Pro Stock changes

[Tet]

Any thoughts on the recent NHRA changes to Pro Stock? Mandatory EFI, rev limiters, no hood scoops and shorter wheelie bars.

I sort of understand the logic, but I can't say I'm a big fan. There are a few US teams saying they'll call it a day at the end of this season, and those that are continuing are looking at a large bill to modify the car for the new specs. The big question, of course, is how long before the rules (or something like them) will be adopted here in Europe.

[Burndown]

Rev Limiters could be useful in Europe and reduce the likelihood of engine damage on marginal tracks.

[DWphil]

We usually follow the NHRA rules but is Pro Stock relevant in the FIA championship any more ? all the cars are Scandinavian based, we get what 5 at the UK rounds and after last years problems at Hockenhiem none have entered this year

[37chevy]

personally I like the look of the changes...will bring pro stock a more super stock look I suppose, and will make it more exciting...HOWEVER, im not the one footing the bill!!!...I suppose it depends on whats involved....if they can use the current engines but with EFI on, and the current cars with a new hood then fine, but if its a new car and engine jobbie then I wouldn't like to foot the bill

I suspect the teams who have had 'that edge' over the years wont be too happy to lose it

[Tet]

I've heard that the mandated EFI system is around $20,000 (including the necessary mods to the car). Which is small change to the big teams, but is going to hurt the smaller players.

I guess my biggest objection is that it fundamentally changes what Pro Stock is[1]. It's no longer a case of being able to get the most out of a plain, naturally aspirated internal combustion engine with no power adders. It now becomes a question of who can best configure the software. Which as a software guy naturally interests me, but I think it detracts from the class overall.

[1] Yes, I know. It wasn't originally about that, it was all about racing something that looked like a showroom model that spectators could go out and buy the day after the race. But that's what it became.

[UgandaDave]

DWphil said:

We usually follow the NHRA rules but is Pro Stock relevant in the FIA championship any more ? all the cars are Scandinavian based, we get what 5 at the UK rounds and after last years problems at Hockenhiem none have entered this year

When have they been anything other than Scandinavian based? I have worked at the pod Circa 20 years now, and have only ever seen 1 car from the UK, and that was Conrad Stanley

[dorrisdormouse]

Its a tough call on what could be done to save the class. I think there's dwindling interest because it doesn't really feel relevant anymore. Any change you make will cost the teams something, and the more expensive the change the more teams you'll lose... same for the more radical the change.

What could have been cool, but im sure was just not a practical change would have been to make the engine rules tighter to the original specification of car - same CI, basic head design etc. Allow power adders if the cars were originally fitted - so if for your base model there was a factory supercharger option, then you could use a modified version of this supercharger. Its not practical though - but could have got the OEM's more involved - inline with the past.

[DWphil]

In the dim and distant past there were many UK Pro stock cars but the class fizzled out mainly due to the dominance of 2 cars bought in from the US. I also think that there was recently a Pro Stock from Germany based on a Merc? . The question I,m asking is there a place for Pro Stock in the European championship given that its all based in Scandinavia and only based on US car. To get any European manufacturers interested it would need to be based on at least European bodies.

UgandaDave said:

When have they been anything other than Scandinavian based? I have worked at the pod Circa 20 years now, and have only ever seen 1 car from the UK, and that was Conrad Stanley

[Mark13]

dorrisdormouse said:

Its a tough call on what could be done to save the class. I think there's dwindling interest because it doesn't really feel relevant anymore. Any change you make will cost the teams something, and the more expensive the change the more teams you'll lose... same for the more radical the change.

What could have been cool, but im sure was just not a practical change would have been to make the engine rules tighter to the original specification of car - same CI, basic head design etc. Allow power adders if the cars were originally fitted - so if for your base model there was a factory supercharger option, then you could use a modified version of this supercharger. Its not practical though - but could have got the OEM's more involved - inline with the past.

Regardless of the proposed changes this is a very expensive class. I think most of the engines are supplied as expensive rentals (cost based on number of runs). I expect the fact that Jimmy is well funded and very hard to beat has also acted as a deterrent.

[Flying Phil]

DWphil said:

I remember the beginings of "Euro" Pro Stock and the problems of keeping Euro bodystyle competitive - you needed US V8 power. Thus "Pro Mod" came about.