End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??

[Sean Marconette]

Originally Posted by Biscayne

To me though. That's part of the problem. Stock class is getting farther and farther away from stock. I built a Stock class car about 4 years ago. Ive taken it to about 3 NHRA events in the last 4 years. And only 3 because of how I was treated. Very first race I went to in DIV 1. Got treated like shi* by tech and all the officials. Im guessing all because I was new. I had one issue in tech. I did not have an NHRA decal anywhere on my car. Which I took care of right away. Then was given a bunch of shi* during fuel check, because I did what they guy next to me did. You would have thought it was the end of the world. And NHRA wonders why they have no turn out. If you treat the racer just a little better, then they might make more $ and have a better car count. Ive had no desire to go back to any NHRA event since. Then back to the whole "Stock Class" thing. The class is getting farther and farther away from stock. Roller rockers, etc etc etc. I know my opinion does not mean much. But just my experiences with NHRA.

Scott it is very unfortunate that you were treated poorly. It should not matter if you are new or old to the game. All I can suggest is having someone experienced in class racing to get you pointed in the right direction at your first few races. Make it a point to talk to the tech guys during the race. They are not at the race to be the bad guys. But if they need to be they will, and have every right to be. The tech guys are under the gun to get cars through tech to keep things moving, inexperienced and unprepared racers may push their buttons and could have been the result of how you were treated.
Where I live, I have D-3, and D-4 races within 3-5 hrs from me. D-3, and 4 tech guys have always been great to deal with. If you are an out of division racer they will usually really look things over well, but if you have a clean car and have followed the rule book there will be no issues.
Just because the rules change to allow seats, roller rockers and whatever else that comes along, does not mean everyone has to jump in and start keeping up with the jones.

Sean

[Dan Fahey]

Biscayne:

You have a beautiful car.
Restoring my 1969 Impala frame up.
Should be ready next year...

D

[Chuck Norton]

It is my opinion that the "end of Stock and SuperStock racing" will not likely come upon us in the form of a bolt of lightning and a clap of thunder. Rather, it will seep into our lives in the manner of carbon monoxide slithering under the door, a virtually undetectable, highly lethal mixture of an aging constituency and creeping economics.

Instead of an earth-shaking announcement that puts us all out of business at once like a medical pandemic, it will more likely take on the form of three thousand separate, widely spread obituaries popping one-at-a-time as each of us is overtaken either by the grim reaper or the realization that individual ingenuity and personal commitment are no longer adequate tools to offset the effects of the almighty checkbook in a pay-to-play environment.

Drag racing drew most of us in with the offering of "doing" not "watching" car racing. When we can no longer "do" most of us simply decline to "watch."

Cheers,

c

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Chuck Norton

It is my opinion that the "end of Stock and SuperStock racing" will not likely come upon us in the form of a bolt of lightning and a clap of thunder. Rather, it will seep into our lives in the manner of carbon monoxide slithering under the door, a virtually undetectable, highly lethal mixture of an aging constituency and creeping economics.

Instead of an earth-shaking announcement that puts us all out of business at once like a medical pandemic, it will more likely take on the form of three thousand separate, widely spread obituaries popping one-at-a-time as each of us is overtaken either by the grim reaper or the realization that individual ingenuity and personal commitment are no longer adequate tools to offset the effects of the almighty checkbook in a pay-to-play environment.

Drag racing drew most of us in with the offering of "doing" not "watching" car racing. When we can no longer "do" most of us simply decline to "watch."

Cheers,

c

Ah yes........They don't come any better than Chuck Norton when he post's on a thread. Listen to him well those who are younger than 30 years of age. He has his mind and head on the pulse of NHRA stock and S/S drag racing and says it better than anyone. He has been there and done that. It will take time but the state of class racing is on borrowed time.

What is the frame for borrowed time? 2 years 4,6 20. Should I cut the roll bar out of my car and turn in into a street car?

The times are changing, the moral of the story is ( Get out and race if you want to ) enjoy it, because nothing is forever. People are still class racing. Nobody knows when the end will happen. Enjoy the ride, and dont worry about when the end is coming. Chances are we cannot do anything about it.

Xtech Man: When it ends nobody is going to care wether you predict it or not. You have been out of our ranks for years. Im not really sure your finger is on the pulse of anything current anyway. At least not keyboard racing.

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Ah yes........They don't come any better than Chuck Norton when he post's on a thread. Listen to him well those who are younger than 30 years of age. He has his mind and head on the pulse of NHRA stock and S/S drag racing and says it better than anyone. He has been there and done that. It will take time but the state of class racing is on borrowed time.

[Joe Toller]

I choose to look to guys like Billy Nees as inspiriation, you dont need cubic dollars to go race and have fun. Isnt having fun what its about anyway? I'll run until theres no class left to run, then keep on bracket racing!

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven

What is the frame for borrowed time? 2 years 4,6 20. Should I cut the roll bar out of my car and turn in into a street car?

The times are changing, the moral of the story is ( Get out and race if you want to ) enjoy it, because nothing is forever. People are still class racing. Nobody knows when the end will happen. Enjoy the ride, and dont worry about when the end is coming. Chances are we cannot do anything about it.

Xtech Man: When it ends nobody is going to care wether you predict it or not. You have been out of our ranks for years. Im not really sure your finger is on the pulse of anything current anyway. At least not keyboard racing.

Todd it dosent matter to me what you think. You dont like me and I sure dont like you even though I dont know you. Dosent matter to me anyway one way or another as you dont have a clue but I really hope I am wrong about stock and S/S racing for most of the people I have met and know. I lived and raced thru the best years of stock AND S/S racing and spent 23 years (I must have been crazy) of tech. for NHRA and IHRA. Its a different game now than then but some of you had better start listening to guys like Chuck Norton as he is one of the good guys. You dont have to listen to me and I dont want you to. Your right.....I havent raced in several years and I dont want to but I still love the class cars and keep up and stay in touch with some hard racers of my age. Some have left us way to soon. The entry costs are up...the purse's are way down. Contengicies are almost non existand if they pay at all. You are filler for the fuel queer's.Thats all. The new cars are beating your brains out in heads up runs. The AHFS is a joke. Very few good knowledgeable tech men are left today. Thank goodness for Dave Ley's, Travis Miller's and a few others. The racing associations treat you guys like crap and it wasnt like that back in the 70's. You must like it with your parking in the mud holes or a mile or two from the starting line and trying to hook your car on snot. Try to make it better and stick together as a team. Other wise you will have some very nice bracket cars at some point in the future. Dont you think that NHRA is getting tired of hearing every one pissing and moaning? Enough.....Im done and have to get back to waxing the ole hot rod.

[Dick Butler]

Anyone remember the Car Craft Stock series of 4 or 5 months? It was in 1968 I believe. Kept me waiting every month for more info on how to run Stock. By todays standard very basic and incomplete infor but just enough to "hook you" on searching for the 56 or 57 Dellivery for Jr. Stock or a 9 pass wagon to fit the class.
The years which have passed added THOUSANDS of new, newer combinations. All had advantages, options, tech differences. Then there are the NHRA Specs and enforcement issues.
I honestly believe a basic Mod motor /lb / cu model class that had tight rules could draw many from the current classes if played right by the Media, NHRA or tracks. I think one converter co or another might bite as sponsorship. Probably tires, gears wheels. Motor must be the same stuff.Cheaper. Play it up as the "Hot ticket " and be persistent and it could work for everyone. One spec motor for ANYONES chassis at the wt and gradually it would evolve...to everyones fun without 30K drive train. The view from outside is easier than looking over the garage full of parts for a "special " car lovingly progressed for 40 years.

I said nothing about not liking you, as for liking me,Thats fine. You come on here telling us our class is about to become obsolete. It is on its way, Im just not sure the time frame. I asked you some questions and you failed to answer any of them. I didnt ask for your resume.

I'm working on my stick shift stocker that I've been breaking my balls on since the begining of February. The reason I do this is because I love it, regardless of the results from my efforts. When my friends come by and see what I have to do to keep up with the other guys they tell me im crazy, and its not worth it. Guys arent willing to work and or spend money in this like the old days. That is one of the many reasons why the ship is heading the wrong way. I'm more like the guys from the old days then most of the guys from my generation racing today.

What is the answer? Go to a high school and give a kid the keys to my car and offer him a ride? Make everything bracket racing so anybody will want to race? Buybacks ? Stock cars off the showroom class? I havent a clue, thats above my pay grade.
As for street rods and car shows, that sounds like a lot of fun when your 60 and up. I'm not ready for that pasture yet. I've been to car shows, it gets old quick. But its good for guys that dont want to race anymore. Enjoy your wax job. As the famous Ed Obrien used to say. "HAVE A NICE DAY"

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Todd it dosent matter to me what you think. You dont like me and I sure dont like you even though I dont know you. Dosent matter to me anyway one way or another as you dont have a clue but I really hope I am wrong about stock and S/S racing for most of the people I have met and know. I lived and raced thru the best years of stock AND S/S racing and spent 23 years (I must have been crazy) of tech. for NHRA and IHRA. Its a different game now than then but some of you had better start listening to guys like Chuck Norton as he is one of the good guys. You dont have to listen to me and I dont want you to. Your right.....I havent raced in several years and I dont want to but I still love the class cars and keep up and stay in touch with some hard racers of my age. Some have left us way to soon. The entry costs are up...the purse's are way down. Contengicies are almost non existand if they pay at all. You are filler for the fuel queer's.Thats all. The new cars are beating your brains out in heads up runs. The AHFS is a joke. Very few good knowledgeable tech men are left today. Thank goodness for Dave Ley's, Travis Miller's and a few others. The racing associations treat you guys like crap and it wasnt like that back in the 70's. You must like it with your parking in the mud holes or a mile or two from the starting line and trying to hook your car on snot. Try to make it better and stick together as a team. Other wise you will have some very nice bracket cars at some point in the future. Dont you think that NHRA is getting tired of hearing every one pissing and moaning? Enough.....Im done and have to get back to waxing the ole hot rod.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Chuck Norton

It is my opinion that the "end of Stock and SuperStock racing" will not likely come upon us in the form of a bolt of lightning and a clap of thunder. Rather, it will seep into our lives in the manner of carbon monoxide slithering under the door, a virtually undetectable, highly lethal mixture of an aging constituency and creeping economics.

Instead of an earth-shaking announcement that puts us all out of business at once like a medical pandemic, it will more likely take on the form of three thousand separate, widely spread obituaries popping one-at-a-time as each of us is overtaken either by the grim reaper or the realization that individual ingenuity and personal commitment are no longer adequate tools to offset the effects of the almighty checkbook in a pay-to-play environment.

Drag racing drew most of us in with the offering of "doing" not "watching" car racing. When we can no longer "do" most of us simply decline to "watch."

Cheers,

c

I believe Chuck nailed it.