Coolest new Thing from PRI

[Chad Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

And what you're saying is that it's not like that already?

Billy, you're living proof that it isn't like that. And you do a damn good job of it too.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by R Brown

I understand, however wasn't it the same way when the L?-1's came out? For awhile anyway

The LT-1 was in a regular production street car, sold to the general public, for use on public roads, certified for street driving with all the necessary safety and emissions testing and equipment. It was not a purpose built race car combination that did not even have safety or emissions equipment required for street use at the time of sale. In fact, the LT-1 was never offered in a special "stripper" car that was 800 pounds lighter than the street legal version. So trying to equate the new cars with the LT-1 deal isn't even a valid comparison.

Everyone keeps bringing up the LT-1. Here's the lesson that SHOULD be learned from the LT-1, the LS-1 and other cars like it: They belong in a class of their own. NHRA knew for a fact that these new cars were factored extremely soft, even softer than the LT-1 was. NHRA put those LT-1 and LS-1 cars in their own classes until they were brought in line with the rest of Stock Eliminator. But now, NHRA steadfastly refuses to do the same thing (the right thing) with the new cars that are factored even softer than the LT-1 or LS-1 ever were. There are only two explanations. Either they're extremely stupid and do not care, or they are extremely corrupt and intentionally allowing a dozen under factored combinations that were never street legal to run all over the rest of the racers.

[herbjr]

As I said you guys cant see the forest for the trees, without factory involvement you are nothing but a dead side show, we all know we have been a side show for years but now at least our future is there for a while and chevy will get in just give it another year or so. If chevy doesnt get in and ford and chrysler get out stock and ss will be be HISTORY. Top Sportsman here we come.

Yes its not right RIGHT NOW........but in 5 years Drag Pack and Mustangs have helped the future or Stock and Super Stock. Besides we are only bracket racing anyway for the most part now as in grudge racing we say "get in where you fit in"

Herb Jr

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by herbjr

As I said you guys cant see the forest for the trees, without factory involvement you are nothing but a dead side show, we all know we have been a side show for years but now at least our future is there for a while and chevy will get in just give it another year or so. If chevy doesnt get in and ford and chrysler get out stock and ss will be be HISTORY. Top Sportsman here we come.

Yes its not right RIGHT NOW........but in 5 years Drag Pack and Mustangs have helped the future or Stock and Super Stock. Besides we are only bracket racing anyway for the most part now as in grudge racing we say "get in where you fit in"

Herb Jr

The factories have had their new cars in for a couple of years. When do you think we'll see all this wonderful improvement we keep being told about?

I haven't seen any of it. Same purse, higher entry fees, fewer contingency sponsors, less ink, and less TV time.

You want to help Stock? Stop perverting it and start promoting it instead.

[Jim Kaekel]

Originally Posted by Alan Roehrich

There are only two explanations. Either they're extremely stupid and do not care, or they are extremely corrupt and intentionally allowing a dozen under factored combinations that were never street legal to run all over the rest of the racers.

Alan- that's probably the best interpretation of what caused the state that we are currently in.

[X-TECH MAN]

Will cars and classes like Top Sportsman and Top Dragster replace Stock and S/S in the future like Herb Jr. seems to believe? Will the back bone of NHRA's sportsman program go the way of Modified Eliminator and the Doe Doe Bird with the stroke of a pen? Its a fact that Stock and S/S has become a pain in the NHRA's ***** and it it wasnt for the numbers and the money they currently generate they would no doubt be history. To much to police and the keeping of specs to maintain the current classes. To many tech officials who know how to inspect an engine are needed and that costs the NHRA money. Scales and fuel check will still be required until after qualifying is over but thats it. When eliminations begin such inspections are not needed due to the bracket dial in system. Will enough T/S and T/D racers fill in the void in the future to take up the slack between the Fuel Queer's elimination runs at national events? Will some of the current stock and S/S racers change over to this type f racing if it was to happen? I doubt it but maybe a few would so they can keep racing but I doubt any of the old loyal regulars would. No doubt the spectators like watching these two original IHRA catagories better than a slow 8, 9 or 10 second stocker and S/S. T/S and T/D far more interesting than the .90 classes to a spectator due to the lack of a throttle stop for the "Barf and Puke" runs made today in S/C and S/G not to mention the S/ST guys who dont even get to run for a championship or many National events. The AHFS and bogus HP factors would go away. No more bitching. The $$$$$ to build one of these cars (T/S) would be about the same as a current DP, blown Mustang or S/S FWD conversion car. Where is stock and S/S's furture going after the factory dosent supply trucks, offical cars to the higher ups and they dont grease the Associations palms anymore when the few who can afford a new combo today get bored and decide to play another game? Just "Food for Thought" !

[Bob Pagano]

In 5 years the only cars running will be all these new bogus SS cars, running themselves. Most will move to IHRA by then.

[SS Engine Guy]

Actually the sanctioning bodies have been the biggist killer to S/SS in the past 8 years or so.

-can afford to raise entry and add on bogus charges but can't afford to raise payouts (ihra did increase a small amount at some point)
-run off contingency sponsors by charging huge amounts for parking rigs, booths and in most cases just to be a contingency sponsor
-Allowed tech to be over turned with a call to home office
-calls to home office turned into illegal being made legal
-rule change of the week (see above)
-refusing to factor combos as correctly as possible but use a system (ahfs) that will never work and makes racers want to be "average" and not excell in the performance department
-charging gate prices to spectators that are way out of line
-Allowing the rule book to become "just another piece of paper"
-pulling rulings out of the air or supposedly from the (super secret procedures manual)
-track prep in some cases not up to divisional or national event levels
-Now allowing factory produced race only cars to run at laughable hp ratings even when they were not street legal. I do however, welcome any positive factory support.
-At some nationals, running S/SS at times when spectators are not likely to even be at the track
-Very little tv coverage ( i can kind of understand to a certain extent) if time is tight. but if the worthless interviews were not there time would be there for more sportsman exposure
-Lack of consitantly in enforcing the rules


I could go on but you get the message......don't care attitude. And the the old saying: If you don't like the way its done, don't come back. Hell of a way to run a business.

*I may be way off base with IHRA as I have attended very few races since the Robert Leonard days/Bill Bader owned tenure. Mostly due to the changing tracks in the divisions several years ago.

Sorry to get off topic so here is my take on PRI. I noticed less booths, less worthwile seminars. If it wasn't for seeing people that I only get to talk to in person once or twice a year probably wouldn't take the time to attend.

Oh....and I do the degree thing in my head...basic addition/subtraction/division. That must not be part of 2nd and 3rd grade teaching now.

[Ed Wright]

I didn't get to PRI this year. Wish I could have gone. How's that? lol

[Jeff Teuton]

Anybody price anything down there that might be a deal? I could not go, but I am a real fan of "Boat Show Specials" and have bought at PRI before and most manufacturere will still make deals at this time. Maybe a V10 car for under $90K. Could not pass that up.