Bring back super/mod...

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by Michael Kilduff

Excellent ideas.

I don't think giving weight breaks for automatics would be in the best interest of the class. I understand you need participation but the thing that would make a class like this unique-and popular-would be higher rpms and manual transmissions.

At our local tracks the only time a significant number of fans show up is for Pro Mod shows or when the Classic Gearjammers are in town.

I think a 50 lb weight reduction for pre 1973 cars would benfit the class as well.

I really doubt the NHRA would have any interest in such a class-look at how long it took them to bring Pro Mod into the program and they still treat those guys/girls like second rate citizens.

A class like this would certainly have to start at the grass roots level, and that won't be easy. If some people really want to do something like this I'm willing to help in any way possible-I'm in South East NC. I've got one car that could fit this bill, just tell me the rules before it gets to the chassis shop this winter.

And I gotta say I am very suprised Doyle Evans hasn't posted in this thread yet. I know he's reading it and has a '67 Vette just itching for a class like this
I

OK, I've read almost all of this, sounds very interesting. Would it work in this day and age? It's not 1977 any longer. Yes, it would need to be a grass roots level class. Tod and I have a car that would be a good candidate for this. Our 79 Firebird crate project. It's far from completed.

What kind of hybrid are we seeking here? Stocker type suspensions with "spec type" engines? Super Stock style suspension with same? Converted bracket cars, that really opens a can of worms.

Just a thought, come up with a basic set of "rules" as a guide. Make it a Class Racer stickey? Then we can bench race and tweak them?

[Michael Kilduff]

Originally Posted by Robert Swartz

OK, I've read almost all of this, sounds very interesting. Would it work in this day and age? It's not 1977 any longer. Yes, it would need to be a grass roots level class. Tod and I have a car that would be a good candidate for this. Our 79 Firebird crate project. It's far from completed.

What kind of hybrid are we seeking here? Stocker type suspensions with "spec type" engines? Super Stock style suspension with same? Converted bracket cars, that really opens a can of worms.

Just a thought, come up with a basic set of "rules" as a guide. Make it a Class Racer stickey? Then we can bench race and tweak them?

I think the class would work very well today. Heads up drag racing is alive and okay-look at the ADRL, the 10.5 stuff, drag radial 275, and all of the Pro Modified associations and events. But consider this-

When the 'fast street car' stuff really got legs in the mid 1990's the main attractions were 'heads up racing' and almost anyone could fford to do it.

10 years ago, at least in the south east, the 'automatic/powerglide Pro Mods' caught on big. Most of these cars were Top Sportsman cars, they were a notch or two below the pro Mod cars.

IMO this series caught on largely because the powerglide could only handle so much power-it made fast heads up racing affordable for lots of people. The glide was the buffer so the budget guy could race with the big money guy.

Fast forward to about 3 years ago- Lenco and others started building powerglide parts that will take 3000 plus HP, and the fields have gotten smaller around here-because now the 80K engines can be used and not many folks can really afford that-or the maintenence that comes with throwing the kitchen sink into the mix.

The 'Fast Street Car' thing is still pretty strong, but not many people can afford to do it now compared to 10 years ago. A high school friend of mine got into the street car thing-10.5 outlaw-in the beginning. He had a very modest budget and even built the car (his first) himself. Now he can't even qualify and told me how he walked into a competitors trailer a few years ago and the guy had 3 600 inch Fords in the trailer and one on the car.

The thing about this Super Modified deal is that with some strategic rules in place the class could be affordable for a lot of people. Put it in the hands of the drivers and the tuners, not the mega bucks guy. The $500 head claimer thing will keep things from getting out of control better than probably anything else imo.

As for the suspension set ups-

Someone, I think SSDIV6, mentioned that the HP for a 358 with the Brodix spec head without all the dry sump/crank trigger etc stuff would probably make around 650 HP, a stock type suspension can handle that. Look at Anthony B's black '69 AA/SA 427 Camaro with slapper bars, for ex.

[randy wilson]

I agree a stock suspension today can handle 650 HP. I don't think that alone is enough cars to bring in a full field. I do know the $500 spec head exchange is a start, but I have a ladder bar 67, that LA Automotive built for me, and others probably have 4 link cars they want in the mix. No one will build a car for this specific non-existent class, so we have to incorporate ideas to let enough in to start. Maybe a 50lb. or 100 lb. for completeley stock chassis with slapper bars. Come on guys, ideas please. And some of you have great ideas now, but we all need to face the fact we will never all, agree with all. I do know more people lined up locally against the fence to see low 7 second, and high 5 second runs here then pro mods drew at other local tracks. That's 1\8th mind you.

[randy wilson]

And also, we could incorporate a draw from the hat each day to see who gets P&G'd. And after the finals, from the runner up on down to the non qualifiers, all numbers go in a hat, and the winner draws a car number out, and that's who exchanges heads. Just a thought. That way the guy that wins always exchanges, but any one on down can still post, and claim another racer's heads. What say you.

[BlueOval Ralph]

Where is this going to run?
Local
NHRA
IHRA
Points meets

[randy wilson]

Run wherever, and whenever anyone gets behind it enough to have some pull. Will it happen? Probably not, but it's sure fun discussing.

[randy wilson]

Snorkel scoops only, might be a good addition.

[treessavoy]

OK, I've heard enough about Brodix heads, do they make them for all motors, Mopar, Amc, Ford,etc.?

Absolutely NO auto's; 4 speeds only, cast heads, alum. intake, holley or equivilant 750cfm, any compression, 750 lift cam max, aftermarket steel rods, roller rockers, stainless stock size valves (uniform throughout models), Caltrac's or slapper bars with custom leaf springs and either 9" or 10" w tires.

No FI, no 4 links or ladders and cars should be 1963 to 1969 (Corvettes up to 1969 can be used).

Please note: this is not an idea for introducing drag racing to 18 yo's, it's a renewal of a great class that was fun to watch, hear, and race.

That's my bias opinion.

JimR