Toyota Pro Stock, Could it Happen

[FABMAN]

TE=" ChriS, post: 335666, member: 455"]And there is NOTHING to be learned from 500 inch motors running carburetors and leaded gasoline. (as far as a new manufacturer would be concerned)[/QUOTE]
I hear what your saying, a lot of the top engine builders have been saying the same thing. Just Like Steve at Aeromotive he says his R&D is heart of his business. I think all of the Big 3 use all or part of his product depending on model for there Fuel distribution, this is why auto racing is important to these manufactures of course this is just one example. I think if NHRA would allow fuel injecting you would help renew some interest in Pro Stock.

 

[FABMAN]

Kevin, thanks for getting the link on here.

 

[Riley7]

The "what to do" with Pro Stock seems to be a weekly topic here in Nitromater. Must be some good reasons for that?

Call me crazy, but I think the current formula and rules for the class need to be revisited. If we could take the current architecture of the OEM based Hemi, LS, and Coyote motors, and let them build to like a 400 cube limit.......wouldn't this generate more interest among the OEM's as well as the fans? Sure the cars would be slower. And guess what? They'd be able to look an awful lot like the current COPO's, Drag Pak's, and Cobra Jets that are lifting wheels and generating excitement in the stock and super stock classes.

I'd love to see what Nick Ferri could to with an LS motor at 400 cubes and EFI. Or Alan Johnson with a full race 392 Hemi. Even better, I'd love to see what the OEM's would do with a class like that. If Toyota can meet the rules for the class, let 'em in I say. Same with any other OEM brand that can build to the rules, let 'em play.

I'd much rather see a Camaro run in the mid to high 7's, with the wheels in the air at the hit, than any of the current 500 cube Pro Stockers run now. Maybe a Pro Stock cars like I envision would be a reasonable class in terms of $$ to get more racers into, as well?

 

[Wes]

Ford and Toyota have been lobbying unsuccessfully for years to get NHRA to adopt a production-based engine program for Pro Stock. The pushrod engine manufacturers have been steadfastly in the way of such a change.

 

[sdwarf36]

What Chris said! The big 3 are back in the 'race on Sunday- sell on Monday" mode--now would be a great time. All 3 have rear wheel platforms-all 3 have a workable engine package. I bet for any team we loose, 2 more would join that could hawk their modern (sellable) packages.

 

[Rajunz]

.....I'd much rather see a Camaro run in the mid to high 7's, with the wheels in the air at the hit, than any of the current 500 cube Pro Stockers run now. Maybe a Pro Stock cars like I envision would be a reasonable class in terms of $$ to get more racers into, as well?

That's already happening with the Super Stock Showdowns.

Changing the engine packages on Pro Stock cars would be a sure way to kill the class for good. Tell everyone to just throw away what they've invested in for the last 10 years and start over with a new set of rules.

 

[Riley7]

Judging by the short fields we saw at some events this year, the Pro Stock Class under the current structure and rules packaging isn't exactly a picture of health and prosperity, is it?

 

[vegasnitro]

Changing the engine packages on Pro Stock cars would be a sure way to kill the class for good. Tell everyone to just throw away what they've invested in for the last 10 years and start over with a new set of rules.

I disagree. It just has to be done the right way, with vision and forethought. Assume the NHRA made the announcement now, mandate the rules package for 2017. That gives everyone 2 years to burn up their parts inventory and/or start development on the new package. Don't wait til November and wave a magic wand for the next season (see: Pro Stock Truck).

 

[FABMAN]

Chris, that's the best idea I've heard. All the R&D and advanced development could be incorporated into other packages. Most of the top engine builders are into a lot different projects they aren't just building 500 in motors.
Are the prominent leaders listening , probably not.

 

[Just Paul]

Toyota? Come on down. I'd like to see fuel injected small blocks with a single turbo. Spec the turbo to keep things level.

 

[Riley7]

I'm sure there are a lot of viable options to follow, but what doesn't seem viable to me, is to stick to what we're currently seeing, and hope that things get better. Losing guys like Larry Morgan sucks, and there just aren't very many new teams that want to dedicate time and resources on a new Pro Stock racing effort, at least under the current package. The cars are now stupid-expensive, incredibly efficient, and for the most part, a snooze to watch make a pass.

I think you could even reach the point that other offshore OEM's could compete competitively in Pro Stock, with their V-8 RWD platforms. Anybody that makes a suitable car and engine should be eligible to play, regardless of where the cars are currently being built.

Make the cars fan friendly, and make the motors more directly based on what people can actually buy, and I think the class would flourish again.....especially if prices to build and run these types of race cars could drop substantially.

 

[vegasnitro]

Is anyone going to replace Connolly in the Gray/Cagnazzi car? If not, when this season is over, we have lost TWO full time cars in a class that can't fill fields at some events.

I know Charlie Wescott bought all of Ford's inventory and Cunningham's chassis, but he is only planning on running 4 or 5 events next year ... Otherwise it is crickets in the Pro Stock pits.

 

[robslob]

Toyota? Come on down. I'd like to see fuel injected small blocks with a single turbo. Spec the turbo to keep things level.

Maybe the late great Buddy Ingersoll was on to something nearly 30 years ago...

 

[4g63rwd]

Come out to www.importvsdomestic.com and watch quite a few of our Import heavy hitters attempt to be the 1st Import in the 5's! Jerry Racing with a 2JZ inline 6, Pro Mod 98mm, and Jerry Bickel GTO Pro Stock chassis went 6.08@238 in Orlando....and ran a slew of passes similar and close to that time. I doubt the NHRA would even allow Imports to run Pro Mod because we'd have to have fuel injection, overhead cams, larger turbos, and big boost to be able to keep up. Pro Stock? Doubtful. What's that NASCAR 358 set up like? Pro Stock is dying a slow death and I hate it because we all wish we could race there. But......$15K rear shocks, $10k rear ends, $500k engine leasing.....Pro Mod is WAY cheaper!!

 

[FABMAN]

Come out to www.importvsdomestic.com and watch quite a few of our Import heavy hitters attempt to be the 1st Import in the 5's! Jerry Racing with a 2JZ inline 6, Pro Mod 98mm, and Jerry Bickel GTO Pro Stock chassis went 6.08@238 in Orlando....and ran a slew of passes similar and close to that time. I doubt the NHRA would even allow Imports to run Pro Mod because we'd have to have fuel injection, overhead cams, larger turbos, and big boost to be able to keep up. Pro Stock? Doubtful. What's that NASCAR 358 set up like? Pro Stock is dying a slow death and I hate it because we all wish we could race there. But......$15K rear shocks, $10k rear ends, $500k engine leasing.....Pro Mod is WAY cheaper!!

Looks like an awesome weekend of racing, promoter has got his act together.

 

[4g63rwd]

Looks like an awesome weekend of racing, promoter has got his act together.

I don't know if you're talking about Ozzy down there in Orlando or Jason Miller up here with the World Cup Finals at Budd's Creek. Ozzy giving us our own World Sport Compact Challenge event away from the Domestics was an excellent idea, where a lot of the fastest cars from Team Puerto Rico come to test their cars to get them ready for the World Cup Finals. Ozzy has made a lot of improvements down at Orlando since he began running it. Jason Miller is a track owner that I'd put on par with the Baders and Bandimeres. The World Cup Finals Import vs Domestic is probably one of the largest all doorcar events on this coast. 25,000 people came to last year's event. The Imports won every class but one, which we lost on a holeshot. The Domestics expect to change their fortunes in 2 weeks, though.

 

[stitcherbob]

Changing the engine packages on Pro Stock cars would be a sure way to kill the class for good. Tell everyone to just throw away what they've invested in for the last 10 years and start over with a new set of rules.

I for one would like to see them go to IHRA type mountain motors....even though I'm a Mopar fan, there's nothing like a 800+ ci Jon Kasse Boss 9 or Sonny Leonard 1000 ci monster.

 

[FABMAN]

I don't know if you're talking about Ozzy down there in Orlando or Jason Miller up here with the World Cup Finals at Budd's Creek. Ozzy giving us our own World Sport Compact Challenge event away from the Domestics was an excellent idea, where a lot of the fastest cars from Team Puerto Rico come to test their cars to get them ready for the World Cup Finals. Ozzy has made a lot of improvements down at Orlando since he began running it. Jason Miller is a track owner that I'd put on par with the Baders and Bandimeres. The World Cup Finals Import vs Domestic is probably one of the largest all doorcar events on this coast. 25,000 people came to last year's event. The Imports won every class but one, which we lost on a holeshot. The Domestics expect to change their fortunes in 2 weeks, though.

I went to site you posted and they were pushing Budd Creek MIR Track

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

Make the cars fan friendly, and make the motors more directly based on what people can actually buy, and I think the class would flourish again.....especially if prices to build and run these types of race cars could drop substantially.

Yes, and make them true to the name. RWD bodies only with CI. available in that body, FI. no turbos, pump gas.
If ya want the big 3 back, then race what they make.

 

[StockersRock]

Yes, and make them true to the name. RWD bodies only with CI. available in that body, FI. no turbos, pump gas.
If ya want the big 3 back, then race what they make.

That's the Factory Stock Shootout.