Wheelie Bars are not needed for Safety on Stockers!

[cutta]

I think some of you are missing the point here. The argument is not whether stockers can control wheel stands without wheelie bars, the argument is whether or not it is safer, more cost friendly, and damage preventative to have wheelie bars?

I don't think anyone here believes that you can't control wheelstands without wheelie bars but most want to protect themselves from the risk of damaging there cars. With the drag racing community already being down, why would anyone want to risk damaging their cars by not running wheelie bars. We had our first uncontrollable wheelstand in our bracket car a few weeks ago and with us being on a budget, we are already considering wheelie bars for safety and to help control the car in unpredictable circumstances. Replacing parts is expensive and I don't see how anyone could suggest running without them with the only justification being "Its more stock appearing" or "saying their sissy sticks". Notches should be allowed to accommodate that in my opinion.

[sammy pizzolato]

every time i take the wheelie bars off i do DAMAGE! costley damage.and it is a safety factor end of story. if i did not need them i would not have them cuz i don't want to carry the weight.and yes i could make my car not stand up BUT with the bad starting lines i dont want to take that chance.one time at a IHRA race at red river raceway Larry and Patsey hill can back me up on this one.i went 288ft on the rear wheels and had to get out of it cuz it was about to blow over.so no i don't need notches (but) they need to allow them.

[Michael Beard]

Should've taken the bars off at Coastal Plains. Might've given Alan Farmer's Dart a run for his money. 'Course Alan hurt the car after coming down from a massive wheelstand.

[Dan Fahey]

If this were the 80's maybe.

Wheelie Bars took some of the Stock out of Stock.

But they are definitely cool, in fact modernized upper Stock Classes.

Since the 80's 9.99 was the hot lap.
Today 8.90's are the hot laps.

It is what it has to be !
NHRA cannot go back on it because it is about safety.

D

[1320racer]

It is not about safety, it's all about wheelies are cool, exciting to do and watch.

Originally Posted by Michael Beard

Should've taken the bars off at Coastal Plains. Might've given Alan Farmer's Dart a run for his money. 'Course Alan hurt the car after coming down from a massive wheelstand.

Michael, any damage to that car is the result of Alan's decision to run it that way. There was no good reason for him to be on the bumper every pass!

BTW, I've broken my wheelie bars twice to date. Removed them, tightened up my front shock extension and went from a wheelie in the photo to none at all