End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??

[SStockDart]

RJ, it is still relevant and Don's comments are perfect. I have to believe that those at NHRA that read this forum understand that those of us that love this sport, want it to get better......Those that are critics and spread doom and gloom, need to find something else to do.

If I were to believe that Stock and Super Stock racing is doomed..................Don and I will be racing at the next Arizona Nationals Finals. (I ain't quitting.....I am too old to change)

[Dick Butler]

RJ and Don. Your comments are very true. I am afraid many cannot fathom changes that might affect their personal focus. Part of these classes is the major book work used to find the "magic combination" . This research provided a starting point for an advantage which promised to make us more competitive than others in the class. The only problem has been this research led to political pressure to create a place to run more and more combinations and more and more specs to adjust.
Result is the massive class structures done to please the most people to keep or increase the participants.
Problems developed for class racing as Total racers in the country might have become static while classes increased. Result less per class participation in areas of the country, fewer participants to allow in the event to have class winners instead of bye runs.
Result emphysis of racers shifted to eliminator from class win.Pride in winning a Trophy was decreased by bye run wins.
Less emphysis on Record holding and also not rewarded with points so no reason to tear down.
Along came Factory Bogus cars (Only bogus due to neglect of potential by NHRA)
Hope the working to win Class can come back in more events and classes.
Are people really willing to move from the 50 year old parts and specs to a cheaper more standard car to create a show in class racing(like Mod class with limits) I doubt people can change their focus if it were suggested.
I LOVE CLASS RACING.

[Mike Carr]

Car counts might look down from years past on the surface. But, a few facts to consider:

~Quotas. 1996, I went to the Keystone Nationals at Maple Grove. 126 S/S showed up. 1999 (the Hurricane year), 132 or so Stockers were on the sheet (a few DNQ's). But now, with NHRA setting the quota for some races at 60-80 cars, you can't just look at that and say "Oh my, car counts are down..." NHRA makes it appear that way but cutting the car count (quotas) in half from 15 or so years ago.

~Some people are picking and choosing events. They may not go to certain LODRS or National events, for a variety of reasons (too many races in close proximity, in both distance from home and many races within a short time frame, plus alternative events like S/SS Associations, IHRA, bigger money bracket events, etc). Look at Division 1 the past few weeks. Memorial Day was Maple Grove LODRS, next weekend E-Town National, two weeks later Lebanon Valley NY LODRS, the next week Epping Nat'l. Week before Maple Grove was the Norwalk LODRS (many D-1 racers attend). Memorial Day I also had two S/SS races at Quaker City in Ohio (just over the PA line) and the week of E-town was the IHRA races at Pittsburgh. One or more races may have had a slightly lesser car count because some can not afford (in money or time off work) to attend all. Some people elect not to go to certain tracks because of conditions (pit area, race surface, other reason or combination of the above). Lebanon Valley had over 100 Stockers. Maple Grove always gets over 100 on Memorial Day.

Just a few things to consider. I wouldn't say Class Racing is dying. Certain events/tracks may suffer a bit for varying reasons. But dying? Not sure I would use that term. And, yes, there are some newer/younger talent coming into Class Racing (would still be one more if NHRA/IHRA hadn't ran him off). Hopefully the next few years will see an equal number coming in as racers leave... become older, start cutting back, retiring, or worse.

[FlyingW]

As the son of the legend Jimmy Waibel who raced from the days of flag starts in 1958 at Lake Wales, Fl through the glory days of jr.Stock, a major player in the STK factory wars of the 60's and 70's to the bracket format of today, I have become a DIE-hard 2nd gen racer driving his last car he built and my oldest son Jacob turns 15 in just a few weeks and he already moves "by driving" the car around the shop and even load it in the box. He has plans of moving up to Top Fuel and he will. He learned the track from his jr. Dragster, he will tell you he will learn to drive in the K&N camaro and then after a season or two he wants to go a big rail car, than to the world of Top fuel and he will tell you its because each step is important to be a champion. Now the only reason Iam not wining in the K&N camaro YET.... I had to pay my dues in the racing world I feel they are paid and there is a wally coming back to Waibel Comptition in STOCK thats what built NHRA thats what started it all "....my cars faster than yours......." so 2nd and 3rd gen drivers stay true to your roots for things we take for granted I.E. order any part and race they had to build ans stock/super stock Racing will only die if our generation allows it.
Jeremy Waibel
Waibel Competition
'69 K&N Camaro
NHRA STK 2230

[Rose Racing]

I am a young S or S/S enthusiast and love class racing and I am in the early 20-30 year old demographic and currently bracket race at Norwalk and I hope in the next 10 or soo maybe more years I will build my own class car....... I know most of the younger generation currently racing at Norwalk and DWAY 42 in West Salem as I have raced every week in and out for 10 years since Jr Dragsters and every one of them thoroughly enjoys bracket racing and almost every one of them wants a 7 second dragster and every one of thems goal is to run in the .90 classes either Super Comp or Super Gas and they all love delay box racing with throttle stops and the whole every young kid wants to run heads up 10.5 or radial classes are highly exagerated. I refuse to run a delay box as I would rather leave off the bottom bulb and drive the car like past racers have. My father has never raced before and I started driving a Jr Dragster that he bought for me(including trailer) and he has always supported me and we bought a Bracket tube chassied Pinto that I have raced for the past 3 or 4 years(sooo please not all kids in Drag Racing are second generation racers) and he is also a big fan of Super Stock and thats our ultimate goal! Heres an ideer and dont slaughter me for it but How about a older car with a new engine GT class? Its all the rage in car building to put a new LS GM engine in an old Camaro or a Mod Motor in a old fastback Mustang sooo why not in Stock or Super Stock? Most kids I went to school with somewhat know new cars but love muscle cars and I always got alot of praise driving my 78 Dodge to school and I think it would be very popular just thinking out loud.....

[FlyingW]

Originally Posted by Rose Racing

I am a young S or S/S enthusiast and love class racing and I am in the early 20-30 year old demographic and currently bracket race at Norwalk and I hope in the next 10 or soo maybe more years I will build my own class car....... I know most of the younger generation currently racing at Norwalk and DWAY 42 in West Salem as I have raced every week in and out for 10 years since Jr Dragsters and every one of them thoroughly enjoys bracket racing and almost every one of them wants a 7 second dragster and every one of thems goal is to run in the .90 classes either Super Comp or Super Gas and they all love delay box racing with throttle stops and the whole every young kid wants to run heads up 10.5 or radial classes are highly exagerated. I refuse to run a delay box as I would rather leave off the bottom bulb and drive the car like past racers have. My father has never raced before and I started driving a Jr Dragster that he bought for me(including trailer) and he has always supported me and we bought a Bracket tube chassied Pinto that I have raced for the past 3 or 4 years(sooo please not all kids in Drag Racing are second generation racers) and he is also a big fan of Super Stock and thats our ultimate goal! Heres an ideer and dont slaughter me for it but How about a older car with a new engine GT class? Its all the rage in car building to put a new LS GM engine in an old Camaro or a Mod Motor in a old fastback Mustang sooo why not in Stock or Super Stock? Most kids I went to school with somewhat know new cars but love muscle cars and I always got alot of praise driving my 78 Dodge to school and I think it would be very popular just thinking out loud.....

There is nothing wrong tith the index classes they are part of drag racing and as A a Racer on any level I would never discourage any young drive to make it to where they want to be. everyone must know that our sport has two people drivers and passangers. now if your not a 2nd or 3rd gen racer than you have the abillity to set a path for your legacy and if you land in the .90 classes than make sure that if there comes a day that s/c comes under fire than they have the passion to fight for it..........

Jeremy Waibel
K&N 69 Camaro
NHRA STK 2230

[Rose Racing]

Originally Posted by FlyingW

There is nothing wrong tith the index classes they are part of drag racing and as A a Racer on any level I would never discourage any young drive to make it to where they want to be. everyone must know that our sport has two people drivers and passangers. now if your not a 2nd or 3rd gen racer than you have the abillity to set a path for your legacy and if you land in the .90 classes than make sure that if there comes a day that s/c comes under fire than they have the passion to fight for it..........

Jeremy Waibel
K&N 69 Camaro
NHRA STK 2230

I agree 100% and I was just making a point that heads up racing is certainly not where the younger generation is going and actually I think its rather kool that they can reach theyre goal in Drag Racing sooo much faster than I can and its a lot better than some older gents I know that. Theyre goal is to run Top Sportsman or a faster class and spend their whole life and bank account credit card etc trying to race a class soooo expensive and out of reach they run themselves broke and out of racing but I understand TS and TD are waaay kool too

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Rose Racing

I am a young S or S/S enthusiast and love class racing and I am in the early 20-30 year old demographic and currently bracket race at Norwalk and I hope in the next 10 or soo maybe more years I will build my own class car....... I know most of the younger generation currently racing at Norwalk and DWAY 42 in West Salem as I have raced every week in and out for 10 years since Jr Dragsters and every one of them thoroughly enjoys bracket racing and almost every one of them wants a 7 second dragster and every one of thems goal is to run in the .90 classes either Super Comp or Super Gas and they all love delay box racing with throttle stops and the whole every young kid wants to run heads up 10.5 or radial classes are highly exagerated. I refuse to run a delay box as I would rather leave off the bottom bulb and drive the car like past racers have. My father has never raced before and I started driving a Jr Dragster that he bought for me(including trailer) and he has always supported me and we bought a Bracket tube chassied Pinto that I have raced for the past 3 or 4 years(sooo please not all kids in Drag Racing are second generation racers) and he is also a big fan of Super Stock and thats our ultimate goal! Heres an ideer and dont slaughter me for it but How about a older car with a new engine GT class? Its all the rage in car building to put a new LS GM engine in an old Camaro or a Mod Motor in a old fastback Mustang sooo why not in Stock or Super Stock? Most kids I went to school with somewhat know new cars but love muscle cars and I always got alot of praise driving my 78 Dodge to school and I think it would be very popular just thinking out loud.....

Stay at it, and some day you will have a class car.
Heck, I got hooked on Stock Eliminator when I was 21.....took me 30 years before I entered my first Stock race.
A little late to the party. LOL
But, I'm in now.


I've often wondered how it would be to use any year car that is listed in the classification guide and be able to use any year engine that is also in the guide. (within corporate boundaries of course)
Now that would be cool...however tech would have to have 2 separate tech sheets.

[cutta]

Originally Posted by Rose Racing

I am a young S or S/S enthusiast and love class racing and I am in the early 20-30 year old demographic and currently bracket race at Norwalk and I hope in the next 10 or soo maybe more years I will build my own class car....... I know most of the younger generation currently racing at Norwalk and DWAY 42 in West Salem as I have raced every week in and out for 10 years since Jr Dragsters and every one of them thoroughly enjoys bracket racing and almost every one of them wants a 7 second dragster and every one of thems goal is to run in the .90 classes either Super Comp or Super Gas and they all love delay box racing with throttle stops and the whole every young kid wants to run heads up 10.5 or radial classes are highly exagerated. I refuse to run a delay box as I would rather leave off the bottom bulb and drive the car like past racers have. My father has never raced before and I started driving a Jr Dragster that he bought for me(including trailer) and he has always supported me and we bought a Bracket tube chassied Pinto that I have raced for the past 3 or 4 years(sooo please not all kids in Drag Racing are second generation racers) and he is also a big fan of Super Stock and thats our ultimate goal! Heres an ideer and dont slaughter me for it but How about a older car with a new engine GT class? Its all the rage in car building to put a new LS GM engine in an old Camaro or a Mod Motor in a old fastback Mustang sooo why not in Stock or Super Stock? Most kids I went to school with somewhat know new cars but love muscle cars and I always got alot of praise driving my 78 Dodge to school and I think it would be very popular just thinking out loud.....

Nothing wrong with that idea at all. If I don't get to build my own car initially, we will convert our 1972 Duster to a GT class car as we have nothing but BBM stuff in the garage. Any low block combo will be fair game when we make that step. Just have some other stuff to take car of before getting to that point. We younger generation have to be able to replace those that retire or quit so its good there are some of us that have aspirations to race in the Stock, Super Stock, and Comp.