Want a list of SS or Stk cars sitting.

[Dwight Southerland]

No one has come up with a solution to reign in the technology that money will buy today. There are some simple things that would reduce the cost of Stock/SS racing, but getting majority endorsement is difficult and then there are still plenty of other things to spend money on to gain an advantage.

[Michael Beard]

Stock GT and Crate Motor Stock already exist in IHRA, and have for years. There are very few Stock GT cars. There are a large number of crate motor cars. People build crate motors just like you do any other Stock Eliminator engine, though. You're not going racing with an $1,800 crate motor, and if you could, it wouldn't have anything to do with Stock and Super Stock racing.

I'm a bracket racer that happens to enjoy Class racing. While my budget prevents me from going very fast, I do pick away at things as I am able, and enjoy the challenge. This type of spec head class isn't interesting to me personally.

As always, if you want to start a new class, publish the rules and schedule, and work deals with track(s) to feature the class.

[randy wilson]

At least you're honest.

[Todd Leitner]

I'm not kidding Chris. So I can head out to the salvage yards (30 to ? miles away), I only have one chance a week to go because I work five days a week. Search for old rusty obsolete parts (428CJ). Then spend $3.50 per gallon on gas to haul the parts to the nearest machine shop (again 30 miles one way), one chance a week to do this depending on if the kids have any activities going on and weather permitting, try to explain to them what I want done and why, wait until they are done rebuilding tractor parts and can get to my stuff. Pay god knows how much money and make multiple trips back and forth until they get it right. Then I can assemble it myself and it won't be very fast and will probably scatter all over the track in a couple passes. Or I can spend a lot of money and take it to a repubital engine builder and pay his machinist to redo everything the way he wants it and wait some more.

Or I can call Jack Roush or Ford Racing and have a complete 351W (hence the stock GT classes), assembled with all new parts, delivered right to my doorstep in a week or so. I can probably get it running in a few days, and it will have more hp, last longer, and be way faster than what I would have built.

Racing isn't cheap, we all know that, but it might not be "as" expensive as fixing the old stuff. And it might let a few more people get out there and go racing.

[Dick Butler]

My all time favorite concern or comment against heads up or spec class: Some one will buy 10 motors and become the fastest in the class.... Currently the man who has the most BOGUS hp combination figured out or the New car unfactored is winning your class or should I say every class...

[Ron Middleton]

Dick,
I know you have plenty of experience and love the concept but in reality I just don't see it working. In the mid 90's David Hall and I started racing in the Parts Pro Truck Series. The new factory built cars have changed the playing field and while I understand the factories reasoning behind it NHRA has (in my opinion) failed to protect those long time competitors like NASCAR attempts to do with the Cup Series. I understand we are not pros, but the same issues that face the pros face us just on a smaller scale. The way I see it, you either have to refine and fix the current class because with the technology and money involved in today's racing almost any heads up racing will start out reasonable but soon escalate to point where the masses cannot afford it and you lose even more racers. I like the thinking though and I sure wish there was some way to do this..

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

My all time favorite concern or comment against heads up or spec class: Some one will buy 10 motors and become the fastest in the class.... Currently the man who has the most BOGUS hp combination figured out or the New car unfactored is winning your class or should I say every class...

...or maybe it's the guy with his hands on every aspect of his race car.The one who's not afraid to think outside the box and try something new..not necessarily the guys with STORE BOUGHT engine with a fair hp factor.

Low factor, undeveloped (or as you call them bogus) combos are only good for class wins , which don't pay anything anymore, or an occasional heads up win.
I'm not even sure if you're pitching another class within Super Stock or a new eliminator.
I don't think another SS class will fix drag racing.

BTW, I applaud you and Randy's effort to put more butts in the seat somewhere..anywhere, if that is your intention.

[novassdude]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Nova dude. If your car is a chevy would you buy an $1800 Complete motor and go racing ? What if the class was given an index in Stk or SS and you could run at Points races till enough cars showed up to have a heads up race?

No I would still not do it there is no such thing as a low cost heads up class. If they gave you the engine for free the guy with the most money would still win. As he would test 10 different converters and transmissions to find the ideal setup. And that’s fine. Other than what the NHRA has done with the factory cars it is all good.
The car as it sits is NHRA legal and could be ready to go in a matter of a day or two. For me right now there are just things I am enjoying doing more than racing stock. At some point I will get the itch again and dust the car off do what needs updating as I am sure NHRA will add some enhancements by that time that will need addressed. And I will bring it back out.

[randy wilson]

I doubt anyone with 20 converters is going to have an advantage over a typical clutch car. Because from what I'm hearing an auto will run heads up with the clutch cars. And I really don't think a standard trans is as temperamental as an auto.

[Dick Butler]

Mark, Yes, make It simple for the racers and it is cheaper. Make it simple for the spectator and they can watch a friend win or at least compete. They can see if he wins or loses by the light in his lane.
They will come to watch this class if it becomes its own. Also when Jr. Stock was popular many people could just get into it this week and become more competitive as they could afford.
One other problem is too many of the todays racers know many subtle tricks which took years to become known in the general racing.
My Goals:1)Simplify the allowed modifications(keep it cheaper)
2) create a better entry point into class type racing
3) Draw in more spectators to watch, understand and enjoy class racing.
4) Keep the table level without need for outside factoring.( a 350 today is a 350 tomorrow)(not so with HP factoring)