It seems to me the big problem is the guys that want to use there cars to bracket race. I guess thats why we dont have the problem here is because every track we(RamRods)have run on including Indy we have been invited to. Still have to go through tech but its not quite as bad as the full NHRA one. The first time at Indy we and the hornets got bounced on our battery box was not fully inclosed. At Tulsa were teched one time to run under 11.99 with our four point roll bar. Once again we do not bracket race at the SDRA its heads up and we run only each other. If you remember the Ramrods and the Hornets got to match race at the Goodguys in Texas at the Nascar track. That was really fun going through Nascar's tech. The only thing they cared about was us running off into there so called beautiful gr***. Keep up the good work Ron mabe some day we can run everywhere.
must have 62 or earlier on gas .there is a limited amount of speed equipment for the inline 6s .also you are limited by the era spcfic carb rule and gas. but yhe roll bar will under go change Ibelive
Ron, If I pissed you off, I apologize. I want these cars to go nation wide and be accepted at NHRA tracks. I still do not see a problem putting an ET cap on them if it gets us accepted in NHRA tracks. The only thing I worry about is NHRA getting their hands on the cl*** and trying to make something else out of it. I do not think Ryan would let that happen without a fight. I would like to see us as one of the organizations down here. The Southern Slingshots run at all the nostalgia races in the south and most of them are at NHRA tracks. They have to p*** tech and meet all the safety requirements which I understand. I have had no problem running test/tune nights and that is all I am concerned about untill there are more built in my area. I tried and ended up running at the Southern Nostalgia meet if that is what you want to call it. All late model muscle cars and no nostalgia cars at all. I had one heck of a time getting through tech, even though I met all the requirements. The tech inspector made the comment that he did not like teching these cars. Maybe I let my p***ion for these cars override my communication skills also. All I want is for us to be able to run at any track and be treated as any other car. We are not the front engine dragsters that the rule books are talking about. That is where I want the line drawn. Tech these cars as they really are, nostalgia dragsters that run in the 11-15 second range. Robert
Ron, Would it be of any benefit in your discussion with NHRA to bring up the safety record of these cars given the number of runs ( a little input from each car would help at this point )completed to date. Just an idea. Have These two gentlemen from the NHRA had a chance to look any of these cars over? Maybe some up close and personal time with cars and drivers would be a good thing. It couldn't hurt.
Guys, Thank you, thank all of you. Everything I'm trying to achieve you guys have covered on this one page. Build it to the HA/GR rules, race it till it makes you grin and enjoy the hell out of the whole affair. I talked to Rob Park today and we will meet either Wed or Friday. One of my partners suggested we trailer the car to the meeting so Rob and Bob Blackwell can see what they actually look like. I also have the brochure with more than 30 pictures (thanks again Randy)of cars from across the country (and Australia). I think they'll be impressed. Ron
I think bringing your car is very important. I'm sure you've got a well-built rail. Show off what you've got done so far. Any time you can bring a sample to a business presentation, it's a step in your favor. It's something to stand around a put their hands on and generates conversation.
Too true. Great idea, hope you can arrange that, Ron. Then you have all four means of representation covered (and the less you have to leave to imagination the better).
When dealing with NHRA, I have the feeling that 11.99 is going to be the only ghost of a chance for tech approval. This is where the ****tershield requirement kicks in, along with flywheel/clutch. The rule states SFI approved units, and of course, there ain't no such thing for many of the HA/GR powerplants. I don't see any chance of them swaying on this one. So, at the 11.99 break, that puts us back at the roll bar in open car as the big stumbling block. I would think that be best bet on this would be to present them with an engineered drawing of what we would consider to be adequate. As far as NHRA actually creating a cl*** for these cars, well....if they did, I can guarantee that you will have pro HA/GR teams spring up, running right on the index the first year. I know it sounds silly, but that's just the way it goes. I went through that with econorail back in the 70's, with pro "econo" teams dropping the index a full second within a year. Been there, got the T-shirt.
Rick, Everything you say is true. In the case of no SFI approved ****ter shield being commercially available, NHRA allows a 1/4 " steel shield. Our rules also include this provision. I'm in hopes NHRA doesn't establish a seperate cl*** for these cars because, as you say, the pro's would come running and eat our lunch. However, I hope they will respond to the HA/GR cars and allow us to run at NHRA tracks. Even if we have to run our eliminations as "exhibition vehicles" the end results for us will be the same. We may even have to run 1/8 mile. But if we don't try our options for racing are limited. My meeting is tomorrow (Wed) at 3:30. I'm as prepared as I can be and can only hope for the best. Everyone keep their fingers crossed. Ron
All the best at the meeting, remember that getting a foot in the door is the priority, keeping an open mind on what the cl*** represents, and the goal of having some fun. Over here we're gradually gaining speed, the guys & girls are having fun, and everyone involved (promoters/spectators/racers/tech officials) are starting to get a feel on where we're coming from, and whilst there are some who want to be over compe***ive, the platform has been set to control most of their 'speed' oriented issuses. K.I.S.S. Drewfus
Thank God for that provision in our rules and theirs too. Try finding one for a slant, Hudson or some other oddball combination that I am sure will come up. Straight eight Buick, Pontiac?? I'm waiting for someone to build one of these.
I think he's reffering to a SFI approved ****tershield.....again, 1/4" plate is your friend Cheers, Drewfus P.S. '97' I've got to grab your postal addy, will do a PM at lunch.
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