But I guess since there are no bikini and stereo contests at the nationals and divisionals they just aren't interested
It sucks that those of us that raced in the series are looked at that way.
Some of us are actual drag racers and just building new hot rods just like the 60's. When the NHRA turned everything over to NOPI this past year, I know that I make the choice to no longer race or support that series in any way because that is all they are really known for.
I have looked into building a dragster for I/D but I don't want to deal with people who think that because I use a 4 cylinder and a turbo that I am not a real drag racer and all I am doing is waiting for the bikini contest to start.
At the very least I was hoping to see more proliferation of EFI in the sportsman classes and MAYBE Pro Stock. At the most I was hoping to see production engines in Pro Stock with EFI...as were Toyota and Ford.
There have been a few turbo cars show up in Top Dragster and Top Sportsman, which is a good thing. Still, I believe that 99% of the technological advances made in the SC series will never see the light of day in the NHRA or IHRA mainstay programs.
Funny, I was wondering today what happened to the Celica's of the Scranton's and the Titan bunch? Those were some of the best looking door cars ever built. Would make great T/S cars with the little V-8's, turbos, and methanol.
That image is a direct result of the series. I will be the first to admit that the "lifestyle" events are far more fun and less benign than the traditional NHRA divisional and national events. However, the bulk of the sport compact event/series sponsors drew directly from the crowd that prefers T'n'A as opposed to solid drag racing action.
NHRA is just as guilty of the night club atmosphere as NOPI and the other defunct players in that game.
I, for one, am astonished by the level of complexity of some of the former sports compact cars. I was hoping that the technology would bleed over into traditional NHRA and IHRA categories. But, sadly, due to the image that the series portrayed with the stero sound offs, bikini contests, raves, and general image over substance attitude, that is the prevailing perception of the former participants no matter how much of a "real" racer they may be.
Build it, Chris! Run the piss out of it!
It sucks that those of us that raced in the series are looked at that way.
well that's because those things went on at your races. we didn't make it up. don't see any bikini models or wet t-shirt contest or rap music stereo contests at the winternationals
There are a few comp classes, the gas dragster and altered classes that allow EFI. I am in the process of building a C/D that will use EFI. I am somewhat surprised about the lack of participants using carbs in these classes. Only a small amount are using EFI in the non turbo classes where it is legal. I think David From's altered that Clint Neff is driving is the only car in Pomona with EFI. Hell you can't complain about the cost of EFI, a friggen set of 'good' carbs cost just as much!!
Raymond Martin's K/AA, Allyn Armstrong's L/A (now owned by Charlie Greco), Pam Miskovsky's C/DA, Chad Voges' K/A and L/AA all run EFI. Someday we might actually use it again in the altered (we had it on the car when we first brought it out-but a lack of support from the manufacturer made us take it off).
what exactly is wrong with bikini contests?
D
What EFI system did you use?
I want to run an I or H dragster but with a two valve motor and the rules allow for only 4 valve motors.
Guess I'll stick to Stock and Superstock with 2.3l Turbo Ford Tbird and go from there. Maybe one day the rules will get inline enoguh to get me to consider racing in Comp.