Thread: My opinion of why this hobby/sport is dying

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I've been noticing this more and more and it is driving me nuts. I honestly believe the reason this hobby/sport is fading away because the younger generations are lazy and don't want to work for anything. Everything has to be easy.............

I was searching you tube for videos and I found this old video of my car from one of the times my brother had it at Byron. Check out the comment from a month ago under the vid:

'68 CORVETTE 5.9 CUMMINS DIESEL at BYRONS DIESEL DRAGS - YouTube

If you don't want to go to youtube, I'll post it here.

How can we make everyone realize we are fucking idiots... I know put the heaviest engine we can find in a corvette so it will only run elevens and not weight transfer at all. Just because you can do something doesnt mean you should. You could run elevens with any ls based motor or a mildly built old small block, and do wheelies, with no annoying smoke and smell.

I thought about going and replying to this person, but I figured I'm just going to be arguing with a moron and it's a waste of my time. If this person had any sense he'd understand why some one would do this. That isn't the fastest the car has ran, and there's a lot more left in the car. The car does weight transfer and in that vid you can hear how slow it leaves the line. If I ever get the trans to stall, it'll be pullilng wheelies. Either way, this dip chit puts it in words and shows why this sport is going away. Use an LS and be like everyone else, don't do anything different. Pound sand, run your welder or car, not your fingers!!!!!!!!

Possible responses:

1. And you drive a ??? that is how quick?

2, Kid, if I got to explain you wouldn’t understand.


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Yeah, I was pretty pissed when I read it. But I have to step back. I used to get constant flack when I first got it done. People would post a pic on a diesel thing on FB and I'd go defend the car/us, and everytime the trolls would not respond. It's because they don't know crap and just like to run their mouths/fingers. I have to just shut up and remember the more I run my fingers the more it irritates me and then I look like a tard too.

Ryan, you are probably 100% correct, however, "we" just have to keep the vibes going and hopefully "SOME" will take up the torches from you "real deal dudes". My two sons have the passion and are slowly acquiring the talent but their Work requirements and raising a Family slows their progress down considerably.

I must say that their were more older Rodders at the Show last Saturday than young ones and it didn't use to be that way. Good post too !
meller

Meller, I understand where your sons are right now. It's hard to be building cool stuff when you're keeping your family clothed and fed. My addiction will have to be slow until I hit the money tree or lotto.

I wasn't aware the hobby is dying. I am however, painfully aware that the perpetual debasement of our currency by the fed is coming to a head, coupled with the continual outsourcing of manufacturing, and overall increase in energy cost. It all equals an overall reduction in expendable income, in an expensive hobby.

Money has some to do with it, but I don't think it is the issue. Guys have been hot rodding with no money for let's say 70yrs? Next time you go to a car show or what ever, check out how many people under 35 are there with their own ride, not a passenger or tag a long..............

I think the question / viewpoint has already been responded to but.. when "someone" replies on-line.. "we" automatically assume this person has some knowledge or even a clue.. Clearly when reading that reply, the fool knows 2 or 3 "buzz words" and believes he can present himself as a knowledgable person.

Don't waste your time or breath working yourself into a frenzy over a "internet expert"! There are to many of them and they will only drag you down and get you no where.

Cool title to the thread tho!

I agree... I remember back when I was younger and building a car or even modifying it only to take it to second street on Friday night for the approval of my friends. The thoughts or approval from the guys that lived in the next town or neighborhood were of no concern to us. Who cared what they thought? We were doing our thing and having fun doing it. Now before it gets out of the garage there are pics of it world wide and its being critiqued beyond belief. Young guys have never known anything but the internet and its sad to realize that they never will. Its a great tool but in so many ways it isn't worth a squat... I'm sorry for being so negative... Old man syndrome I guess. Time to knock off for the day and grab a beer. Enjoy your days and your hobby while you can. Cheers

I agree Bob, social media and the internet is a double edged sword. A very useful tool, but can be a very destructive one too. It also makes it easier for the goof balls to be some body too.

My 12 yr.old grandson loves old hot rods. He has gone with me to many shows this past summer. I can't say he will build one someday but if you get them interested early enough , ya never know...........take a kid to a car show!!!!

Bondo, fiberglass, push button radios, FM, sterio, electronic ignitions, Jegs & Summit, crate engines, efi, and now internet---------


Garage wet bars and tv instead of welder, lathe, mill----------


more??????????


Check writers?????????

when we were young hanging in the garage fooling with cars was all we had. that or watching boring tv our parents watched . but the passion is gone today. the big 3 no longer exist . as with anything it will evolve it's self out of existence .

Originally Posted by shine

when we were young hanging in the garage fooling with cars was all we had. that or watching boring tv our parents watched . but the passion is gone today. the big 3 no longer exist . as with anything it will evolve it's self out of existence .

Well, I'll do my part to not let that happen. I just hope there are more like me out there. I know there are, but they are very few and far between.

Don't get too pessimistic Ryan, at least around here there's still lots of garage activity! The drag strips and circle tracks still have a lot of younger types in attendance and/or participating! Ford has a few red hot Mustang's, Chevy has a Camaro and Vette, and the new Challenger is one heck of a Hot Rod!!! We've gone through some lean times over the years, so I'd say give it some time and there's going to be another generation of Hot Rodders emerging!

Parts are plentiful and available from a multitude of sources, the competition between them tends to keep the prices down. There's also a myriad of engines and transmissions available from the manufacturer's as well as some reputable performance shops that you can buy either ready to run or in pieces as your budget allows! Hot Rodding isn't over, just going through some changes and evolving (perhaps) into folks using platforms that we as an older group may not be enthusiastic about but the kids are there still wanting to go fast and have a Hot Rod!!!