GASSER MUST HAVES and cant haves?

The problem with historic racing is we are trying to relive something that was changing all the time. In the case of the Gas Classes, they started in 1956 and ended some time in the 70's or 80's depending on what class, the sanctioning body and who you ask. And then the classes were resurrected in the 90 and beyond with "Modern Gassers". So because of that, many people have a very different view of what a Gasser is or should be. And when looking through Rose Colored glasses, it becomes even less clear. You can't race a legal 1956 car against the Renteria's Valiant 4 door that i posted and have any kind of parity in competition or even something that looks like it belongs on the track together.
So if you are an organizer or association, you have to pick an era, make rules that make sense for that era and stick to them. NO, everyone won't be happy - they weren't back in the day either! Let's say you pick the era to 1967 to keep out the tube frames and late model bodies and by some miracle Ohio George's Malco Mustang or that Vega shows up. You have three choices - Let em run and piss everyone else off, explain your rules and Don't let em run, Let em make some exhibition passes that will probably keep everyone happy.
And you certainly don't have to use any old rules - make up your own, but some some real good thought in to them. You want to keep it to just older body styles? Go ahead. Want straight axles only? Go ahead (although that would be really stupid in my mind). Want 4 speeds only? Go Ahead (again a bad rule in my mind, and I run a 4 speed). The point is you make your rules and STICK TO THEM. If folks like them they will show up and put on a good show. If they don't they'll stay away and you either change the rules or fade away.
No one ever said it would be easy ~ Hell ask the NHRA, AHRA, ADRA or any one else!

 

Well said Don

 

Agreed.I think that's exactly what Quain and his group are working hard to do.
Hopefully they keep up the good work,stick to their guns,and put on some good racing for the rest of us to enjoy.

Scott


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I didn't realize Quain's group was promoting races? I understood they are a informal and indipendant group of car owners that build and own similar cars and enjoy traveling together. I have been told they have a set of general "rules" the strongest of which is if they, the current members, thinks a car "looks" right for their group or not.

My definition of a race promoter is a group or person that organizes an event and is liable for the incurred expenses of that even if it makes a dime or not.

I clearly see where their are two very different prospective and agendas between the two.

And IMO it is the promoter at the end of the day that has the responsibility to set the rules for a event. And I'm sure we all agree that it is the promoters responsibility to insure the rules are followed.

IMO if a group like Quain's or any other "Gasser Group" for that matter wants to set rules for events then they should simply organize and promote them.

Of course then the problem becomes not what plugs to run today but rather if the damn shitters are working!

 

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..................Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz............Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............What.....Oh.....you were talking again,weren't you...?




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Can't we all just get along

 

I'm tryin' Brother,I'm tryin'......


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"You can't race a legal 1956 car against the Renteria's Valiant 4 door that i posted and have any kind of parity in competition or even something that looks like it belongs on the track together."

There is a mouth full right there! I would like to know just how much of a roll "competition" should play in these nostalgic type events. If you take all purses out of the game would anyone really care who won?

 

Wake up, I'm trying to teach you something! Now your the one behaving like a politician.

 

You need to try lots harder.....How about you don't wreck this thread for everyone else,and we just take it to PM's,so nobody has to watch you act like a complete clown,shall we...?


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I got a better idea, you stop making snide, off topic remark after each time I post on topic and I wont need to respond to your snide remarks. Regarding PM's, my PM is open. But honestly, if it's not on topic and can't be posted here I would just delete it.

 

Like I said,if you ever feel the need to address me again,do it via PM so everybody else doesn't have to be subjected to this shit.Go for a waaaaambulance ride and take your drama someplace else lil feller.
The grown ups want to talk about cars.
Thanks for coming out.


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Aaaaand,back to cars.




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I always thought it was pretty cool that some of the toughest competitors of the day would go out of their way to help each other out (in the last 3 photos I posted).
Says a lot about the type of people running cars back then.Especially in the racially-charged early '60's.


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Also,does anybody know how many versions of the Agitator there were...?I only know of these two,but I'm sure there are more.


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Landseaandair,that one is so clean it could pass for a show car?Got any additional info?


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Spiegel Brothers http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=502886

 

My favorite fat fendered supercharged sedan gasser. That thing screams gasser stem to stern!

 

I think there was a good article in a 1967 issue of Car Craft but I can't find it at the moment.

 

I don't know whats cooler the crew or the cragars on that trailer?

 

Of all the times I looked at those pictures,I never once noticed that detail!
They had style,I'll give them that!

Scott


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one chain binder up front would not fly hear in maryland the law would love that

 

It kinda shocks me that guys were so casual about securing the racecars that they had so much money,time,and sweat invested in,and that more cars weren't lost in towing accidents.
The age of no seatbelts in cars,no helmets on bikes and unfiltered cigarettes I guess....


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You really think people want to watch an 8 second car line up against a 14 second car? And two that are of a very different style due to the era, yet both are classified as Gas Class cars? What do people talk about after each round? "wow did you see how close that was?" "Man, the right lane killed the guy in the left lane" - no one says "OOh, it was fun too watch two guys drive like they were on the way to the market"

And yeah, no matter how much folks may claim otherwise, people want to see two cars "Race", which means someone wins and someone loses, not just drive down the track. Taking the purse and or trophies out of it may cut down on complaining (Maybe), and take off some of the stress and make it more fun, but when you get to the tree MOST guys want to beat that guy in the other lane - that's why it's called racing!
If you're just going to line up and then pussyfoot down the track, why bother, no one wants to pay to see that. You might as well just go to any weeknight test and tune or grudge match at your local track.

 

Here is a Gasser from my area and how it evolved between '62 and '69. #1 It was powered by an injected 421 Pontiac, #2 and #3 With a SBC and 33 nose. #4 ,5 and 6, With the chop, lowered down, and a "fuel burning" 392, They had made the move to AA/FA, and ran in the 7's at 190.

 

What we have here is an argument between those that were there & those that weren't.
Some are forgetting to just answer the OP's question.

And when did this turn into a thread about promoting your event?


Oh- to clarify that pic someone posted of the Renteria 4 door Valiant..........
That blower & hat was not the set-up used when it ran Heritage Nostalgia AA/Gas

It ran this.


The other pic posted is the car running as a Pro Mod, not a gasser.

 

...

 

Would it be a true statement to say that all mid 60"s era and earlier "gassers" would have used gas fuel? If it is, seems like that would be a logical starting point in building any era car.

 

"You really think people want to watch an 8 second car line up against a 14 second car? And two that are of a very different style due to the era, yet both are classified as Gas Class cars? What do people talk about after each round? "wow did you see how close that was?" "Man, the right lane killed the guy in the left lane" - no one says "OOh, it was fun too watch two guys drive like they were on the way to the market"

Good points, and these same points are why I also agree there really should be two separate "gasser" classes. One <65 and one >65. Seems along then is when things really started to change rapidly and in a big way.

As far as two guys driving like they are off to the market, I think human nature would take care of that, like you suggest.