Larry Morgan quitting Pro Stock

[goinbroke2]

Wait, wait, wait.....your telling me guys with tractor trailer loads of cash can't make it in a heads up class?? That somebody else that has MORE cash is winning?? Who'd a thunk it? And the interest is dying out too because the same cars are winning over and over?

But, but, that's not possible, heads up is the only "real" racing! EVERYBODY loves heads up and nobody likes shoe polish....


I think we need more heads up classes...


Ok, I'll turn off the sarcasm button. LOL!!!!!

Let's start a few heads up threads, maybe that will convince people? lol

[ALMACK]

It would be kinda neat to see PS a EFI V-8 class based on current production engine families.

Aftermarket blocks ok, but must be based on a production vehicle V-8.

The cu.in. might be the limiting factor, but a GM LS 6.?L, a Ford Coyote 6.?L, and a Mopar 6.?L V-8 deal.

I'm sure it will never happen, but maybe 20 years from now NHRA might consider using EFI....someday.

[jmantle]

Originally Posted by ALMACK

It would be kinda neat to see PS a EFI V-8 class based on current production engine families.

Aftermarket blocks ok, but must be based on a production vehicle V-8.

The cu.in. might be the limiting factor, but a GM LS 6.?L, a Ford Coyote 6.?L, and a Mopar 6.?L V-8 deal.

I'm sure it will never happen, but maybe 20 years from now NHRA might consider using EFI....someday.

I like it. Add bodies that look like the real thing, maybe add a couple of imports. No obsolete motors, all based on current production. Might have to adjust the minimum weights between brands so everyone is competitive (hopefully not).

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

[Evan Smith]

I'm a huge fan of Pro Stock, always have been. With that stated, I'll repeat what Bret Kepner said, and that is for any drag racing class to be exciting, it has to be unpredictable. And to the masses, which might not represent the S/SS community, cars that blow up, get sideways, and smoke the tires at half track are unpredictable and exciting. Is Pro Stock predictable? And I'm not talking about the outcome of a race. But the way the cars go down the track.

Second, since the cars don't generally blow up or shoot flames at night, they must have some form of appeal to the fans. In the case of Pro Stock, this SHOULD come from a connection to what people drive or are interested in driving. Sadly, the aeroteardrops racing today do not represent what the factories are selling, nor does any of the technology. Go to SEMA, you will not find very many Pro Stock parts on display. You will find a zillion bolt-on parts for modern and classic cars. Hot rodders and race fans are out there, but they want to relate to what they have.

The fact is, today's factory engines are capable of making 1,200-plus hp using factory blocks and heads so there is no reason, other than the cost, that NHRA shouldn't be making a move to factory stuff. As I see it, the writing is on the wall, and the cars already exist.

I'd love to see the COPO, Drag Pak and CJ Mustangs develop into a pro class. I believe it would have huge fan appeal, magazines would get behind it, and the manufacturers would jump in since it would most certainly sell cars. But it needs to be on TV to make it work.

[Don Anderson]

Take off AH !!!!!

Don Anderson
5891 M/S

[SStockDart]

I agree completely with Evan. I have raced nothing but NHRA, since AHRA folded a long time ago. I did go to several IHRA races while I was in Missouri, as a spectator. The 10.5 class and the street radial class is really something to watch. These two classes take some of the horsepower and high dollars out of the equation ....If you don't "hook up" you will likely get beat. The stands were filled with beer drinking red necks.... (my kind of folks)....

I would think that these two classes would be something the NHRA would embrace since tech would be a "No brainer"..

Pro Stock should be a factory frame/suspension with factory body parts.

Just my 2 cents

[joespanova]

The NHRA is an "archaic" sanctioning body with their collective heads up their asses and apparently , reluctantly embrace , innovation and thinking "outside the bubble".
The heads up 10.5 stuff with over powered combos ( radials , whatever ) are very entertaining to the casual fans and SHOULD be in the NHRAs program. They weren't exactly quick to embrace Pro mod either. Pro Stock needs an overhaul and the knucklheads in Cali. ( or the teams ) dont seen to get it. Small blocks , turbos and fuel injection should be the order of the day.
Interesting NONE , ZERO of the "pros: ever defend , comment or are ever seen on message boards in the interest of "political correctness" or bad publicity for the sponsors .........or their over blown egos.................

[cutta]

Anybody have a legit plan for the transition from "current" Pro Stock to what Pro Stock should be? How do you soften the blow of telling teams to sell off millions of dollars of product(ie their current engine programs) to start new engine programs with current production engines. Also, a rule set has to be formed as well between all the different combos and a decision has to be made on whether things will stay naturally aspirated or go boosted(that could be a major talking point as most PS guys are faithfully NA). Considering the people that are already pouring millions of dollars into Pro Stock, you most definitely need their support in whatever plan you come up with because if teams like Ken Black and Allen Johnson decided to retire, your program could be in serious jeopardy because there's no guarantee you could replace their support and money.


In my opinion, I think NHRA needs to develop a 3-5yr transition plan to make Pro Stock more appealing. The first change that should be implemented immediately is a move to carbon fiber stock dimension bodies and rules to adjust for any aerodynamic disadvantages OEM to OEM to maintain parity. The next rule change(within a year) should be a move to fuel injection. Third, they need to develop a plan of how to bring the engines being used closer to OEM production platforms that way teams don't have to throw away all of their current parts. It will still be expensive but it will soften the blow.

At the end of the day, its not a simple fix because you still are having to convince millionaires to trash their current programs and build completely new ones. Thats a hard conversation to have and even harder to keep teams from calling it quits.