Crate Motor Class

[Dan Fahey]

Originally Posted by CrateCamaro

I hate to revive this post thats almost 8 years old but i have to comment for the lost racers of IHRA stock. Its unbelievable how we are treated like outcasts that live in the land of misfit toys. Im 37 years old....got involved in IHRA Stock in 2008. Built a crate motor because i liked the idea. Ran .5 under my first year and was so proud but i wanted more. Worked on it, spent the money, did the research, lots of dynoing. Fast forward to 2016. Set the H/CM record in the worst conditions possible. It was like i won the world series. Something ill hold and be proud of for the rest of my life. So no im not looking for a pat on the back or a hero biscut. But my question is how many people in the 25 to 35 age group are building a stocker? Second question...how many NHRA stock racers are in the age group of 60 and up? What im trying to say is without bringing the IHRA combos into NHRA what will happen in 10 years? 20 years. Its a dying sport already. We need to stick together and help eachother out here. Have a look at the latest Nitro Joes and see how many CM / Pure Stock / GT Stock racers there are and now have nowhere to race. Sure NHRA purists will say who cares but we are all in this for the same reasons....because we live and breathe stock eliminator. We love the class. And no...crate motors are not the same as circle track crate engines....the combos are IDENTICAL to a traditional stocker build, just has a different casting number on the head. Imagine if the tables were turned here. Im sure alot of you were around when modified had their cords cut...probably not that great of a feeling. This is not any different. And no going bracket racing (et1 and et2) isnt an option id rather park it. If we were to be accepted into NHRA (by the negative feedback stretching back to 2009 it will never happen) we would already have to be hit with 3 tenths off the index. Reset the HP factors and go. Theres zero to loose and everything to gain here. And all kidding aside we are less of a threat then the super charged entrys of todays factory hotrods which i believe should have their own deal personally. Just a thought fellas.

Concur !
FWIW I am gathering information focused on reviving the concepts of Pure Stock, Junior Stock and Crate Motor under one Class Structure.
If NHRA becomes interested can be merged into existing NHRA Classes Indexes.

One of the key elements developing rules are for the newer cars.
Would create a Bolt-On Class for Stock.
Reviving the Junior Stock for cars using the Blueprinted Cams.
Adding CM engines to add to the mix.
Use a Max Seat Pressure Spring Rule toning down the cam and add mufflers.

Cost effective, reliable, fun.
Classes that does not require fragile pitchy super high winding expensive Stocker Engine.
That was what Modified Production was suppose to be.

Looking at the 2066 and new generation aspirated cars like Chevy SS, Cudas, Darts, Mustangs, Caddys that have V-6's and V-8's.
Several racers were trying to get their late model combinations certified by IHRA before the boom.
Lot of Stocker guys had the new cars and wanted to race them in Pure Stock.
Got calls on it often.

The new cars and racers are the cornerstone of the future.
Flexibility of being able to use a larger engine in GT or easy to get CM helped IHRA a lot.

The new generation of kids are not going to build a $50,000 Stocker.
They will buy a new car add headers, gears, converter, slicks, tune.
Most are driveway mods and are racing then at the local tracks.
These Bolt On Classes were the rage when the LT1 Camaros and B-Bodys came out in the late 90's early 2000.

Another sources of cars are PureStockDrags.
Have been collaborating with some of the key members.

Crate Motor and GT were great ideas to extend Stock.
Loved the fact you can pop in a 455 in place of a 305 or 350.

Aftermarket industry loved the CM cars.
Now producing new Aluminum Replacement Heads based on original castings.
Stock Ports, Combustion chamber and screw in studs.

I see in the future a new rule coming allowing these Head Replacements and even intake manifolds for Stock.
Good original castings are scarce competing against the restoration industry.

One other thing and was a very true statement.
Most of us are well over 50, 60 and 70 years old.
In the next ten years most of us will be making other decisions.

Regardless if the new generation of racers are not invited they will look at other venues.
You have to market and sell to this generation or they will not come.

AND one day Class Racing will become a note in History Books.

D