End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??

[will prater]

I had a similar experince at Topeka several years ago. My son and I went up into the stands by the starting line on the pit side to watch Stock and Super Stock qualifying on Thursday am. We were run out of the stands because I was told they were for reserved seating. Cost $10 dollars to get in on Thursday, only tickets being sold. Good thing there was only about 10 people in the stands. Didn't take too long to get us out.

[Bobby Fazio]

On Thursday?! What a joke... They need to get rid of the reserved seating that's pointless with the lack of fanbase these days.

[partsbob67]

another problem is the bracket racing format. all the editorials I read anymore do nothing but bash bracket races. people want to see heads-up racing. look at how popular pinks was. stockers and super stockers have the coolest looking cars on the property but we need a format like comp runs or something like that. just my opinion.

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by partsbob67

another problem is the bracket racing format. all the editorials I read anymore do nothing but bash bracket races. people want to see heads-up racing. look at how popular pinks was. stockers and super stockers have the coolest looking cars on the property but we need a format like comp runs or something like that. just my opinion.

It would be better but the high dollar guys would rule and can you imagine NHRA having to keep up with every class every round with the CIC. No way.

[JOE ZOOM]

Originally Posted by partsbob67

another problem is the bracket racing format. all the editorials I read anymore do nothing but bash bracket races. people want to see heads-up racing. look at how popular pinks was. stockers and super stockers have the coolest looking cars on the property but we need a format like comp runs or something like that. just my opinion.

That's just what we need to do.Let's all run heads up so the guys with the most money are the most competitive.If a bracket racing format had never been implemented we would be like NASCAR,50 individuals who can afford to compete.

Joe Mocci

[James Hill]

Originally Posted by partsbob67

another problem is the bracket racing format. all the editorials I read anymore do nothing but bash bracket races. people want to see heads-up racing. look at how popular pinks was. stockers and super stockers have the coolest looking cars on the property but we need a format like comp runs or something like that. just my opinion.

I don't think that would help by the 4th or 5th race all that would be showing up are the cj, dp, copo's and obscure combos like trucks, turbos and caddys. I do however believe there needs to be more consolidation of classes which would promote more heads up runs. You wouldn't necessarily have to have a comp like budget driving people out, but it would at least make you be some what competitive in your class.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

I think there are alot of things that effect stk,ss, things are alot different now,as example,kids play sports now almost year round,and travel alot,people have have alot more options for entertainment,one thing that comes to in the 70's you went to movie theater,had 1-2 movies that may show for 2-3 weeks or longer,at that time you drag raced you ran stk,ss,mod,alky classes? pro stock,funny car,top fuel or et bracket that was all run and did'nt pay much.,we had 4 tv channels here,abc,cbs.nbc and pbs.
We did'nt have big discount superstores,we had main streets filled with locally owned businesses.
Then there are'nt mechanically inclined people like there used to be,the majority of people could do basic stuff on their cars.

I don't know how to fix class racing,just some of my observations,also I know bracket racers that have raced 20 years and don't even know class racing exist or what it is.

I also remember you could win alot of money in the 80's compared to what it cost to race,and now it seems like win about the same amount,but alot more to race.
Mike Taylor 3601

[Greg Hill]

As I see it we have two main problems, first we have an organization (NHRA ) whose top management doesn't understand class racing and could care less, but probably the biggest challenge is simply demographics. Look at the average age of stock and super stock racers. As we age and quit racing who is going to take our place? We have some younger racers but if you look in the staging lanes at almost any race you will see a bunch of racers in their 50's, 60's and 70's. other than 2nd or 3rd generation racers there are very few new racers coming in to our sport. I don't know if there is an answer for this problem.

[Dennis P Chapman]

Originally Posted by Greg Hill

As I see it we have two main problems, first we have an organization (NHRA ) whose top management doesn't understand class racing and could care less, but probably the biggest challenge is simply demographics. Look at the average age of stock and super stock racers. As we age and quit racing who is going to take our place? We have some younger racers but if you look in the staging lanes at almost any race you will see a bunch of racers in their 50's, 60's and 70's. other than 2nd or 3rd generation racers there are very few new racers coming in to our sport. I don't know if there is an answer for this problem.

Greg you are right on with that I have six grandkids 4 want to drive but not the right age. I hope there is still stock and superstock when they are.

[Dick Butler]

One issue is the $ fears. Many think S and SS needs to be affordable by everyone. Bracket racing IS affordable for anyone. Thats where to race for limited money. If you want spectators, class payout, attention, you need a Heads Up show. You name the cars but it cannot be one of everything on a dial in.
The factoring issue is a BIG problem. Too much slowing in class kills it too.
Have a Limited number of classes for the money. People will complain. Some cannot continue but team car idea would allow guys to pool money and continue if cost is too much.
CiC in eliminations of the 10 or 12 class winners.
TOO many classes, variants to satisfy one or two racers. Racing is not Bracket format.
Racing is Heads up winning.
Want a cheaper Class Car? own 1/4 of it and work together.
Want to own it? Create a Modified type class for ONE combination for everyone with strict limits. Not 10 wt breaks.....