End of Stock and SuperStock Racing?? - Page 3

CycloneFE · 06-17-2013, 08:52 PM

RJ,

For the sake of discussion (peaceful) only. Back in the day when the stands were full and Stock and Super Stock ran, just how many other classes were running? Are we watered down with classes? I do not mean to trounce on any one in particular's class, just a question. Besides the S &SS was there other "bodied" classes, and was the "draw" of the crowd, something that looked like what they could buy at the dealer? What were the time of day that the Stock and Super Stock were run back then? Were they run before most people were out of bed or could be at the track?

I ask this to help analyze the view that the spectator was getting then and what it is now.

I still have intentions of running Stock myself, and if my finances don't go totally down the toilet with the economy, I will be racing you all, provided we still have the class.

Conway Witten · 06-17-2013, 09:22 PM

Where I think NHRA is over looking things is, nobody in Pro Stock engine building or crew chiefs came out of any other classes than, modified (comp), super stock or stock. Bracket classes and junior dragster can make drivers but the real brains started in sportsman class cars? With them kind of letting sportsman racing kill it’s self only gives them an excuse to end them and hope they migrate into the super classes. One thing that I think would help is for the stock, super stock have horsepower and changes done by a committee of racers. Then have the racers elect a certification team. With a committee of peers doing the changes, takes out the silly automatic factoring system, and does not give any thought to density altitude? And you could allow the use of Holley 750s on small block and 850s on big blocks in super stock? A Holley is cheaper than a q-jet or 4gc and leaves the horsepowers alone; this puts the old cars more in line with the fuel injected cars. Then if they need power the committee could adjust it. I know for a fact a lot of cars setting at home now because the horsepowers are out of line because of going fast in the spring or fall.

Mark Yacavone · 06-17-2013, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CycloneFE

RJ,

For the sake of discussion (peaceful) only. Back in the day when the stands were full and Stock and Super Stock ran, just how many other classes were running? Are we watered down with classes? I do not mean to trounce on any one in particular's class, just a question. Besides the S &SS was there other "bodied" classes, and was the "draw" of the crowd, something that looked like what they could buy at the dealer? What were the time of day that the Stock and Super Stock were run back then? Were they run before most people were out of bed or could be at the track?

.

Steve, I think you touched on an important part of this equation.
When I started racing, everybody went to the track on the same day. You ran Stock, Modified, Comp or maybe Top Elim or Exhibition..plus maybe a Funny Car match race to bring in more spectators..This was hyped on the local radio stations..Then the NHRA Divisional would roll in once a year.

Lately , around here we had NHRA Opens, Divisionals and Nationals, Summit Series bracket racing, Nostalgia events, Pontiac Drags, VW Drags, Buick Day, NMRA, NMCA, PSCA, ADRA brackets, AZ Grudge, AZ Fastest Street Cars, NHRA Hertitage series, Diesel Drags , Flathead and Inliners, Club Days, for a while, Fun Ford, Super Chevy...I'm sure I'm missing a dozen more...each with their own little subculture , followers ,and all their own format for racing.
1/8 mile , 1/4 mile , flat out, breakout, full tree ,pro tree ...on and on , but you get the point.

No wonder Speedworld could never even break even for a lot of their meets.

I 've said it before, but I think it's the old Humpty Dumpty syndrome, and I don't think anyone will ever put it him all back together again...in my opinion.

Jim Wahl · 06-17-2013, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conway Witten

Where I think NHRA is over looking things is, nobody in Pro Stock engine building or crew chiefs came out of any other classes than, modified (comp), super stock or stock. Bracket classes and junior dragster can make drivers but the real brains started in sportsman class cars? With them kind of letting sportsman racing kill it’s self only gives them an excuse to end them and hope they migrate into the super classes. One thing that I think would help is for the stock, super stock have horsepower and changes done by a committee of racers. Then have the racers elect a certification team. With a committee of peers doing the changes, takes out the silly automatic factoring system, and does not give any thought to density altitude? And you could allow the use of Holley 750s on small block and 850s on big blocks in super stock? A Holley is cheaper than a q-jet or 4gc and leaves the horsepowers alone; this puts the old cars more in line with the fuel injected cars. Then if they need power the committee could adjust it. I know for a fact a lot of cars setting at home now because the horsepowers are out of line because of going fast in the spring or fall.

No thanks Conway, I'll take my Thermo Quad over a Holley any day! Jim

Pedigo Perf · 06-17-2013, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRatcliff

I hope this idea gains traction because I have placard ready to put in front of Pedigo's car when he drifts away for a little while.

Haaaye!

SStockDart · 06-17-2013, 10:38 PM

You are so right, Mark......you could spend $20,000 to promote a "Diesel Black out" drag race........and draw 20 diesels, and 50 fans. That makes no sense. You could spend $20,000 for advertising a John Force match race with whoever............and maybe break even. I'm just saying...

Conway Witten · 06-17-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

No thanks Conway, I'll take my Thermo Quad over a Holley any day! Jim

Of course you could keep you thermo-bog, either solid fuel or mixer! But if a simpleton like me wanted to run a Holley we could?

keith ohanesian · 06-17-2013, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frito

Check out the stands at Bristol this past weekend!

That's because they knew Jeff was in that car!

Jim Wahl · 06-17-2013, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conway Witten

Of course you could keep you thermo-bog, either solid fuel or mixer! But if a simpleton like me wanted to run a Holley we could?

Yes sir, of course you could!!! Jim

.

Frito · 06-18-2013, 03:12 PM

"What were the time of day that the Stock and Super Stock were run back then? Were they run before most people were out of bed or could be at the track"?

Last year at Indy, while helping a friend in Stock, some of his friends from his home town came to watch stock and super stock eliminator. They called and said they were at the gate and could not get in untill 9AM. The problem was it was 8AM and the stockers had already started running. When I ask the NHRA people at the gate about it they said the racers gate was open but spectators had to wait until 9. So much for filling the grandstands.

06-17-2013, 08:52 PM	#21
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing?? RJ, For the sake of discussion (peaceful) only. Back in the day when the stands were full and Stock and Super Stock ran, just how many other classes were running? Are we watered down with classes? I do not mean to trounce on any one in particular's class, just a question. Besides the S &SS was there other "bodied" classes, and was the "draw" of the crowd, something that looked like what they could buy at the dealer? What were the time of day that the Stock and Super Stock were run back then? Were they run before most people were out of bed or could be at the track? I ask this to help analyze the view that the spectator was getting then and what it is now. I still have intentions of running Stock myself, and if my finances don't go totally down the toilet with the economy, I will be racing you all, provided we still have the class. __________________ Steve Jackson

06-17-2013, 09:22 PM	#22
Conway Witten Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 108 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing?? Where I think NHRA is over looking things is, nobody in Pro Stock engine building or crew chiefs came out of any other classes than, modified (comp), super stock or stock. Bracket classes and junior dragster can make drivers but the real brains started in sportsman class cars? With them kind of letting sportsman racing kill it’s self only gives them an excuse to end them and hope they migrate into the super classes. One thing that I think would help is for the stock, super stock have horsepower and changes done by a committee of racers. Then have the racers elect a certification team. With a committee of peers doing the changes, takes out the silly automatic factoring system, and does not give any thought to density altitude? And you could allow the use of Holley 750s on small block and 850s on big blocks in super stock? A Holley is cheaper than a q-jet or 4gc and leaves the horsepowers alone; this puts the old cars more in line with the fuel injected cars. Then if they need power the committee could adjust it. I know for a fact a lot of cars setting at home now because the horsepowers are out of line because of going fast in the spring or fall. Last edited by Conway Witten; 06-17-2013 at 09:27 PM.

06-17-2013, 10:38 PM	#26
SStockDart VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Arizona, Texan forever Posts: 1,176 Likes: 876 Liked 574 Times in 212 Posts	Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing?? You are so right, Mark......you could spend $20,000 to promote a "Diesel Black out" drag race........and draw 20 diesels, and 50 fans. That makes no sense. You could spend $20,000 for advertising a John Force match race with whoever............and maybe break even. I'm just saying... __________________ Gary Hansen - SS/FA 4911, B/SA 4911

06-18-2013, 03:12 PM	#30
Frito Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 451 Likes: 147 Liked 119 Times in 40 Posts	Re: End of Stock and SuperStock Racing?? "What were the time of day that the Stock and Super Stock were run back then? Were they run before most people were out of bed or could be at the track"? Last year at Indy, while helping a friend in Stock, some of his friends from his home town came to watch stock and super stock eliminator. They called and said they were at the gate and could not get in untill 9AM. The problem was it was 8AM and the stockers had already started running. When I ask the NHRA people at the gate about it they said the racers gate was open but spectators had to wait until 9. So much for filling the grandstands. __________________