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#1 | |
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Bob Bender 144 O/SA 2010-2012 National Record Holder |
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#2 |
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Looking at first round of Stock qualifying at Norwalk, 85% were G and faster.
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#3 |
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And realistically, only 3 cars 12-sec and slower. (Veach and Pires will obviously go faster)
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Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS |
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#4 |
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I think, in a nut shell that the upper classes are filled with people who can afford it. The middle by people who are doing what they can to be as fast as they can. The lower classes by low buck or entry level people. I realise this is a generalisation, but in most cases it fits.
That being said, I really enjoy slower/oddball/different combo's, moreso than the A-E/S. I enjoy watching the big wheelstands from the older ponycars/musclecars, but other than that my heart is with the R or T and down Stockers. So why is there less slower cars? Sure they might be less competetive or less likely to win, but that has always been the case. Less performance parts? Sure but again that's not new. So what is it? I would say the upper classes can still afford it, period. The middle classes are running less but can still scrape by with less update/upgrades. The lower classes, who could only scrape together the bucks to run when they can with what they can, just can't afford it in these times. Any "enhancement" that cost $$$ can be absorbed by the big bucks guys (who coincidentily are running upper classes) but ask a lower class guy? Then it's "man I have to find another $1000 somewhere so I'll be legal again". Maybe I'm just cheap, but I love the underdogs/lower classes. (Was digging around in some old boxes of mags recently and found the Stock/Superstock mag with Steve Polhills interview with the Escort, excellent!) (Oh and for the record, yes I'm tired of seeing 69 camaro's.) LOL |
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#5 |
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Here is another observation. When you consider the cost of building a full high tech car, there is little difference in the cost of building a 4-bbl V8 of any variety. What I mean is, if you are building a small block Chevy, for example, there is little difference to build a 305 smogger as it is to build a top of the line high performance version. The cost of the pistons, rods, valve train, heads, machine work, suspension, roll bar/cage, transmission, accessories, trick parts, etc. etc. is the same for the 305 that runs high elevens as it is for a ten second combination. The same for about any manufacturer. So why spend all that time and money on a mid to high eleven second car when you can go tens for the same $$? The are anomalies to those characteristics, but I would dare say that Wade Owens' 283 M/SA cost just as much as a competitive C or D car. It's not until you get away from some of the basic standard 4-bbl V8 costs that things change dramatically. Now I know that an FE Ford or a Hemi costs more than a small block Chevy, but as a rule you will have some basic core costs that are the same. That is a major reason why more faster cars are built.
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#6 | |
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etc) can you buy for the cost of a 396/375,427 any hp rating,for that matter a 390 AMC? I believe for the most part lower class stockers are built by guys with not a lot to spend.My car,which I bought for $125 came only in the class guide with a 258 6 cylinder.If I wanted to build a 1969 SC/Rambler (390 4 speed only) a ragtag original car would be over $10K. Even a clone rambler non post car commands a good buck,for a rambler. I built my car on my small budget.I've had a moderate amount of success in the past 11 years.I've worked hard at finding a way (with a lot of help from Tom Goldman) to get the car to run the number on the window.I think we've succeded at that.Now I need to race more to get the tree down again.Any car can be successful,fast or slow,with the right driver with the right mindset.
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Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA |
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#7 | |
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Gary Hampton '86 Z24,173 V6 CF/S #5824 (#78 in 2021) |
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#8 | |
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Your second statement that I quoted from you is right on. Determination and desire are maybe more valuable than speed or dollars. I don't expect the people who are currently competing in those upper classes to sell their cars and build something that would be 3-4 seconds slower, I just want to encourage participation. If we make it look like you have to spend $25K + to even be able to participate and win, then we will lose a very important part of the soul of Stock Class racing. When I started, if I thought I had to build a late model muscle car to be able to compete and win, I would never have stepped into the arena. However, a good friend of mine partnered with me and we build a car for $2300 that won the first points race we participated in. Great job, Michael Beard, on the runner up this last week-end! |
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#9 | |
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Gary Hampton '86 Z24,173 V6 CF/S #5824 (#78 in 2021) |
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