There is no place left at the bottom. LOL
True.
I am all for big $$ being spent in the higher classes and innovation and thinking outside the box. It's what people want to see. The problem is there is very little division between classes. A truck can pull in 2.6, 2.8, or 3.0 in many cases and do well depending on rules/setups. The
general "audience" (A.K.A. people who pay the bills and allow us to pull and generate income), don't know the difference and wonder why the truck pulls 2 or 3 times.
There is no longer a true "global" work stock environment as the newer trucks can get so much power with little work (tuner only) compared to yesterday's counterparts. Workstock for diesels is a class for someone who bought a newer truck to show what it's got (great for the Ford, GM, Dodge debates). Older trucks cannot compete "stock" (advances in technology) so a "just above" entry level class that evens the field a little bit would be nice. It takes a completely "stock" truck to the next level.
Guys who want to step up a LITTLE and guys who want to bring their older trucks up to newer standards (for HP/TQ), should have an outlet that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. That should be where the 2.5/2.6 should reside. Truck pulling is not cheap, but it shouldn't require a second mortgage either in a lower class. The class should be tight on rules and restrictions and force "throttle jockies" to learn suspension, tires, driving, etc. Today it's who can get creative with the rules (mainly around the turbo) and kick ass with little knowledge of actual "truck pulling". Give me 700HP and a poor setup and I will walk over someone who only has 400HP and a decent setup. As long as I don't hop to the moon or break, I can point and shoot and that's all most guys do. It's not learning anything about the sport. Years ago pulling "gasser trash" we hit a wall in the street legal class for HP. Up until then it was who has more power. As power leveled off, it was who can set up a truck and who can read a track. That where true KNOWLEDGE was gained.
I will say the lack of definition of turbo rules has made for a big boom in the sport but it's also a double edged sword and will be it's downfall (not to the point of killing pulling, but will stunt what could have been a great growth).
Leave the guys with money to fight in 2.8 and greater and restrict the rules in under 2.8 to minimize deep pocket domination. Hell if you have the money there is 2.8, 3.0, Mod, and Open/Unlimited, it's not like there is no choice for your wallets. If you have the money great, good for you, but not eveyone has it and should not be looked down upon for not having it (or vice versa). Will deep pockets compete in lower classes, yes as you can't stop an asshole from trying to dominate a class they shouldn't be in, but you can limit how much they can do. Force the "check writers" or "Credit Card Swipers" to actually get out and walk the dirt if they want to win.....
Forget ego's, and forget what's in YOUR truck.
Think about the sport that has given to us and what's best for the future. I would like to be truck pulling 40 years from now (even if it's in wheelchair equipped van), how about you?
Having an "affordable" slightly above entry level class will get more people into the sport and help it grow for the FUTURE. That's what this should all be about.
Again :soap:
