77 replies to this topic

[Express Man]

Expressman; I have not had an optimum steel block for 4 years, we have two aluminum blocks and three semi motors.  I am however, building two steel block engines for this season. The rules at the tracks in our area are steel block.  I want to race where our family can enjoy it as a group and for that to happen we need to be able to race the Mountain and the Bird. The extra weight is difficult to overcome; I have never been able to get the steel cars under 2380 and that was with a lot of light weight suspension. The rules dictate iron blocks.

I think you can machine about 65 lbs off one of those aftermarket blocks!  Bringing it down to around 30 lbs difference!  Call Chris at Edge racing engines.  He did that to one he was using(814 525 1355)  And I don't think it compromises anything!  But really ....all for not!  Look at Marion Center Speedway!  The most sucessful track in that area!   In business for 48 years running!  I don't agree with a lot of things there....but even they have a Superlate class!  And a Steelblock class!  These tracks need to move along with the times if they are going to reopen !  Why buy a new computer and put windows 98 on for the operating system!  Personally My classes would be Superlate....Crate late....Purestock....and 4cyl!

[kip77]

The steel block class was supposed to be a cheaper alternative to help save the racers money. But lets be honest here. The only people saving money with the steel block class is the track owners.

[Express Man]

The steel block class was supposed to be a cheaper alternative to help save the racers money. But lets be honest here. The only people saving money with the steel block class is the track owners.

Spot on!  And I think that is what bothers me the most!  Dog Hollow did that for years....Just to cut the latemodel purse!  Till he realized it wouldn't work.  Then it was too late!  No one hates technology more than I do!  I still don't carry my cell phone!  I have like 4 phone numbers at two bussiness' and a home number I can be called at!  And Don't bother text messaging me!  You'll get no responce!  Like I said...there was an arguement for steel blocks 25 years ago when there were 400 2bolt main blocks in all the junk yards!  That you could get $150.00  But even then...they were only good for like a 410 inch motor max!  otherwise you have to grind the front out and it would crack!  I am in no way saying everybody that has a steel block should be made to buy aluminum!  All I am saying is.....Don't penalize the Aluminum guys!  Give the steel guys a weight break or more spoiler!  You want all the customers!  And no Aluminum guy is going to make his car weigh 2400.00 or add fifty pounds on the mid plate!  Its just STUPID to think that way !  Lets be a good business man here!

[Tim W]

The steel block class was supposed to be a cheaper alternative to help save the racers money. But lets be honest here. The only people saving money with the steel block class is the track owners.

Thanks Kip. You point out the 900 lb gorilla in the room.. 2 late model classes is plenty, Super and crate. We need more unified rules, not more classes of pretty much the same cars.

[Toolbox3]

You don't like the rules stay away! Stop crying like you really wanna run their!!! The steel block class will be a full field, always was, and their is no steel block class running anywhere in this area! So put a cork in it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Toolbox3]

P.s. on Friday nite

[faster1]

Thanks Kip. You point out the 900 lb gorilla in the room.. 2 late model classes is plenty, Super and crate. We need more unified rules, not more classes of pretty much the same cars.

you do realize that a good majority of winning crate motors are worth more than alot of the steel block motors?

[The Legend]

So faster are they running steel blocks that cost 39 k or 5k I can't keep track of the story

[Express Man]

You don't like the rules stay away! Stop crying like you really wanna run their!!! The steel block class will be a full field, always was, and their is no steel block class running anywhere in this area! So put a cork in it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hummingbird  MarionCenter  A.M.P.  all run steel block classes!

[Toolbox3]

I said ps on Friday nite!

[rsadiedog]

The steel block class was supposed to be a cheaper alternative to help save the racers money. But lets be honest here. The only people saving money with the steel block class is the track owners.

Amen!

[Skull]

You don't like the rules stay away! Stop crying like you really wanna run their!!! The steel block class will be a full field, always was, and their is no steel block class running anywhere in this area! So put a cork in it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Full fields? You're full of shit. A full field is 24 cars. I can just about guarantee that most nights TMS averaged less than 18.

 

Nice attitude about not encouraging those skeptical of the rules to stay away. Maybe you should run a race track. You sound like some of the promoters around here.

 

I really hope this track sticks around. Even though I go to Lernerville every Friday, I plan on going up there for specials when I can. But, their weekly line-up is back gate, backwards-ass boring, just like too many other tracks in the region.

[The Legend]

There's hundreds of steel block super lates just chomping at the bit for 5 or 10 more steel block tracks to open

[D1RT]

You don't like the rules stay away! Stop crying like you really wanna run their!!! The steel block class will be a full field, always was, and their is no steel block class running anywhere in this area! So put a cork in it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who are you trying to kid?? I helped a sblm team that raced there and I remember nights there were hardly enough cars to fill two heat races. Other than a special I never remember a full field of sblm's at TM.

[dylchris]

The track is opening up under their rules; their divisions, their money and hard work and effort.  I am putting together my race programs to race where I wish to race them; if I choose to race steel blocks that is my choice; if Thunder Mountain chooses to make steel blocks and 305 sprints their headliners so be it.  It is their investment the same as it is my investment to put our cars together to race where we choose.  I am the consumer; I can go there or somewhere else; it is my choice the same as it is everyone elses choice to go where they want.  The problem with our sport is there are too many people that have one view of what racing is and if it is not in alignment with theirs then it is wrong.  They will not get full fields as stated above IMO, I beleive they will get 16 to 18 steel blocks and the track is very conducive for good side by side racing and as a fan first and car owner second; that is what I enjoy and I will choose to see.

 

Best wishes with everyone on the end to the 2014 season and 2015 racing seasons. If you choose to frequent this faciity, I will see you there.

[m_stagev]

The track is opening up under their rules; their divisions, their money and hard work and effort.  I am putting together my race programs to race where I wish to race them; if I choose to race steel blocks that is my choice; if Thunder Mountain chooses to make steel blocks and 305 sprints their headliners so be it.  It is their investment the same as it is my investment to put our cars together to race where we choose.  I am the consumer; I can go there or somewhere else; it is my choice the same as it is everyone elses choice to go where they want.  The problem with our sport is there are too many people that have one view of what racing is and if it is not in alignment with theirs then it is wrong.  They will not get full fields as stated above IMO, I beleive they will get 16 to 18 steel blocks and the track is very conducive for good side by side racing and as a fan first and car owner second; that is what I enjoy and I will choose to see.

 

Best wishes with everyone on the end to the 2014 season and 2015 racing seasons. If you choose to frequent this faciity, I will see you there.

Here I will help out any steel block guys need an aluminum block I have a new one for sale 2800.00 and yes it is new 4.120 bore 350 mains 814-479-7833

[714d]

It's simple.... If you want to run steel, stay in this topic and run thunder mtn. If you want to run aluminum, wish the place luck but tow to dog hollow or lernerville. You guys are bitching like there's no opportunities for the aluminum blocks to run anywhere.

[racer 21]

Man oh man I don't no how people can bitch about a track when it isn't even open yet, I say give the guy a chance to run the place and see what happens from there bf u start bitching. And if u don't like it go somewhere else simple as that ..I hope to see it be successful.

[The Legend]

To race for real ya gotta run the steel !!!

[714d]

To race for real ya gotta run the steel !!!

They may not be supers, but at least they'll get to race every week unlike your home track. How are the supers working out there?