Rumors from Sonoma.............

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Evan Smith

Ralph, I am fully aware that Stock and Super Stock could become a combo and Comp could go the route of Modified. However, I wouldn't create a post stating such unless I had real information that it was going to happen. I'm not blind to the fact that it's NHRA's ball and it can do whatever it wants with it. All I'm saying is that I deal in fact. Rumors are crap, and this whole thread is based on such. It's silly to come on here and make a post when the best you can produce for information is hearsay.

What good does it do anyone? None, accept provide fuel for those who hate NHRA and have nothing better to do than bash the very organization that they actually support. I, like most of you, wish things were better. However, unlike most, rather than bitch about it like a child, I've tried quite hard to make a positive impact.

Evan

Evan -- I'm with you brother..........we already race combo events in our Division and are OK with it as you know .

[Chuck Porter]

Originally Posted by west coast

A combo race would just kill car counts because it would turn into a Superstock race because they have the advantage of a transbrake with adjustable buttons, and have a better finish line view. Some can convert to SS but would be a duck hunt on the qualifing sheet for whatever class they are running. Then what about the people who run both classes they will not be happy touring sportsman. This would be like combine all of the ninety cars the dragster would dominate and cause lower car counts. Think about it this would become true. Lets start that rumor.

I have a little bit of experience with Combo races and I can't say there has been a disproportionate number of Super Stockers that win. I think it is pretty even and perhaps leaning towards more stockers in the final round. It is true a faster SS car has a better finish line view so does a fast stocker. Personally I think I can hold my own foot braking against a trans brake car. I can change my leave and move my reaction time around as most of us can. The SS cars still have to let go of the button on time. I race against trans brake cars most of the time and I see their reaction times on my time slip and not seeing any advantage.

I can't say I would be in favor of such a situation as this rumor suggests. I think Combo's have their place and that's not at the National or Divisional level. But for now it is just an unfounded rumor only and until its a fact, personally I'm not going to fret about it.

[Mike Carr]

Originally Posted by west coast

A combo race would just kill car counts because it would turn into a Superstock race because they have the advantage of a transbrake with adjustable buttons, and have a better finish line view.

This argument comes up from time to tim in regards to S/SS combos. As a person who has organized and put on many S/SS races since 1996, here are some statistics. I've done sixteen races in Hagerstown MD since '96. In the past sixteen events, Stockers have taken 20 of 32 final rounds spots, winning ten times, including eight straight events from 1998 through 2004 (spring and fall races). In my Tri State S/SS series, the three years we did season-long points series, Stockers won all three ( Tom Losket '97, Jeff Ross '99 and Steve Klacik '00). These are stats I can recall off the top of my head. I could look up more, but I think this proves the point that Stockers can more than hold their own in S/SS combo races.

[Ed Fernandez]

Stock is Stock-SS is SS.DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
No conformation they'll do it but if they do that's the end of class racing.

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Stock is Stock-SS is SS.DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
No conformation they'll do it but if they do that's the end of class racing.

The END of class racing will be when a SS/AH has to run a T/SA HEADS UP.Then,I would say that its over.Until then,if thats what they have to do,so be it.
About the only Super Stock/Stock combo in Division 3 is at the St Louis National Open in April.Almost every year,a STOCKER seems to win it!

[Ed Fernandez]

Earlier this year at Mopars at Englishtown we had a S/SS/Nostalgia SS race.I had to run a car dialed
9.30 in the final.Well he was going 155 mph and I was going 95.Luckily I guessed right on my dial and won.But I hope that's the last time I have to see a car going past me at 60 mph.I have no cage,fire
jacket,pants.What if I get a hero who decides to lock 'em up going that fast?Remember NHRA's
motto "Dedicated to safety"?
S/SS combos are an alternative to divisionals and national events.If they ran combos at nationals why
bother to go through the trouble of having a legal car,there will be way less heads up races in that scenario.Like I said good bye to S/SS.Glorified (read hi dollar) bracket racing.
And you wouldn't have to lose sleep over not getting HP off your oldsmobile.

[bsa633]

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

This argument comes up from time to tim in regards to S/SS combos..

Would Fletch,Biondo,DeFrank,Bertozzi etc. bring the Stocker or the SS modified to a "NHRA National combo"...and the answer is?

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Stock is Stock-SS is SS.DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
No conformation they'll do it but if they do that's the end of class racing.

Ed -- You must be feeling better as you're getting back to your normal gloom and doom routine..........we all thought Stock was done in the Sixties when "they" made us take out our Hydro - Matics and replace them with Powerglides.........and yet we're still here .And again when they created Pure Stock from Junior Stock we thought it was the end ...and yet.....I could go on and on ........all this over a rumor .Welcome back Ed............

Why don't we just downsize ourselves out of existence, that will fix it for sure... Here’s one for you, why don’t we take S/SS/Comp/Supers and just combine them into an all run dial your own category? We can institute buy-backs and all will be peachy in the world… There will be no tech so if you want to run 50 cubic inches over or the latest noname aluminum heads go for it will all be legal including my G/SA Boss 429 Pinto wagon… See how easy, you can pick your own class too!

All I ever hear is doom and gloom and not one good suggestion for getting car counts up or fixing the obvious problems. Trying to please S/SS racers is like trying to herd cats. You guys are in fact your own worst enemy when it comes to Glendora. Every negative stereotype they have about you all is reinforced here everyday all day long.

"You can't fix stupid" - Larry Morgan...


Have a glorious day, be well...
Jackie McCracken

[Mike Carr]

Originally Posted by bsa633

Would Fletch,Biondo,DeFrank,Bertozzi etc. bring the Stocker or the SS modified to a "NHRA National combo"...and the answer is?

I don't know, you would have to ask them. I would guess they would bring whichever car they feel would be the best on that given day/track and give them the best chance to win. If the track may not have the best traction, they may opt to bring a lower HP Stocker, to insure they have a better chance to hook. They may opt to bring a Stocker so as not to beat on a much more expensive SS/Mod car. Robbie Hudlow won my race in Maryland in 2006, he left his SS/BS car home and won with his A/SA Camaro. Both fast and slow cars have their advantages (slower car = clean tree, better chance to hook;. fast car = get to chase, have the whole race in front of you). I would guess one would decide which weapon would be better to bring to a given fight and run it.

As far as the huge differences in speed, it wouldn't bother me. I raced Billy Nees' 17-18 second, 75 mph HF/SA Sunbird for four years. I was always facing huge speed differentials. I never worried about what would happen if a much faster car lost control and hit me. I figure by the time they would lock the brakes at the stripe and spin, they'd already be past me.