Drag Pak/Cobra Jet FX classes

[SSDiv6]

I asked myself how the synergy of this discussion would be if there was a GM offering such as a late model Supercharged Camaro or 'Vette running the same numbers and classes as the CJ's and DP's?

When the LT-1's and LS-1's were introduced years ago, I remember seeing the same type of arguments from other car makes. It would be interesting the day someone shows up at the track with a Supercharged Pontiac GTP FWD and qualifies 2 seconds under the index.

[Dgal]

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

I asked myself how the synergy of this discussion would be if there was a GM offering such as a late model Supercharged Camaro or 'Vette running the same numbers and classes as the CJ's and DP's?

When the LT-1's and LS-1's were introduced years ago, I remember seeing the same type of arguments from other car makes. It would be interesting the day someone shows up at the track with a Supercharged Pontiac GTP FWD and qualifies 2 seconds under the index.

There is a whole lot more to it than who is offering what. The first problem you have with any of these cars is availability. Since they are not mass produced street cars like the LT1s, then not anybody can get one. You make an application and submit it for approval. Or buy one from someone that has already jumped through the hoops. Not to mention these are not cars that meet the intent of the class.

The next problem you run into is affordability. Not only the expense of these cars, but what about the spare parts? Most racers stick with a single manufacturer when they pick a car to race. It begins as a personal preference in a lot of cases, but it also has to do with parts that cross over to other applications or car changes through out a racing career.

Many of us have very limited funds and have gathered parts over the years. One of the reasons why Chevy seems to dominate sportsman drag racing is that so many of their parts fit so many cars. A Chevy guy buying a Cobra Jet or a Drag Pak is not unheard of or even a bad deal. You don't lose respect for doing it, but there is a tremendous amount of expense that extends beyond the initial purchase of a race car.

Sometimes, I think the car is the cheapest part of the equation.

[NewHemi]

Originally Posted by Dal

Sometimes, I think the car is the cheapest part of the equation.

In the case of the Drag Pack, I can assure you that it is absolutely true all of the time. The car lists (2009 = $37K, 2010=a six pack of beer under $40K) And then you open both doors, the trunk and the hood, and start pouring a ton more money into all of them. If you can build one for a $100K total, then I commend you. We did an awful lot of the work ourselves, and are still way over $100K total.

When the 2011's come out, that will most likely be completely different as they will come ready to race, like the Mustangs.... But hang on, before anyone starts whining about that, most of them will never hit the track as they will probably get mothballed as collector cars until we get the economy back on track and assets like collectible cars have some value again.

David
The New Hemi Guy