When Pro Stock Got Expensive...

[Nunz]

Read the article about AJ in the thread I started above.

 

[FABMAN]

http://dragcoverage.com/factory-cars-pro-stock-2018/

Of course I would love to see this happen.

These cars are fun to watch, but you noticed Richards response, these teams have millions of dollars invested and I don't think NHRA could pull this off. A simple fix is to go back to factory bodies a little aero and Ford and Chrysler might come back. NHRA, Drivers and Owners need to meet with manufactures and work this out, hopefully it would be a positive outcome

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

maybe Mopar and Ford are BOYCOTTING P/S because of an un-level playing field....

Un-level playing field??? 500 inches at 2,350.............for EVERYBODY. Lol!

Sean D

 

[M Jones]

http://dragcoverage.com/factory-cars-pro-stock-2018/

Of course I would love to see this happen.

Add me to that thought, way over due

 

[FABMAN]

Add me to that thought, way over due

Read article with AJ on Comp-Plus, pretty much says what needs to be done with Pro Stock. Good read

 

[mikebcurve]

Un-level playing field??? 500 inches at 2,350.............for EVERYBODY. Lol!

Sean D

Even though they all run 500 c.i. the Dodge engines are currently at a slight disadvantage. They are different internally and I believe they have less torque. If they were really on the same playing field someone could come in with a GM engine-put a Ford 500 badge on it and be competitive. It would probably be best if they just went to a spec engine like TF and FC- then just let them run any body with it. I bet Ford would become involved again to some degree. These cars are just a moving billboard like the rest of the pro classes anyway. No one looks at those engines and relate them to any particular manufacturer so why does it matter.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

Even though they all run 500 c.i. the Dodge engines are currently at a slight disadvantage. They are different internally and I believe they have less torque.

Then build a better design!!! Lmao!!! What do you think the factory wars are about in the first place? Yeah, the factory wars aren't what they used to be, but the initiative is still the same; design it, build it, compete with it. If it's not good enough, go back to the drawing board.

This class has gone in cycles for years, across all the brands. The Mopars were bad ass out of the chute, then they got factored out. Jenkins had his run with his Chevrolets. Glidden comes in and owned the class longer than anybody with not only a Ford, but a heavily supported Ford. Even Glidden eventually arrived at a point with his Shotgun Hemi (a TRUE Hemispherical configuration, by the way) where the Hemi design was no longer competitive in a naturally aspirated application, which he attributed to the inability to get the necessary cylinder pressure. Bottom line? He dominated, they caught up, he adapted.

Sean D

 

[mikebcurve]

Then build a better design!!! Lmao!!! What do you think the factory wars are about in the first place? Yeah, the factory wars aren't what they used to be, but the initiative is still the same; design it, build it, compete with it. If it's not good enough, go back to the drawing board.

This class has gone in cycles for years, across all the brands. The Mopars were bad ass out of the chute, then they got factored out. Jenkins had his run with his Chevrolets. Glidden comes in and owned the class longer than anybody with not only a Ford, but a heavily supported Ford. Even Glidden eventually arrived at a point with his Shotgun Hemi (a TRUE Hemispherical configuration, by the way) where the Hemi design was no longer competitive in a naturally aspirated application, which he attributed to the inability to get the necessary cylinder pressure. Bottom line? He dominated, they caught up, he adapted.

Sean D

At this point would you spend millions on a new design for a class that everyone says is dying? They probably feel the money is better spent elsewhere. I don't know- maybe there has been better designs and they were rejected.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

At this point would you spend millions on a new design for a class that everyone says is dying? They probably feel the money is better spent elsewhere. I don't know- maybe there has been better designs and they were rejected.

My opinion is that the money needs to be spent in areas that will regain the interest of the manufacturers. If there is a configuration out there that would garner that interest to the point where they want to participate heavily, and according the Bobby's latest interview with AJ, there is, then it's time for Glendora to take a good, hard look at it. Otherwise, the millionaire's playground will remain that way until it gets phased out.

Sean D

 

[ironpony]

This class has gone in cycles for years, across all the brands. The Mopars were bad ass out of the chute, then they got factored out.




That says it all right there.......show me another manufacturer that was factored out.
Ford dominated nothing
GM dominates nothing
Mopar dominates, keep adding weight or make others lighter, until they can't compete.

NOTHING on a pro stock car is even remotely based on what a manufacturer sells on the lot.

AJ has the perfect answer in that interview, if it is on the lot it is good for Pro Stock. NHRA would not allow a Challenger, Mopars premier muscle car, but allows them to use a FWD Dart?

 

[mikebcurve]

My opinion is that the money needs to be spent in areas that will regain the interest of the manufacturers. If there is a configuration out there that would garner that interest to the point where they want to participate heavily, and according the Bobby's latest interview with AJ, there is, then it's time for Glendora to take a good, hard look at it. Otherwise, the millionaire's playground will remain that way until it gets phased out.

Sean D

That design AJ spoke about sounds like a good start. On paper it would make for a very exciting class. One would think such a drastic change could cause issues with sponsorships signed under what would be almost an entirely different class. Fact is they are not going to make everyone happy no matter what they decide. At this point not making big changes just seems like a mistake in the long term.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

This class has gone in cycles for years, across all the brands. The Mopars were bad ass out of the chute, then they got factored out.




That says it all right there.......show me another manufacturer that was factored out.
Ford dominated nothing
GM dominates nothing
Mopar dominates, keep adding weight or make others lighter, until they can't compete.

NOTHING on a pro stock car is even remotely based on what a manufacturer sells on the lot.

AJ has the perfect answer in that interview, if it is on the lot it is good for Pro Stock. NHRA would not allow a Challenger, Mopars premier muscle car, but allows them to use a FWD Dart?

True, but understand the Mopars would've been factored out by design at some point anyway. Like Glidden said years ago, the Hemi design doesn't support high naturally aspirated cylinder pressures, so that particular design would've went to the wayside at some point anyway, a LONG time ago. If you want to go fast without a power adder, you will need a ton of compression. And Glidden had his share of dealing with weight before they made the switch to the current format.

Sean D

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

That design AJ spoke about sounds like a good start. On paper it would make for a very exciting class. One would think such a drastic change could cause issues with sponsorships signed under what would be almost an entirely different class. Fact is they are not going to make everyone happy no matter what they decide. At this point not making big changes just seems like a mistake in the long term.

Totally agree, Mike. And I don't even think there will be any issues with existing sponsors. If a change of any sort is made that increases interest/exposure, they would be dumb not to be on board with that. Sponsorship is advertising, so the more interest, the better.

Sean D

 

[ironpony]

True but that was Lightyears ago in technology, maybe if Mopar and Ford had been allowed, we would have a different Hemi that ran better. The new Hemi's have a different design and make some impressive factory power.

 

[mikebcurve]

I was optimistic about the changes this year but can anyone say the class was better for it in any way? Pro stock has always been my favorite class but it wasn't any better and I don't see future involvement going up because of it. I defended participation being down to some not wanting to spend the money to change over or sitting back to see how it goes this season. I can't say if I was any of them I would want to come back. The coverage it received on tv probably didn't help with future sponsorship either.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

True but that was Lightyears ago in technology, maybe if Mopar and Ford had been allowed, we would have a different Hemi that ran better. The new Hemi's have a different design and make some impressive factory power.

That's quite possible, Ken. I think the whole problem is that many of us can't let go of the past. I was raised during the true glory days of the class, and have been thoroughly disappointed the past few years. At the end of the day, I want to see the class prosper with factory support, heavy participation and factory wars that actually mean something again. And as much as I hate to say it, I believe wholesale changes like what Mopar and/or AJ were proposing are the answer. It will bring back the nightmare of weight breaks, but something has to happen.

I was optimistic about the changes this year but can anyone say the class was better for it in any way? Pro stock has always been my favorite class but it wasn't any better and I don't see future involvement going up because of it. I defended participation being down to some not wanting to spend the money to change over or sitting back to see how it goes this season. I can't say if I was any of them I would want to come back. The coverage it received on tv probably didn't help with future sponsorship either.

As stated above, I ended the season disappointed. I was for EFI, but the other 2 major changes with RPM and wheelie bar length just shed light on what the sanctioning body DOESN'T know about this class. And your ending comment about the television coverage is a big factor, in my opinion.

Sean D

 

[FABMAN]

At this point would you spend millions on a new design for a class that everyone says is dying? They probably feel the money is better spent elsewhere. I don't know- maybe there has been better designs and they were rejected.

Mopar wanted to do just that according to AJ but NHRA trash it.

 

[mikebcurve]

I say they make it an exibition class. Give them a playground at national events with a Wally- end of season championship trophy and no purse. Call it the "Factory Pro Stock Showdown". You can enter one car per entry you have in that event with pro stock to keep anyone from dumping the current format. Promise you will keep it for at least two or three seasons and if it don't work out at least they tried with minimal money out of Glendora's pocket. If it does work out then your reward for helping build the class is an early advantage over other participants who join the class.

 

[mikebcurve]

Mopar wanted to do just that according to AJ but NHRA trash it.

I was talking about a new design for current pro stock engines. I'm all for what Mopar wanted to do with AJ.

 

[ironpony]

Yes I am living in the past, going in the 70's and have all 3 manufacturers represented, with several models from each.
Looking into the future we might have 3 models from 3 manufacturers.