Slow Stockers...Strong Divisional Finishes

[Carguy49]

I think I will throw this into the mix about advantages or disadvantages.

Take a look at Jody Lang's Malibu Wagon. True, it is neither a slow car or a fast car, classed L,M, or N at various events. Jody has placed in the top 10 numerous times and will be carrying the big number 1 next year.

While the car is more than capable of winning, I think Jody's skills help put the car in the winner's circle. Yes he has had some loses in early rounds on occasion, but overall if Jody is at an event he is in the running for a win. There are many other driver's that fit this description, also.

I guess the point of my ramblings is to say the driver is as important as the car. Can a slow car win, YES, but I think a faster car is less affected by changes in weather, altitude or other things that affect a car, making it harder to dial. Just ask a guy like Gary Hampton about that.

[Mark Yacavone]

My opinion, FWIW
If you have one of the slower cars out there, and can't put together a consistent, good package, you probably need to find out why. That is, unless you enjoy forking over your hard earned money to the house.
Same goes for the faster guys, although you'll probably pick up a few more lucky rounds, the way the rules are currently structured.

[GTS340]

I'm pretty sure the 8-9 second cars don't say "perfect I have a 14 second or slower car this round." Slow cars are always tough races. I've been around long enough and raced in division one when .530 Mike Smith with his U/SA wagon and Mr. Six cylinder Nova Billy Nees were always in the late rounds.
I drove Larry Zugehoer's spirit of 67 U/SA wagon once. It had a great crisp sound and would snap off the line. I've had neck surgery since those early 70's. Turning around that long looking for my competitor would hurt these days.

Happy Holidays,
Paul Haszlauer

[Larry Hill]

The advantage of a slow car is a clean tree and very little chance of a heads up. Disadvantage is mother nature messes with you real bad with weather.

[Curt Rees]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

The advantage of a slow car is a clean tree and very little chance of a heads up. Disadvantage is mother nature messes with you real bad with weather.

Case in point, at the Kearney NE Midwest Class Racer event in October. My best run was -.66 under, index was 15:76. That was with a 10-15 mph NW wind. Track runs SE/NW. During Sunday elimination, the wind switched to the S/SW at 10-15 mph. My last elimination round, I dialed a 14:81 and went a 14.79, -.97 under. -.31 pick up strickly because of the wind change. I made no changes to the car, just tried to dial the best I could.

#5458

Curt Rees

[Billy Nees]

Well, you can believe it or not but my 6 cyl. Nova would move .01 for every MPH of wind. In other words, if we went from a 5 MPH head wind to a 5 MPH tail wind the car would pick up a tenth!

[GTS340]

I need to correct myself. It was the early 80's. I'm old but adding 10 yrs to my age made my bones ache.

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by Carguy49

I think I will throw this into the mix

I guess the point of my ramblings is to say the driver is as important as the car. Can a slow car win, YES, but I think a faster car is less affected by changes in weather, altitude or other things that affect a car, making it harder to dial. Just ask a guy like Gary Hampton about that.

Ron I will tell you this, I like tracks that are south facing (such as my home track WHPMSP). Vegas being a north facing track is tricky because it has changing wind speeds and directions. However, my last race of 2020 was lost by only .0057 (in spite of a .100rt against a .008). Yes changing weather conditions affect slower rollers more so than faster cars, but I liken our kind of racing to chess or checkers at speed (the moves you choose will either make or break you, and that affects faster cars too)! I love the challenge, and look forward to more opportunities to prove one can win with a FWD or slower classes car!

[Greg Gay]

I'm having trouble attaching the pictures, but there is a car less than a mile from me that looks just like the one Yac posted the picture of. I've noticed it for a couple of days, but today I saw that there is a for sale sign on it. It's even the same color. If someone near New England wants to build a slow stocker, here is an option. It is located in Bellows Falls VT, 802-591-2337. If you have any trouble making contact, contact me and I'll stop and inquire about the car.