Cam Lobes Jim I always enjoy your grounded way at summing the difficulties up. With Dan and Bob's resources finite they can only do so much. Currently the lobes are only checked at .050 off and lift. Plus Dan and Bob's goal is to keep it fun first and foremost. Not have this brands camp barking at that brands camp. I think you hear a lot less out of the Pontiac, Buick, Olds, Ford and AMC guys as we have come to realize that we love our cars to depths our wives will never understand, but we never had the perfect combo's to run with the ZL1's, Big Block Vette's, lift off hoods, and certian Hemi Mopar's. We learned long ago to accept that part makers think of us as Red Headed Step Children at best at worst suggested we just get over it and put a Chevy in the lump of a GTO. Of course we immediately beat this man senseless for such offensive suggestions. The system may not be perfect but it sure gives us on great race every year, an excuse to meet 140 like minded nuts, and it works darn well. Additionally, I believe the guys who can tune and build them best, tend to do everything by the letter of the law. Pete Simpson, Jim L., Brian S., and others come to mind here. They have most of the fastest of their particular combo's and play it perfectly striaght. Notice that these are also the guys who have cert'd cars. At the risk of being beaten senseless (more senseless?) the guys who cheat tend not to be the guys who can tune them the hardest. They compensate for lack of mechanical ability with trick parts. And it is hard to overcome human nature of wanting to be the fastest, strongest... Mark
Like any sport you root for your own team. In baseball you have home run fences and foul lines. In football you have endzones and out of bounds. Everybody wants to play but within the confines of the game. You are right that this is just for fun but....but..being competative is soooo much more fun(within the rules)! With trying to be competative it becomes what it is. I'm just trying to be a realist. Nothing wrong with lines in the sand. I'm greatful that Dan and Bob put on such a great show. These are not complaints but observations of reality. If you disagree than I should just be a person that is out there in left field. Everyone has their own definition of Pure Stock as RDL sudjests. Some are more PURE than others. Please no one take offense as this is not directed at anyone. No one should be beaten senseless as it's truely great to have a board where we can share this hobby with so many so far away. JIM
You know what though, there is even a certain amount of honesty in the cheaters.......... at least the long time cheaters....... We all know what our car is, and I have spoken with guys who will non-publically admit their cars do not meet the spirit of the rules, but they come and race because of the great turn outs. Sometimes, they even publically admit it, if anyone watched My Classic Car over the weekend. ou: Whether you try to correct the problems after years of racing in the class is all a matter of how serious you are, after all, if 20 years ago you polished the ports on a orginal pair of heads, spending $2000 on an untouched set is going to hurt. If the car isn't all that fast, and you are not running 12's, then in the end it is up to you and your conscience. I guess I am trying to say if your car has been together for 12 years, and this class of racing has gotten you off the lawn at the local VFW hall...well, I would say welcome. Purpose built cars that appear seem to be the fastest cars and are the most scrutinized, but they tend to show up for certification sooner or later, the self policing will remain effective. I have never heard of anyone showing up to certify, then running a whole lot slower than the year before, but it might have happened. I guess short of having a pool of 'Challenge Cash' used to double dog dare someone to do a partial teardown after the Saturday race, there will be guys who take it to the Nth degree, but that is why some guys race.
I do agree the rules should be kept strict. I'm "competitive".....every time I line up with someone in the shootouts, I'm there to win...not for team Ford or Chevy....for team Stefina. Don't ever say my car or I'm not "competitive". Being competitive at this event doesn't mean being in the top 5 or 10. If I'm wrong then 110 or so of us need to trade up to the L-88 Vette. That would be as fun as watching 100+ Marauders race :sleep: :sleep:
Brian, I am in agreement with you on the rules, and that is how I built my car. I want to have the fasted L-79 Pure Stock Corvette, which puts me no where near the 12.0 guys..........and I am OK with that. But if the middle of the pack is filled with non-serious cars with a few warts under the rules, I can live with that. I guess my feeling might change if another L-79 Vette shows up and runs an impossible number, but then I guess I'd move the "Stroker Boy" sign to a new trailer until that car was certified............
Rules I agree with you guys, the tight rules are for the guys who are running way deep. The average guy who's car is primarily not a Pure Stocker needs to have it the way it best suites the majority of its use and pleasure that will be derived from its use. Likely most of the field has standard off the rack cams from Comp or Crane. They would all likely have to much lift or duration. If we kicked that apple cart over who would show up? I just like seeing the best of the cars held to a tight standard. Or if your car is the best of its combo maybe that is worth certing. My Challenger T/A is a good example. It went better than any other small block Mopar and was cert'd. I ran in the middle of the pack last fall but as Brian said I was competitive. In my shoot out and for a small block Mopar. I think that is how the rest of the non 12.0-12.3 guys keep it fun. Year over year improvements and trying to have the best L79 for Donny and the best RA IV for others... Tom I expect that Baby HO to turn 12's this fall. I have played with that car on the desk top dyno/drag racer many times. Excellent combo. I think you have a shot at unseating Casey as best small block (non-vette) if you get lucky. Or at least giving him a bit of a scare. Good luck. I am building a '68 small valve baby ho over the winter for my friends conv. bird. You will see it next fall. Mark
Oh man, I see hats... logo's... pit crew uniforms... Hooters' paraphenalia... and lots of empties! Sign me up! :laugh:
I believe peoples cars should not be catagorized differently because they are "not in the hunt" or "not competitive". The rules apply to all.... and all who come through the gate are "competative" and "in the hunt"......otherwise they would not be competing in a drag race. Am I saying have a witch hunt for all who run under the radar to be found and disqualified?....no, not at all, it happens. I do believe however, people should be encouraged to stick within the rules. Obvious issues should be addressed to ensure the integrity of the event and illegal "under the radar" cars discouraged. I think we are pretty much in agreement really. :TU:
Donny, Bidding on some XXL thongs on ebay right now. Should be enough room to have " TEAM STEFINA" embroidered on them. Like you, I wouldn't wear just the halter top either. I do have some pride................ I'll let you know when they're available. :Comp:
Tigh Rules For Everyone Brian I am on the same page with you. That is why I think it is a good idea to be able to do more accurate tech if someone is running out side the norm for their combo. When Casey and I both went much faster than a RA IV/W31 had gone we got P&G'd etc. That year three or four guys refused further tech. Casey and I went on to have a fun shoot-out against each other. I liked proving that my RA IV was correct as I am sure Casey welcomed it also. Maybe this year I will be more educated in the way I tech those Chevy's in. :Smarty: No more blown nitro cars, or 250 shot nitrous systems for the Chevy's. I wont fall for that Blue NOS bottle is just an "on board fire suppression system" line any more. :ball: :TU: Mark
