I know there are a few guys converting their cars to back/half or solid axle suspensions over the winter , but I'm proposing this split on cars that exist " right now " that have actually raced in the Pro-8/Q-4 at one point or another . Last year there were only three solid axle cars racing " consistently " in the P-8 , Paul_Z , Angelo , and Mike Mitchell . We know through the grapevine that Paul Major , Alan Eckert , and Mike Conway are definitely coming out with solid axle/back-half cars next year , ( however ) none of them are running right now , as they are obviously all being built this winter , but we all know how the performance industry is , things don't happen overnight , ( this is not a dig , for example , Alan's green car has been in the works for almost two years ), and when they do get running , they may not be dialed in till the second half of next year . I think it's safe to say there will not be 8 dialed in back-halved cars ready to race at the first P-8 of 2006 , and maybe not even at the second race . Look what happened this year , Mike Mitchell missed a few races , and John Gorman didn't make any , we're not racing for any big money here so personal issues/family will keep some guys from making every event .

I think the field should be split , Eight cars total . Four fastest " Pro-Street/Unlimited " , and the Four fastest " Street "/ Stock Suspension .

If the Pro-8 was "split " into a Pro-Street class for the " four " fastest solid axle/back-halved cars that would leave it up to the " probable " 6 to 7 back-halved/solid axle cars to battle it out for the four top spots , this would also alleviate the " sandbagging " that goes on in qualifying with some of the faster cars , the pressure would be on , even in qualifying , just to make the field .

That leaves the four fastest stock suspension cars to battle it out for the " Street " class . And there are more than enough fast IRS cars around to fill those 4 spots , for example , (Boweryboy), (Alan's Blue car) , (Doug-ECS) , (John Carter-two cars ) , ( Myself ) , ( Mark-ECS) , (Nick Yoskin) , ( Kenny-VDocs) , (Brian Miller) . THATS TEN FAST IRS CARS RIGHT THERE ! ! ! ! ! ! ! All of these cars are running/together for the most part . Why can't we have two classes ?????????? This would create very close heads up racing in the two classes , and shouldn't take up any more time , it's still only 8 cars total , you run the two classes back to back . It would also create more " turnover " in the fields of both classes , the qualifying would be so close , that if one week a guy is slightly off his game , he might not qualify , so it shouldn't be the same exact four cars making the cut every race .


I think it's worth a shot , at least let's have one trial race , maybe the first one , and see how close the fields would be .

 

Mike, quite interesting and I agree that there should be another class created, heads up for "JUST" the street suspension cars. I feel that leave the Pro-8 as it is, and have another heads up class for the fastest street (Top Street) suspension cars. It wouldn't really take anymore time to run that as well and it would have some close racing. You would probably have a larger field of racers that would try to qualify for that event as well. It would also be appealing from the point of view that it wouldn't take huge amounts of money to be able to compete. It could even be indexed to keep it from getting too crazy.
But, manpower to run the challenge is thin as it is, and somebody would need to be recruted to run it.

 

Keep the PRO 8 the way it will be with the 2006 points set-up.

And if you want an IRS FAST 8 HEADS-UP CLASS it simple have Edgar find out from the Napps how much Sponsorship money it would take to create the class. Let this class still come from the Challenge bracket series as was the Pro 8 in 2005.
I don't know how many time I've said this but "it's all about money" (sponsorship dollar).

I'm sure there's a tuner or suppiler that's not now a Challenge sponsor
(How about Cartek) that would be willing to back this project.

 

Great idea Mike, I agree with the post 100% and if you add Mackeys idea then we have a shot at this being a real competitive field rather then the one 8 second car ripping thru the rest of the field. This should be brought up to the Knapps, I wonder if the sponsorship for the seperate pro-8(faster cars) will remain the same?

 

Maybe a few of us IRS guys could all chip in for the sponsorship .

 

I nominate YOU!

 

Remember in a 4 car field there are only two rounds. Which places emphasis on qualifying.

You may want to keep the field size at 8 for both classes if you think you can create the draw.

Who cares if the bracket racing has to suffer a little?
Bracket racing is bracket racing.

Not to bust chops, but I still don't understand why all the Corvette owners insist on racing only other Corvette owners, bracket style?

Bottom line here is if you want to bracket race you can do that anywhere at anytime.

What you should do is establish some real Heads-Up racing classes.
That is how people really want to race.
Then it makes sense to have it Corvettes only, so you are racing Apples against Apples.

 

Even though I will probably never get the chance to participate, I think it should be "run what you brung, and hope you brung enough"

We had a hard time filling 8 spots early on and the last time I was there(not necessatily the last time it was held) there were quite a few mismatches.

This whole challenge started off as a simple way to promote drag racing, now it's getting like every other class out there, getting too big too quick.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we have our own class, but I miss the good old days when you used to run Gamblers and Real Street only(and some of the special days).

With the great amount of sponsorship we have, rather than focus on creating new classes, we should concentrate on a lower entry fee.

We keep bringing more money into the series and the price of a tech card has only gone up. It should be the other way around.

 

Your just mad cause cause my apple is faster than yours

 

Where do you get your info? Certainly not from the Corvette bracket racers. Not meaning to bust your chops but bracket racing is where the monies at. Almost any track in the nation.

We race other Corvettes for the comraderie and friendships. I'll race anyone, any other time in a bracket format. Don't care what he's driving. The Corvette Challenge is just what the name implies, Corvettes. You're driving a Ford aren't you.

 

I agree. If not you could have a situation where you have 4 cars battling in the Vette Doctor's Pro 8.

Here is an idea 2 Classes with only 1 rule each -

Pro-Street / Unlimited - Run what you brung no limit

Street / Stock Suspension - Run what you brung - GM based drive train with IRS (True Corvette).

Boy this seams like deja vu.....

 

Would the blue car still qualify for the Street version since it has a turbo400 tranny but IRS?

 

I'm sorry but this is starting to sound a little silly. Don't say that a Corvette is a Corvette because it has retained irs. Then I think the Pro 8 should only be open to cars with engines of same displacement and block as they left the factory (only LSx 346 cid for C5s, for example). Who's to say that the suspension and not the motor makes a car a "true" Corvette?

 

Yes , Alan , as long as it's stock rear suspension .

 

 

My buddy, you missed a few things.

And in your defense I will help you out.
I care about bracket racing.
What people are discussing here eliminates me from racing in the Corvette Challenge. Maybe the people around you care only about heads up racing but we have averaged 70+ bracket cars over 30 events in the last three years and we have worked very hard to make that happen. Heads up cars? too often there were less than 8 at each of the Pro 8 events. On the Sunday when we ran Pro 8, only 11 cars showed.

So if you want to help Pro 8 or Mini Pro 8 grow and happen, don't insult the bracket cars.

(sorry I get very sensitive about these things)

 

Well said

ps, edgar do you get hate e-mail yet???

 

No John. Everyone has been very respectful thus far and I really appreciate even though it does affect me negatively both now and will during the racing season.

 

No offense to anyone, but bracket racing takes a bit of skill on the driver as well as how the car is set yp.

Heads up, as much as I enjoy watching it, is pretty much hit the gas and go. Yes you have major worries about keeping the car straight and in one piece, but the only factor is your reaction time, there are no worries about breaking out and that kind of stuff.

I appreciate the effort all you guys have put into the cars, it's simply amazing what can be done nowadays, but bracket racing is what keeps this series alive.

Back when this started, I remember a rule that said stock floorboards, no back halves etc. I guess somewhere along the line that changed.

 

Who the hell changed it ? ? ?