I will start off on the "spec" class comments since that is where I ran this time, but will try to make the ideas transferable because - in my eyes - "spec" classes should rotate between big blocks and small blocks. I am very much aware that the "big" and "small" designations are not entirely perfect as descriptions for all engines, and that there is a fair amount of overlap - but I also think we all know what it means.
I do not think the chosen compression means all that much, but will agree that the 10.5 is a more readily accepted number for street use.
I agree - and suggested (and whined about) the valve size being set at the same size for everybody based on the largest one sold in any accepted spec head.
The requirement for stainless valves should be stuck back in there. Not sure how it got dropped, but if this is a street flavor class we can't be using $1000 valves.
If we continue to spec a lifter type and brand I need to be allowed to modify - since Comp does not sell a high RPM hydraulic for my engine family. This likely applies to other families as well. Or allow us solid flats as an alternate like Randy sez.
I believe that any iron block should be allowed as long as it retains complete factory architecture - bore spacing, deck height, cam position, head fasteners, etc. Many of these engines are pretty old, and original blocks can cost as much to update as they do to replace.
I like the oil pan and header rules for the most part - might make a pitch for light duty pickup truck parts inclusion since they are a really large part of the hobby. Still be OK if the powers say "no" on that.
Carb rule is fine as is. Do not understand the "no spacer" deal in any way. Those are cheap, easy, and are used in darn near every street build on the planet. Limit them to one inch total height as measured on a workbench and lets have at it.
No welding, no epoxy - no problem. And I live 20 minutes away from a guy who could weld toilet paper to a rubber duck and have a nice looking bead....
General contest thoughts...
We NEED to have some kind of final event. I have suggested one method. Others have suggested alternates. Does not really matter how they structure it, but we NEED something. Right now there is no end of week drama, and no build up. Everybody runs one day and we go home. Even though some of the magazine/media folks have rejected this idea - their own coverage reflects this very clearly. Lots of enthusiasm on the first couple days with articles, images and video posted - then less and less as the week goes on and tedium sets in. It's been a full week since I drove down and we have not seen an image gallery since Day 1 on any of Hot Rod's sites. The only videos are the oil fire and a big check handoff (Hi Joe!). This is the second year where this exact thing has occurred - I think it happens because there is nothing to look forward to as the week progresses (This is NOT, NOT, NOT a slam at the nitrous guys that ran on Friday - - they have had zero coverage so far).
I feel like the media types are trying to be too professional in their video and posting efforts. They have the resources on site, but the immediacy is pretty important in the social world. We live in an era where a 12 year old can get 1,000,000 hits by posting a video of a cat falling off of a ladder - its probably more important to be quick and interesting than it is to be perfect in terms of production.
I feel that three classes are all the event can logistically support. A small block, a big block, and a vintage. You can tweak them year over year with displacement, heads, spec/non-spec, carburetion, EFI or whatever to keep things fresh and active. No idea how to contain the dominance of those bad to the bone Y blocks...
I would personally love to see some visual variety on induction - dual quads, Webers, IR injection, etc. You could have some different bonus awards for certain characteristics - things like Editor's choice, best appearing, Miss Congeniality type stuff to put some non-winner sweeteners in there. The TQ monster and Horsepower monster ones are cool but will always go to one class or another without factoring.
