Interesting Thoughts-- Future of Stk/SS

[SSGT Mustang]

Originally Posted by HawkBrosMav

How does redefining which class the same cars already racing with the same parts help bring in new blood? I don't disagree more heads up would help interest more people, but those same people will not spend $50k to go 11.50... they're the people wanting to throw the kitchen sink at it and "run what you brung" just because you give them heads up runs doesn't entice them to build a car for a class that limits them so much the investment isn't worth it. Looks at the racing that has taken off in the past 5 years.. we all think they're crazy and it's just a fad.. but is it??

I'm of the thinking that we can change our rules in way which still keep the overall idea behind the class relevant, but compromise with what might be of interest with new blood and at least maintain a class instead of letting it die as other forms of racing take it's place... What happens to Stk /SS if NHRA goes belly up like AHRA and IHRA?

You already answered your own questions.

The new fad that isn't so new is heads-up runs. That's what people want to see and how most people want to race.

Reducing classes will bring a lot of heads-up runs.

Racing has always been expensive but if you're spending $50K to go 11.50's then you're doing it wrong.

Not everyone is going to be at the top of the class. If you don't have the money to go fast then you will need to find ways to go fast on a budget. A lot of guys do that today and some are at the top of their class.

That's what stock and super stock were all about. Working the combination until you can outrun your opponent and then working harder to stay there.

The radial tire crowd and all those gudge and outlaw cars are doing the same thing, and they're spending a ton of money to get there.

Performance based competition will alway be more interesting to everyone involved than just bracket racing.

[gmonde]

throwing this into the mix on stock,,the new generation coming into the sport (unless the family has been doing it for some time)really doesn't understand what it takes to "WRENCH" on stuff to make it faster ,, other than what they see on you tube videos ( I am living it thru my 20 year old's eyes now ) what you get is "all you gotta do is " (not so easy)

if nhra does indeed do the scanning process it will start the process of the later model FS cars ,, now that might get the younger group involved because the mechanical part is some what removed from the making it fast equation (yeah not entirely but different discussion ) and becomes a programmers (tuners) playing field and that's the new generation racer for stock ,, as for the older stuff with carburetors that will eventually fade to condensed classes ,( do I want to see that ! hell no ! but its here )

just my take ,,gmonde

[Mike Pearson]

I don't think there are many younger men and women that are really interested in actually racing let alone racing a stock or super stock car. The cost to build and maintain one of these things no matter what parts are used is very expensive. The young crowd that I see at the local test and tune nights at our local tracks seem to be into power adder type cars. Turbos and Nitrous is the flavor of the day. if they want to go faster build more Cu in and more boost or spray.

I don't see any good reason to change the rules for either class. The addition of being able to use some aftermarket parts that are newer and stronger in it self saves some money and also brings the aftermarket manufacturers into our classes. The head castings on my car are 51 years old. They haven't been manufactured for 51 years. Its getting more difficult to find the castings so it is good to be able to buy some new aftermarket castings to start the build.

Right now stock and super stock seem to be holding their own. NHRA is not helping with their quota system. It makes it difficult for a new racer to be able to enter a national event.

The allure for our classes is not so much how fast they are its how fast you can go in comparison to others that follow the same rules package as you do. Stock and Super Stock are definitely 2 of the toughest classes to race. the drivers are as good as they come and you have to have a fast car that can also be consistent. That is a difficult proposal at times.

You also have to enjoy traveling. To be able to enter a national event you have to amass about 6 - 7 grade points. depending on where you live this could add up to traveling 7-10,000 miles per season to get those points.

Personally I enjoy racing super stock as much as I ever did. I just wish I could do more of it. I probably would quit racing before I became a local bracket racer

[Jeff Stout]

I don't think opening head rule and gross cam lift will entice the young crowd into building a stocker. More heads up racing may help as I run at Street car events and they like heads up small, big,dot tire stuff. Late model cars with tuners, cold air filter seems to be what the young crowd like. Now convince them to take that late model car and get it to fit in stock class racing and you may have something.

[devo340]

My Son & I are new to Stock Eliminator.
I had bracket raced for 20+ years & my Son started bracket racing as a Senior in high school (2006).
We had a lot of success with bracket racing, but my Son decided he wanted to race a Stocker.
I asked him if he was tired of cashing checks, LOL.
He wanted a new challenge, so found a budget priced Stocker & got started.
We are a low budget setup.
I have a few friends that race in STK that I lean on for info.


One of the most common part of all this, a lot of Stock doesn't seem Stock to me.
Maybe I was naïve about what Stock was.
Anyway, we have bought our ticket & doing what we can do on a budget to be competitive.


Tear downs & young people don't mix.
Most seemed challenged to open the hood.
Not really their fault, even the biggest POS modern day car will start & run.
Not really a reason to learn how to work on cars.
What I see for the future, if a young person wants to run STK, he will probably buy an engine, transmission & whatever else he needs.
They won't be building anything, just shopping for parts & suppliers.
We received notice recently that we were being torn down.
First thing my Son said "You have to be there to answer questions & of course put it back together".
I have been teaching him along the way, but he is still intimidated by it.
Totally agree with having teardowns to keep everyone honest.


He recently won his first race in Stock.
I asked him how it rated with other races that he had won, he said it was his best racing accomplishment to date.

[1matcoman]

Originally Posted by devo340

He recently won his first race in Stock.
I asked him how it rated with other races that he had won, he said it was his best racing accomplishment to date.

And there you have it, folks!

[sska3360]

I don't usually post much, i try to sit back and take in the knowledge and opinions of the more seasoned racers, however i feel like i'm in a similar situation. I too, am a second generation racer, though a good bit older than your son, however my father has pretty much always raced class. I'm in the same boat as your son, still trying to learn all i can. i started by bracket racing our Super Stocker and just recently participated in my first Super Stock race. While i didn't win the race, i did get my first SS round win, and against a tough competitor to boot and i felt more accomplished in that than in any bracket round win i had gotten. As for the teardowns, I 100% believe in them, even though i would probably not be able to accomplish it by myself yet. But i will still be ready at any time. Fortunately, as racers, we have a tight nit group of friends who i believe would be happy to help get me through it.