Return to 1/4 mile (1320ft.)

[Nunz]

Since the thread has focused on PS for a bit I thought this may be interesting:

WHY NHRA PRO STOCK WENT 500 CUBIC INCHES: THE REAL STORY BEHIND DRAG RACING’S MOST DEFINING RULE | Competition Plus

Originally published March 2003

competitionplus.com

 

[65 Goatboy]

We think of PS as the American big 3, now 1.
There is toyota, honda, hyundai, kia, and a host of other possibilities. Maybe working something out with foreign-owned auto companies could revitalize the class.

Nascar's been racing Toyota Camry's in cup for quite a while, Dodge Ram pickups are coming to truck series in 2026.

 

[none]

MOPAR didn't have to run the Dart, they ran it because it was smaller and more aerodynamic.
The Challenger is huge, it's actually built on the same platform as the Chrysler 300. If they wanted to, they could have made it into a PS car. But it's size would be a disadvantage.

Alan

 

[TSK]

That article has the incorrect starting year for PS. It began in 1970 at the Winternationals, not 1971.
I quit reading after that.

 

[TSK]

That's very interesting about the Dart. Wonder what is the wheelbase length? I remember reading something about WJ when he drove the Firenza about the shorter wheelbase making it a little harder to handle, and also seem to remember that was a criticism by the Dodge Boys regarding the Daytona.

The wheelbase on the Dart, produced from 2012 until 2016, was approximately 106.4 inches.

 

[ironpony]

https://www.fivestarbodies.com/Files/Resources/Rules--Dimensions/DartProStock_dimensions.pdf

 

[GumbyWVU]

The wheelbase on the Dart, produced from 2012 until 2016, was approximately 106.4 inches.

Thanks for the info.

 

[twostep]

Are you guys REALLY saying that you would stay in the stands to watch a Hyundai Palisade, Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain, Buick Enclave, Dodge Durango, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano, Ford Explorer, etc. etc. race? What would they run? 8s at 150 mph or so?

I'm not buying it.....
Alan

Would I watch a bunch of 8 second SUVs locking horns with one another; part of a new 'Pro SUV' class?

I would indeed.

Now don't get me wrong; I'm in no way suggesting such a class.

 

[GumbyWVU]

Would I watch a bunch of 8 second SUVs locking horns with one another; part of a new 'Pro SUV' class?

I would indeed.

Now don't get me wrong; I'm in no way suggesting such a class.

Shoot I think most folks would be happy to watch a lot of things drag race. I've watched boats and snowmobiles.

 

[camaro]

Shoot I think most folks would be happy to watch a lot of things drag race. I've watched boats and snowmobiles.

the clincher for me was a dragrace between prop planes, where they took off in a straight line, flew straight for a bit then landed, did u uturn, took off again, raced back to the starting line! Maybe i imagined that because i couldn't believe what i was watching at the time

 

[z28]

the clincher for me was a dragrace between prop planes, where they took off in a straight line, flew straight for a bit then landed, did u uturn, took off again, raced back to the starting line! Maybe i imagined that because i couldn't believe what i was watching at the time

we have rubber duck races in a creek here. If you can watch that you'll watch anything. I might have to draw the line at turtle racing.

 

[GumbyWVU]

the clincher for me was a dragrace between prop planes, where they took off in a straight line, flew straight for a bit then landed, did u uturn, took off again, raced back to the starting line! Maybe i imagined that because i couldn't believe what i was watching at the time

That would have been awesome!

 

[GumbyWVU]

we have rubber duck races in a creek here. If you can watch that you'll watch anything. I might have to draw the line at turtle racing.

There's been rubber ducky derby's here too.

 

[mick]

bring back the rickshaws

 

[Bubba]

I might have to draw the line at turtle racing.

A town in Manitoba used to have a turtle derby, but people attended just for the crashes.

 

[none]

bring back the rickshaws

I used to have one of those.....
Alan

 

[twostep]

Good to know, and as a fan I would have no idea. What would be wrong with just any body from a showroom, any style, minimum weight, and 500CI and there you go?

Nothing - other than "just any body" won't win races. Even if such a race car were to only be .03-.05 slower that's the difference between going rounds and going home in Pro Stock. Nobody is going to invest 7 figures to campaign an automatic loser. Might work in index or bracket racing but not a heads up class.

 

[twostep]

A town in Manitoba used to have a turtle derby, but people attended just for the crashes.

Reminds me of a Dachshund race that was portrayed in an actual 2013 movie, the "Weinernationals". I bet the farm on one particular dog but after holeshotting the entire field he stopped and took a crap at the 330. Lost big on that one.

 

[Butch]

How about Marble racing, Oh yeah they already do that, it's called Pro stock, they all look the same only different colors. Lol

 

[z28]

A town in Manitoba used to have a turtle derby, but people attended just for the crashes.

how many went turtle?