Want to go Super Stock Racing! Need Advice.

[Dougherty20]

Am looking to go Super Stock racing, which would be a new "game" for me. A few questions for those SS racers that would be willing to give advice:

* There are so many classes, how did you, or how should I, decide on a class and then a car?
* Example, love first gen Firebirds and Camaros. Do the different index's today allow the first gen's to be competitive?
* Are there cars, and classes to stay away from?
* How far under the index do you need to be to be competitive at national events?
* Explain the qualifying process, the index, and dial in.

Sorry for all the questions.

[Andys dad]

Don't

Thanks

:-) peace

Sorry I had to say that


LMAO

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Dougherty20

Am looking to go Super Stock racing, which would be a new "game" for me. A few questions for those SS racers that would be willing to give advice:

* There are so many classes, how did you, or how should I, decide on a class and then a car?
* Example, love first gen Firebirds and Camaros. Do the different index's today allow the first gen's to be competitive?
* Are there cars, and classes to stay away from?
* How far under the index do you need to be to be competitive at national events?
* Explain the qualifying process, the index, and dial in.

Sorry for all the questions.

Welcome friend, and don't feel like you are being ignored...but you are asking for a lifetime's worth of info in one post.

I suggest you start with one question, and then let the thread run it's course, until it turns into a bash CJs/DPs fest, then move on with the next one.

Point *2 , This is about weight, divided by factored horsepower . (In other words NHRA's guess as to what the rating should be) Any year or make can be a good or bad combo, depending on how realistic those numbers are .
See, I stepped into it just then !

[Dougherty20]

Understood. If you can dial your own number, as long as it is at or below the class index, isn't it just how consistent you can be and what kind of light you can cut? In other words, bracket racing?

Don't bash me, its just that I am trying to better understand the class.

[Angelo DiTocco]

You're asking for a lot of info..... unfortunately you run the risk of getting a lot of cynical answers trying to obtain that type of info on message boards and forums. Your best bet is to go to a few points meets (if you haven't already) and talk to the racers who have the types of cars in the classes that you have interest in. You'll get first hand information that way. Good Luck.

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by Angelo DiTocco

You're asking for a lot of info..... unfortunately you run the risk of getting a lot of cynical answers trying to obtain that type of info on message boards and forums. Your best bet is to go to a few points meets (if you haven't already) and talk to the racers who have the types of cars in the classes that you have interest in. You'll get first hand information that way. Good Luck.

In fact, stay away from the message boards as the cynicism will burn you out faster than anything else. Do what Angelo says. It will be a lot more informative and fun. Realize there is always somebody or something better out there with more money or more talent. That's just the way it is. Define your skills, limitations and budget and go from there.
I highly suggest subscribing to NitroJoe.com for his mailer subscriptions. It breaks down the best runs of each competitor, shows class participation and you can get a feel for what it takes to be a hero, middle of the road or bottom qualifier. And there is nothing right or wrong with any position!

[Dougherty20]

Thanks for the advice. Just looking for input from those of you with Super Stock experience. I have plenty of racing experience, just not Super Stock......

[Kenny Wigington]

Go to the div races close to you as these very experienced men said. It will shine more light on your question than a couple years on any message board !
Get to know some of the racers, they are more friendly and helpful than you will expect.

Have fun ! Get ready to hate your money, because you will !!

[Terry Cain]

Originally Posted by Dougherty20

Thanks for the advice. Just looking for input from those of you with Super Stock experience. I have plenty of racing experience, just not Super Stock......

Remember, It's cheaper to buy a SS than it is to build one. You don't say where your located but, sometimes you can get to know a few SS racers in your area and try to "pick thier brain". BE PATIENT

[Mike Carr]

Originally Posted by Dougherty20

Am looking to go Super Stock racing, which would be a new "game" for me. A few questions for those SS racers that would be willing to give advice:

* There are so many classes, how did you, or how should I, decide on a class and then a car?
* Example, love first gen Firebirds and Camaros. Do the different index's today allow the first gen's to be competitive?
* Are there cars, and classes to stay away from?
* How far under the index do you need to be to be competitive at national events?
* Explain the qualifying process, the index, and dial in.

Sorry for all the questions.

1) I would suggest reading this article that I wrote, as far as different classes, weight breaks, and how cars are classified into the classes that they are. If you have something particular in mind, let me know. http://classracer.com/classes.html
2) There are plenty of first generation Camaros in S/S, both small and big block. Even more so in Stock. Very few first generation Firebirds.
3) Depends on what you want to build, and how much money you have. Not a lot of "budget" S/S classes. Some classes have fewer cars than others. Stickshift classes do not have near the participation as automatics.
4) Except for the US Nationals, all National Events are all run, as they never take more entries than the 128 car maximum, except at Indy. If you're under the Index, you're good. As long as you don't have a heads-up Class run.
5) All cars qualify against their Index. The further under it you are, the further up the qualifying sheet you will be. After qualifying, cars are placed on a ladder. 1 vs 33, 2 vs 34, etc, down to 32 vs 64, if there are 64 cars. You dial-in during eliminations, but you can not dial-in over your class Index. SS/IA is an 10.70 Index, If in your first race, the car only can run 10.90's, you still must dial 10.70 first round. Eliminations are run bracket racing-style, unless two cars in the same Class race. Then it's heads-up, no breakout, first to the finish line wins.

This should help cover your questions, also. I wrote this on CompetitionPlus.

http://forum.competitionplus.com/showthread.php?t=7224

Anything else you need, just holler.