The Cost of Racing

I had this discussion earlier with a friend who's perception of money is not from a little guy standpoint. Up here in the MA/CT area, Seekonk Speedway has now began allowing AR Bodies FIBERGLASS Muscle Car Bodies which to me, is absolutely insane for a street stock division. $2500-3000 for a body that will likely last half the season if not less in my eyes is not great for what is typically a feeder/beginner division.

What is you guys opinion on this? I am curious to hear... I am also curious to hear how much the cost of this sport has hurt your involvement or what you put into the cars over the years...

[Jimmy McKinley]

"Street stock" bodies should be *just that*: street-stock STEEL. Not "aftermarket fiberglass", especially at $2,500.

[Frasson118]

Original body parts have become very hard to find.
Fiberglass ABC-style bodies are too expensive.

But what seems to work better, cost wise, are the aluminum paneled cars, with a plastic "stock-appearing" nose on it.

They retain the 'identity' of the car, yet doesn't cost a fortune to replace a door or fender like it does with the other 2 options.

Besides, crinkled up steel bodies with that 'bag 'o walnuts' look, has very little appeal the the eye.

[Phil Jacques]

Alright, so we are in agreement on that... How about TUBE CHASSIS mini stocks? That's another thing being talked about up here... I just don't think these track owners understand how bad that hurts the little guy aka budget racer... Stuff like this is killing our sport. I wish there was a way to fight back. Hell I even sent them NSS Sportsman Rules and say LOOK! Do this!!! It works down south amazingly and they have great looking cars! Try it here! haha!

[fred23]

Go ahead and give them the "mod mini" 4 cal rules from down here also.....they are full blown 4cyl late models and are pretty much defunk now......

The Sportsman body rules are perfect for street stock classes.......easy to fix, cheap and great looking cars that have a little personality.

[andre]

What is ironic about all this is the majority of the time, those expensive changes arrive in a class because of the stretching of the rules by the racers, or at the demand or complaints of the racers themselves, who then turn around and complain that the division's cost is out of hand!!!!

There is also too many promoters//tech men who do not put their pants on, and let too many little thing go by, first thing you know, you have a major rule problem in your hand.

[Phil Jacques]

What is ironic about all this is the majority of the time, those expensive changes arrive in a class because of the stretching of the rules by the racers, or at the demand or complaints of the racers themselves, who then turn around and complain that the division's cost is out of hand!!!!

There is also too many promoters//tech men who do not put their pants on, and let too many little thing go by, first thing you know, you have a major rule problem in your hand.

We have a major rule battle ongoing constantly here... Between 4 tracks we have 3 sets of Late Model Rules even though 3 of the tracks run ACT late models which should use the same rule book but don't, 2 sets of SK rules between 3 of the tracks, 4 Sets of Street Stock/Dare Stock rules, only 2 tracks run Minis and have 2 sets of rules, SK Lights have 2 different sets of rules between 3 tracks... It's a MESS! This doesn't even count tracks outside MA and CT...

[Phil Jacques]

Go ahead and give them the "mod mini" 4 cal rules from down here also.....they are full blown 4cyl late models and are pretty much defunk now......

The Sportsman body rules are perfect for street stock classes.......easy to fix, cheap and great looking cars that have a little personality.

I sent the entire Sportsman rule book to GM's of all 4 local tracks. imo, it's the best body package for a Street Stock up here. Our street stocks are almost exactly what your sportsmans are minus a locked rear and front jack bolts.