Would anyone be interested in a new racing class?

Another thing that has to be thought about is the track insurance.

 

I think it would be nice to have a class that is unpoliced.

Run what you brung, no matter the time... head to head. A test and tune just isnt the same...

 

This class isn't gonna take anything from the HA/GR class. They aren't even close. This is a seperate deal. The HA/GR deal was for guys that just wanted to have fun and don't care about going fast. That's fine.

I hate to break it to all the HA/GR banner wavers but there is a natural progression that will take place. It happened in the 50's so history will repeat itself. Guys will wanna go faster over time. This is an outlet to that need. When the guys get tired of driving the ha/gr, they can sell it to a guy wanting to get started and the cycle starts all over.

You guys are talking about how everyone was gonna buiid a ha/gr last year then backed out.....thosae guys will be the same ones that back out on this class. No diff.

If there is interest, the class will go. If not. It'll die and the sacred Hambster class thrives.

 

I am not worried about it taking away from the ha/gr class. Mostly, just bringing up concerns that any racing body is going to have to address. Also, remember, there is the VRA and other groups already doing this type of class or at least close.

 

True, who would'nt want to be strapped to one of these?

 

Woops try this.....4.6 Cammer!

 

Root,
I think it would be a great idea.
But you're gonna have to come up with some standards for the chassis I don't think I would wanna run with someone building with waterpipe.

OK that was extreme but you understand what I'm sayin' right? I mean with this class we are getting away from the less likely to kill ya HA/GR to cars that should easily run 9s and 10s.

Just thinkin' off the top of my knoggin here.

Isn't the idea to have this be sort of a HAMB Drags venue? granted someone might sit up and take notice but for the most part we're talkin' a bunch of us competeing against eachother. It leaves an outlet for the guys that want to run FEDs on a dime, and it also gives us a chance for some real heads up raceing instead of say my old beatup pickup getting matched up with someone's blown coupe.

I don't mind loosing to someone that has far outclassed me, so don't missunderstand what i'm sayin' here. it is just better raceing for the driver/builder and the spectator if the race is somewhere close.

 

Man, I just dunno what you guys want.

If you wanna run on the cheap build a ha/gr.
If you wanna build something a little faster build a fed.
The class would have rules just like the ha/gr but designed for the fed's.

It's not gonna be like VRA. VRA is a rich man's game. I know guys that sold old Gilmore chassis cars to go with the "newstalgia" chassis that start at around 17,000 bucks. I figure if a guy can weld, he can build his own.

What did guys do before there were professional chassis builders?

I am learning to TIG weld and buying my own welder. I have a few friends that are gonna school me that have been certified aircraft welders ther entire life. I am no pro, but I do think this is a viable outlet for guys to run their cars. As far as being a "sanctioning body", the HAMB drags are never gonna be anything like that. Consider it a club. I only race at the HAMB drags and the Austin DOTD. but my car will tech anywhere.

Maybe this idea should just be shelved.

 

I just cought this thread and I can say it's got me and another guy here at work stoked to build a digger - I've got "old junk" laying around for engine/trans/rear, a tubing bender, welder, and the need to find something fun. I would run something like this just for fun - heck I'll make my own HA/BS class (Budget Slingshot ) - from my point of view the most costly thing is going to be the front end / steering and the cost of tubing. Personally I've got several "bigger" SBC's (350's) that I would want to run, a bunch of powerglides that I can rebuild for under $100, and a couple of 28-spline spooled 9" centers with 4.56, 4.88, and 5.14 gears - I'd find something close even if it's not going to be perfect - why because I've got them and it's basicly 'free'. Same thing with a set of steel bassett wheels and circle track treaded tires - That's what I'd be in for - scrounging and making it a cheap fun class that's also safe to run.

For chassis - I'm going to follow the NHRA guidelines that I had from someone (PDF on my home server: http://thewienceks.servepics.com/home/chassis-rules.pdf ) - I would think that's a good starting point for safety requirements.

It's the age old question -tech to death and spec out parts or handicap everything with brackets and dial-ins... Don't care just want to have fun...

Heck if there are 4-6 that want to build budget cars in the spirit of the grassroots motorsports budget builds and race them during the HAMB drags I'd be willing to buy a $25 trophy for the winner...( first google result: http://www.hrplaques.com - stuff from $8 on up...)

 

If you guys create this class, I will gladly pitch in the tiara!

http://www.hrplaques.com/Pageant_Flyers/Tiara_Flyer_Page_6/tiara_flyer_page_6.html

 

Only if it's this one:

 

As far as 4.6's go they are too new, plus everyone will make fun of you.
There will be a year break and a CID break. We are still kicking around ideas.

Look, all we are doing is trying to give you guys the opportunity to witness heads up racing at it's best. If I open up the classes to 350 cubic inches and 180 inch wheelbase, every bracket racer west of the Missippi will be at the HAMB drags wanting to "school us" and show us hicks how to race.

What we are trying to replicate are the glory days of racing. When guys were pretty evenly matched and all races were HEADS UP. None of this bracket bs or delay boxes or throttle stops. Consider this a huge exhibition run. We want guys to have the feel of 1962 in 2006. Old guys can relive their memories and young guys can experience the good old days once a year.

We're gonna lay some loose ground rules and go from there. If you wanna participate and can fall into the rules we lay. you can run. IF not, I'm sure that there will be a class that is more fitting. The HAMB drags is only for fun so worrying about being number 1 is futile.

This has been a public service announcement.

 

Only if the winner wears it in a yellow poka dot bikini!

 

Here's a couple of examples of what we are talking about.

 

All those shown are blown - are you going to open it up to blown engine dragsters then?? That would certainly up the ante on things... Personally I'll probably build what I've got and if it falls "in" the rules fine, if not it's just for fun anyhow. The used engines I've got will be cheaper than building a the tired old 289 that I'll be pulling from the truck...

sgtmcd42 - are you volunteering

 

Since the spirit of the class seems to be "on the cheap", allowing the 305 chev would be nice. those things are easy to come by and dirt cheap(sometimes even free). Even I have 2 of them laying around

As far as the 4.6 Ford, maybe have a cam in block rule(no ohv)?

I like street tires too, cause i'm usually on a very limited "racing" budget. having "tire X" required might not fit in the budget.

 

Nope - you're missing the point. Spirit is "tradition"... "on the cheap" is the subtext. You can get a 265 for free if you look hard enough... I have a '56 265 and a '62 283 I've been saving for a semi-period project just like this... do I HAVE to build an FED, or can I do something mid-engined, more like the Speed Sport roadster?

 

There's not going to be a spec tire persay, but you will have a max width.
Gowjobs, I think you see my vision and as far as your car, there is an altered class that it may fall under but no real rules. Most people don't even worry about the classes since it's just for fun.

 

The blown pics are just for examples. I don't think we would have enough takers for that class. It'll prolly be open to single, multi carbs or mechanical injection.

 

Damn-there goes my excuse to buy Sciflyer's old 235 and strap a blower to it

 

You guys just build em, we'll find a class you fit.

 

So whats the deal with this? I just started a gas rail and had now idea about this thread...

Any progress with all of these posts?

 

i too just read this whole thing and got really excited about it. whats up roothawg? did anything come together?

just set some rules. if shit sucks after a few years, or money is dominating it, then change the rules. whatever. lets just go race! i want to build a car and do this.

what are the rules. lets make it happen.

thank you.
jeff

 

Holy shit, yea! Which one looks best on a MATCO baseball cap?

I have one thought, after reading all the posts... Wouldn't it be cheaper to have a direct drive. The difference between a winner powerglide and a loser powerglide is all about money.

 

If anyone REALLY gets your idea, they would not want to cheat on the engine size. It is about having cheap fun with youir buddys...NOT "winning".

 

I would be all for it. Short wheel base and small v-8's would be right up my alley. Like mentioned a million times above, there would have to be some sort of way to regulate to keep everyone in the same "class".

Kinda sucks when you barely have the bucks and time to scratch something together and some richer, non backyard built car comes and rules your time at the track too.

But I think it is a great idea. I like watching the HAMBster's run, but not enough to participate. So put me on the 'yes' list Root.



DuckusCrapus

 

I actually started building one. Have it about half way done.

 

I've been drag racing a long time also, and your statement about the deep pockets are at the top of the heap is very true. In any class in the NHRA or local bracket class the money usually determines the outcome. This best way to combat this situation is to have a claimer rule. If you go to any dirt track race you see the NMCA cars are everywhere(it is the most popular class). The NMCA cars have a claimer rule that evens the field and keeps it affordable. I've always hoped that the NHRA would come up with a FED class with similar rules as the NMCA with NO electronics. It would be a blast! I think you would see alot of cars because of the affordability of it.
Just my 2 cents.

 

why not just put a can on the max you can spend and have people privide proof kinda like what grass roots motorsports dose every year for their $2000 challange? you could have differant price ranges for differant classes