Z-MAX car count

[John Kelley]

In North Carolina races dump Stock an put in Super Pro .........:-)

[Frank Bialas]

Originally Posted by John Kelley

In North Carolina races dump Stock an put in Super Pro .........:-)

I guess in North Carolina some people just don't get it.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Frank Bialas

I guess in North Carolina some people just don't get it.

Mr. Kelley is from Texas and does not represent the racers of North Carolina. His statement made no sense.

In my opinion, NHRA does NOT need crate motor cars. I own a crate motor car. If I want to run an NHRA race, I will take an NHRA-legal car.

Now, not having Super Stock at this event does not make sense to me.

[Alan Roehrich]

Not only should it have had Super Stock, but it should have had class eliminations for Super Stock as well, and it should have been a 3 day race instead of four. One reason I did not go this time (as a crew chief, not a driver) is I'd have had to leave on Tuesday night. That's ridiculous.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

and it should have been a 3 day race instead of four. One reason I did not go this time (as a crew chief, not a driver) is I'd have had to leave on Tuesday night. That's ridiculous.

Dead-on!

Michael, That works for you, but not everyone can barrow a car.

I own an NHRA-legal Stocker. I haven't raced it in a number of years, but may take it out a couple times next year (with a For Sale sign on it) I bought & built a crate motor car because I choose to run IHRA. If I cared to run NHRA, I would either race my other car, or put a 'traditional' motor in the Volare. NHRA has "borrowed" plenty of IHRA ideas already. The organizations don't have to be the same. If NHRA allowed crate motors, they'd pick up 10 cars, and lose 15-20 cars from guys who don't want to race against them. Let them do their own thing.

[Ed Wright]

I think Alan and Michael are both dead on. Four days is silly, especially with small fields, and the no SS cars makes no sense either. If you don't have full fields, why exclude classes? Looks like they would want the entry fees? Div 4 car counts are down this year also. Some guys are out of work, others are nervous about maybe getting layed off, some shop owners are suffering with slow business, so don't feel like they can afford to race.

I was looking for No Problem results (must be some rain down there) and noticed the NHRA Div 7 race only showed 27 SS cars. Lots of race cars on the left coast, probably the same reason other areas are down.

[THE LEGEND]

DW,
I know a lot of IHRA regulars went to Atlanta last weekend to get a grade point. I hate to miss a national event 100 miles frm the house. It's all good though we will be at MIR next week then on to THE ROCK.
CHip

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

Dead-on!



I own an NHRA-legal Stocker. I haven't raced it in a number of years, but may take it out a couple times next year (with a For Sale sign on it) I bought & built a crate motor car because I choose to run IHRA. .

Micheal, if you already have a NHRA legal Stocker, why did you feel the need to build a crate motor car to run IHRA? I thought that a NHRA Stocker would fit into an existing IHRA class, no?
And, yes, wheelie bars, electric water pumps etc may not be "Stock" but they are used on cars that were factory produced vehicles. Frankly, I see nothing "Stock" about a V8 Vega Stocker, a V8 powered FWD conversion "stocker" or a 1970 car with a 2000 era engine with an aftermarket intake and Holley carb.Considering that IHRA has many more classes than NHRA, and typically far lower car counts, even without the need for grade points or pre entry, I guess NHRA must still have some appeal. Enough appeal that ex IHRA President Bill Bader switched his own track the NHRA a few years back. Being on the West Coast, there is no IHRA racing for most of us to try, other than Edmonton, while NHRA is everywhere across North America.

[RJ]

NHRA "stock?"/IHRA "crate stock?" - what is stock anymore?

crank - yes
aftermarket rods - no
aftermarket pistons - no
lightweight pins - no
$400+ rings - no
billet cam - no
ceramic lifters - no
big O.D. pushrods - no
500lb+ valve springs - no
lightweight retainers - no
aftermarket valves - no
bogus ports - no
any valve job - no
bogus chambers - no
bogus manifold runners - no

Just an example about how "not stock" NHRA or IHRA stock eliminator really is anyway. After 1985 or so calling anything stock is a moot point. I say let the rest of crates in, the CJ's and Challengers really are anyway.

[Michael Beard]

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

Micheal, if you already have a NHRA legal Stocker, why did you feel the need to build a crate motor car to run IHRA? I thought that a NHRA Stocker would fit into an existing IHRA class, no?

It had been on the injured reserve list for several years. I hurt a rod about 5th round at the Bracket Finals one year, and it had pretty much been sitting since. It's an '85 Turismo 2.2L (carb'd). Used to run EF/SA. While I feel like I'm more competitive in my faster car (and wheelies are fun!), I guess that may not be fair, as I did finish 11th in NHRA Div. 1 in my rookie year with the car, and won a few bracket races with it. Billy Nees and my dad got it back on track this summer, and have picked it up about .50. I may run it at a few races next year just to 'stretch its legs'. It's actually a pretty good car.

It's not so much a crate vs "NHRA" deal in terms of competitiveness, as I had the opportunity to drive an NHRA-legal Stocker in Super Stock last year, and finished 6th in the World. It's more just preference. As I keep saying - to each their own - I don't expect NHRA to change.