work, others are nervous about maybe getting layed off, some shop owners are suffering with slow business, so don't feel like they can afford to race.

I was looking for No Problem results (must be some rain down there) and noticed the NHRA Div 7 race only showed 27 SS cars. Lots of race cars on the left coast, probably the same reason other areas are down.

[THE LEGEND]

DW,
I know a lot of IHRA regulars went to Atlanta last weekend to get a grade point. I hate to miss a national event 100 miles frm the house. It's all good though we will be at MIR next week then on to THE ROCK.
CHip

[Jeff Teuton]

If you think Charlotte is bad, look at Dallas. They got SS w/class and Stock w/o. About 70 cars in both so far.

[Evan Smith]

Both Brian and Michael are dead on.

While there is a lot of ranting on here about this and that, fact is, the economy is in the dumper and people are laying low. Virtually all forms of busniess are feeling the crunch and I'm sure NHRA is as well, along with the racers who attend these races.

Personally, I have no desire to race against crate-motor Stockers. I have nothing against the concept, and it is a cool idea that works for IHRA, but NHRA doesn't need it. When the economy rebounds the car counts will come back. If you spend the same time and effort building a crate-motor Stock engine, how is it cheaper?

What would be cool is a heads-up crate-motor class with each manufacturer supplying one small-block and one big-block naturally aspirated engine (two weight breaks) using the current Stocker rules format. With only a 6 engines to police (Mopar, Chevy and Ford) NHRA (or whatever the sanction) could closely monitor the cars. Winner and runner up remove a head after each race and use a scope to look at the bottom end.

[THE LEGEND]

Evan,
IHRA had that class they called it TOP STOCK. We see how that worked out for them.LOL

I agree with the cost thing. A competitive crate motor engine will cost as much as a competitive trditional engine.

Chip

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Evan Smith

Both Brian and Michael are dead on.
If you spend the same time and effort building a crate-motor Stock engine, how is it cheaper?

What would be cool is a heads-up crate-motor class with each manufacturer supplying one small-block and one big-block naturally aspirated engine (two weight breaks) using the current Stocker rules format. With only a 6 engines to police (Mopar, Chevy and Ford) NHRA (or whatever the sanction) could closely monitor the cars. Winner and runner up remove a head after each race and use a scope to look at the bottom end.

The first part of the question is PARTS avaliabily and body styles. Most are much cheaper to obtain going in. You dont have to kiss some collector whores ***** to buy heads,intakes, etc. or a 67 to 69 Camaro. Not every one desires a late model Mustang or Firebird with FI.
Second part....we tried this in IHRA and no one seemed interested (Zero interest) so we came up with Top Stock then GM ramed the crate motors down our throats if IHRA wanted a sponsor for a heads up class and the rest is shall we say HISTORY. Maybe the timing was weong and 9 years later it could work if the NHRA guys were not such "Pureists" in the "Stock" concept? Hell, theres nothing stock about them today anyway except the name of the class. Neat idea and glad to see someone come back up with the again.

[Michael Beard]

NHRA *has* crate motor cars... they're called Cobra Jets and Challengers... Not to mention all the superceded parts, fuel cells, wheelie bars, CSR/Meziere water pumps. -=shrug=- It is what it is.

Just pickin! Like I said, doesn't matter. I've always said, "Tell me what the rules of the playground are, and I'll go play on it."

Hope the weather holds off today.

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

Dead-on!



I own an NHRA-legal Stocker. I haven't raced it in a number of years, but may take it out a couple times next year (with a For Sale sign on it) I bought & built a crate motor car because I choose to run IHRA. .

Micheal, if you already have a NHRA legal Stocker, why did you feel the need to build a crate motor car to run IHRA? I thought that a NHRA Stocker would fit into an existing IHRA class, no?
And, yes, wheelie bars, electric water pumps etc may not be "Stock" but they are used on cars that were factory produced vehicles. Frankly, I see nothing "Stock" about a V8 Vega Stocker, a V8 powered FWD conversion "stocker" or a 1970 car with a 2000 era engine with an aftermarket intake and Holley carb.Considering that IHRA has many more classes than NHRA, and typically far lower car counts, even without the need for grade points or pre entry, I guess NHRA must still have some appeal. Enough appeal that ex IHRA President Bill Bader switched his own track the NHRA a few years back. Being on the West Coast, there is no IHRA racing for most of us to try, other than Edmonton, while NHRA is everywhere across North America.

[RJ]

NHRA "stock?"/IHRA "crate stock?" - what is stock anymore?

crank - yes
aftermarket rods - no
aftermarket pistons - no
lightweight pins - no
$400+ rings - no
billet cam - no
ceramic lifters - no
big O.D. pushrods - no
500lb+ valve springs - no
lightweight retainers - no
aftermarket valves - no
bogus ports - no
any valve job - no
bogus chambers - no
bogus manifold runners - no

Just an example about how "not stock" NHRA or IHRA stock eliminator really is anyway. After 1985 or so calling anything stock is a moot point. I say let the rest of crates in, the CJ's and Challengers really are anyway.