YOU Can Make DRAG RACING Affordable! Here's How With Our CHEVY NOVA

I had a guy and is son checking out my car at the track. They were pretty cool asking the usual questions being my car is a bit unique. The father thanked me, started walking away, he then turns and asks "If you don't mind me asking, what do you do for a living?" I answered " I'm an aircraft mechanic" The guy's face completely changes and says with a little attitude " See son, you have to be a doctor, lawyer or and aircraft mechanic to own one of these!" What got me most about that it, is that in one ridiculous statement that man completely minimized all the years of hard work and sacrifice it took for me to have the car and be able to race it. I built it from the ground up all by myself. Money is just the easy target for people to make comments about.

We definately need more people to participate in the sport! We are losing many of our race tracks across the country because of lack of participation and interest. Maybe when you get the chance, you can post a video of your weekend at the races, to show how fun it can be when you're just having a good time with family and friends doing what you enjoy! Hopefully it would help inspire someone to get out there and "do it"!!

Having the knowledge, tools, and work space to save on the labor is huge. Without that you can easily double the initial outlay. 10 second cars are the sweet spot between a lot of money and the astronomical amount of money needed to be quicker.

I've built 2 pro street hot rods from the ground up and work part time at an engine builders on the weekends. As such, I know what it costs to build stuff and one of my peeves lately has been people being out to lunch on prices. People think you can build 1000 HP for $7k because they watched a "'budget" build video on here where they used "parts we had lying around" that all fit without issue, work well together and last forever. This car's built right and although it's a home build, it's not a hack job by any means. It's refreshing to see a video that honestly states what it costs to build a car to this level and yes, it is $30k to put a drive train in a roller.

I know a lot of ppl don’t have a local track. Technically I don’t but I’m only 45 minutes from the one I run the most. They have test/tune followed by bracket racing every Wednesday night. You can get started in bracket racing for literally nothing besides a car lol that and index racing make it very affordable. Now getting into heads up and now the popular no prep small tire you going to need to spend some money. Although it too can be done without spending a ton and still be some what competitive. Find your flavor of lightweight car (I prefer mustangs) throw in your preferred v8 be it a small block , ls, hemi, coyote then either put some nitrous to it or fab up your own turbo kit

Bracket racings 1 of the cheapest sports out there. I've been at it 35yrs. It's cheaper than full coverage insurance and plates. 12 weekends a year, I spend $80 a week. Fuel and entrys. Perior. I run in the 10:00s and have for years. Update in off season. Every 3 years teardown, inspect for freshen. Like every sport/ hobby, the initial cost is the most. You can build a 12 second car for nothing. Start there. Bracket racing the fairest sport in the world. You can/will win, in a 12 second bracket car too. We all did.

Hell yeah man 30k isnt bad at all. People cant say anything about 30k on a car when guys are spending 80k on a hellcat you would smoke at the track

GOOD VIDEO BRO ‼️ DEFINITELY NEEDED THE MOTIVATION 💪🏼

The fastest car don’t win- the most consistent car with the best driver wins.💯👍🏽

Messed around with a stock Fox Body for a bit. Priced out what it would take to really go fast and then moved on. Just don't have that kind of coin for hobbies.

It really just depends on how content you can be with your car. I mean I took a monte that started with a 305 at 15.5sec roughly and over the course of a few years went to 11.9-12.10 on any given weekend. Bracket racing of course. I mean you can't just figure the car, because a person is going to need a tow vehicle, trailer, etc. You could do a street legal car and not have to have the tow rig. I have to drive about 1.5hrs to the closest track. They're all 1/8th mile now, which kinda sucks in my opinion. Insurance is killer for tracks. Not to mention the people around complaining or suing for whatever dumb reason. Mokan dragway, when I was racing there, had people buy a property close........knowing the track was there, and then proceeded to cause the track problems because they didn't like it. It's expensive to race these days.

My ole gal sets empty hul use be aluminum head 400 miss them days ! Your nova is very very clean , haters gone hate they can fly off 😂

Great video! Thank you. This answered alot of what I was thinking about.

I wanted to start racing competitively for 10 years or longer but never thought i could afford it. I bought a turn key old hard tail shorty dragster with a 355 SBC in it went 10.50 for 8k 3 years ago when covid was a thing. Had to do a lot of work to it since it had been sitting for 8 years but made it a nice car. Then fell into a deal on a really nice all redone updated dragster chassis that was all new wiring, paint, powder coat, ignition, everything new! But the chassis is still a 1995 but completely professionally redone! Bought that for 10k with a trans. Built a big block for 15k after all the accessories and dyno tuning, making 750hp 710 tq going low 8.20's in the quarter. Sold my old car for 15k so all and all in the new car very cheap. Finding the right deals makes a big difference! And u don't have to be the fastest in the class if your consistent and can hit the tree (bracket racing that is.) Bracket racing is at the highest it has ever been lately with SFG, gallstar, and Dustin wells putting out all these big money events! Anyone thinking about it needs to just do it! It has completely changed my life for the better! My depression has almost completely went away!

Great breakdown bro. Love the Nova and the dads Maro. Keep pushing on and having fun that what its all about. Hopfully one day we can line up together.

Awesome honest build and video!

Your always will have Hatters!! I have been in drag racing since I was born. My dad had 2 cars in HotRod Magazine and one made the cover back in the late 60’s. I’m 55 now and my so called friends still are jealous! They d😮realize I didn’t do this over night!! I have always had to buy or trade for what I needed!! Just because my dad held National Records in 2 cars he made me work for everything I had!! We don’t have to explain anything to anyone on what we like to do.

A budget race car can had if you aren't in a hurry and you buy things used or on sale. I built my whole LS 6 speed powered chevelle way under 20k.

Good looking car buds, always been one of my favourites. Just sub'd and keen to watch the progression as obviously your enjoying yourself at the moment. Soon she'll start to feel slow, it won't be but it'll just feel that way. Before you know it your on the hunt for a 9. Wish you all the best mate and look forward to seeing you get some seat time.

I like seeing this, nice you are promoting the sport. I have enjoyed drag racing since 1972. Stands are pretty empty these days compared to back then but the drivers are just as passionate.