End of Stock and SuperStock Racing??

[Billy Nees]

Dick, you just keep beating that drum!

[Casey Miles]

Originally Posted by Greg Hill

As I see it we have two main problems, first we have an organization (NHRA ) whose top management doesn't understand class racing and could care less, but probably the biggest challenge is simply demographics. Look at the average age of stock and super stock racers. As we age and quit racing who is going to take our place? We have some younger racers but if you look in the staging lanes at almost any race you will see a bunch of racers in their 50's, 60's and 70's. other than 2nd or 3rd generation racers there are very few new racers coming in to our sport. I don't know if there is an answer for this problem.

You are absolulty correct about the next generation of racers, for instance, I have 2 sons, 36 and 33, I don't think that either of them could start my Camaro, never the less get it to move. They grew up with Nitendo and could care less about car racing or even cars for that matter. It's a whole different world which I can't seem to understand. They are competitive but not with cars, just gaming. I have offered the 2 of them to take the Camaro for a ride, not interested!

Casey Miles
248H "F" NHRA Stock!

[boostedf22c]

The next generation of racers aren't going to be class racers.

They are heads up, pro tree, fastest car wins type racers. There are tons of other races going on all over the country where the "younger generation" race at. They just aren't interested in class racing. To them it's confusing. You get penalized for going to fast, you qualify off of some fictitious number that NHRA came up with, you get fined and banned for stupid reasons, the events are 3-5 days long plus travel, the entry fees are ridiculous, the payouts are low and the rules are written in a manner that if you don't have a traditional car, built by the big 3, you'll have a hard time fitting in. These are all things I have heard from others that race, but don't class race.

I personal enjoy all aspects that racing has to offer. But I'm starting to find out it's very hard to have a car that is good at everything.

[Todd Veney]

R.J., I sure hope you're wrong – that would be a shame. I liked it even more when everybody still ran off of national records and racers' hard work back at the shop meant more than their ability to hit the Tree, but Super Stock will always be my favorite Sportsman class

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by Dick Butler

One issue is the $ fears. Many think S and SS needs to be affordable by everyone. Bracket racing IS affordable for anyone. Thats where to race for limited money. If you want spectators, class payout, attention, you need a Heads Up show. You name the cars but it cannot be one of everything on a dial in.
The factoring issue is a BIG problem. Too much slowing in class kills it too.
Have a Limited number of classes for the money. People will complain. Some cannot continue but team car idea would allow guys to pool money and continue if cost is too much.
CiC in eliminations of the 10 or 12 class winners.
TOO many classes, variants to satisfy one or two racers. Racing is not Bracket format.
Racing is Heads up winning.
Want a cheaper Class Car? own 1/4 of it and work together.
Want to own it? Create a Modified type class for ONE combination for everyone with strict limits. Not 10 wt breaks.....

I have a better idea.. Explain to the 3 spectators in the stands what dial-in racing is, why the numbers are on the board, and why the racer got to the finish line first and lost. Have alan reinhart and dave reiff explain it with a computer generated visual aid on espn2, illustrating a few different scenarios that can happen in a dialed race. Explain that this concept is what keeps class racing "fair" for all the competitors until a heads-up run occurs. How about an information board or a pamphlet at national events that explains this as well? I think eliminations are way more interesting to watch than qualifying.. First guy to the finish line wins in those and it's boring. If you don't explain what dial-in racing is you just keep having "ignorant" spectators through no fault of their own who continue to utter things like "That's stupid it should just be first guy to the finish line wins."

[Don Kennedy]

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio

I have a better idea.. Explain to the 3 spectators in the stands what dial-in racing is, why the numbers are on the board, and why the racer got to the finish line first and lost. Have alan reinhart and dave reiff explain it with a computer generated visual aid on espn2, illustrating a few different scenarios that can happen in a dialed race. Explain that this concept is what keeps class racing "fair" for all the competitors until a heads-up run occurs. How about an information board or a pamphlet at national events that explains this as well? I think eliminations are way more interesting to watch than qualifying.. First guy to the finish line wins in those and it's boring. If you don't explain what dial-in racing is you just keep having "ignorant" spectators through no fault of their own who continue to utter things like "That's stupid it should just be first guy to the finish line wins."

Bobby ; You have nailed the problem big time The chase is always more exciting than a simple heads up run. The Sportsman racer just needs to be promoted more and the fans will like that and will show more to help the track make some more money

[Harry 6674]

No one watches shoe polish racing no matter how hard its pushed. If you get to finish line first and lose it should have a different name. When I started racing we ran off the records and it was way more fun. The cars back then typically weren't built like they are now. There was a bigger chance of breakage so there was always the chance you could beat a faster car. Missed shifts were common.

[Bobby Fazio]

Originally Posted by Harry 6674

No one watches shoe polish racing no matter how hard its pushed. If you get to finish line first and lose it should have a different name. When I started racing we ran off the records and it was way more fun. The cars back then typically weren't built like they are now. There was a bigger chance of breakage so there was always the chance you could beat a faster car. Missed shifts were common.

How hard is it pushed? I think many more would watch if they knew what they were watching. Heaven forbid I bust my way into the tower and get a mic in my hand, then you will know what push is! Maybe I should make an instructional video on dial in racing and pitch it to nhra and espn.. I will write on the cover "this could make you more money".

[HR9121]

Originally Posted by boostedf22c

The next generation of racers aren't going to be class racers.

They are heads up, pro tree, fastest car wins type racers. There are tons of other races going on all over the country where the "younger generation" race at. They just aren't interested in class racing. To them it's confusing. You get penalized for going to fast, you qualify off of some fictitious number that NHRA came up with, you get fined and banned for stupid reasons, the events are 3-5 days long plus travel, the entry fees are ridiculous, the payouts are low and the rules are written in a manner that if you don't have a traditional car, built by the big 3, you'll have a hard time fitting in. These are all things I have heard from others that race, but don't class race.

I personal enjoy all aspects that racing has to offer. But I'm starting to find out it's very hard to have a car that is good at everything.

This about sums it up except you left out the small purses.

[Jim Caughlin]

Bobby, you don't need to explain it to the three spectators because all three of them are family members of the guy going down the track...