End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??

[Michael Colaluca]

What is hurting the future of stock and superstock? The cost!

Who in their 20s-30s is going to want to spend 10k+ on a race engine, when they can spend the same money and go twice as fast using other means?

The rules need to be reevaluated. If nothing happens, watch the classes disappear.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Michael Colaluca

What is hurting the future of stock and superstock? The cost!

Who in their 20s-30s is going to want to spend 10k+ on a race engine, when they can spend the same money and go twice as fast using other means?

The rules need to be reevaluated. If nothing happens, watch the classes disappear.

Michael, you are absolutely right! As the current racers retire(or worse) they aren't being replaced with enough younger racers. I've been trying for quite some time to show potential racers that it doesn't have to be silly expensive to race(Dime Rockets) but I also understand that a 20-30 yearold doesn't want to race a 30+ yearold 14 second car.
At some point in the not too distant future, NHRA is going to have to do either a drastic re-write of the rules(think early 70s type of re-write) or they are going to have to let the imports in in some way. If they don't I'm afraid to say that attrition is going to eventually do us in. And all of that being said, It seems to me that Stock is probably the healthiest of all the Eliminators. At least it is right now.

[Michael Colaluca]

Exactly!

I have several buddies that go grudge racing quite often. One spent the same amount as it cost to build a nice 318, for an entire vehicle that runs in the 5.80 range in the 1/8 mile!

That is where racing is going unfortunately. The younger generation doesn't want to spend money on a car that goes "slow." They would rather slap nitrous on a 5.0 mustang or a v8 s10.

The only person I have seen around my age, or 10 years older rather, was started by their family. Haven't seen someone really jump into it from a younger generation, however I could be wrong.

I do not believe allowing the import cars would change anything. Kids that race these days just would rather go fast. Don't understand rules, or why someone would use a quadrajet or thermoquad carb to race.

[Jeff Lee]

I've been saying this to deaf, SELFISH ears to years. Decrease the amount of classes which will push towards more heads-up runs, make those that try, try harder and sponsors will be happier all at the same time. I know that the two out of two OEM's I've spoken to whole heartedly agree with me and I've not communicated with the 3rd OEM representative.
How to do this? Simple. Combine classes like Top Stock; I.e., A-B-C race together on B weight, D-E-F race together on E weight, and so on down the line. At the same time, combine sticks and autos.
This gets shot down due to those trying to protect their turfs, plain and simple. But I'd rather loose a small turf than the whole turf.
I'm at Boy Scout camp this entire week. It's a lot more rewarding than drag racing but I see the politicos here too. Damn, everybody's got an agenda and turf to protect!

[Gary Smith]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

I've been saying this to deaf, SELFISH ears to years. Decrease the amount of classes which will push towards more heads-up runs, make those that try, try harder and sponsors will be happier all at the same time. I know that the two out of two OEM's I've spoken to whole heartedly agree with me and I've not communicated with the 3rd OEM representative.
How to do this? Simple. Combine classes like Top Stock; I.e., A-B-C race together on B weight, D-E-F race together on E weight, and so on down the line. At the same time, combine sticks and autos.
This gets shot down due to those trying to protect their turfs, plain and simple. But I'd rather loose a small turf than the whole turf.
I'm at Boy Scout camp this entire week. It's a lot more rewarding than drag racing but I see the politicos here too. Damn, everybody's got an agenda and turf to protect!

Unfortunately the very reason I got so obsessed with class racing may be the very reason of it's impeding doom - over complexity to the average spectator. When you count the number of designations, confusing rules, unexplainable slower cars, bracket-index-breakouts, it's no wonder the average fan ends up walking away from the stands. And as I've said before, lack of self-marketing from most racers to non-traditional outlets (car-shows, seminars, other varying non-motorsport venue solicitation) and less than desirable engagement with spectators continues to seal the fate of Stock & Super Stock. It is no longer up to the "HRAs" to sustain its future, but the participants and supporters.

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Gary Smith

Unfortunately the very reason I got so obsessed with class racing may be the very reason of it's impeding doom - over complexity to the average spectator. When you count the number of designations, confusing rules, unexplainable slower cars, bracket-index-breakouts, it's no wonder the average fan ends up walking away from the stands. And as I've said before, lack of self-marketing from most racers to non-traditional outlets (car-shows, seminars, other varying non-motorsport venue solicitation) and less than desirable engagement with spectators continues to seal the fate of Stock & Super Stock. It is no longer up to the "HRAs" to sustain its future, but the participants and supporters.

Excellent Post !!

"And as I've said before, lack of self-marketing from most racers to non-traditional outlets (car-shows, seminars, other varying non-motorsport venue solicitation) and less than desirable engagement with spectators continues to seal the fate of Stock & Super Stock. It is no longer up to the "HRAs" to sustain its future, but the participants and supporters."

[partsbob67]

do you think this would help or hurt? cut the classes and also go to a spec type engine program where you use edelbrock heads for your engine and a 750 or 850 holley carb. now I realize this doesn't work for the 6 cyl guys and some other combos, but it could cut some of the cost of building and maintaining a combo. it's seems like that is what they are doing with the new cars, why not spread the wealth?

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by Michael Colaluca

Exactly!

I have several buddies that go grudge racing quite often. One spent the same amount as it cost to build a nice 318, for an entire vehicle that runs in the 5.80 range in the 1/8 mile!

That is where racing is going unfortunately. The younger generation doesn't want to spend money on a car that goes "slow." They would rather slap nitrous on a 5.0 mustang or a v8 s10.

The only person I have seen around my age, or 10 years older rather, was started by their family. Haven't seen someone really jump into it from a younger generation, however I could be wrong.

I do not believe allowing the import cars would change anything. Kids that race these days just would rather go fast. Don't understand rules, or why someone would use a quadrajet or thermoquad carb to race.

I think Stock has a golden opportunity to rebrand itself and grow.

Mentioned adding the foreign makes.
Seem to get a lot of push back preventing them from being added.

The current generation have their loyalties to many Imports, like we do ours.
IT would start slow but it will catch on and grow.

I have been watching "Are you Faster than a Redneck"
Love that program and that competitive gritty attitude will prevail if Imports are allowed to compete in S/SS.

I can see the announcer now building up the Impatience.

Heck Toyota is already sponsoring National Meets.

As far as current branding of S/SS !
Having a Muscle Car S/SS Meet would attract fans.
I do not like the word Nostalgia.....old !!

But Muscle Car S/SS Racing concept should attract fans if properly marketed.


D

[Michael Beard]

I've been hearing the doom and gloom "there's no new young racers" since *I* was a kid.

Brandon Peterson
Charles Myers
Cody Phillips
Corey Taylor
Travis Womble, Jr.
Joel Warren
CJ Perry
Tabitha Draughon
Hillarey Sloan
Jamie Southards
Lee Norton
Michael Crumpler
Jake Sealey
Amanda Manuel
Courtney Young
Tyler Bell
Kevin Riner
Cameron Collins
Curtis Smith, Jr.
Jamie Holston
Mike Longhaney
Jeff Longhaney
Eddie Longhaney
Corey Lucas
Cam Tingen

...and that's just in the Carolinas, off the top of my head.

[Michael Colaluca]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

I've been hearing the doom and gloom "there's no new young racers" since *I* was a kid.

Brandon Peterson
Charles Myers
Cody Phillips
Corey Taylor
Travis Womble, Jr.
Joel Warren
CJ Perry
Tabitha Draughon
Hillarey Sloan
Jamie Southards
Lee Norton
Michael Crumpler
Jake Sealey
Amanda Manuel
Courtney Young
Tyler Bell
Kevin Riner
Cameron Collins
Curtis Smith, Jr.
Jamie Holston
Mike Longhaney
Jeff Longhaney
Eddie Longhaney
Corey Lucas
Cam Tingen

...and that's just in the Carolinas, off the top of my head.

I have only been racing in stock for the past 10 years, and I haven't seen nowhere that many people join here in division 4. From what I can recall in the past 10 years who started racing stock and still are:
Jimmy Hidalgo
Jacob Pitt
David Buckner
Thomas Marlow
David Latino

I'm sure I missed a few, as that is all that I can recall off the top of my head.

I do not believe any HRA will be getting rid of the classes anytime soon. However, I don't see the car counts being big like they once were 15+ years ago.