I wish I was saying I was going but not this year. I know my friend Joe Roseberry is taking his and Jeanna's car to the HAMB Nationals, just wondering who they are going to be racing?
We'd planned to go, but a couple financial screw-ups cancelled the trip this year. Planning again for next year.
Sounds like a good plan for next year. I'm gunna try to make it back next year, sadly without my car, so if you need an inexperienced,down right ugly, fat crew, I'm your man.
Looks like the Hamb cars are a dying breed. We went out of our way to try to give them a place to race worked with the Tech people and opened up an avenue for them, Had a pretty good turn out to start with think there were 5 at one race. Now maybe 2 running in openwheel a 10.00 to19.99 max index cl***. Wondering where all the hoopla is about getting a cl*** of their own started? I took a lot of flack about being a money hungry promoter and other things just trying to help get it started on the west coast http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152343&highlight=racerb Now let me hear about the future of the cl***. It going away or is there still some interest in it?
We're still building ours Butch. It's just that with all that's been going on in my life and the size of my Social Security check it's taking a bit longer than planned.
Howdy Butch, Really going to miss you this month (hobby money set-back), but am already looking forward to October. Famoso's still the first place to run us out here, and you're still the first promoter to allow us in to an existing cl***. We haven't forgotten those. And no ........ we're still here, just having a slow year. Obviously the cl*** hasn't grown as fast as I'd wished, I'd hoped to be able to be of more value to your series. Even the addition of the slush pumps & looser engine rules of the SDRA hasn't produced anything even remotely resembling a "boom", just us handful of hardcases (so far). We are growing steadily, just slowly. There're a few more looking at the HAMBsters as cheaper dedicated car racing, a couple drivers've moved on to other cl***es, and a few have been built only to be sold elsewhere or converted to other cl***es. Also, NfHRA's continuing escalation of expensive & hobbling rules being foisted on all the slower cl***es and cars (in which they're no longer financially interested) is having a stilting effect on ours as well. The economy that's hammering the other cl***es is having its effect on us too of course, but still in all I don't believe we're ready for last rites just yet. There're still a few more HAMBsters in the pipes out here, and with those of us that're also driving'em at other smaller events, the idea's getting around more (I depleted my supply of brochures at the last Irwindale meet, and spent a pretty fair amount of time sounding like a used car salesman at Barona). There's still a lot to recommend'em. They can be easily and cheaply built and raced. They can be campaigned as crewed or owner/driver style cars. We're running at a slowly increasing number of strips and meets. Due to their weight to gearing ratios they're nearly perfect for running both quarter and eigth with a single car. And they're just plain fun (like it used to be), far less stress than most other cars. They've had exactly one accident in 7 years of racing (a shunt from a broken axle) in which no-one was hurt, due in part to the low speeds we run (typically around 100). I still feel they're the perfect car for anyone not interested in speed shop built cars, and not needing to run anything quicker than 12's. Remember, they were originally designed to fit nicely in NfHRA's own 12+ second cl***es, the ones that NfHRA now mandates more and more 10 second rules for. This hammers the cost up, and of course the fun down. Still, we're out here, hanging in.
I understand Racerb's concern but agree that the reason he is not seeing more HA/GR action is based on a ****ty economy. The fact is that the cl***'s greatest appeal is to 'boomer's who find themselves with a bunch of free time and are trying to rediscover their lost (wasted?) youth. People on fixed incomes really feel the effects of the money problems that are effecting every part of the country. California certaining is one area that is hurting the most. I think that there are pockets of interest all over the country and even "Down Under". I would venture that there are as many under construction as there are currently running. I have been gathering components for over a year myself. But you can't build a HA/GR by opening up a Speedway catalog. Unless you have a shop full of vintage speed parts and can do all of the work yourself, you better plan on spending 10K+, not counting a trailer, to build an 11 second machine. You can certainly have one rolling for a lot less but the safety equipment costs the same even if you run in the 14's. Most of us don't have that much extra money under the mattress and have to "skim a little cream" off the monthly check. Anyone still working is trying to save for the day that they don't have to and has limited "play money". All of these factors (plus some health considerations) slow the growth of the cl*** but I don't see it going away. I can't wait to join the guys in WI and MN in making the Upper Midwest the next revival hot spot.
Thanks Roy, I understand the economy ****s now and am seeing it in all cl***'s, Just that lately the HAMB side is dropping fast. I really feel that the guys building cars now are stepping up to later powerhouses and auto trans etc I had several racers build cars just to be told that they did not meet the specs of a true HAMB car so they ether quit or changed over to bigger or better things. I know I will get flamed on this but I think that the days of true HAMB cars are domed if the rules are not a little more flexible. We will continue to welcome them in the Open Wheel cl*** at ANRA races. But as I see it to build a car to only race a couple times a year is hurting the cl***. Just my opinion and everyone has one.
I agree with you RacerB I am on the eastcoast and it would be impossible for me to build a car I can not bracket race. I have about (7) 350 turbo automatic transmissions but do not have a small stick transmission. In my opinion the oldtimers used what they had and made the best of it. My grand dad built moonshine cars and would use truck springs and truck shocks from junkyards. With that being said I am doing my car with what I have and I still feel like its in the spirit of the cl***. I hope this economy can bounce back and the whole country can enjoy the things that made it great to begin with.
You guys are right on a couple of things, both the HA/GR & SDRA cars are not cheep to build with the ch***is rules and safety equipment that NHRA tracks require. Most of these cars will run $8 - 10K if the builders are really adding all the costs. I know you can (and others have built for less) do one but it will take a lot longer. To some it is about the build more than the race, but for myself it's about the race and making p***es. I love the style of the HAMBster's, but the SDRA rules fit my racing a little better. Medical & health is a big issue with guys running both types of cars, ya we are not in the best of shape at our age. With 2 HA/GR in the build process and 3 SDRA cars coming on line later this year lets hope we keep it alive. There is room for both.
My question is this? Could you put weight on the automatic cars or a cubic inch rule or let the stick cars run slicks just to level the playing field and let everyone run in the same cl***. This is no big deal to me seeing that I want be out there but just a thought.
Tom you are right. I am not trying to screw with the rules just like to see some way to build the cl*** that you can run other races with. The car you are building you can run Summit and a couple other groups See you this weekend? Going to bring the car out for display?
A thought from another fixed income poverty level pensioner: Perhaps we should consider adjusting the rules to better cope with this kwappy economy? Problem I see with an et cap it'll turn into just another bracket driving event which no one is real thrilled about, without the et cap it'll turn into a spenders cl*** like every NHRf'nA cl*** on the planet, it's a real dilemma. P-Dog......
I was at Gainsville Florida in march and watched a group out of the northeast run vintage g***er cl***. They had a ET cap and they would throw weight on cars and adjust the blower drive what ever it took to get the cars running close. It was about the show and they all loved that style of racing. The older gentleman I spoke with said it was the only way to keep the cl*** alive and the ***ociation running strong. Must have worked the NHRA had invited them to run at this event. They even had a special parking place beside the track and at the end of the grandstands.
RacerB, your the best thing that has happened out on the West Coast for the HA/GR & SDRA cars to have a place to race 4 times a year and with the Antique Drags Irwindale & Vintage Race at Baron Dragstrip twice a year I think we are very fortunate to be able to run them and have fun. You are right that the SDRA cars can run the Summitt races with a set of small slicks and be competative. As you may have read I had problem installing one C-Clip Eliminator to my Ford 8.8 rear, had to order a second set and it won't be in until Monday. So no car, just me and the cart for a low stress weekend.
Tom I thought you used a 8" ford No problem going to be a good weekend weather going to be nice. Have you heard from Danny V he going to be there?
Just to keep the level of controversy up...Why is it ***umed that a car with a stick cannot be compe***ive in bracket racing or "index cl***es". Let me start out by saying that I have never been a fan of any racing where you can lose by going to quick or fast, but I recall several cars that ran brackets back in the '70s with sticks that were almost unbeatable. One was a shoebox Ford that ran at Irwindale with a flathead and a four speed. Not saying it's easy, but as it has been said here many times, "if it was easy, everyone would be doing it". It just seems to me that we are growing a new breed of drag racer who thinks that if you have to shift you will either break stuff constantly or if you don't break stuff you can't compete with the automatics. In my opinion, (which many folks have told me isn't worth much) these ideas and concepts belong in the same dumpster with the electronics, throttle stop and trans-brake contingent. OK...I'll get off my soap box, go out in the garage and let this simmer for a while.
Tom I think that the big problem now days is finding stick boxes. Lord knows I went throught a lot of them in the days but we could just run to the wrecking year and grab another one swap it out and go racing
64 DODGE 440, you need to get back out to the garage and work on that hot rod. Add another HA/GMR to your group. I have not made one p*** down the strip and I am already breaking parts and it has nothing to do with "stick or automatic" "Bracket Racing" don't blame the racers, blame the money! We would all love to be heads up racing, all of the time.
racerb, I wish I had went with an 8" and not the 8.8, but I got it cheap with a nice traction lock setup and it is still 40# lighter than the 8" and 55# lighter than a 9". I'll get the bugs out this next week. Hope to make a T&T at Famoso during Sept to see if it will get down the track in one piece. See you Fri.
Ok, let me put in my 2 cents. You can`t build a cl*** on 13 sec. cars, nobody wants to watch or drive for any length of time something that slow. The only way ha/gr-sdra is going to work is bracket racing.There are little pockets of like minded guys racing these cars all over( see 12 port news).In medford, they run pie cut slicks. So what ,that gives you 4 more racers. My opinion is build some motors with one leg rearends and lay a smoke screen down for 300 feet. This should get a response.
Racerb you are correct there are not a lot of sticks in my parts that are reasonable. I grew up on automatics and transbrakes. I run a throttle stop for for a few years and really have no problem with them. I personally have no problems with the stick. I seen a guy with a lenco and a clutch do very well in a big buck bracket race weekend in Bowling Green some years ago. As far as breaking parts I have broke many a automatic so they are not bullet proof by any means. I hope that you all can settle on a set of rules that will be best for everbody involved and help grow the cl***. The old saying is if a tree want bend it will break. I understand Racerb point I would not have a cl*** for 2 or 3 cars if I was running a track. This my opinion and I know its not worth anything. I would like to see this style car running at track around the country. Look at what IMCA did for modified racers they made it affordable for the average racer to race anywhere in the country and be compe***ive.
27 so far it has fit into the Open wheel clss we run at ANRA just fine but seams to be losing it's glory and they are dropping out the O/W cl*** is a bracket cl*** 10.00 to 19.99 so we have a place for most everyone
racerb, with the baby 194 ( I stand corrected 197 inch, it is .040 over ) and my toned driver body I should have a good hold on that 19.99 sec O/W area. She has retired from driving, made some comment to me about her burnout were quicker than I will be running. What a blow.
Exactly. I'd like to clarify something gentlemen. We ARE racing in Butch's O/W cl***, both the HA/GR's (sticks) and the SDRA's (slush pumps) together. Nor are we the only "slow" cars there (there're others even slower), it's a great cl*** and a good meet. Except for a hit I took to my hobby funds this month I'd be there, as I've been each year since he moved it to Famoso. Hell, he even allows us to stage together for O/W quals on Saturdays, thus having our own compe***ion for our own trophy while qualifying for Sunday's O/W eliminations. So with no extra runs (wouldn't be fair to the other O/W folks) we in effect get to compete both days. This discussion was begun about an apparent dwindling car count of our style cars, so I'll respond to that directly. First a clarification of the situation ....... There've been a couple things that've trimmed our car count at Butch's last few ANRA meets, but it's NOT the total number of cars out here. That hasn't changed, they're still all here and still running. We still field the five HA/GR HAMBsters we had early last year when we all show up at the same strip. We'll soon also be able to field three additional SDRA HAMBsters (one of'em already made the last ANRA meet but needed some finishing touches to p*** tech ..... and it's getting'em), and are looking forward to at least two more HA/GR's in 2013 as well. To answer Mr. Sparks' comment; I can't speak for your area, but out here there's considerable interest in our "slow" cars. We constantly answer questions in the pits, and often have to ask folks to move so we can hit the lanes. We hand out hard copy on the cl***es to the tune of a couple dozen @ meet. The three new SDRA cars and two new HA/GR's a-building that will hit the strips this year and next will have the same reception, believe me. Now to answer you, Butch; I firmly believe it's going to be an exponential growth. I feel both cl***es'll pick up together when we have more than two cars showing up regularly. I know (personally ) that most of the interested folks are looking for something more established, it's the cl***ic "chicken vs egg" problem. I don't know exactly what car count'll get'em off their ***es, but it's there somewhere. AND, if it weren't for Randy & YOU it'd be taking far longer for it to happen. We'd still be stuck at only the small 1/8 mi. meets for the foreseeable future. You're still the only 1/4 mi. promoter that believes in the concept. So hang on Butch, the slush pumpers've joined the fray, and all us Left Coast HAMBster herders're still alive & twitching.
Thanks **** I was really just trying to get some action going so far it looks like it maybe working on this board. Now if we can get the cars coming out to the races I will figureit worked great.
Thanks ****, you are way better with the print than me. I whole heartily agree with all you said and still feel like we will get more cars being built as we get more on the track for them to see. Butch, as they say "You build it and we will come" and we are all trying to get our rides on the track. Glad you renewed a little discussion on the two cl***es, nice to see some interest on the board.
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