When Pro Stock Got Expensive...

[FABMAN]

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

According to article on Comp Plus Mopar wanted to do new motor with turbo. AJ was all for it but NHRA said no. They were willing to guarentee same horsepower they're running now.

 

[stitcherbob]

shades of Buddy Ingersoll....

 

[RM FAN]

I don't recall reading where NHRA did not allow the Challenger body in PS? Seems to me it would be Mopars decision to run the Dart anyways unless Mopar and NHRA could not agree on a template for the Challenger.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

According to article on Comp Plus Mopar wanted to do new motor with turbo. AJ was all for it but NHRA said no. They were willing to guarentee same horsepower they're running now.

I would assume NHRA continues to turn a blind eye to this movement simply because they know that if they embrace it, they also have to embrace the weight breaks. They couldn't effectively do that 30 years ago, so they made the switch in '82, and it probably scares them to death to even entertain going back. And yes, it would suck early on, but with they've gained a lot of experience over the years in managing that sort of thing and could get on top of it at least as good as they have in Alky digger and Pro Mod, which have proven to be some pretty exciting classes to watch, in my opinion.

I hate it too, but my opinion is it's time to do something major.

Sean D

 

[ironpony]

I don't recall reading where NHRA did not allow the Challenger body in PS? Seems to me it would be Mopars decision to run the Dart anyways unless Mopar and NHRA could not agree on a template for the Challenger.

I spoke with Alan when he debuted the Dart in Gainesville and he said, the Challenger is a big girl and we could not shrink it enough to satisfy NHRA.

 

[none]

I spoke with Alan when he debuted the Dart in Gainesville and he said, the Challenger is a big girl and we could not shrink it enough to satisfy NHRA.

Satisfy NHRA? Nope NHRA would have no problem, but that car is to wide to be aerodynamically competitive. it was 100% a MOPAR decision to run the Dart. Don't blame NHRA. I personally spoke to the MOPAR guys and they said, we have a Charger in FC and a Challenger in Stock and Super Stock so that left PS to showcase the Dart. And while all of you are debating what MOPAR thinks would be a good move, what would Chevy want? And What would Ford want? NHRA has talked to all the manufactures, have any of you?

Alan

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

Satisfy NHRA? Nope NHRA would have no problem, but that car is to wide to be aerodynamically competitive. it was 100% a MOPAR decision to run the Dart. Don't blame NHRA. I personally spoke to the MOPAR guys and they said, we have a Charger in FC and a Challenger in Stock and Super Stock so that left PS to showcase the Dart. And while all of you are debating what MOPAR thinks would be a good move, what would Chevy want? And What would Ford want? NHRA has talked to all the manufactures, have any of you?

Alan

I can totally believe what you're saying regarding Mopar's position with using the Dart in Pro Stock. However, Bobby's interview with AJ sounds pretty clear that the other manufacturers were on board with some changes similar to that of Mopar, so it would certainly be interesting to actually KNOW what took place and why NHRA chose to go another direction.

Sean D

 

[TSK]

Showcase the Dart? For what? It's certainly not a muscle car. If any of the few fans, who remain to watch Pro Stock, think a Dart is a fast car will be mightily disappointed when they go to the showroom and find out the Dart is actually a front drive econo-crackerbox.

 

[ironpony]

I can only relay what was said to me personally.....

ME: AJ it a beautiful car the Dart but i am a little disappointed its not a Challenger.

AJ: the Challenger is a big girl and we could not shrink her enough to fit the rules.

= satisfy NHRA

MOPAR meeting:

Racing engineer: Hey guys we need a new Pro Stock body, how about we use our premier muscle car the Challenger? or maybe the Charger being it has better aerodynamics?

DODGE Brass: Nope we are going to a FWD Dart, my wife has one and she really likes it.

 

[cantdrive55]

Only place you can buy a Dodge Dart is used car lot, well I guess there could be some unsold new 2016's somewhere. I checked the Challenger dims against the Camaro and Mustang, and it's not that far off. Yes it's bigger, but that's on Dodge for basically staying near the 1970 specs.

1970 Challenger
Height - 51"
Width - 76.5"
Length - 191.5"
Wheel Base - 110"

2017 Challenger
Height - 57.5"
Width - 75.7"
Length - 197.9"
Wheel Base - 116.2"

2017 Camaro
Height - 53.1"
Width - 74.7"
Length - 188.3"
Wheel Base - 110.7"

2017 Mustang
Height - 54.4"
Width - 75.4"
Length - 188.3"
Wheel Base - 107.1"

It's possible to make a Challenger fit the current spec Pro Stock Dims, but it requires a lot of massaging.
Height - 44"
*Width - 65.875"
Length - 198.25"
Wheel Base - 105"

*There are multiple areas at which the width varies; I only listed at its widest minimum.

 

[DrRocket]

will be mightily disappointed when they go to the showroom and find out the Dart is actually a front drive econo-crackerbox.

That is now out of production.

 

[TSK]

Exactly. Why would Mopar choose to "showcase" that?

 

[stitcherbob]

remember when the NEON was supposed to be the answer for P/S, and then they went to the Avenger which was larger?

 

[mikebcurve]

I can only relay what was said to me personally.....

ME: AJ it a beautiful car the Dart but i am a little disappointed its not a Challenger.

AJ: the Challenger is a big girl and we could not shrink her enough to fit the rules.

= satisfy NHRA

MOPAR meeting:

Racing engineer: Hey guys we need a new Pro Stock body, how about we use our premier muscle car the Challenger? or maybe the Charger being it has better aerodynamics?

DODGE Brass: Nope we are going to a FWD Dart, my wife has one and she really likes it.

Ken,
Don't make the "Mater Sheriff" whip out his billy club.

 

[RM FAN]

Showcase the Dart? For what? It's certainly not a muscle car. If any of the few fans, who remain to watch Pro Stock, think a Dart is a fast car will be mightily disappointed when they go to the showroom and find out the Dart is actually a front drive econo-crackerbox.

80's Olds cutlass ,Firenza ,Grand Am, Beretta's, Probes, Neons, Stratus, Avenger not muscle cars and all front wheel drive cars. People are smart enough to know the new Darts didnt come with V8s and turbos...c'mon.

 

[Sandman]

You bring up a good point, and here's another: not one of the cars on your list exists anymore, so how many cars does Pro/Stock help sell to the fans? Musclecar fans on the other hand, are very loyal, enthusiastic and (except for the Camaro) abandoned and ignored by both Detroit and the NHRA. I don't know any Mopar guys bragging about their Dart, but they sure are proud of their Challengers. Same with Ford guys. I used to be thrilled every time Larry Morgan won a round with his Ford. Then I found out Ford couldn't care less about Larry's effort.

 

[HEMI6point1]

That is now out of production.

FCA really bungled the execution with the new Dart. First by calling an econobox a Dart to begin with. Second, it is a small car with midsize car fuel economy. That's too bad, as they were reportedly working on an SRT version.

 

[Nunz]

IMO, the ONLY classes that could possibly affect a fan's buying decision, would be those featuring the factory musclecars. All the other fast classes, have evolved to performance levels dictating bodies become aero tools. But on the subject of the importance of cars looking like showroom versions, how is NASCAR so popular? I cannot tell what those cars are. They haven't resembled their street counterparts for many years.

 

[ironpony]

IMO Nascar is so popular because.......
several hours of drinking time available
go out and do chores, come back and race is still going on and you missed nothing
you see your driver every 2.5 minutes as he goes by the camera man (person)
I guess i am not a circle car fan
and from the Nascar fans i know, they are not happy with the bodies either.

 

[ironpony]

Ken,
Don't make the "Mater Sheriff" whip out his billy club.

Sorry Mike, I forgot the pecking order......