Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I didn't want to 'hijack' the Racesaver Nationals thread, so I'm going to post this here. For anyone interested in the discussion, please comment below.

I hear people say that imposing a 'spec' tire or head, or whatever, only allows the promoters to 'line their pockets'....There may well be SOME truth to that, but if the spirit and intent is to keep everyone on a level playing field, then perhaps the thought process is that which should provide for better racing, a more competitive field (as a whole) and conversely, a better show.  Better shows get talked about more andsell more tickets, which helps to cover the vig for purse, operating costs, etc.

It's when you look a bit deeper that things get 'murky'...Case in point. It's ironic to me that ASCS has a spec head, which is supplied by Brodix. They have a spec RR tire rule, which is supplied by Hoosier. NOW.....along with the RaceSaver spec head (which is ALSO supplied by Brodix) AND a spec RR and LR tire, supplied by Hoosier, it would SEEM as though someone at the 'decision making level' at RaceSaver/IMCA has entered into an endorsement of two very high quality parts manufacturers. You can not tell me that this agreement is only lucrative for Hoosier and Brodix.....someone somewhere is getting a reward be it in the form of financial support of the class/organization, give away parts to be used as partial awards during the year, or end of year banquet, or cash donations which help the end of year points fund. OR...maybe it's all of the above. The bottom line is someone IS benefitting, PERIOD. Now....is that a "bad thing'? Not necessarily....but it does cut out competition from other head or tire manufacturers. It's business, pure and simple. And that leads me to my main point. We, the racers, see this as a hobby, a sport we participate in because we love it. The people in the ASCS or RaceSaver offices, have to look at it as a BUSINESS, which it IS. Just because we don't all see the subject matter through the same pair of glasses, doesn't mean our view of things is the only viable one.

In short, if you have to ask "Why", then you may be missing the fact that for some it's fun, and for some it's business. We, as racers, shoudl do ourselves a favor, and try to see things through the promoters' eyes. It's hard to keep the machine running if it ain't gettin' no fuel.....

at least with 1 spec head its easier to police accross the country than having numerous heads to deal with.  as long as it remains just that a spec untouched unported head.  thats were ascs got expensive for most guys, by allowing the "legal port work" to be done.  If the heads and bottom end are legal it makes it hard to get a competative advantage by spending more money.  now it comes down to the cam.  who figures it out first and how long does it take to saturate to the other engine builders.  there were a lot of fast cars running run of the mill hilborn injections at eagle.  so as long as the racesaver series keeps on top of policing it i see the class to just keep getting bigger and better.  keep the TI off of rotating parts.  I dont see it being an advantage having a ti bolt kit but at the same time you shouldn't be allowed to add lead under the seat if the car is loaded with TI.  Guys with money will buy new tires every night no matter what the rule is.  I understand competition is good but certain tires work better at certain tracks and if you want to be competative everynight you will have to have what is fast.  Now you have to have 2-3 rr tires of different manufacturers mounted in the trailer .  The tire rule isnt all that bad if it stays at the 169 recommended price and continues to be competative numerous nights.  most don't look at the cost of shocks some of these guys are running.  I looked closely at a few cars and then looked at the cost and some of those shocks run 600-800 apiece. shock technology has advanced light years in just a short time.  maybe that would be something in the future to look at as far as money and a competative advantage.  If imca/racesaver truly police the heads and engines to the absolute extreme and drop the hammer on cheaters the sky is the limit for how big this class could be in 5+ years.  thats what pushed a lot of budget drivers out of 360.  when guys start figuring out they aren't competative anymore is when the beginning of the end is as far as car counts and regional racing.  sure there are select big shows and pockets around the country with decent counts but it slowly dries up.  and thats what has happened to 360 racing for many.  car counts and interest don't lie.   Keeping it policed will be what determines how big this thing will get.

We are probably over analyzing all this.  All that matters is higly regulated, lower horsepower, spec, duplicated race cars pack the stands.  The tiny details aren't important  Since there are dozens of classes with next to no regulations and just a couple with the cool stuff we need to stop picking on it.

Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3 
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?