Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!

[Harry 6674]

Originally Posted by tpoh815

"A few reasons and one of the main ones might be the fact that IHRA decided to NOT run STOCK CLASS runoffs at this event in 2010".
Phil why would this matter at all, its not like the "Class Win" is worth it in any sanction! My .02.

If a class win is not worth it why are you racing in stock class? A class win should be whats its about. No shoe polish tuneups allowed.

[Jim Woods]

all class winner pics were taken at the tech trailer at the end of round 2 qualifying

[Phil Veldheer Racing]

First off, I like the IHRA and I like all the people you deal with when you come to an IHRA race. The tech people, the gate people and even the parking people at the Nitro Jam at US 131 this past weekend and for the last several years HAVE BEEN GREAT.

To TRO815-Why I class race when it doesn't pay anything? WOW. I have been a class racer since 1967 (the year I graduated from High School) when I built a 56 Chevy wagon for H/SA to race at INDY. THE LAST thing on my mind going to INDY was what it paid. My 265 -2/4 barrel-hydraulic cam-fenderwell header equipped wagon ran the 1966 winner Jerry Robinson ?? in the first round of class and got spanked. It took every penny I made working two park time jobs all through high school and full time all summer to even build the car. I was happy to be there. Didn't Wenzel win that year? Didn't Big Daddy shave his beard that year? The moral of the story is I didn't have a pot to pee in and didn't have a chance to win class. I've stuck with it and simple things like setting or resetting an IHRA class record is why I stick with it, or winning class. I hope IHRA comes back next year and decides to run STOCK class runoffs again. A simple wall plaque with class winner on it is all I need. Sure it would be nice to get 50.00 from Hedman, Autometer, M/T, Moroso, etc. But those days are HISTORY. Maybe people that are younger (I am 61, but feel 30) have different ideas on class racing. It is expensive and we are getting more scarce every year. All I hope is someone at IHRA decides to bring class eliminations back in 2011.

I can think of other reasons for a smaller crowd although Saturday night is was pretty good. The NASCAR race less than two hours away. Several of the car show people that come to one race a year to watch didn't show at this event as a HUGE custom car show event was 45 minutes north.

I know I am rambling on, but if someone plans on making any money class racing, Unless you are a traveling pro forget about it.

Several years ago a guy bought a used dragster that was raced weekly at US 131. He bought is and was going to PAY for it by winning the $1200.00 he was going to win each week when he won SUPER PRO at US 131 Dragway. I watched him lose in the first round for seven straight weeks. He never showed up again and I've never seen the dragster again.

I entered the 2001 Class Nationals with two race cars and I knew both cars were not going to win class, but I went anyway and man am I glad I did. I would have a lot better chance now, what about it Alex?

Phil

[X-TECH MAN]

Amen to that Phil !

[tpoh815]

Phil I am respectful of all of your racing accomplishments ..... But I stand by my statement. I have won class before and its by default .Hooray.
Hairy. I race stock because I can and I know of plenty racers such as myself that DO NOT have the fastest car nor care if they do.and I try to do it by avoiding as much labor and $$ as possible so you will find me at the bottom of the ladder for now. (by choice) good luck .
Mike.

[Harry 6674]

Originally Posted by tpoh815

Phil I am respectful of all of your racing accomplishments ..... But I stand by my statement. I have won class before and its by default .Hooray.
Hairy. I race stock because I can and I know of plenty racers such as myself that DO NOT have the fastest car nor care if they do.and I try to do it by avoiding as much labor and $$ as possible so you will find me at the bottom of the ladder for now. (by choice) good luck .
Mike.

You must be proud admitting you don't want to have the fastest car in your class. Whats with that? This is supposed to be a performanced based class isn't it? Thats the first time I've ever heard a drag racer claim they don't want to be the fastest in their class. I've never had the fastest but I've always tried.

[Tony Janes]

This is 2010, Stock is no longer a performance eliminator. It is mostly a bracket race. I would not put zero oil in my car to win class. Harry it is about the Eliminator, that is what counts.

[Ed Fernandez]

Let's face it.Class has come down to more or less who has the deepest pockets.Sometimes a bucks down guy will steal a class win,more less than often.

[Beth Denysenko]

Originally Posted by Jim Woods

all class winner pics were taken at the tech trailer at the end of round 2 qualifying

My apologies, Jim - Alex never mentioned it because it seemed like it was done as a second thought. We usually put on our sponsors shirts and get all of us in the picture. I assumed there was not one because we were never retrieved to be in it by Alex. There wasn't a picture taken in Rockingham and I figured there must not have been one here. It's a picture we usually buy and send to our sponsors.

The value of a class win has been so diminished by the low qualifier format that the plaque wasn't even taken out of the car when Alex got back. I remember how proudly we displayed our Wally's at Indy, Joliet, Brainerd, etc on top of the winning car the whole afternoon. And we usually ran someone even at IHRA events and the plaque meant something. These races are where the phrase "you don't race on paper" came from. Anything and everything can happen and it's exciting to watch and even more exciting to run.

Regardless, we have class cars to race for class. There was time on Friday to run a few rounds of class elmins. I know it was prescheduled not to run, but why not? Jim, I don't expect you to answer because it's not your call. It's rhetorical. Yet another reason for lower car counts by real class racers - and gives them another reason NOT to race IHRA. We know, we try to get our friends to switch over. But this is another valid reason not to come on board. As much as we enjoy racing with IHRA, it feels like they are placating us by offering class - but it's not really class racing. Because you race for class, only in unusual circumstances should it be decided on low qualifier. So far, both events we have been to with class in 2010, it was prescheduled to be handled this way. Not good and should be changed back to traditional class racing for the future or done away with all together.

off my soapbox now.

[tpoh815]

Originally Posted by Harry 6674

You must be proud admitting you don't want to have the fastest car in your class. Whats with that? This is supposed to be a performanced based class isn't it? Thats the first time I've ever heard a drag racer claim they don't want to be the fastest in their class. I've never had the fastest but I've always tried.

Harold ease up man. My point is dollars and sense. I remember when class paid almost $1000 bucks Hell thats worth a shot. Today I cant even win a dime by proxy.To say its the first time you ever heard that statement makes me think you are hanging around with millionares. Btw I love to see great racers win by playing the ladder and being at the bottom of it. Or it turns out like Top Stock.Point is,saying racers didnt show up because there wasnt class is UNTRUE! Tony Janes you are dead on.