Beginner Stock/Super Stock Racer

[ZachR]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Did you win the LOTTERY ?

Haha!! No, but the car I have now has a stripped interior, fiberglass hood, a lot of stuff that is not "stock"...plus I would like to keep this one together so my Dad can drive it.

[Dave Gantz]

Go to some races and ask a million questions. Get answers to the same questions from different people.
Have fun!

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by ZachR

Haha!! No, but the car I have now has a stripped interior, fiberglass hood, a lot of stuff that is not "stock"...plus I would like to keep this one together so my Dad can drive it.

Just trying to get a chuckle with the Lottery question. Listen to some or most of these guys. They can lead you in the right direction and it is much cheaper to buy a running already built combo. The WIN THE LOTTERY statement was to bring some insight to other expenses such as travel, gas or diesel for the tow vehicle, motels or motor home costs, entry fees and NHRA insurance for things like golf carts, pit bikes, etc,, time away from work, upkeep etc. It was much less expensive when I did it back in the 1970's. Entry fees then for the Sports Nationals and the Gator Nationals was only $40 for each and that included car, driver, and one pit crew.There are a lot of great guys and women who race the stock and sportsman classes. Listen to them as most will not steer you wrong. Nothing in life is free but we only get one chance at life. Go for it if its affordable to you.

[Pistol Pete]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Just trying to get a chuckle with the Lottery question. Listen to some or most of these guys. They can lead you in the right direction and it is much cheaper to buy a running already built combo. The WIN THE LOTTERY statement was to bring some insight to other expenses such as travel, gas or diesel for the tow vehicle, motels or motor home costs, entry fees and NHRA insurance for things like golf carts, pit bikes, etc,, time away from work, upkeep etc. It was much less expensive when I did it back in the 1970's. Entry fees then for the Sports Nationals and the Gator Nationals was only $40 for each and that included car, driver, and one pit crew.There are a lot of great guys and women who race the stock and sportsman classes. Listen to them as most will not steer you wrong. Nothing in life is free but we only get one chance at life. Go for it if its affordable to you.

X2. Well Said

[Everett Vassar]

Zach,it is definitely cheaper to buy than build...but there are 3 questions you need to ask the seller before you consider any stocker. #1 is the car NHRA stocker legal right now? As priced. If I leave you're house and go straight to a divisional, will the car pass tech as sold? If the answer is no...move on. #2 has the car been raced in stock eliminator recently? Will the car run at least a couple tenths under the index as sold? #3 have any recent time slips? When you get to your first div make sure you have the head's and intake casting numbers,know what class your entering, min weight etc. Hit the scales first adjust your weight. Go to tech and get out your license / membership, jacket,helmet, and the date tag on your harness turned out for easy inspection. That's the hard part. It gets fun after that. The stocker community is very tight. No big egos, most will baby sit you all weekend till you get a little comfort zone. Good luck!

[Gary Merrick]

In my humble opinion, the only way to buy a used race car (one that runs), especially if you don't know the seller (or the history of the car), is have the owner take the car to the track, preferably an NHRA divisional meet or a National Open where the car has to pass technical inspection and have the owner take the car down the track for a run or two. If you are satisfied with what you see and have made the financial arrangement prior to this test session, pay the owner and load it up in your trailer and take it home right after it goes down the track the last time. This might sound like somebody that does not trust the seller, but actually it protects the buyer and the seller from he said - he said - or she said.

On the other hand, if you see a car you just have to have, then buy it, pick it up whenever and you get what you get.

Good Luck and hopefully you like what you buy.

Gary Merrick
3522 Stock

[Greg Barsamian]

Contact Dean Ribeiro on this site
He has more "connections" on "Used Race Cars" than a Verizon FIOS Lineman!

[Chris1529]

This is the best advice anyone can put on here about buying a class car.

Originally Posted by Gary Merrick

In my humble opinion, the only way to buy a used race car (one that runs), especially if you don't know the seller (or the history of the car), is have the owner take the car to the track, preferably an NHRA divisional meet or a National Open where the car has to pass technical inspection and have the owner take the car down the track for a run or two. If you are satisfied with what you see and have made the financial arrangement prior to this test session, pay the owner and load it up in your trailer and take it home right after it goes down the track the last time. This might sound like somebody that does not trust the seller, but actually it protects the buyer and the seller from he said - he said - or she said.

On the other hand, if you see a car you just have to have, then buy it, pick it up whenever and you get what you get.

Good Luck and hopefully you like what you buy.

Gary Merrick
3522 Stock

[ZachR]

I want to thank all of you that took the time to answer these questions for me. It really does show that this group of racers is tight! I can't wait to get going!