Econo Modified

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by Glenn Hayes

So ........ your going to allow Automatic Transmissions then, right?

If that's the case, what's the point of another class?

Folks were excited to watch Modified because of the high winding, clutch dropping, 4 dry hops and slamming the gears at 9,000+ RPM.
I wouldn't care is the cars ran 11 second E.T.s.
But, if your going to change things to allow automatics, your just going to have another class without the excitement.

Make the Class with 4 & 5 speeds only.

AMEN
and thank you
A 2.5 inch collector ? Really ?

[Dick Butler]

I raced a SS/EA corvette with a powerglide BBC. This car pulled the wheels every run and every dry hop. Its not the Stick that makes the car work, its the suspension and the dry hop. Whoever said allowing an automatic makes it just another class hasnt been reading the rules. No fab manifolds, no dry sumps, etc etc, The collector is for a reason. Keep it simple and allow one size keeps the multiple pile of collectors useless in the garage from developing. Thoughts are appreciated...

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Glenn Hayes

Make the Class with 4 & 5 speeds only.

AND IT WILL BE GUARANTEED TO FAIL. You can't dis-allow 90% of your customers. You guys have to decide what you are willing to LIVE with. We have a local Pro-Stick circuit and it's fun to watch and does very well but they don't run heads-up. In fact, add to the simple rules; Stick cars and trans-brake autos must add 100 lbs. to minimum weight.

[randy wilson]

Listen all. My ideal class for me has already been stated numerous times. I like a max 14.32 tire, 750 carb, 3.5 inch collector, spec heads from brodix, and clutch only. But, that's just me. I feel the restrictions we now have in there are enough to limit money spent. I have no, zero, nada, ziltch problems with bracket cars being allowed as long as they make min. wt. I ran a SS car against two Ness cars, and did just fine under these rules. Do we have to complicate it anymore then this? Use a spec spacer for everyone then, but same size as the carb outlet. Wouldn't that do the same thing. And If everyone is only allowed a 3.5 inch exhaust exit, wouldn't that accomplish the same thing? Also, Billy, I personnaly ain't against having autos in there. Also, Dick, a spec 3.5 collector would be fine with me.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Glenn Hayes

Make the Class with 4 & 5 speeds only.

Much as I would like to see a bunch of old Modified cars with stick shifts, if you make it clutch cars only, you will restrict the available car count.

This isn't just going to be a bunch of youngsters either, that would want to be changing clutches and transmission gear ratios all the time.

Whatever you end up with for engine rules, make it autos allowed, but no weight break.

Only other thing I see is delineating the newer aero cars from the old.
There isn't an exact year where it all started, so maybe a weight break for longer wheelbase.

You wouldn't need a big weight difference to correct anything ,with cu. in. / weight and a spec head motor.

[randy wilson]

Mark, what year of car would start carrying the wt? Serious question. Another serious question. Is there an advantage from clutching, and shifting a 5 speed, and say, a trick 200 metric?

[Ed Wright]

The stick cars do bigger wheel stands?

[SStockDart]

I'll throw a curve ball out here...
In 2013, there were 798 Super Stockers and 1,112 Stockers that got points in NHRA. Yet we have difficulty filling 80 spots in National Events.....
If another eliminator (Econo Mod) were added, would it take from the existing number and just move them or would it bring in new cars/racers? My guess is that at least a good portion of any Econo Mod entries would come from existing racers....Therefore, why would anyone (sanctioning body) want to do it to just have the same results (number of cars).
Additionally, I have read comments on here about having a "spec" head....What would be the spec head for my Mopars? When you talk about a spec head, you are probably talking about Chevy engines, therefore, you just eliminated Mopar and Ford racers that a garage full of parts.......Econo Mod is a bad idea, IMO.....way to many variables.
What the sanctioning bodies would be interested in hearing is "how can we/they make racing more interesting to attract more cars, more spectators, and new racers"????

We have less than a hand full of sportsman racers that are able to travel the country and apparently make a living....I don't recall what a non-qualifying Top Fuel or Funny Car gets paid....or a first round loser, but I believe it is $10,000 to $20,000. Additionally, I don't believe they pay entry, like us. I could be wrong. I would be in favor of NHRA reducing the number of Qualifying cars in Fuel. Reduce the number from 16 to 12, then allow the fastest first round loser back in.....however the math works out.
Then, move the funds back to the Sportsman racer. Let's face it, $20,000 to a fuel car with a $3,000,000 budget is not nearly as important to them than $4.00 Diesel fuel and entry fees are to us....

[randy wilson]

Gary, where have you been. The Brodix spec head is for CHEVY, FORD, AND MOPAR!!!!!! Also, more cars will come, and I doubt that many will come from current eliminators. They can keep doing what they're doing, and get the same results. NOT interesting anymore. No one cares anymore in the spectator world.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by randy wilson

Mark, what year of car would start carrying the wt? Serious question. Another serious question. Is there an advantage from clutching, and shifting a 5 speed, and say, a trick 200 metric?

Don't know ..That's why I said use wb maybe.
Have to look at the common cars out there..
Maybe under 108 , as is
108 -114 take out 50 lbs.
115 or more, (Tri Five Chevies) take out 100.

If you look at S/SS cars..ET's as good or better with automatics.
MPH usually higher with stick shifts... Simple physics there..although high rpm motors can couple a converter up more, but not 100%...unless of course you allow lock up converters LOL