I know that there was some hub bub at the winter party about some rule changes.Anything ever come of that? Anybody know? Should I just call Dan?
I talked with Bob Boden about this a couple of weeks ago. I took from that conversation that there was going to be some clarification and "tightening up" of the language in the rules that would keep them from being "loosely" interpreted. He did mention some specifics such as stock appearing MSD distributors not being allowed any more. Also there might be much more done during tech-in to ensure compliance. That being valve cover and carburetor removal for visual inspection,the use of magnets to detect alloy materials hidden under paint where it shouldn't be ( intakes, heads,water pumps etc.) cylinder compression ratio checks, the use of ramps to get the cars up for better visual checks underneath them and more. To do all this they will need volunteers to help and apparently they have them. The logistics are being worked out as to what and whom will be subjected to greater scrutiny. Both he and Dan seem disappointed that there hasn't been more self-discipline with compliance. That seems to stem from different "interpretation" problems of words like "stock" and "factory" etc . Like what the definition of "is" is, type of thing. They plan on being at Martin to spread the word about what they see there and what won't be allowed at Stanton this fall. I certainly don't mean to and do not speak for them. They put this event on for us, it's our event, and up to us participants to make it work. If it gets to be too much of a headache for them I suspect they'll just stop doing it and I think we all agree we would all be the poorer for that. Thomas
I'm encouraged and concerned at the same time. I hope this doesn't turn into a witch hunt. Simple but consistent tech (obvious violations) at the track is really all that is needed during check-in. If a particular car is running unusually well, then flag that car for a tech guy to further inspect during the Friday afternoon test 'n tune (ie., peak under the oil cap, cylinder pump, ... whatever). No body wants to see this become complicated for the average racer or the organizers. A completely different issue arises when you're talking about the certification program. Prior debates have tried to point out that these cars need to be held to a tighter standard if they're going to be used as the bench mark for the Pure Stock event. Same rules, even tighter scrutiny.
Something as comprehensive as this would take some time I would guess. BTW, another thing else is that cars running faster than 11.50 (which would require a roll bar by track rules) will not be allowed to run as I understand it. If anyone is building a car capable of doing that they would need to move to F.A.S.T. or some other racing instead of PS, which makes sense. rdl, as for a witch hunt I don't think it will come to that. I too was encouraged to hear about the changes. I agree that nobody wants this to get complicated, least of all Dan and Bob. They just want some tools and procedures at their disposal if the need comes up I suppose. As I told Bob and he agrees it goes both ways, when it stops being fun we'll just stay home. Sad but true. Thomas
Thomas,Every year a flyer with rules,dates and last years results gets mailed out. I thought this was around the time that it comes but I could be wrong
No, you are correct about the mailer. Since they got a late start on this, not sure of the status of the update. I did receive an email from Dan today outlining some more of the new tech-in procedures. He stated that he just might post something here in that regard. I encouraged him to do so, as there seems to be keen interest in this years race in Stanton and all the rumored changes. That will give guys time to make any necessary changes. This forum seems to have become the default forum for PSMCDR after all ( thank you to all the fine Buick folks for that :TU: ) For now I would sit tight and we should hear the official word soon I would think. Thomas
Hi Guys, As Thomas said, I thought I'd address some of the questions/comments posted here since racing season is right around the corner! Scatpacktom, the flyers and rules are going to press either later this week or early next week. Bob and I are putting the finishing touches on them. We were waiting on a guy that many of us are familiar with, he wears a golf hat, has a big handlebar mustache, and is followed around by cameramen! Yes, My Classic Car has asked to cover the race and interview as many of you as they can fit in! So you better have your cars shined up, and at least have a clean shirt on! Speaking of rules, there aren't any changes for this year. Bob and I agree with many of your thoughts expressed in prior threads saying no changes are necessary, just enforce the rules that are currently in place. Ironically, that has been Bob's and my attempt for that last three or so years, that is to look at some cars with greater scrutiny later in the day on Friday, but Mother Nature had different plans for us. With rain delays, compounded by the car count going up, Bob and I are working tech, pretty much alone, up until about 3 or 4 o'clock. Since we are working tech, we have no idea what is going on out on the track, and if some cars seem unusually fast, we don't hear about it until its too late, like after the event! To address this problem, Bob and I held an impromptu meeting at Tim and Rhonda Clary's PSD Shindig last January. A bunch of us gathered in Tim's living room and Bob and I laid everything out on the table. To make a long story short, we told them if they want cars looked at closer, we need help, we can't do it by ourselves. Since the Pure Stock's inception, it has always been our goal for it to be self policing, that is, having our participants point out to us any infraction that we, or our tech assistants, missed on earlier on Friday. To that end, we are starting what we will call "heavy tech", manned by volunteers from all the different camps (car brands). Everyone at the meeting seemed anxious to get involved, which was very encouraging to Bob and me. We hope to have up to six tech teams, each with at least three people on them. The teams members will be diversified by camp, but one has to be from the same camp as the car they are teching. Bob and I handed out a fairly extensive list of tech items for the volunteers to pick and choose what they would like to look at on the selected cars. Whatever list of items they choose, it has to be consistently used for all the cars. The list will change from race to race so no areas of the cars are overlooked. At the very minimum, owners of the selected cars will have to remove the air cleaner(s), carburetor(s), and valve cover/two rocker arms/and spark plug of the tech official's choice. Distributor caps also have to be popped off. We will have a P&G to check displacement, a Whistler to check static compression, and a boroscope to look down intakes, valves, and whatever else seems necessary. (Don't say it Casey!) With the cars up on jack stands, we may want bell housing inspection covers off or opened where possible. Automatic cars will be tested for stall speed and automatic upshifts in drive during a test drive. (Stick cars will be looked at too.) Items that heavy tech teams might look at, if they choose to, could be hydraulic lifter plunger travel, valve spring pressure, electric fuel pumps, illegal lightening of car, systems operations (wipers, window regulators, lights, seat adjusters, etc.). Again, what the tech teams will look at will be determined during the event. Since we have never done anything like this before, Bob and I don't know all the logistics. We'll stumble and make mistakes, but with your help we can make this work. RDL, like you, Bob and I don't want this to be a witch hunt. There are many different criteria to use to select cars for heavy tech. We may draw car numbers from a hat. We could simply take the fastest sixteen cars. We could take three or four of the fastest small block cars, and middle block cars, and big block cars. Or we could take the fastest one or two cars of each brand. At this point, I would think that HOW the cars are chosen will be determined at the event. I know what I just wrote may be pretty vague, but that is the "just" of what we discussed at the shindig. It's not perfect, but we will make it work as good as we can. We hope it will instill some integrity back into the event. Thanks for questions and comments. Dan
and, as always, thank you Dan and Bob for working so hard to put on the Worlds Best Muscle Car Race !
Red Rover,Red Rover, send Cannon right over!!!:laugh: I want to be on Cannon's team. Let me know what you need help with Dan & Bob.:TU:
Why am I singled out in this witch hunt ????? Good job Dan and Bob. You know that you can count on me to help in any manner (borescope) necessary .......... :TU:
This is good news. and looks like I need to get the new motor in the car for a) since Murphy will dictate my car number gets chosen for heavy tech in Sept and b) so Mr. Gage will talk to me. But seriously, there is no event in the world like this. and while airing of grievences has occurred in the past, once the cars are unloaded at MMM or the parking lot gathering on Thurs night begins, it's all about the camaroderie, renewing old friendships and making new ones. :TU:
I read that as "RDL is exempt from heavy inspections." Thanks Dan! BTW, attached is my newest mode of propulsion... P/S for sure.
