End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??

Michael Beard · 06-20-2013, 12:15 PM

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 · 06-20-2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

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.

Bobby Zlatkin · 06-20-2013, 01:32 PM

What Jeff Lee said. Except the part about Boy Scout camp.

Too many classes. Seems everyone has their own class made just for them.
In 1968 N/SA had 27 competeors at Indy. In 1990 G/SA had a like amount. Now winning class in those years and surviving teardown was really something to be proud of. Not singleing for class.

You could cut 2/3 of the classes and most everyone could adjust their cars (mostly with weight) to fit right in one of the remaining classes.

It gets me when I see a car advertised "can run F/G or H" or another "can run M/N or O". Well which is it?

You used to have to change engine combo's to change class. What, '57 Chevrolets had eight different engine combo's they could run. How many do '69 Camaro's have? Now you just add or subtract weight.

Too many classes.

Bobby Fazio · 06-20-2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

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.

How many of them know how to finance/build/maintain a class car after their father's or grandfather's pass away? I'll be the first to admit that I won't be able to.

Michael Colaluca · 06-20-2013, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

How many of them know how to finance/build/maintain a class car after their father's or grandfather's pass away? I'll be the first to admit that I won't be able to.

I was talking about this the other day with my wife and some others.

There are hardly any more cars trailered on an open trailer and a pick up, or even a small motor home. What do we see when we go to the track? We see stacker trailers and toterhomes as the regular.

What 20-30 year old person can afford that? Surely you can do it cheaper. I go to the track in a 1986 fleetwood and an enclosed trailer. On top of that, you have the cost of the stocker. A stocker engine will easily run you 10+ depending on the combo of course. Then you add fuel and entry, it makes it quite difficult. This isnt the 1960s and 70s where they run stock and super stock at your local track every weekend. It seems that if you want to run your car on the weekends, you can go bracket racing. (Thanks, but I would rather save the engine that I saved up for.)

If you want the younger crowd to bring their own cars, if seems that a whole different eliminator will need to be created. I enjoy this class as much as anyone, and will probably race in it until I cant anymore. I just don't see a 28 yr old buying a 20-30-or 40 thousand dollar stocker, when he can get a 275 or a 10.5 car.

If I am wrong, please let me know.

Dennis P Chapman · 06-20-2013, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Colaluca

I was talking about this the other day with my wife and some others.

There are hardly any more cars trailered on an open trailer and a pick up, or even a small motor home. What do we see when we go to the track? We see stacker trailers and toterhomes as the regular.

What 20-30 year old person can afford that? Surely you can do it cheaper. I go to the track in a 1986 fleetwood and an enclosed trailer. On top of that, you have the cost of the stocker. A stocker engine will easily run you 10+ depending on the combo of course. Then you add fuel and entry, it makes it quite difficult. This isnt the 1960s and 70s where they run stock and super stock at your local track every weekend. It seems that if you want to run your car on the weekends, you can go bracket racing. (Thanks, but I would rather save the engine that I saved up for.)

If you want the younger crowd to bring their own cars, if seems that a whole different eliminator will need to be created. I enjoy this class as much as anyone, and will probably race in it until I cant anymore. I just don't see a 28 yr old buying a 20-30-or 40 thousand dollar stocker, when he can get a 275 or a 10.5 car.

If I am wrong, please let me know.

You hit right on the head and not going to get better for us or younger people.

Nathan Stinson · 06-21-2013, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Colaluca

If you want the younger crowd to bring their own cars, if seems that a whole different eliminator will need to be created. I enjoy this class as much as anyone, and will probably race in it until I cant anymore. I just don't see a 28 yr old buying a 20-30-or 40 thousand dollar stocker, when he can get a 275 or a 10.5 car.

If I am wrong, please let me know.

.

30-40 k won't touch a competitive 275 or 10.5 car. But you are correct on one thing if I am spending that much to race it will be to run fast as possible and heads up. If I loose I work on my junk and make it better. Just like any heads up racer would do.

Dick Butler · 06-22-2013, 11:02 AM

If we each decide S or SS is "MY" racing the end is nearer than thought. Selfish wishes, hp demands, class demands and ...... will keep it a Participant sport. It is destined for divisional events only or continued filler at Nationals.
I see Stk and SS as OUR or everyones place to comment and move forward.
No Everyone will not be happy, everyone might not get their favorite $1000 car factored to run a national event. Everyone might not be able to afford Stk or SS. We know that today.
If the majority wish to move it back towards its beginning as a Spectator appeal, Sponsor appeal and possible more enjoyment for Winning class( defined as beating 4 or 5 cars for class) then so be it. That can happen.
Want to run at an empty track, two days before spectators show up, no sponsor money unless you buy a cam a year, then vote that way.

Billy Nees · 06-23-2013, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

If we each decide S or SS is "MY" racing the end is nearer than thought. Selfish wishes, hp demands, class demands and ...... will keep it a Participant sport.

Dick, I'm going to guess that your comment is a slap at my remark that I always considered this "My Sport". We are all pretty much a bunch of selfish, spoiled brats! Let's face it, we're not cureing cancer or ending world hunger here!
And it is "My Sport". It may be NHRAs to own but I can still take from it what I will and make it mine. Like or not, I accept their rules and play by their rules. When I decide that I no longer like playing by their rules, I'll either quit or start the "Billy Hot Rod Assn.".

Robert Swartz · 06-23-2013, 10:30 AM

I sat here at the breakfast table and read this whole thread. I hope Stock/SuperStock racing doesn't seek to exist in the near future.

Right now, my attempts to join the fraternity keep running into roadblocks. My FWD car sits in limbo in the driveway, stripped of the few parts we added to it, now merely an object that needs moved from time to time to be mowed under. It was originally my step sons car, now subject to a Federal court case. It's fate yet to be determined. I want to personally thank Ron Seibenak, Dennis Roberts and Billy Nees for advise and help with that car.

My other car, the 79 Firebird, still sets in its corner of the garage. Due to lack of time or lack of money, it's just not getting worked on. I have most of the pieces to make the chassis a roller. Have of a lot ot the parts to build a good basic IHRA crate engine. Blame myself for apathy, just can't personally get motivated enough to start putting it altogether. Want give a personal thank you to Alex and his son Tony Dysenko for advise and getting me a few parts to at least get this thing to a point I can refer to it as a car. Also a shout out to Bruce Parsons, whom went out of his way to build me a set of heads to replace a set that were stolen from my shop. Just hope we get to use them someday.

Meanwhile, my long time friend and racing partner, Tod Lane and I continue to work on our ancient old 66 Chevy II bracket car. Just want to get this car redone. Just too many projects and lack of focus.

I'm somewhat established in life. For someone in their 20's or 30's, even with a good income. All hobbies are expensive, in their own ways. Racing, it isn't just having a car. You need to have a place to store and work on it. Both a vehicle and a trailer to transport it. As well as both tools and support equipment to work on it. I agree with what was said here, young people want to go fast and race heads up. I ran into a young guy I used to work with at a bracket race last summer. He wanted to know why were we running this slow "pos" and not running our Chevy II? He was smart enough to understand what we had done with the car. Just couldn't fathom why or how anyone could get excited running a slow race car.

The days of building a car in the driveway are far behind us. Around here, in many places if you live in town, they won't let you have a vehicle in the driveway that isn't plated. Now, they won't in many cases let you park a trailer, RV or boat in your driveway. With the way all state and local Govt's are seeking revenue. How long before you have to have some kind of personal CDL just to pull a trailer?

Ok enough ranting and whining. Enough of a long winded post, just hope it isn't a lot of useless drivel. To those that keep this alive, I applaud you. Just hope, one day, I show back up in the staging lanes, WITH a car.

06-20-2013, 12:15 PM	#1
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing?? 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 Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

06-20-2013, 01:32 PM	#3
Bobby Zlatkin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mills River, NC Posts: 417 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing?? What Jeff Lee said. Except the part about Boy Scout camp. Too many classes. Seems everyone has their own class made just for them. In 1968 N/SA had 27 competeors at Indy. In 1990 G/SA had a like amount. Now winning class in those years and surviving teardown was really something to be proud of. Not singleing for class. You could cut 2/3 of the classes and most everyone could adjust their cars (mostly with weight) to fit right in one of the remaining classes. It gets me when I see a car advertised "can run F/G or H" or another "can run M/N or O". Well which is it? You used to have to change engine combo's to change class. What, '57 Chevrolets had eight different engine combo's they could run. How many do '69 Camaro's have? Now you just add or subtract weight. Too many classes. __________________ Bobby & Norene Zlatkin L/SA

06-22-2013, 11:02 AM	#8
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing?? If we each decide S or SS is "MY" racing the end is nearer than thought. Selfish wishes, hp demands, class demands and ...... will keep it a Participant sport. It is destined for divisional events only or continued filler at Nationals. I see Stk and SS as OUR or everyones place to comment and move forward. No Everyone will not be happy, everyone might not get their favorite $1000 car factored to run a national event. Everyone might not be able to afford Stk or SS. We know that today. If the majority wish to move it back towards its beginning as a Spectator appeal, Sponsor appeal and possible more enjoyment for Winning class( defined as beating 4 or 5 cars for class) then so be it. That can happen. Want to run at an empty track, two days before spectators show up, no sponsor money unless you buy a cam a year, then vote that way.

06-23-2013, 10:30 AM	#10
Robert Swartz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nineveh, Indiana Posts: 512 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing?? I sat here at the breakfast table and read this whole thread. I hope Stock/SuperStock racing doesn't seek to exist in the near future. Right now, my attempts to join the fraternity keep running into roadblocks. My FWD car sits in limbo in the driveway, stripped of the few parts we added to it, now merely an object that needs moved from time to time to be mowed under. It was originally my step sons car, now subject to a Federal court case. It's fate yet to be determined. I want to personally thank Ron Seibenak, Dennis Roberts and Billy Nees for advise and help with that car. My other car, the 79 Firebird, still sets in its corner of the garage. Due to lack of time or lack of money, it's just not getting worked on. I have most of the pieces to make the chassis a roller. Have of a lot ot the parts to build a good basic IHRA crate engine. Blame myself for apathy, just can't personally get motivated enough to start putting it altogether. Want give a personal thank you to Alex and his son Tony Dysenko for advise and getting me a few parts to at least get this thing to a point I can refer to it as a car. Also a shout out to Bruce Parsons, whom went out of his way to build me a set of heads to replace a set that were stolen from my shop. Just hope we get to use them someday. Meanwhile, my long time friend and racing partner, Tod Lane and I continue to work on our ancient old 66 Chevy II bracket car. Just want to get this car redone. Just too many projects and lack of focus. I'm somewhat established in life. For someone in their 20's or 30's, even with a good income. All hobbies are expensive, in their own ways. Racing, it isn't just having a car. You need to have a place to store and work on it. Both a vehicle and a trailer to transport it. As well as both tools and support equipment to work on it. I agree with what was said here, young people want to go fast and race heads up. I ran into a young guy I used to work with at a bracket race last summer. He wanted to know why were we running this slow "pos" and not running our Chevy II? He was smart enough to understand what we had done with the car. Just couldn't fathom why or how anyone could get excited running a slow race car. The days of building a car in the driveway are far behind us. Around here, in many places if you live in town, they won't let you have a vehicle in the driveway that isn't plated. Now, they won't in many cases let you park a trailer, RV or boat in your driveway. With the way all state and local Govt's are seeking revenue. How long before you have to have some kind of personal CDL just to pull a trailer? Ok enough ranting and whining. Enough of a long winded post, just hope it isn't a lot of useless drivel. To those that keep this alive, I applaud you. Just hope, one day, I show back up in the staging lanes, WITH a car. __________________ Robert Swartz - Swartz & Lane 66 Chevy II Pro 95 Achieva EF/SA, 78 Mustang II U/SA (work in progress) #354 stock Last edited by Robert Swartz; 06-23-2013 at 03:17 PM.

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