Thread: Attention, Geezers: Senior Dragster Class proposed

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An interesting gentleman who (like me) has been around for a few decades, has set forth his plan for a "Senior Dragster Class" and it sounds like it would be more fun than the law allows. His thinking is: "There is a Junior Dragster Class. Why should kids and rich yuppies have all the fun?"

This man, who has some very good drag racing credentials, is building a nostalgia-type Slant Six powered dragster for his entry.

He has proposed a list of rules for the class. Take a look at:

http://seniordragster.bravehost.com

Of course, my vision, hearing, and reflexes are as sharp as they were fifty years ago, but there may be others who will benefit from some of the rules ...... (does anybody buy THAT?)

I like the idea.

Now. How to get it past my wife. There are some things women just don't understand.

Anybody have any thoughts on the subject?

Jim

Think I'll pass....Only a six cylinder and don't spend any money???? I still like going fast and whooping the kids.....

How about this?
Front Engine Dragster (only).
180 inch wheel base.
289 CID engine (only).
Single four barrel (only).
Automatic trans (only).
And above all, NO high dollar saftey rules like the NHRA has !!!
Safety yes !!! But with in reason.
Gas or Methanol (ok).
Heads-Up racing .
Run what you brung and have FUN !!!!

I was thinking about a class like this several years ago and dubbed it "Stockrail". Any motor, any mods, but you must run a stock (production) 2-bbl carb and stock exhaust manifolds. You could make it even more interesting by instituting a claimer amount on the motor.

techinspector.
Sounds like you are into oval track claimer type racing ??

2 barrel, stock exhaust manifolds, claimer?

yuk

Why not just bring back the old econorail class??? It was a lot of fun and affordable.... As for the safety rules, the one's NHRA has are just fine, along with having to have the chassis certified.... I'd love to run it, but would hate the thought of some POS in the next lane running beside me with chicken do-do for welds......

Hey, how about a 100 pound weight break for front engined cars???????

The idea of bringing back the old Econo class is great....
I see by the posts that we are already talking about NHRA and there
over the top rules !!!
That's what killed Econo/Dragster..
Geezers like myself are not stupid, we are not going to show up with a car
made of exhaust tubing that was stick welded together to look like a dragster.
In all my years of racing, I have only seen one piece of crap and that was
years ago at Seattle. (1978).
This Yellow thing was basically a model T with a 440 Chrysler in it.
it even had the original front wheels (wire spokes)...
I am up for a Geezer class but lets keep it reasonable and please !
Keep the NHRA out of it !!!!!!

Originally Posted by Nitro

techinspector.
Sounds like you are into oval track claimer type racing ??

Something has to be done to limit costs of racing, so setting a claim amount on the motor would certainly do that. Actually, I've been around drag strips for the last 49 years. Started teching in '58.

Originally Posted by Mike in Motown

2 barrel, stock exhaust manifolds, claimer?

yuk

You must be bucks-up.

You guys must be talking about a senior classification rule,otherwise I can't understand what it would benefit that brackett classes don't already make room for??? But wouldn't the age requirement have to be pretty old in order to have a 'distinct class' of racers that would set the class apart and thus interest public opinion?

Originally Posted by Nitro

The idea of bringing back the old Econo class is great....
I see by the posts that we are already talking about NHRA and there
over the top rules !!!
That's what killed Econo/Dragster..
Geezers like myself are not stupid, we are not going to show up with a car
made of exhaust tubing that was stick welded together to look like a dragster.
In all my years of racing, I have only seen one piece of crap and that was
years ago at Seattle. (1978).
This Yellow thing was basically a model T with a 440 Chrysler in it.
it even had the original front wheels (wire spokes)...
I am up for a Geezer class but lets keep it reasonable and please !
Keep the NHRA out of it !!!!!!

Without strict rules on car construction, you would be amazed what would show up!!!

Originally Posted by FAYLUR

You guys must be talking about a senior classification rule,otherwise I can't understand what it would benefit that brackett classes don't already make room for??? But wouldn't the age requirement have to be pretty old in order to have a 'distinct class' of racers that would set the class apart and thus interest public opinion?

Main reason, no breakouts!!! Just the old cubic inch to weight rules.. I reasonable claim rule would be kewl, too. But make it so the guy has to show up with the engine he claimed in his car the next week!!!!! Otherwise it's nothing more then a cheap way to buy out the fast guys....

Dave,that sounds like a great idea then. But wouldn't the tear-down line be so backed up that half of them wouldn't get to race because the old-timers know all those old stock eliminator 'cheaters' tricks?
Otherwise wouldn't it just result in a 'reaction time' class if you didn't allow the ET to improve?

Originally Posted by techinspector1

You must be bucks-up.

No, just not my cup-o-tea.

Examples, people will go to all lengths to find the best exhaust manifolds and work the hell out of them (cheat) only to get them close to flowing like a cheap set of used fifty dollar headers.

Two barrel 'could' work ok. Decent way to limit performance, cheap, ok, I take back the two barrel comment.

Claimer, I understand the concept but many like to tinker with motors and to go inside and massage pieces which may not cost much besides your time only to have it claimed would keep me away. Id go sealed spec motor before that. (more circle track related)

Its not easy to invent a class that will be fun, limit cost, be safe, and keep people out of endless hours of tech lines. Then remember you have to get enough people to feel the same way. Im sure you know how hard that can be. Overall I like the class concept though. Except for the fact im only 43 years old.