Why Class racing dies slowly

J.R. Haddad · 07-18-2015, 05:48 PM

Dick, I have raced in Stock, Super Stock, and Comp. since 1973. In 1992,
after winning the Comp. Division Championship in 1991, I retired as my kids were getting to the age where it just wasn't working. Last year I bought a Stocker, and I'm having the time of my life again!! Ken has given us this wonderful forum to talk, learn, and hopefully promote the sport. I
think you need to start a Heads- Up Forum, somewhere else. J.R.

Herbie Null · 07-18-2015, 06:46 PM

Dick, always enjoy reading your post but the things that upset you about the class as you state is the same path you took. I can remember running Melissa in your new sunfire and I was driving my old 67 camaro SS/HA and she out MPH me on the big end with a 305. You were spending a lot of cash and had the best of everything with all the latest technology and in my opinion an under factored combo. When the new GT cars came out you and others chose to take the new direction that started this very same path that we have today. I had your same feelings about the sport. Instead of giving up I adapted and got a GT car. When you were racing the money you spent to have the best of everything and be at the top of the qualifying sheet was seen by all. I never herd you mentioned create motors or even how to get the class closer on the indexes or combine classes, why would you when your cars had the performance advantage. You say your speaking about class racing and not bracket racing and then you say you would like to have create motors, I remember your super stock operation and what you say today from your actions back then just boggles the mind.

Kevin Panzino · 07-18-2015, 07:02 PM

Guys, please, please CAN WE FRIGGIN STOP BASHING OUR OWN DAMM CLASSES? At least online where NHRA clearly reads it??? The more they read this complaining garbage nonsense about how its dying, about how everything sucks, about how NHRA sucks, the more likely they are to walk away from it. Jeez, guys this is getting old. For crying out loud, you guys are trying to seal your own damm fate.

For all the horror stories online about NHRA, I cant even come up with one single moment where I was not treated fairly and with respect by NHRA,

Most races are hitting quota, we have a younger group of S/SS racers than we've had in years. What exactly is wrong? What? That you can't run off the national record as an index and win every single weekend with .100+ lights??

STOP SAYING OUR CLASSES ARE DYING. Just get over the fact that it wont EVER be the same as it was in 1979. If you'd like to jump in the water,come on in, its quite nice. If not, SHUT THE HECK UP and let the rest of us enjoy the ride, which is a heck of alot of fun right now.

Kevin Panzino 1202

boostedf22c · 07-18-2015, 07:05 PM

There are so many places and categories for all of us to race at/in and all I read lately is everything is dying.

I don't buy in to that crap.

Still have fun every time I go to the track regardless.

I consider us lucky to have what we have and don't see it going anywhere. Changing with the times, yes, but I don't think it's dying.

My 2 cents.

Dick Butler · 07-18-2015, 07:34 PM

From the responses I can tell the Bracket portion of the NHRA program is where you all enjoy. I also enjoyed that when it was all that was available but the Class, Heads up portion of National events are special. I give you all credit for your hard work and persistence and responses. Thank you.
Herbie, Melissas 305 car was FA where your car due to its factor and wt was HA. That probably explains how she could out MPH you. The car for FA was the 400 Pontiac or the Injected 305.
I agree having a racing business and working on all our cars was a lot of work and expensive but enjoyable..

07-18-2015, 05:48 PM	#1
J.R. Haddad Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 786 Likes: 940 Liked 1,470 Times in 308 Posts	Re: Why Class racing dies slowly Dick, I have raced in Stock, Super Stock, and Comp. since 1973. In 1992, after winning the Comp. Division Championship in 1991, I retired as my kids were getting to the age where it just wasn't working. Last year I bought a Stocker, and I'm having the time of my life again!! Ken has given us this wonderful forum to talk, learn, and hopefully promote the sport. I think you need to start a Heads- Up Forum, somewhere else. J.R.

07-18-2015, 06:46 PM	#2
Herbie Null Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: greencastle pa Posts: 215 Likes: 88 Liked 439 Times in 69 Posts	Re: Why Class racing dies slowly Dick, always enjoy reading your post but the things that upset you about the class as you state is the same path you took. I can remember running Melissa in your new sunfire and I was driving my old 67 camaro SS/HA and she out MPH me on the big end with a 305. You were spending a lot of cash and had the best of everything with all the latest technology and in my opinion an under factored combo. When the new GT cars came out you and others chose to take the new direction that started this very same path that we have today. I had your same feelings about the sport. Instead of giving up I adapted and got a GT car. When you were racing the money you spent to have the best of everything and be at the top of the qualifying sheet was seen by all. I never herd you mentioned create motors or even how to get the class closer on the indexes or combine classes, why would you when your cars had the performance advantage. You say your speaking about class racing and not bracket racing and then you say you would like to have create motors, I remember your super stock operation and what you say today from your actions back then just boggles the mind. __________________ Herbie Null 201 SS Last edited by Herbie Null; 07-18-2015 at 06:57 PM.

07-18-2015, 07:02 PM	#3
Kevin Panzino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 576 Likes: 298 Liked 748 Times in 137 Posts	Re: Why Class racing dies slowly Guys, please, please CAN WE FRIGGIN STOP BASHING OUR OWN DAMM CLASSES? At least online where NHRA clearly reads it??? The more they read this complaining garbage nonsense about how its dying, about how everything sucks, about how NHRA sucks, the more likely they are to walk away from it. Jeez, guys this is getting old. For crying out loud, you guys are trying to seal your own damm fate. For all the horror stories online about NHRA, I cant even come up with one single moment where I was not treated fairly and with respect by NHRA, Most races are hitting quota, we have a younger group of S/SS racers than we've had in years. What exactly is wrong? What? That you can't run off the national record as an index and win every single weekend with .100+ lights?? STOP SAYING OUR CLASSES ARE DYING. Just get over the fact that it wont EVER be the same as it was in 1979. If you'd like to jump in the water,come on in, its quite nice. If not, SHUT THE HECK UP and let the rest of us enjoy the ride, which is a heck of alot of fun right now. Kevin Panzino 1202

07-18-2015, 07:05 PM	#4
boostedf22c Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lebanon, IN Posts: 483 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Why Class racing dies slowly There are so many places and categories for all of us to race at/in and all I read lately is everything is dying. I don't buy in to that crap. Still have fun every time I go to the track regardless. I consider us lucky to have what we have and don't see it going anywhere. Changing with the times, yes, but I don't think it's dying. My 2 cents. __________________ Carey Bales 316D DD/AT www.racetactics.net

07-18-2015, 07:34 PM	#5
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Why Class racing dies slowly From the responses I can tell the Bracket portion of the NHRA program is where you all enjoy. I also enjoyed that when it was all that was available but the Class, Heads up portion of National events are special. I give you all credit for your hard work and persistence and responses. Thank you. Herbie, Melissas 305 car was FA where your car due to its factor and wt was HA. That probably explains how she could out MPH you. The car for FA was the 400 Pontiac or the Injected 305. I agree having a racing business and working on all our cars was a lot of work and expensive but enjoyable..