They say you can't go back....but...??

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Bobby - You and I could debate this issue 'till the cows come home but because you haven't been "around the block" as many times as I have you just won't get it .Also , because you already have a pure stocker your point of view might be biased .That said are you ready to compete nationally ? Are you ready to pull a piston and rod if asked ? And you will be at some time ..........along with everything else the rules must be the same for traditional stockers and pure stockers alike .

Billy I disagree with the tighter the rules are, the easier it is to cheat. I think the less you govern rules, the easier it is to cheat but I could be wrong. NHRA provides a nice stage for us to race on but I firmly believe that they take less and less pride in their product by changing rules instead of enforcing them because they don't want to spend money to hire necessary tech officials. Aren't we entitled to that? Isn't that what we pay for when we renew memberships, competition numbers, and pay astronomical entry fees?

Jack, my car is already in the works to become a stocker and with a little luck it will be ready soon (circa 2017) so I would be screwed if the new pure stock class did come to fruition because I could have saved money! As far as being ready to pull a rod and piston, well of course I'm ready, it was a factory mustang with 160,000 miles and the valve covers had yet to be removed. However, I am like Howard, Fine, and Howard if you wanted to see a comedy show and watch me try to pull a piston and rod it would make for a great dinner time story. I am no mechanic which I hate admitting but it's the truth so someone would have to help me in that scenario!

I know you consider me the new guy but I watched and grew up around S/SS for 20 years before I started driving so I'm not thatttt new!

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by SStock1373

Billy I disagree with the tighter the rules are, the easier it is to cheat. I think the less you govern rules, the easier it is to cheat but I could be wrong. NHRA provides a nice stage for us to race on but I firmly believe that they take less and less pride in their product by changing rules instead of enforcing them because they don't want to spend money to hire necessary tech officials. Aren't we entitled to that? Isn't that what we pay for when we renew memberships, competition numbers, and pay astronomical entry fees?

In regards to your first sentence, making the rules tighter and not governing the rules are two different things. In regards to your second, yes they are taking less "pride in they're product". The people at the top only care about the bottom line and the Techs that love the sport are going away or retireing. And finally, yes, we should be entitled to "that" but we are also entitled to not renew our membership. The days of being a member meaning something are long gone just like post race teardowns.

[Jack McCarthy]

mike, nice try i like it nhra will never go back start your own association.

billy, its not the rules it is the amount and seriousness of teardowns. at the rate they pull nowadays you might win the lottrery first... and always same guys never a non qualifier or #120 at indy then when tossed a few phone calls, and SHAZAAM they are in and the rule is "relaxed" next year.... lets teardown ALL class winners at indy, and 12 or more at all nationals, and three at every divisional, and top qualifier at all opens... hell mr gasket should help pay for the tech guys...

and this is why i dislike combos... no tech, no protests, some even no heads ups

hell lets start a carbs only stocker association ??
merry christmas to the asshole who asked for roller rockers !
jack

[7423]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

I've always considered myself a Bracket Racer that went Class Racing.

Not many players on this board would admit to that. I admire your poetry as it also suits myself to a T.

So tell me Billy, where do you think this "class" thing is heading? A combo? Qualified 32 car field? Dial in only, no heads up? I believe there are major changes on the horizon and the old school NHRA disciples will not be very happy.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by 7423

Not many players on this board would admit to that. I admire your poetry as it also suits myself to a T.

So tell me Billy, where do you think this "class" thing is heading? A combo? Qualified 32 car field? Dial in only, no heads up? I believe there are major changes on the horizon and the old school NHRA disciples will not be very happy.

Many of us were racing before brackets came along. Dial only, no heads ups, combos, would probably be the time a lot of us to quit. If you want to race like that, why don't you just go run brackets (It will be the same thing but cheaper for you and you won't have to know as much or work as hard.) and not worry about it?

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by 7423

So tell me Billy, where do you think this "class" thing is heading?

I think they'll stay pretty much the same but I think the rules will become more liberal. I don't think you'll ever see them do away with heads-up runs. I'd love to see NHRA start doing spot checks and teardowns on 1ST or 2ND round losers at Natl. Events and at Div. Events to a lesser degree. You don't have to tear everybody down just as long as everybody thinks that they could POSSIBLY be torn down. Heads-up runs and teardowns are an integral part of our eliminator.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

I think they'll stay pretty much the same but I think the rules will become more liberal. I don't think you'll ever see them do away with heads-up runs. I'd love to see NHRA start doing spot checks and teardowns on 1ST or 2ND round losers at Natl. Events and at Div. Events to a lesser degree. You don't have to tear everybody down just as long as everybody thinks that they could POSSIBLY be torn down. Heads-up runs and teardowns are an integral part of our eliminator.

I fully agree.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Stockers can still be built reasonably but even with our best intentions (Dime Rocket threads) in hand I don't see any cars being built. I think NHRA has just thrown the whole "Entry Level" deal into the laps of the local tracks and are happy to collect their "Cut".

Billy, I guess the whole Junior Stock era ,aura, and mystique is officially dead now.
I picked up that 79 Bonneville for the engine, to go in another project.
I thought I'd put the body up for sale, instead of scrapping it...just to give somebody a chance at an easy .5- .75 under car that could probably be built for 10-15 grand.
After 6 weeks, and 1000 views,...No (zero) inquiries or response.
It seems that if people can afford the entries, fees, travel, etc, plus a big rig,...they can afford a low 11 or 10 sec. car to get their kicks...More fun, I suppose ,...win or lose.
I bet Jody Lang's having fun, though...

[7423]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

If you want to race like that, why don't you just go run brackets (It will be the same thing but cheaper for you and you won't have to know as much or work as hard.) and not worry about it?

Don't really follow ya Ed. Been bracket racing non stop since 1973. The intention of my post was to hear another bracket racers thoughts on where class racing is headed.

[7423]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

I think they'll stay pretty much the same but I think the rules will become more liberal. I don't think you'll ever see them do away with heads-up runs. I'd love to see NHRA start doing spot checks and teardowns on 1ST or 2ND round losers at Natl. Events and at Div. Events to a lesser degree. You don't have to tear everybody down just as long as everybody thinks that they could POSSIBLY be torn down. Heads-up runs and teardowns are an integral part of our eliminator.

Guess am a bit naive. Do you really think that there are that many Stk and SS racers out there cheating or do these cars need to be looked at for safety concerns? The pot of gold after Sundays final just does not seem big enough to chance a years vacation. If 99.9% of the rounds are shoe polished, whats the point of cheating?