top 3 things i miss the most about stock

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

I have nothing but respect for all of you folks, for you continue to do this stuff. But when it comes to old school vs. new school, it seems to me that the cost is taking it's toll. Also I look for new blood in the sport as a guage to it's future. I wonder how many would be there if not for daddy, uncle, brother etc. that lead/provided the way. How much new blood is actually comming in. I am working hard to get there, but don't have any of the previous mentioned resources to help. I did'nt even have anyone in the neighborhood to look up to as a kid. It's tough working hard on your car, but even tougher when nobody showed you what to do! I will be old school, and then some....but I will be proud because I did it all by myself. Just like you guys did back in the day. I feel that the cost and up hill battle against well funded "teams"/"new school" is making it easier for many racers to talk themselves out of going. That's why I see so much parking lot there at Charlotte in Tom's photos. Hope to add one new name in 2011, and look foward to sittin beside ya somewhere down the road !


Wade Mahaffey

I have raced SS in D4 for 3 years. Every race I always ask is there any new cars to look at? The answer is no. It's the same guys every event. What's going to happen when they give it up? My son is 21 and he says all the young guys are into 10.5 cars, outlaw type stuff, etc not S and SS. I love my Super Stocker, but it's so damn expensive. I broke 1 Jesel rocker a few weeks ago and about fell out of my chair when I called them to order a new one. It didn't even come with the adjuster or nut either. I need to find a cheaper hobby. LOL

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

How many people that raced in 1969 could afford a ZL1 Camaro or Corvette. Racing has always involved money when it comes to the upper classes.

It's common sense that faster/higher classed cars cost more money to build and science out. That's not the question. There's certainly a limited number of people that can afford to run the big-buck cars. That's not what the "class warfare" (pun intended) we're seeing today is all about. It's not whether or not the masses could afford a ZL1 Corvette, it's about "Did the ZL1 Corvette start out in H/SA?"

[Ken Miele]

Michael, that's another question for another thread. I am Just pointing out money in racing go hand and hand. Speed coast money, the 60's are no different then today, except that there are more people with more money to spend.

Jack made three points, and this is just my perspective on how I see this sport.

[Tim Kish]

Looking at Charlotte there isn't much Nostagia left in Super Stock:

Breakdown of the field by year:
1960's = 6
1970's = 1
1980's = 8
1990's = 18
2000's = 12
2010's = 3


May again support that cars too old or too new cost too much for most people.

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Ken Miele

Tear down is the result of not enough personnel. They don't or do want to hire the man power. I do not blame the racer for pushing the rules as far as he can go. That is true in any form of racing.

Kenny-- this simply is not the case - here in D1 and probably other divisions they would like to hire new tech people but there just are not any new applicants to fill these positions as its a hard - low paying - thankless position -- and yes , I've been there and done that .....................if you know of a good candidate get them in contact with the Division office -or get them to me and i'll point them in the right direction- we'll all be glad you did .

[Robert Simpson]

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Kenny-- this simply is not the case - here in D1 and probably other divisions they would like to hire new tech people but there just are not any new applicants to fill these positions as its a hard - low paying - thankless position -- and yes , I've been there and done that .....................if you know of a good candidate get them in contact with the Division office -or get them to me and i'll point them in the right direction- we'll all be glad you did .

Jack you are correct, I worked for Div 2 for a couple years. It was a very low (what pay) paying job with long hours and time away. I really liked it and enjoyed it. I liked working in the teardowns since I am into stock and super stock, I took a interest in it. Alot, of tech guys take interest in a class or two and those are the ones that they really focus on. I had health issues come up so I had to stop going. But, I do not know of any division that LOOKS for people to join the tech crews.

[Mike Brogniez]

The most fun/results was always due to a comination of hard work, ingenuity, trial and error and money.
Our Canadian dollar always well below the US greenback did not help the money aspect either......

There may have been fewer grey areas during tear down and protest situations given the field of cars and combinations being smaller and simpler with fewer classes.

There were always does who gave and earned respect and a minority that did not. Incidents were not ''in the open'' as they are today with the internet.

There were great things and some not so great back then...today there are also some great things and some not so great....
Could it be that the more things change the more they are the same?

Fortunately there is enough out there for us to choose where we can afford to have the most fun..........

[mtkawboy]

I remember 1959 when a floor shifter on a 3 speed put you in a gas class. That was the first time I ever went to the drags and I thought Id died and went to heaven at Amelia Earhart Field in Hialeah Fla., an old WW2 air base. There was no such thing as street mag type wheels for stockers then, just chrome.