Austin Prock Announced! (5 Viewers)

[CS]

Let's all be honest - I heard they were leaving before Indy. That means they had to be thinking about leaving well before that. They had a lot of time to download as much JFR intellectual property as possible, things like chassis design, cylinder head/intake manifold machining information, blower design/manufacturing etc.. Jimmy is smart and has a lot in his head but JFR was a complex manufacturing business. Procks took what they could but please keep in mind BT3 uses AJPE parts not JFR. I know for a fact there are differences in cylinder head flow characteristics to name but one thing. Either Jimmy and Thomas will have to adapt or provide AJ with the info they took to make JFR clone parts. The first few races will be interesting.

 

[Steve Wayne]

Loyalty just doesn’t seem to exist anymore. I get its business, but Force basically handed them the keys. I can understand someone who’s driving for Big Jim or less competitive ride jumping at a chance like that. But Force hired all those kids and took very good care of them. Supplied Austin and Jimmy with all the parts and pieces to win championships. Let’s be real here, had it not been for Force and Snake getting the Montana deal and putting Austin in the seat of that car, you think he would be driving a fuel car now? All I can think is Tasca handed them the checkbook and the keys and said it’s all yours make it happen. But I still can’t see going from the future of John Force Racing to the future of Tasca Racing. I don’t wish anything bad on anyone ever, but the lack of loyalty will def make me not root for the Procks or Tasca

 

[aakar]

Tasca was a big supporter and sponsor for JFR in the old days. I understand there was a falling out with Hight when they switched parts manufacturer (thought they went to DSR, but Chuck said AJR) .
AJ, Corradi, Guido, Neff, Wendland have all left JFR without animosity, seems like there is a bit more to this story...

 

[Sandman]

If ya can’t beat ‘em, buy ‘em.

Kinda took a page from JFR's playbook, didn't he?

 

[Sandman]

If you try for 18 years to win an NHRA Funny Car Championship and can't then the next thing you do is try to buy one. I know it won't happen but I hope BT3/Procks fall flat on their face. The word is BT3 isn't the easiest to work for I hope all the alpha personalities clash! No loyalty for all that JFR did for the Procks over the years. I expect to get a lot of crap for this post but I had to say it.

First of all, I'd never wish bad luck on anyone for taking a chance elsewhere in any sport or business. Second, do you still have your first ever job? Why not? They took a chance on you when nobody else did. See how that sounds? Prock has quite a pedigree in fuel cars that didn't start or end with JFR. John is an employer, nothing more. He's not blood-related to Prock and as often as people change teams and always have, this is normal. Ask Roland Leong's drivers. How many people drove or tuned for Don Schumaker? Or Kalitta? I'm amazed at the people who crap on a sponsor when they leave, or when tuner's bail for a better fit, or driver's that do the same.

 

[Vdubman]

First of all, I'd never wish bad luck on anyone for taking a chance elsewhere in any sport or business. Second, do you still have your first ever job? Why not? They took a chance on you when nobody else did. See how that sounds? Prock has quite a pedigree in fuel cars that didn't start or end with JFR. John is an employer, nothing more. He's not blood-related to Prock and as often as people change teams and always have, this is normal. Ask Roland Leong's drivers. How many people drove or tuned for Don Schumaker? Or Kalitta? I'm amazed at the people who crap on a sponsor when they leave, or when tuner's bail for a better fit, or driver's that do the same.

I personally hope for the best for the entire Prock family. I think that Jimmy Prock is an incredibly intelligent man, and he has proven that over the years. We are on the outside and have limited information about the day to day interactions and operations inside of any of these organizations. Sometimes a place just isn’t the right fit anymore. It looks risky but who am I to judge a man who is objectively one of the most successful nitro tuners in history.

I will say I was hoping that Ford was going to make a bigger deal out of drag racing.

 

[mick]

......... was hoping that Ford was going to make a bigger deal out of drag racing.

i thought that for a major shift like this to take place (procks), there would be a 2 car effort; tasca family really cutting a deal with ford
and/or others and run hard with 2 car team for next 2-4 years. i guess not. maybe they'll surprise and add one. time will tell.

 

[ch streetcars]

I admire anyone that dedicates themselves to drag racing; what a roller coaster ride , funding for each year, not to mention a highly dangerous career path. John's lifelong dedication as well as three generations of Prock's involved in drag racing are admiral. I couldn't believe when Tim Richards left Amato, or Dale Armstrong left Berstein. but the rivalries it creates usually makes the show more interesting. I do hate to think of the stress it probably put Jphn through, but you can bet it lights a new competitive fire under him when they race the BT3/ Prock car. We all want to see emotion in this sport, well here ya go! Remember Warren Johnson when Greg A. left ? My business friends, especially in the construction trades, will lose a good employee that they have trained, and usually that ex-employee becomes a competitor. Young people don"t have the loyalty that we older people do. Who knows, maybe Austin wanted to stay, but Jimmy or Thomas wanted to leave JFR ? Sometimes a guys wife wants him to change jobs. At least they are all still out here racing.

 

[Randy]

Let's all be honest - I heard they were leaving before Indy. That means they had to be thinking about leaving well before that. They had a lot of time to download as much JFR intellectual property as possible, things like chassis design, cylinder head/intake manifold machining information, blower design/manufacturing etc.. Jimmy is smart and has a lot in his head but JFR was a complex manufacturing business. Procks took what they could but please keep in mind BT3 uses AJPE parts not JFR. I know for a fact there are differences in cylinder head flow characteristics to name but one thing. Either Jimmy and Thomas will have to adapt or provide AJ with the info they took to make JFR clone parts. The first few races will be interesting.

Not knowing for sure, I'm thinking Prock was thee significant factor in the JFR research and development and success. Force was the likely the beneficiary, not the source. I doubt he's leaving anything tech wise behind, because it was his to begin with. Prock left a gigantic hole when he left.

With Force aging, leadership changing, life goes on. I doubt we'll be in the loop when it comes to the "why they left" part. And if it doesn't work out at BTR, you can bet the farm someone else will be right there to pick the Procks up.

 

[Nunz]

It's funny how shocked we are when teams break up. But think about it, what relationship has a guarantee? Two people take oaths to spend their lives together, have children together, and there's still a 50% chance that it doesn't last. So in the world of motorsports, which is built upon money and egos, should anything surprise us? I do think this will create some new rivalries and storylines going forward.

 

[mick]

maybe tascas are looking to get out, and this is the first step in doing so. an opportunity for both parties.
now wouldn't that be cool.

 

[DragFan2]

We knew this was coming. What surprised me is, Bob stepping out of the seat. I thought this would be a two car team.

That's what I thought would happen too. Hopefully BT3 is looking at doing that later or potentially next year if more funding can be found. One car teams have it rough although the Procks may be the exception. Matt Hagen and Ron Capps are the only one car teams that have done well in that position in awhile.

 

[Axman]

That's what I thought would happen too. Hopefully BT3 is looking at doing that later or potentially next year if more funding can be found. One car teams have it rough although the Procks may be the exception. Matt Hagen and Ron Capps are the only one car teams that have done well in that position in awhile.

This is, IMO, a huge downgrade for all of the Procks. I believe that when they left JFR, their belief was BT3 was going to be a 2 car operation this year, with big Ford sponsorship. And maybe a chance to get another car in 27.
Ford isn’t going to make the monetary impact that everyone thought. And I don’t recall AP bringing any big money sponsors with him. So they are just left with a top 6-8 car and very little chance of growing a program this year.

 

[ch streetcars]

It's funny how shocked we are when teams break up. But think about it, what relationship has a guarantee? Two people take oaths to spend their lives together, have children together, and there's still a 50% chance that it doesn't last. So in the world of motorsports, which is built upon money and egos, should anything surprise us? I do think this will create some new rivalries and storylines going forward.

Great analogy ! I have a great wife, been together over 40 years, still I sometimes joke to my buddies: I come late every night , and if my stuff isn't on the curb, it's a good day! Large car dealerships are being bought up by mega-dealerships, I would guess BT3 has his hands full , and needs to devote most every minute to business, this might be his only way to stay involved or progress. I bet it was expensive to lure the Procks away from JFR.

 

[CS]

Not knowing for sure, I'm thinking Prock was thee significant factor in the JFR research and development and success. Force was the likely the beneficiary, not the source. I doubt he's leaving anything tech wise behind, because it was his to begin with. Prock left a gigantic hole when he left.

With Force aging, leadership changing, life goes on. I doubt we'll be in the loop when it comes to the "why they left" part. And if it doesn't work out at BTR, you can bet the farm someone else will be right there to pick the Procks up.

Randy - I'm not looking for a keyboard fight just asking - the way your reply reads is that everything and all the championships won by John/Coil/Bernie Fedderly/John Medlen et al meant nothing that it was the Prock family and Jimmy specifically that made JFR who they are today? Jimmy was Johns tuner for the 2013 season but worked there 2001 - 2014 and again 2017 - 2025. If memory serves me right John was champion in 1990. 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2013. Again not trying to start anything but FORCE was great way before Prock arrived.

 

[Under_Pressure]

Tasca was a big supporter and sponsor for JFR in the old days. I understand there was a falling out with Hight when they switched parts manufacturer (thought they went to DSR, but Chuck said AJR) .
AJ, Corradi, Guido, Neff, Wendland have all left JFR without animosity, seems like there is a bit more to this story...

Seems to me when Tasca first got into funny car their team was real tight with Force, almost like a satellite team. Pretty sure they ran all Force components like you said. Remember that was around the time Force was REALLY all-in on Ford, supposedly on the verge of rolling out the Boss 500 engine developed by Medlen. Obviously if that had gone according to plan Tasca would have been running it. Tasca had of course been a JFR sponsor since they switched to Ford, replacing longtime GM dealership sponsor Don Steves.

 

[65 Goatboy]

If you try for 18 years to win an NHRA Funny Car Championship and can't then the next thing you do is try to buy one. I know it won't happen but I hope BT3/Procks fall flat on their face. The word is BT3 isn't the easiest to work for I hope all the alpha personalities clash! No loyalty for all that JFR did for the Procks over the years. I expect to get a lot of crap for this post but I had to say it.

Loyalty just doesn’t seem to exist anymore. I get its business, but Force basically handed them the keys. I can understand someone who’s driving for Big Jim or less competitive ride jumping at a chance like that. But Force hired all those kids and took very good care of them. Supplied Austin and Jimmy with all the parts and pieces to win championships. Let’s be real here, had it not been for Force and Snake getting the Montana deal and putting Austin in the seat of that car, you think he would be driving a fuel car now? All I can think is Tasca handed them the checkbook and the keys and said it’s all yours make it happen. But I still can’t see going from the future of John Force Racing to the future of Tasca Racing. I don’t wish anything bad on anyone ever, but the lack of loyalty will def make me not root for the Procks or Tasca

Thought this was strange from the beginning, usually if your a huge success you move up not down. But if your at JFR is their an up? All 3 Procks are obviously very intense competitors so their wanting a new challenge. I think Bob offered them more money then JFR was willing to or could. I hope their is a future ownership opportunity for Austin and Thomas otherwise they could have just stayed with JFR and won more championships. If it's all about money then Austin just lost a fan. I'm a loyalty person too, growing up my favorite ball players stayed with the same team.

 

[Dennis]

Why is loyalty a one way street? How many people here still work for the same employer as they did fresh out of high school/college?

Bunch of finger pointing over a business transaction. Procks wanted "x". Force offered "y". BT3 says "I'll give you "x". Procks move on, JFR moves on.

Keep in mind, while Prock gets paid "x" I'm sure he brought in 5x (or some other number above 1x) to the organization by way of sponsorship on THE premier funny car in drag racing. Loyalty goes both ways. (Note: not inferring anything negative here, nor am I taking a side. Just that it's a business transaction between 3 people working in their own self interest.)

 

[I was NITRO BREATH]

Kinda took a page from JFR's playbook, didn't he?

Or, how about Kalitta bring AJ on for Doug.

 

[Nunz]

Once again, lots of people speculating about other people's business. And yes, I get this is a gossip board. But I'm pretty sure the Procks didn't make this move because they thought it was going to be a 2 car team, and then got blindsided. Adding a 2nd car is a monstrous undertaking. And why does this make sense only if the Procks want to eventually own a team? Have they ever said that? Owning a team isn't necessarily better than having a paid gig with a well funded program. Like others have said, everyone will be fine, and we're probably going to enjoy a pretty exciting season this year.