Stockers....buttons.....check This Out

Hey Todd Top Fuel And Funny Car Can Go Deep But A 13 Second Stocker Can't??? Does This Make Sense??

Joe Mocci

[Michael Beard]

Very well-put post, Bernie, and a good explanation of the how's and why's.

Really, the only place where we differ in opinion is whether the statement "2-steps and buttons have been used to limit some variables" is a good thing or a bad thing for the long term in our sport. I think it puts my view in a nutshell -- I enjoy learning, driving, and overcoming the challenges of our sport without an electronic variable-limiting aid.

Two guys this year have won track championships in delay box categories, off the foot: Billy Kirpins, Jr. at Lebanon Valley, and Chris Plott at Mooresville (who won Stock in his one and only attempt at it last year). I used to hoof it in Super Pro now and then. I think I may go try it again next year.

[Ken Miele]

Michael and tgriffith, since you guys are the most vocal on this subject I will direct my question to both of you.

So much has be said on this subject that it has become a little clouded to me.

What is the reason you do not want buttons and 2 steps in stock.
1: You want stock to be a no electronics class
2: You want NHRA to be able to control possible cheating.
3: You want stock to return to what stock was intended to be.

You guys know how I feel about the issue, I want it to stay the same.
The poll suggests that most want some type of 2 step to be used. I say there is not enough consensus to change the rule. I know its only a small sample, but they are current racers and you can only vote once.

Please just give a simple answer, the long posts seem to go off topic.

[Robert Pare Racing]

They way my season is going, I just assume get rid of all that stuff, but I wanna keep trying with it.The only thing I haven't done this season is stage with my back tires. Is it possible to have a button on the brake pedal, and not engage it while going down the track, while riding the brake pedal?. That would kinda mess things up.

[Harry 6674]

The two steps are also used to scrub off closing speeds in fast cars. More reliable than lifting. Been there done that. Sounds like a gunfight.

[Rich Biebel]

Robert all you need to do is run the button thru another switch that opens after the car is launched. It could be a shifter mounted switch if your shifter moves..... as far as buttons and 2 steps go.....I don't use any of this stuff in my present stocker and am just finding a comfort zone after about 50 runs off the footbrake in my LT-I. I lost last weekend with an 010 Rt on a double breakout. I really don't care how you launch your Stocker...... Just so long as your leaving off the bottom bulb and that's my only concern on this one.

[Ken Miele]

Fair enough Michael and tgriffith.

If anyone is interested in the Class Racer poll on buttons and 2 steps, click on the link below.
http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=7002

[Michael Beard]

TG - sad to say, but even I realize that if I had a faster car, my round win% would go up. When chasing, I typically drive the stripe into .010. When being chased, I've been taking around .030. How much is having .02 in the bank worth? I've had 4-5 rounds this year that I feel 98% certain that I would've won if I were chasing instead of being chased. If I had the money to make the initial investment in the first place, I'd probably do it, but I'm trying to get out of debt before I come up with anymore 'projects'. (Just another good reason to start hoofin' it in the Box class again... need to improve my 'vs. fast car' program)

People realize this, so I don't think anything is going to stop the progression toward faster cars. (refer to the trend in fast Footbrake cars) The only thing that might slow it down is when the upper classes get 'too' full, and they start running into more heads-up runs. Tim's point is that 2-steps make that transition that much easier.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Kenny Miele

What is the reason you do not want buttons and 2 steps in stock.
1: You want stock to be a no electronics class
2: You want NHRA to be able to control possible cheating.
3: You want stock to return to what stock was intended to be.

All of the above.

Originally Posted by Kenny Miele

I say there is not enough consensus to change the rule.

I agree.

[tgriffith]

Kenny,

,my reasoning is reason # 1 and partially #3,,,,,,,I understand that there has to be progress in the classes to keep up with late model cars coming in,,,,the class cant be full of 67 camaro`s,,,,maybe liteweight brakes are needed for the speeds A/SA cars are running,,,,maybe E shifts are OK because afterall,,,I think all automatics shifted themselves anyway,,,,,,, Im not against modernization,,,,IM not a person that believes the class should just be made up of 69 camaros but a full field of different combos,,,,,IMO,,thats what gives stock it own character,,,,you can see a wheel standing firebreathing A/FIA firebird chase down a front wheel drive cavalier,,,,and no mattter which wins,,,BOTH has the same opportunity to turn on the win lite,(as far as rules are concerned),,,,,,,,,But the 2 steps and adjustable buttons (IMO) doesnt fit in this category and have turned stock into a fast car class only(if you really want to win),,,IMO,,they give the faster cars a large ADJUSTABLE advantage

Im passionate about the preservation ,( as much as possible), in keeping stock from turning into another electronically ruined class,,,,but this is my opinion,,,,and Im probably in the minority