V Gaines retires
- Thread starter Country21
- Start date
sdwarf36
Nitro Member
Years back, I knew a guy that raced PS/B. His brother's company footed the bill. He could do ok at a Prostar race-but rarely made the field in NHRA. The ride got parked when the funding went away.
I was running at a local track-and there he was racing a street bike. I asked what it was like not running the big show. " I'm still racing and enjoying it-just not as much money or headaches."
The point I'm making: theres plenty of racing V can do if he chooses. Look at Jeggie when he doesn't have a deal-he's out bracket racing.
I was running at a local track-and there he was racing a street bike. I asked what it was like not running the big show. " I'm still racing and enjoying it-just not as much money or headaches."
The point I'm making: theres plenty of racing V can do if he chooses. Look at Jeggie when he doesn't have a deal-he's out bracket racing.
ResidentEvilRock
Nitro Member
I would love to see Larry Morgan and V. Gaines show up in Pro Mod rides. To me, Pro Mod is where it is at right now. As far as fan interest and such. Take Bristol for example. The crowd in general was not interested in Pro Stock like they were Pro Mod. People were actually rooting for the person based on their car design. "Oh, that is a nice '69 Mustang!" and things of that sort. It was like the old days when cars had names on the side of them. In Pro Stock, the general crowd/public are somewhat lost. They have trouble telling the cars apart. They all look the same. The runs are boring and etc. These are just a few of the many complaints I heard from people in the stands throughout the whole weekend.
Bob K.
Nitro Member
NHRA could have made the transition to fuel injection easier by doing what NASCAR did. That is just put two throttle bodies on the existing manifolds where there is a barrel over each cylinder. However they wanted to get rid of the hood scoops, so with the throttle body in the front, the secret is in the intake manifold evening out the flow to the rear cylinders. This what Jason and Greg
figured out ahead of the rest with Hogan manifolds. The other teams are catching up and I would assume by the countdown things will be a LOT closer. The field will tighten up.
Of course it is more than the manifolds, there is just the right camshaft, and who knows what else. It's the whole combination, or like we called it back in the '60s : THE HOT SET UP! LOL
figured out ahead of the rest with Hogan manifolds. The other teams are catching up and I would assume by the countdown things will be a LOT closer. The field will tighten up.
Of course it is more than the manifolds, there is just the right camshaft, and who knows what else. It's the whole combination, or like we called it back in the '60s : THE HOT SET UP! LOL
CS
Nitro Member
Hate to see V go he was a fan's driver always had time for anyone and everyone not a hide in the trailer type of guy. Thanks for the memories V enjoy your retirement my friend.
As a side note NHRA pro stock is on it's death bed and dying a slow death someone needs to pull the plug and let it die while it still has some respect. It's only a matter of time before other teams close up shop or move to pro mod. Glendora wake up you killed another class!
As a side note NHRA pro stock is on it's death bed and dying a slow death someone needs to pull the plug and let it die while it still has some respect. It's only a matter of time before other teams close up shop or move to pro mod. Glendora wake up you killed another class!
smokey
Nitro Member
I spoke with Larry Morgan at Norwalk and he was interviewed as well.I asked him if he was gonna come back racing pro stock,and he just grinned and said he had something in the works and that it wouldn't be much longer before he would be back.Then V announces his retirement.Remember Larry once drove a dodge in pro stock,and there is a whole operation sitting there ready to go,just needs some tweaking and a little more power.Read into it what you will,but I bet larry is back racing within 4-6 weeks.You heard it here!
I wouldn't close the curtain on PS just yet. If you're paying attention, it's obvious more part-timers and newcomers are popping up, in all the pro classes. And PS bike has had some very strong bike counts this year. Things go in cycles, but one thing is for sure, it's going to be harder than ever for a team to land that big "anchor" seven-figure sponsor. So I believe we'll see more 10-15 race/season teams show up, and more teams partnering with multiple companies throughout a season. As far as Pro Mod, leave it alone! Those guys fund their own deal, and 10 races is a great schedule, that's why participation is so high. Lastly, I'm sorry to see V go, but I also really hope Larry is coming back.
pro stock is suffering from a lack of participants, but I don't think u can single out the class by itself. The nitro classes are low on cars also, but since the magic number is 16, its doesn't seem as obvious. If there were 20 something cars trying to qualify for TF & FC at each race, than u could make the case that pro stock, because of its current state, is the sole reason the fields are short. All 3 Classes have about 8 or 9 full timers and TF/FC fortunately have a couple more part timers than Pro stock.
sammi
Nitro Member
Thank you Vieri. I am hoping you leave the sport with your head held high. You did things your way and brought a lot of old school to the category.
As for the NHRA....you know, the only way you have a prayer of fixing the mess you have turned NHRA professional racing into is to issue a pair of really comfy walking shoes to everyone on the corporate masthead. Those "executives" need to be walking the grounds(no golf carts) and talking to the product(those nasty dirty folks called racers) at EVERY race for the ENTIRE race. You can't fix something if you don't know what it looks like.
As for the NHRA....you know, the only way you have a prayer of fixing the mess you have turned NHRA professional racing into is to issue a pair of really comfy walking shoes to everyone on the corporate masthead. Those "executives" need to be walking the grounds(no golf carts) and talking to the product(those nasty dirty folks called racers) at EVERY race for the ENTIRE race. You can't fix something if you don't know what it looks like.
SoCal Racer
Nitro Member
That's because they ARE the same - they're all Camaros.... It's like IROC Pro Stock.
Just being facetious, but to your point even with a few Dodges in the mix the racing looks cookie cutter to the general public. I like PS because of the technology and close racing, but I'm not the general public. Do wish V the best in retirement though, and hate seeing another team drop out.
DrRocket
Nitro Member
To me honest, I'd been wondering for the last season and a half when he was going to retire. I cannot honestly say that I'm surprised by this. Disappointed? Yes, I've always been a big fan of his, and will truly miss his down to earth approach to life and racing.
But surprised? No.
But surprised? No.
stitcherbob
Nitro Member
I'll go out on a limb and predict he will surface in IHRA under Mike Dunn's wing and maybe be P/S champ!
you heared it here foist......
you heared it here foist......
TooTall999
Nitro Member
Percboy
Nitro Member
