I'm not a hard core racer and really liked the PSMCDR because I could just show up and have fun without worrying about how fast my car was. Through the years, it's been the camaraderie that's kept me coming back. That, and Frank and Karen's cooking!:laugh: I have noticed through the last 5 years how this spirit has diminished. I can understand how Bob and Dan feel. Look at how much faster the field has become in this time, not just with the fastest cars, but even with the slower ones. When I first started running there, there were probably a dozen cars running slower than 15 sec. Now, maybe 3. I think a lot of the people like me who just want to show up and run without putting a ton of resources into their cars are being scared away. Like Frank said, everybody has an "edge" now. Having said that, I'd say about 90 percent of the people attending the event, edge or not, still go for the fun, not to prove they have the fastest this or that in the lower 48. So, the question begs to be asked, if the other 10% have been asked to tone it down, (or maybe I should say tune it down:Brow: ) and they refuse to comply, then why are the rules not enforced and these people not allowed to run. Simple as that. Like Tom said, if they don't like it, TUFF****!
My girlfriend tells me to watch my language, so I will bite my lip...... But if someone, or someone(s) have f'd with what I look forward to each year, I WILL find out. Dan and Bob have busted their @ss for this event. Yes, the rules could have been enforced more....but the bottom line is someone(s) is the root cause of them making this call. I can't even tell you how hurt I am to hear this news......I've been doing this stuff for 25 years now, and was looking forward to bringing out my '70 383 Charger -- low-dollar-holler, due to financial situations just TO HAVE FUN. I don't care if it runs 16.0's all day long. < language >
It's always going to be somewhat of a crapshoot but it should be within reason. A very good friend of mine runs a `69 Judge RAIV, 4 speed car that has run in the 13.40's since the beginning. There is nothing modified about this car. It even has the original standard pistons in it. I know this because this engine had sat for years and we tore it down just to take a look at it and ended up simply putting a new set of gaskets in and buttoned it back up. He also had it certified stock a few years ago. Anyway, since these cars weren't really supposed to be that fast when new he has been accused of cheating from the beginning. Whatever, he's only in it for the fun of it, not to have the fastest GTO on the planet but in the beginning he was probably in the top 10-15% and is now below the top 50% and is still running the same 13.40's.
First and foremost, I want to say 'Thank You' to Bob and Dan for all of the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears that have been poured into this event. The event for me is like a Mecca and my life in the past 6 years has revolved my son and around the 4 days in which I pull my chariot 1500+ miles 'round trip to do 'battle' with some very close and dear friends. When I first saw the announcement yesterday, it was like someone hit me below the belt and stole away something very precious to me. I am sure that the pain I felt was minimial compared to what Dan and Bob have felt over the past few years. This labor of love has been hurt by egos and by personal besting and chest thumping that has degraded the true meaning and spirit of the event. Policing of friends and enforcement of rules is never a fun task. And because of that, most people did not want to break the rules, just bend them. After years of pressure and bending, the modern event does not look like the original. Is there a way to put the genie back in the bottle? I am sure that this could be fuel for hours of debate both on and off the forum. What is the answer? Someone else (hopefully) will get to cross this bridge and have the target painted on them as nasty spears and vials of venom will surely be hurled their direction. Maybe this event can rise like a Pheonix after it has been torn to the ground and burned. All I can say is that anyone that chooses to take on the challenge will receive my support and I hope Bob and Dan's blessing.
Thank you Bob and Dan for your year long commitment, every year, to host this event. I know what it's like to host a one day car show, but couldn't imagine how huge an undertaking a two day event would be. My buddy Tom Kelly ('68 Hemi Road Runner) got me interested in Pure Stock many years ago. It was my goal to restore then race my '69 A12 Road Runner in the Pure Stock Drags. Luckily I was able to participate in two of your events before having to sell the car. My feelings are that if your car runs 2 seconds faster or 2 seconds slower than when it was new, it really doesn't matter because you are paired with a similar performing/qualified vehicle. I don't agree with a "Quick 8" format just because there is usually a noticible performance advantage to the quicker qualified car. Let #1 run #2 and so on. That way it is truly a "Heads Up" race for everyone. I'd love to see this event continue on and would welcome the F.A.S.T. group to host it. They do a great job during the June race in Martin Michigan. Dave
I vote for the tougher rules. So what if people have to be turned away. I could not figure out why people wanted to cheat. You don't even get a stupid plastic trophy. Sorry Dan and Bob it had to come to this. Thank you for the fun.
"But if someone, or someone(s) have f'd with what I look forward to each year, I WILL find out. Dan and Bob have busted their @ss for this event. Yes, the rules could have been enforced more....but the bottom line is someone(s) is the root cause of them making this call." CASEY, you probably have a good idea of who it was that brought about this turn of events, call me anytime morgan 313 300 1648
Before this gets out of control, can we refrain from the finger-pointing? It's only going to bring negativity, and while we *think* we know what is the impetus of the announcement, the truth is that we really don't - there's gotta be other (including personal) factors involved too. Let's respect the guys who run this great event, show them we're the good sports that makes this event so great, and figure out how to have a show for 2011.
First off I want to thank Dan and Bob for their efforts to put on this event. Having some personel knowledge I can attest to the cra#p they have had to put up with for quite some time. Like everyone else who races/attends this event I have come to love the racing and friendships that have developed. I don't want to lose that. To that end I would like to suggest the following long shot that maybe, just maybe could change Dan and Bob's mind about putting on the event again. Call me Pollyanna but here goes: 1) No more bickering or accusations on this site about anyone's car/engine set-up or who's at fault for this decision or what the rules are or should be--NONE. 2) At this fall's event ALL those racers who have had "problems" with Dan or Bob over their car being legal or within the spirit of the rules (you know who you are and so do many of us) voluntarily talk to them and promise that you will bring the car back the following year to their specs and satisfaction OR that you will NOT show up in 2011. 3) That those who were "stretching" the rules take the time at the race to tell them how you think you might be on the edge of the rules and let them make suggestions on what to do and then promise to follow those suggestions the following year. 4) Every racer/attendee not crab or complain at the race but instead go out of their way to make this event FUN AGAIN for Bob and Dan,something they can look forward to for 2011. Maybe then, and I know it's a big maybe, they will change their minds. I've read a hundred times on this board how we are a family and friends, well, now is the time to step up and show the character we claim to have. Naive suggestions? Perhaps, but I'd rather take a long shot than no shot at all.
Dan and Bob both know how much I enjoy their events I am thankfull to them for doing such a good job.I was told one of the racers theatened a lawsuit if he wasn't allowed to run.That shows somebody is lacking proper spirit of fun and who wants to deal with that crap when something is supposed to be for fun and is to most people. There is always sombody Ahole who will gladly F^$% things up fo everbody if the can't get their way.:blast:
Dan and Bob very sad to hear this news. I too feel lost right now. Thank you for your efforts over the years for creating and running the greatest Musclecar event in the world.
This may be way too long or not interesting to you, if so, you know where your delete button is. First we need to thank Bob and Dan for all the years of work and dedication they have put into this project. It seems such a shame after doing so much for so long building the entry numbers up during the years and just when they get to a point it might be slightly profitable for them instead of those years they probably lost money putting it on, they now feel they need to abandon it. Life isn't always fair. I don't think anyone is more saddened about their decision to end the PSMCDR that we Studebaker people are. They have given all us a venue to vent over 45 years frustration to showcase muscle cars Studebaker built. Back in the sixties Studebaker didn't have the funds for a lot of performance advertising and spent most of what they had on Bonneville which was not as popular as drag racing. As for those indicating something has to be wrong when cars run a little quicker each year let me relate a personal experience. Back in '62, the first year the Chicken Hawk won its stock class at the NHRA Nationals, the car turned 16.90 @ 80.93. Ten years later it turned 15.40 @ 87.67 under the same rules. The first time we took the '63 R 2 (Stude Tomato) to the strip it turned 15's @ mid 90's. After about three years running at the PSMCDR, we were getting hints that the Studebakers could not be legal running as well as they were. In 2004 we decided to have the Tomato certified. The best it had turned prior to 2004 was 13.412. After being certified in 2004 it turned 13.300 that year. I don't know if there is any way Bob and Dan could be convinced to change their minds or not but if so, I sure hope they do. Or maybe someone else could step in and take it over and let Bob and Dan join in the fun of actually getting to run their own cars for a change. As for trying to enforce the rules, I really don't care if a '55 Chevy, Ford, Plymouth, etc., turn a half second quicker than I do. The only thing I would like to see is the valve cover off, check the cam lift and P&G. Or if they turn the same ET as I do and we are paired in the shoot out I don't care. I get to RACE and that's what I'm there for. If I lose the shootout it won't be the first time I lost a race. Trying to enforce rules to the nth degree is what made bracket racing popular. No need to tear an engine down to see if it's legal. I didn't like bracket racing but not being rich it was the only choice. Maybe we shouldn't put so much time. energy and emphasis on rules and if a car is suspected not being legal, make them certify it next year and see how close they run to the year before. Maybe they won't show up any more. In closing we all owe so much to Bob and Dan for their many years of work. I value the opportunity just to have met and know two great individuals and for the opportunity to meet so many other drag racers and fans.
First off, I must say THANK YOU to Dan and Bob for this event!! I was hooked the first time that I attended/participated this even back in 2002 in my 72 Gran Torino Sport, 351CJ 4speed. Ron Tuttle got me there and its been an ADDICTION ever since. Then to find out I lived in the same town as one of the events producers.. wow! COOL! It was my #1 MUST DO/MUST ATTEND car event every year, hands down. When I sold that first car after 3 years, the #1 requirement for the next car was that it meet the criteria to run in this event. Year 4 saw it as a "N" code 1972 Ranchero GT. Year 5 saw a "loaner" ride from Chris Jones in the form of his 70 Torino GT convertible. These last two years I have been car-less but it has STILL been my top "MUST ATTEND AT ANY COST" automotive event. Period. These last 2 years, I have been lucky enough to "participate" by helping out as a Ford tech. This year I just picked up a car that has somewhat of a chance to be ready for September. If not, I will be more than happy to help tech again. This race is more than a race, as others have stated. Its a gathering of muscle car gearheads. Ogling over others cars, meeting new people,hanging out and bs-ing with others, seeing old friends and getting to run our cars against other musclecars. While I can go to stanton any wednesday night or sunday i wish to, its just not the same bracket racing a ricer or "redneck Robs" rotted out 81 malibu. i have heard the same thing about a "lawsuit" as cjfordman has. To those who have decided to **** this event up for all the rest of us.....go away and dont come back. Ever. I dont care what kind of cool or rare car you may have, how fast it is, how many magazines its been in, how highly you are regarded in any sort of automotive circles you are part of or what you may have contributed in the past. YOUR SELFISHNESS is what has brought about the end of an event that is truly a one of a kind. Theres no trophy or prize money to win here so whats your point in wrecking one of the greatest musclecar events out there? I'm a nobody with a slow car and you just ruined the MOST fun event I have EVER had the PRIVELIGE to attend. We were warned that this would happen and now it has. Thanks alot asshat(s). :af: The ONLY thing that may even be construed as comforting is that "kharma's a bitch". Dan/Bob - I, as well as many others, hope ray: you'll reconsider but we all understand should you stand by this decision. If that is the case, hopefully someone will pick up where you two have left off. I WILL attend, come hell or high water. Michael McPhillips McFord Portland, MI apologies for any bad grammar or spelling. And this was the CLEAN version!
I am still reeeeeeeeling about this lawsuit bullsh!t. No wonder they want to bail, I don't blame them. I am with the others, I don't give a sh!t who you are, what you make, who your buddy is, what you drive, and any other crap. You have f'd up my fun and there is a plow truck waiting to pull your porch down ...... and I don't care what subdivision or "community" you live in ....... I better stop now, because I am getting more and more pissed by the minute. OK .... not yet.... WE DON'T WIN A GOD D@MN THING !!!! What kind of simple minded IDIOT would threaten to sue Dan and Bob over NOTHING ? < language >
To all our Pure Stock friends, Saying "thank you" to all of you for your kind words doesn't begin to express our appreciation. As mentioned by some of you, we are more than friends, something more akin to being a big family, musclecars being our common bond. Over the past few years though, we've felt the threads that bind us together begin to loosen, and at times start to unravel. It was then that our enthusiasm for running the race waned. We began to realize that using NHRA for engine building purposes was not the right path for the Pure Stock Drags. But again, Pure Stockers, we want to emphasize that the decision to end the race (in its present format) was not the doing of any one person or any one event. We have to put those notions out of our minds to be able to move forward again. So where do we go from here? Can the majority pull together and put this event back on track for 2011? We think so. It's not going to be easy, but greater things have been accomplished when everyone pulls together. So if there is enough interest, we'd be willing to continue bringing you the Pure Stock Drags, but a more grassroots version. Again, thank you for all your kind thoughts, friendships, and years of support. Very sincerely, Bob Boden Dan Jensen
A glimmer of hope! Thank goodness.I'm all for the grass roots side of things because I truly think 80-90% of the racers are there for fun.NOT bragging rights,not top dog status,not brand pride.They just want to run their car at the coolest musclecar drage race on the planet!
