Kind of an off question here, but has anyone heard of any talk about creating a stock appearing class for 1980 and later factory hot rods? Would be interesting.
We have talked about it many times at Englishtown. And now the format would make it easier, however promoting it, to a whole nother audience would be very time consuming. And probably would require a separate date in order to do this, just so everyone understands that the race would involve just new muscle. I'm still thinking about it. Tech is a concern here as well. We have been talking about a new muscle versus old muscle theme for a long time. However that also needs to be on a separate date and also promoted heavily so that both sides have plenty of entries. Still think its possible. These things generally have to be planned out at close to 6 months or more in advance, or else you just won't get enough entries
I would say it ain't gonna make it into stock appearing 60's - 70's muscle cars. I guess you can run it in open races. I would say you'd be running in the 13's and lower. You will need to meet the saftey regs. Check the website of your local track, it will be able to guide you better. Also, I am not 100% sure but I think you might be able to run it at BPG since it is Buick poweredo No:
I had an idea for a "stock appearance" late model class were as only the outside of the cars (or trucks...Syclone, SS454, Lightning etc.) would have to "appear" to be stock down to the correct wheels, but under the hood any engine would be allowed. As long as the outside of the vehicle looks factory original in style and color type, that is the main goal. The only problem is, if it is heads up racing, there will be no way to make it fair for all entrants. A possible solution there would be to run everyone in a "open comp" style format with a .500 pro tree start and a .100 second breakout. I submit my 87 T-Bird Turbo Coupe as an example: It has a 460 and C-6 with stock wheels. Outside appearance looks really close to stock. (except for tinted windows) That's my idea...what do you think?
Cool Car ALMACK I would say your idea is good, kind of an offshoot of the Stock Appearing theme. In Stock Appearing class the under the hood stuff must also look stock as well. The other thing to consider with late model cars, is that most guys are not nostalgic about their cars because they are new or relatively new. What I mean is, everyone likes to see old school muscle cars run down the track, like they just came off the factory in 1969. Because they haven't seen these cars in many years at racetracks in stock form. However the first thing that anybody did who had one of those muscle cars in the 1960's or 70's for that matter, was modify them, meaning the stock wheels and tires were the first to go, engine mods were next, and so on. So it might be difficult to convince the late model crowd that they have to run the stock tire and rim. They are still experimenting with em' :idea2: and probably would like to run slicks. So if you allow that, you basically have a typical Sunday afternoon bracket race at any track in America right now. .
Gonzo: Excellent point you make. Yes, the new cars are now a tad too new and very few guys are willing to put stock wheels back on their cars. That's why there are more wheel companies in the world now than ever before! It's still hard for me to believe that 25 years have passed since those days in 1983 when all the excitement was about the '83 Mustang GT that ran in the 15's in the 1/4 right from the factory. The media loved that car. 25 years already? They qualify for antique plates now in our state! I remenber when my 71 GS was 25 years old....1996 not too long ago. It will come soon I believe where those guys (like myself) that got all excited about the "2nd wave" of factory hot rods (in the 80's) will want to restore (and run down the track) those cars just like the 60s and 70s cars are now. Question is, which racing organization will embrace the 1983 and later factory hot rods first?
