New "Dime Rocket" combo added to guide!

[GarysZ24]

I like this thread, and since I have a dog in this fight, I will offer my .02 worth. I am a fan of Billy Nees, Michael Beard, Lane Weber, Vic Hobbs, Paul Wong, Randy Hyman, and especially Bill O'Connor, myself, and all of the slow roller racers that are V6, 4cyl., and fwd! After starting to race Stock with a grossly over factored 173 V6 (120/150), I finally got a fair factor of 125. I lost some memorable races that my car would've won had my driving and later round judgment skills been better than they were.

All of the above named people have shown you can win with a slow roller, and I plan on joining the group!

[Lee Valentine]

My heroes have always been cowboys and Billy.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Lee Valentine

My heroes have always been cowboys and Billy.

Lee, you have to seriously raise your standards!

[Ron Middleton]

Still one of the best beginner builds of an economical stocker was Michael Beard's Turismo that was on his website for a long time. Not a number one qualifier but a winner several times and very good documentary of the build and what it took for Michael, Billy and crew to get it be a winner. I couldn't find the build currently on his website but if you haven't seen it, maybe we can get him to put it back up. No Dime Rocket but still a very well done entry level build. JMT.

[Dick Butler]

Glad Class racing still exists in some form, especially the ones where all the cars are the same.....Too bad that seems to be only SS/AH. SS/KA might be only Chevy II.
When all the 55, 6 and 7 chevies were no longer the only cars available class became very diluted by factoring and being faster with the "same" cars was essentially lost. Having been abused in class by bogus cars was very frustrating when you worked very hard on your car.

[Rick Leininger Jr.]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Glad Class racing still exists in some form, especially the ones where all the cars are the same.....Too bad that seems to be only SS/AH. SS/KA might be only Chevy II.
When all the 55, 6 and 7 chevies were no longer the only cars available class became very diluted by factoring and being faster with the "same" cars was essentially lost. Having been abused in class by bogus cars was very frustrating when you worked very hard on your car.

Got to give you credit for determination on your one man crusade, but variety has been the spice of life in Super Stock for 40+ years, probably be that way for 40 more.........

Why not build a SS/AH? Sounds like it has everything you are after?

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Rick Leininger Jr.

but variety has been the spice of life in Super Stock for 40+ years, probably be that way for 40 more.........

Agreed. SS/B, one of the statistically most popular classes, is a smorgasbord of combinations - Thunderbolts, Corvettes, early Hemi cars, AMXs. And it is one of the most exciting to follow during a race year.

[goinbroke2]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

Glad Class racing still exists in some form, especially the ones where all the cars are the same.....Too bad that seems to be only SS/AH. SS/KA might be only Chevy II.
When all the 55, 6 and 7 chevies were no longer the only cars available class became very diluted by factoring and being faster with the "same" cars was essentially lost. Having been abused in class by bogus cars was very frustrating when you worked very hard on your car.

Wow...just wow....I guess the only cure is to mandate the sole car available for each class to make you happy. SS/AH is hemi, make C/SA chevelles only? or B/SA BB nova's only? As you can see I'm talking strickly chev here as that seems to be the only other criteria you allow as well.
How about just 69 camaro's, A/SA will be bigblock and B/SA will be smallblock and to hell with everything else? Either put up your money to run in one of these two classes with either a small or bigblock or stay home because your a "non working,lazy,cheap,detriment to class racing"!

Rick, it's not even a one man crusade anymore, just daring anybody to step up to the plate against him, even though as been stated, if he wants to run heads up in a class of all the same car, he can go SS/AH...Dick no disrespect but what you're proposing was done in many different forms from SS/AH to the original top stock to.......

I don't like the "mortgage your house to race or don't even talk to me you little peon" type attitude that some of the outlaw heads up racers have and I think it would be more of a hinderance than help to bring that attitude to class racing. Heads up is awesome, it's the point of the class, but it's not the ONLY rule. To each their own.

[Dick Butler]

Guys I sure appreciate you responding and your thoughts but I think you are missing my point.


Now remember the questions we all have about drag racing future.
Where will the new blood come from?
How could someone afford a competetive class car?
How do we increase pay outs?
How do we get spectators?
How can the factoring be more accurate? ( This assumes you care to win a class trophy)
How do we increase paying sponsors?

We have all enjoyed being with our friends, attending National events, having shared history in racing and I think everyone sees it changing.

Now my position on a few of the Questions
Class racing was an attraction to many in the beginning to show their skills. Each year new cars produced HUNDREDS of new combinations to factor. Enter the human factors which can make your $10,000, 20,000 or $50,000 investment good only for the bracket component overnight. ( still a place to race at an NHRA event if you run fast enough to qualify as this group continues to become faster and faster)

Do not change current Eliminator methods or rules.
Do not change current classes (Unless combine many to reduce numbers)
Create a Mod , Spec or sealed motor class for cheap entry point.
Each method has its benefits and limitations.
Give an index for them so they can compete at Points meets etc
High light the class when it develops.
Local racers could Find Auto Tech Schools to sponsor class. Guys could be advisors. High school cars could be encouraged.
Sponsors could be encouraged for product use and showcase.
Could compete at local tracks as it expands.

No factors to change, no exotic new hp model to make current model extinct. Any change to the rules would be allowed for everyone....

This would also give a Class racer a chance to concentrate on heads up for trophy with same type competitors.

Again Thanks for your thoughts and comments.
When I organized Top/SS and TOP/Stk in Div 3 ALL who participated stated the heads up racing was the most fun they had had in years. That is essentially SS/B and C and automatics

[Jeff Kempton]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

SS/KA might be only Chevy II.

The SS/KA record was just set in Napierville by Mark Howes in a '71 340 Duster.