Bring back super/mod...

[D.Johns]

ROTFLOL (now there is some hip language )

Cheap heads-up

That's like:
jumbo shrimp
Customer service
Or government assistance

Heads up will not be cheap. No matter what rules and regulations you implement. That only makes it more expensive. The "cheapest" heads up would probably be a sealed crate engine class but still won't be cheap.

It's always the same story. New class, new people, lots of interest at first, early adopters tend to be dominant, money spent to gain an edge, new comers aren't as competitive, politics, whining, participation drops, people complain more, Customers/racers/spectators/sponsors lose interest(due to money, new or lack of technolgy) develop new class, old class dies. It's a viscous circle.
I keep hearing about the "good ole days" to me it is the "good ole days" in the here and now. Some peoples calanders must still read 1970s in there house. Things evolve or they die. Classes come and go, it's the normal ebb and flow of life. It's creative destruction when we lose one and gain another.

If there is a lot of interest in bringing back the class by all means bring it back or something similar. I think that's great. Personally, if the goal is to get young guys(20-30s) to come race, this is not it. It won't be cheap and it does not relate to anything they own. Most drag racers start out in their street cars that they drive everyday to work because when you're young and just starting out you can't afford multiple cars and expensive toys(well unless you use debt but that means you won't as much disposable income to go race every month that requires travel)

You want a younger generation to come race?
Step 1:Teach them finiacial responsibility
Step 2: Expose them to the sport in general.
Step 3: Let them design a class that appeals to them. Wether that is Evoulution of an exsisting class or creation of a new one. "Let the dog wag the tail, not the tail wag the dog"

Just my 10 cents the 2 cents was free.

[ss wannabee]

Great ideas...but maybe a bit too late? We're well into the 21st Century...and we didn't have half the electronic and computer innovations back then...as we do today.

I'm speaking in terms as they apply to everyday life..as well as automotive and race-car
applications. The current young male...(and female) is a bit more familiar with pushing a
button...than turning wrenches...Tatoos and body-piercing dominate the social scheme....and are important to them....

Can we get some...to turn into gear-heads? Don't know? Do they know...or are willing to learn carburetors...(I'm assuming you'd want to see Holley carbs on these engines.)

OR would EFI's...tuned by laptops...be more relevant for the "new-blood" racers...would costs "spiral" if these were allowed?

Most of the younger "gearheads" I've seen are familiar with the "tuner" section of the sport....I think that means European and Asian cars, right? Not many I've seen are doing American V-8's...but there are some....COSTS ...I guess are a big factor with that....

Not sure on that mention of dual-plane manifolds only...PLENTY of single-plane intakes out there.....

Should we ask the question here...are we racing MORE now...and enjoying it LESS today...than in years past?

Mr. Johns...don't ask me about the "calendar" thing....I'm 60+...and have been living in the PAST...for years!

Great post!

QUOTE=D.Johns;340833]ROTFLOL (now there is some hip language )

Cheap heads-up

That's like:
jumbo shrimp
Customer service
Or government assistance

Heads up will not be cheap. No matter what rules and regulations you implement. That only makes it more expensive. The "cheapest" heads up would probably be a sealed crate engine class but still won't be cheap.

It's always the same story. New class, new people, lots of interest at first, early adopters tend to be dominant, money spent to gain an edge, new comers aren't as competitive, politics, whining, participation drops, people complain more, Customers/racers/spectators/sponsors lose interest(due to money, new or lack of technolgy) develop new class, old class dies. It's a viscous circle.
I keep hearing about the "good ole days" to me it is the "good ole days" in the here and now. Some peoples calanders must still read 1970s in there house. Things evolve or they die. Classes come and go, it's the normal ebb and flow of life. It's creative destruction when we lose one and gain another.

If there is a lot of interest in bringing back the class by all means bring it back or something similar. I think that's great. Personally, if the goal is to get young guys(20-30s) to come race, this is not it. It won't be cheap and it does not relate to anything they own. Most drag racers start out in their street cars that they drive everyday to work because when you're young and just starting out you can't afford multiple cars and expensive toys(well unless you use debt but that means you won't as much disposable income to go race every month that requires travel)

You want a younger generation to come race?
Step 1:Teach them finiacial responsibility
Step 2: Expose them to the sport in general.
Step 3: Let them design a class that appeals to them. Wether that is Evoulution of an exsisting class or creation of a new one. "Let the dog wag the tail, not the tail wag the dog"

Just my 10 cents the 2 cents was free.[/QUOTE]

[Dick Butler]

Test and tune nights where people "race" seems to be the money maker at local tracks.
Why? Low cost few rules,
Channel that into few rules, low cost, create education style with TECH schools involved , will help train mecanics for future.
Jim Wahl.. Good rules for us prior racers but expense? I like the scope to see flat piston, Scope to see the rods via hole in pan. Crank the same.
Spec, sealed motor still simplest. Any engine shop willing to do up 4 or 8 sealed spec motors? LOW COST simple stuff?Maybe rely on Tech Schools to build their own.
One motor like formula V, Ford, etc in road racing still an idea.

[Wade Mahaffey]

Alot of good ideas here, I like the spec/sealed engines. If you could have it policed by tech personel. I brought that up a year or so ago, and everyone laughed. I don't think you can bring a younger generation into the sport, unless you make it more affordable. As you can see everyone is leaving the sport because of the overall cost. The spec/sealed engines would be the main big ticket item to reduce cost.

Wade Mahaffey

[Dick Butler]

If anyone has connections with a sponsor who might GAIN from this they could support it as a sponsor through NHRA and then it would be done. How about JEGS engine service to create the Sealed motors? Anyone else? Then everyone is the same. Shop wins, Racers win, NHRA wins as more people participate, Rules easier, Tracks get younger groups who might "ATTEND" events in major cities. Local tracks could have these cars run if enough were built....

[John Leichtamer Jr]

Didn't nhra try the tuner car deal at one
time and all ended up as a circus side show

They thought more of the bands than the racing.



Hammer

[ss wannabee]

Obviously, my response was slanted towards the entry-level NEW younger enthusiast who we would hope would come aboard and give this a try and join the ranks of drag-racers....

Apologies for my assessment of the younger generation....but that's what I see...

Let's talk about the proposed rules.....

I like the idea...it's fundamentally SOUND...given the current state of the economy....
YES....it would have to be POLICED....so the "idea" wouldn't get out of hand....PLEASE
don't let what happened to Stock Eliminator....with all the "enhancements" and "whining".....happen HERE!

BUT...we ALL know....POLICING requires educated tech inspectors...and ENFORCEMENT....and we've beat up on that subject for many years now....

I remember when the econo-dragster class was introduced...initially we saw simple front-motored dragsters with 350 ci Chevies, Powerglides, and Holley carbs...just bolted together and run....we all know what happened to those classes eventually....

Think that the original super-mod classes went the same way as the years progressed...
LOTS of innovation...at a cost...$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

Here's my .02 on the rules:

How about a 375 ci engine size limit...and also a 750-cfm carb limit...so that the class doesn't turn into a large displacement/large carb "torque haven." And to encourage one's tuning ability....ALMOST like Jr. Stock coming back.....

How about ONE simple class...instead of weight-breaks? And would a SMALLER engine be CHEAPER to build? Just asking........

[ss wannabee]

How about a 9" tire rule also...or too limiting? Just thinking of ways to keep costs down......

Keep in mind tires are much better today....and there are some mid-SS class cars running FAST on 9-inches today......

[treessavoy]

Originally Posted by D.Johns

ROTFLOL (now there is some hip language )

Cheap heads-up

That's like:
jumbo shrimp
Customer service
Or government assistance

Heads up will not be cheap. No matter what rules and regulations you implement. That only makes it more expensive. The "cheapest" heads up would probably be a sealed crate engine class but still won't be cheap.

It's always the same story. New class, new people, lots of interest at first, early adopters tend to be dominant, money spent to gain an edge, new comers aren't as competitive, politics, whining, participation drops, people complain more, Customers/racers/spectators/sponsors lose interest(due to money, new or lack of technolgy) develop new class, old class dies. It's a viscous circle.
I keep hearing about the "good ole days" to me it is the "good ole days" in the here and now. Some peoples calanders must still read 1970s in there house. Things evolve or they die. Classes come and go, it's the normal ebb and flow of life. It's creative destruction when we lose one and gain another.

If there is a lot of interest in bringing back the class by all means bring it back or something similar. I think that's great. Personally, if the goal is to get young guys(20-30s) to come race, this is not it. It won't be cheap and it does not relate to anything they own. Most drag racers start out in their street cars that they drive everyday to work because when you're young and just starting out you can't afford multiple cars and expensive toys(well unless you use debt but that means you won't as much disposable income to go race every month that requires travel)

You want a younger generation to come race?
Step 1:Teach them finiacial responsibility
Step 2: Expose them to the sport in general.
Step 3: Let them design a class that appeals to them. Wether that is Evoulution of an exsisting class or creation of a new one. "Let the dog wag the tail, not the tail wag the dog"

Just my 10 cents the 2 cents was free.

What makes you think this idea was to bring in younger racers? To hell with them! The idea is to bring back a class that was as exciting to watch as it was to race!

From you're post I assume you weren't around in the "good ole days", if you were you would know they were "good". We could race on a decent budget and still be competitive at most races.

It's a great idea but if you stick to the iron head theory chevy has the advantage, they make too many different heads with different valve angles, placement and sizes, so a decision would have to be made to make the heads available fit the lowest common denominator head.

thought: 1967 notch back Cuda, W2 340, hemi crash box, 9" rear, all steel with fibreglass hood and scoop......just a thought.

JimR