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Thinking of getting out.... #3246342
07/21/24 06:59 PM
07/21/24 06:59 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,478
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula Offline OP
I Live Here
Dragula  Offline OP
I Live Here

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,478
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Its been a long year already, and I have accomplished like almost zero....I did get one car rebuilt and running, but no time or money to race it.

Everything else is just sitting....And even if I did get my "street" car running...NY & my insurgence just ruin the rest with pure greed and red tape....We don't have any way of having a seasonal vehicle on the road here, and inspections are required every 12 months and registration every 24months on every vehicle and drivers lisence every 3 years now...Its ridiculous. And the trailer is another $170 yearly, plus inspection on that as well. The insurance on my seasonal RV was ridiculous as well as more than the monthly payments!....and besides my stuff, I also have my 19 year old kids car on my insurance, that's a lot of fun...If I fire one of the cars up, the neighbor calls the state police, which really upsets the old lady who hates my car hobby anyways....

The worst was when I got a quote from a classic place, paid the money down, then they asked for pics, and then double the rates...I am so done with the BS here..

It sucks here in the car hobby in NY...93 octane is like almost $4/gal if you can find it. And my piece of junk Ram is eating parts like they are going out of style and has run me $5k already this year and it will need brakes and tires before winter. And fuel is costing me $130/wk just to go to work...

Not to mention, all my safety gear expired...I re-upped my 8.50 license, but the track switched and no longer accepts IHRA, and my two pit spots went up a $100 each...

After that my engine/trans guy retired, my paint guy retired, and anyone else I knew retired or went AWOL....

And what do I get out of it anymore...Not a lot..... Its almost always more work, and very little enjoyment. How in the heck does anyone do this without any support?

Sorry for the rant, but its not fun anymore, and it all basically just sits. Found other hobbies without the work yourself to death factor.

Last edited by Dragula; 07/21/24 07:02 PM.

'70 Cuda,...605 EFI Hemi Street Car (6.20 best pass, 1.33 60ft)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYw6RA-k5Bk (6.25 at 108.75mph from inside car)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zQEb9uxFng (6.25 at 108mph from outside car)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCvfzsC4NgM (9.9)

'66 Barracuda AWB Stretched nose Blown 440 Car in build stage

'71 Duster Drag Car 400 Low Deck 512 best 6.002 at 115.44mph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znuo3jMUXTk
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Dragula] #3246348
07/21/24 07:20 PM
07/21/24 07:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,278
PA.
pittsburghracer Online work
"Little"John
pittsburghracer  Online Work
"Little"John

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,278
PA.


Engine guy, transmission guy, paint guy, etc is the reason you can’t afford this sport. Someone has to say this because your engine guy cost you a lot of dog gone money. 6.0 engines shouldn’t have the issues you’ve suffered over the years. They should last 3-5 years of weekly racing then Be freshened. This sport is only as expensive as we let it be. Sorry 😢


1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.38@138.67


Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Dragula] #3246361
07/21/24 07:52 PM
07/21/24 07:52 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 727
Central TEXAS!!!!
sr4440 Offline
super stock
sr4440  Offline
super stock

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 727
Central TEXAS!!!!
Have a hobby or live in New York. I would move to a free state state with less regulation and the weather is better.

Last edited by sr4440; 07/21/24 07:53 PM.

Without Data, you’re just another guy with an opinion.
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: sr4440] #3246372
07/21/24 08:43 PM
07/21/24 08:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,337
Loudoun County, VA
Brad_Haak Offline
pro stock
Brad_Haak  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,337
Loudoun County, VA
I'm nobody to give others advice, but I suspect most people hit points with motorsports that require them to decide if they either want / need to scale back their efforts or get out entirely.


2021 Challenger 6.4L Scat Pack 1320
100% stock: 1.680, 11.894 at 113.75 (DA 175 ft)
weight reduction, wheels, tires, Hellcat air box: 1.661, 11.686 at 115.97 (DA 710 ft)

1973 Challenger 452 ci street/strip [2008]
pump gas, DOT radials: 1.454, 10.523 at 126.44 (DA 514 ft)
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Brad_Haak] #3246376
07/21/24 08:54 PM
07/21/24 08:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 10,128
Super Spudsville
Mr PotatoHead Online rolleyes
Half Baked
Mr PotatoHead  Online Rolleyes
Half Baked

Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 10,128
Super Spudsville
Ive always felt if ya cant go all in just bracket race or class race on a comfortable budget. It keeps it fun. If ya still have the drive to race dump everything and consider a very mild bracket car or a new SRT type car to drive to the track in comfort and still race.

Sounds like you might be done. Some of us have thought about it from time to time.

Good luck.


STOP POTATO HATE!
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Brad_Haak] #3246378
07/21/24 08:57 PM
07/21/24 08:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,391
Fulton County, PA
C
CMcAllister Online content
Mr. Helpful
CMcAllister  Online Content
Mr. Helpful
C

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,391
Fulton County, PA
Move. I did. Best thing I ever did. Kick myself for not doing it long ago.


If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Brad_Haak] #3246379
07/21/24 09:00 PM
07/21/24 09:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 938
B
birdtracker Offline
super stock
birdtracker  Offline
super stock
B

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 938
Dragula: I am in the same boat as you. My engine guy sold everything and retired some what. He still tinkers with cars. The other place is a year out. I got injured in 2023 so my stuff has been sitting. Truck needs front suspension, front and rear brakes and a transmisson installed. I have all of it sitting there waiting on me. But what I could get done in a day has slowed way down. And its frustrating. BUT I am not giving up yet. My goal is to get out in Sept and October. If you was closer I would help you out. Birdtracker

Last edited by birdtracker; 07/21/24 09:01 PM.
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Dragula] #3246384
07/21/24 09:05 PM
07/21/24 09:05 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,384
Md.
C
carnut68 Online content
master
carnut68  Online Content
master
C

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,384
Md.
Never give up.


America First!
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: birdtracker] #3246390
07/21/24 09:26 PM
07/21/24 09:26 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,478
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula Offline OP
I Live Here
Dragula  Offline OP
I Live Here

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,478
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
I am gonna let it all sit till I get more motivated, maybe getting out is the wrong way to phrase it...Got a pile of parts here, a ton of work to do, and zero motivation....If I could sell all of it, I would consider it, but so many times people like to play games and I don't have time for that either. It doesn't cost me anything just sitting here, so when I have more money, I will order more parts, and then try and work on it later this year or next....Gonna need to find some new help though. I am not even going to the Nats this year, it just doesn't seem worth it. Haven't been to any cruise nights, and only one race this year, that I made a couple passes at, and then got rained out. All my tech crap is out of date, anyways.

I have a slightly used spare Hemi block sitting here with pistons and a cam and half the oiling system, on top of the brand new Hemi in the Cuda that has like 10 min run time on it before the car melted all the cooling wiring down and I parked it. Bought all new wiring to re-wire the entire Cuda front to back with new ignition and Leash relay board and everything else, but just not motivated to even look at it. And my chassis guy forgot to put me on his schedule to help me put a master cylinder in the floor of my Nostalgia car and make me some door panels. I called him again and back on his schedule now before HE retires...

But no lift possible in my garage, and way too expensive to build a shop/garage...Should have anticipated this years ago, and built one then. So signing off here for a while...Just no aspirations to do the car thing anymore.


'70 Cuda,...605 EFI Hemi Street Car (6.20 best pass, 1.33 60ft)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYw6RA-k5Bk (6.25 at 108.75mph from inside car)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zQEb9uxFng (6.25 at 108mph from outside car)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCvfzsC4NgM (9.9)

'66 Barracuda AWB Stretched nose Blown 440 Car in build stage

'71 Duster Drag Car 400 Low Deck 512 best 6.002 at 115.44mph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znuo3jMUXTk
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Dragula] #3246414
07/21/24 10:45 PM
07/21/24 10:45 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,278
Eagle, Idaho
Neil Online content
The Doctor is in.
Neil  Online Content
The Doctor is in.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,278
Eagle, Idaho
I have a relative who bracket races and he dropped to one class/series instead of two and now only races like once or twice a month maybe. Multiple other people he associates with at the track are doing the same thing. Instead of racing every weekend they go fishing or ride the ATVs around and don't race the car as much.

He was thinking of building a new motor to go a little faster, but then the safety rules for the next class require more safety equipment so decided to stay where he is at to keep it affordable.

Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Dragula] #3246422
07/21/24 11:09 PM
07/21/24 11:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,324
Here
J
jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
J

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,324
Here
You need a break, get some rest and then decide what is best for your situation, only thing worse than giving up is, is not giving when you should.
Life is too short to not enjoy it.


" All sorts of things can happen when you are open to new Ideas" Inventor of Kevlar
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: jcc] #3246460
07/22/24 06:23 AM
07/22/24 06:23 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 701
st.louis,mo.
dart games Offline
super stock
dart games  Offline
super stock

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 701
st.louis,mo.
draula.i feel your pain.at 64.i had to step aside from drag racing because of the cost but not out of the question for if and when things get better if it ever does..you talking about paint and body work.i only buy cars or trucks already done.so dont have to wait 5 years for someone to finsh something for me and the high price.i have learned to buy engines,trans and diffs already done instaed of waiting for machine shop to do a simple bore and hone.which yes it took them a year to do it.i refinace to 1.6 intrest before pedo joe got inprem gas here is 3.85i use it in everything because cheap gas screws up everything.have a full time job.butthat barely covers everthing.so i have my lawn service on the weekend that covers gas and food.everything is hard on everyone.i even hall water from work to cut down on water bill which is 10 bucks a month then that brings sewer bill down to 30 a month.only have a flip phone that cuts that bill down to 25.00 a month.i dont use a/c to keep that bill down

Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Mr PotatoHead] #3246461
07/22/24 06:33 AM
07/22/24 06:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,144
Mo.
racerx Offline
master
racerx  Offline
master

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,144
Mo.
a new SRT type car to drive to the track in comfort and still race.

https://youtu.be/jwKHE5tI25M?si=QvVhtFxm-ZkX0SqT.....This is going to be a blow to the sport/hobby bawling

Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Dragula] #3246462
07/22/24 06:40 AM
07/22/24 06:40 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,220
Shelby Twp. Mi
HardcoreB Offline
master
HardcoreB  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,220
Shelby Twp. Mi
Originally Posted by Dragula
I am gonna let it all sit till I get more motivated, maybe getting out is the wrong way to phrase it...Got a pile of parts here, a ton of work to do, and zero motivation....
Good choice IMO. I've been there with little motivation but I'm glad I didn't consider selling-off. It might do you well to do some thinking about how many irons are on the fire, especially since you are talking about monies. I'm sure there are things to keep plugging away at which cost nothing so, at least keep plugging away at one thing. Good luck!

Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Dragula] #3246477
07/22/24 07:46 AM
07/22/24 07:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,852
Benton, IL.
D
DaveRS23 Offline
Master of nothing...
DaveRS23  Offline
Master of nothing...
D

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,852
Benton, IL.
Where you're at is coming for ALL of us. If we live that long.


Master, again and still
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: Dragula] #3246479
07/22/24 08:10 AM
07/22/24 08:10 AM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 340
Northport, al.
T
tvt59 Offline
enthusiast
tvt59  Offline
enthusiast
T

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 340
Northport, al.
Mr Dragula, I'm sorry to hear about all the red tape and expenses that you have to deal with up there. It's nothing like that here in the south. Especially here in Alabama. You should retire down here. I sincerely hope that you find some resolutions or loopholes to the situations that you are having, Good luck


Nothing worth anything comes easy. It is always harder to do the right thing. My Grandfather
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: DaveRS23] #3246484
07/22/24 08:34 AM
07/22/24 08:34 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,032
new jersey usa
1
11secdart Offline
master
11secdart  Offline
master
1

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,032
new jersey usa
I have been thinking about quitting also especially on Sundays after a bad outing but then by Monday I am ready to go again. At 70 I am not getting any younger but seeing quite a few guys older than me racing weekly keeps me going. My goal this year was to only race pro tree races and my local track added five plus an outside promoter added two more to their schedule so I fell into the points race scenerio and have been double entering pro dial and Sportsman ( 7.35 and slower ) and I renewed my parking spot again. Well I am nowhere in sportsman points and there are none for pro dial. Its hard running two classes on two different trees ( sportsman is a .500 full tree and pro dial is a .500 pro tree ) I always go rounds and have earned bye runs based on my pro tree reaction times including this past Saturday. I am going concentrate on that racing for the rest of the year including doing some traveling . Financially I'm ok , I was forced into retirement back in 2020 , stayed home a year and hated it especially with my wife being younger and still working . I work part time for an excavating / hardscaping company moving equipment , picking up and delivering supplies and doing a few oil changes on the trucks. I really like and enjoy the job , its only a few miles from home ,sometimes its only a few hours week sometimes up to 20 or so but it gives me the money to keep racing. It takes me longer to do any work on the car because of arthritis etc. but I keep going . I also have my pickup which I bracket race on occasion but mainly take it to shows and cruise nights , I must still have the desire to race because after an hour or so at a show I am thinking about " I would rather be racing or how many more days / hours till racing "


68 Dart 410 / 904
92 D150 original owner
21 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, Big Horn , Hemi ,4x4
23 Audi Q5
16 Honda HRV
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: 11secdart] #3246491
07/22/24 09:35 AM
07/22/24 09:35 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,993
MI, usa
dvw Offline
master
dvw  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,993
MI, usa
I'm glad It's not like that in Michigan. Since I am the engine, trans, and evrything but paint guy helps. My wife and I live on SS. Still do hot rod repair out of the garage to finance the hobby. I love to race. The belt's , NHRA license and chassis certs are $. But nothing insurmountable. Except for a clutch failure the 95 Cummins 3500 is very low maintenance. Been to 10 events this year. 2 wins, 2 R/U, and a semi. Learned long ago that if I wanted to race that it would take doing pretty much everything myself. And not much of the financial end wouldn't come from houseold funds. I'll be 70 in October. No plans to quit or slow up.
Doug

Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: dvw] #3246494
07/22/24 10:14 AM
07/22/24 10:14 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,941
Richmond, Indiana
19swinger70 Online work
master
19swinger70  Online Work
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,941
Richmond, Indiana
Sounds to me like where you live is the problem, NOT the hobby.
At some point, the reasons that make that state impossible to have a hobby will bleed over into your non-hobby life, if they have not already. Move to a state where you have freedom.


1970 340 swinger. sublime
1967 barracuda fastback BB
55 Plymouth Project
Re: Thinking of getting out.... [Re: DaveRS23] #3246501
07/22/24 10:37 AM
07/22/24 10:37 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,324
Here
J
jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
J

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,324
Here
Originally Posted by DaveRS23
Where you're at is coming for ALL of us. If we live that long.

iagree


" All sorts of things can happen when you are open to new Ideas" Inventor of Kevlar
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