I'm doubtful but still hopeful... wait is that a double negative? There are so many things that are quite easy to see. First of all most drivers are now senior citizens, and frankly get scared to drop the clutch, mash the throttle and clean some carbon off the pistons. Secondly taking a drive out of city limits, let alone towing hundreds of miles to a race is tiring and most wont do it. Thirdly is the cost of these cars has gotten away from the average racer, collector, tinkerer so fear is always in the back of their minds not to hurt the car or themselves. Fourthly.. That's my third grade grammar coming out 
Not too many cars can meet the rules set forth, or are willing to modify their cars to follow the rules. Fifthly 
These cars were designed to go around corners not just straight lines, so the question remains how many real cars out there meet the criteria set forth by our drag expert , are willing to make the tow, and can run a respectable number that can knock him off his perch? Lets see a show of hands-
Well all that and consider this, respectfully, the level of competition that Randy is suggesting is at a pro level. Even if that's a mid 80's pro level?
Take his car for example. The spec's that he has admitted to already here in print, show that his car is turning 7877rpm @ 123 going through the traps.
Now it may in fact be that I don't know enough about this level of drag racing, but I know something.
I was familiar with Flip's Speed Shop Pro Stock Camaro in '86 or so. That was a Camaro body, Diamond Chassis, Bob Ingles BB Chevy driven by Kenny Delco.
I think that they got to the 1/4 finals two or three times and the best ET was around 8.6 or so.
I know he was launching at 9,200rpm and was going through the traps at about 8,800rpm.
That's as "Pro-level" as you get, other then beating out Glidden or Warren Johnson for the #1 designation?
These are the results the FAST cars are suggesting.
To say that "hey, FAST cars do it and they are stock looking" and they run in the 9's? Common. Are there any GT500's built to that spec? That's a "Pro" level.
Even Wes Johnson's 68 GT500 with the 427 didn't run those kinds of times.
I know what my cheapo '67 428 just cost me to build. I can't replace it for under $20k.
I can't run 9,000 rpm with it and expect it to live.
Consider what needs to go into a "stock looking" Ford FE to do that and try and put a price tag on it. Randy is correct. I don't know but I suspect that it is significantly more then I have in mine AND that doesn't even take care of the rest of the car.
Jay Biddle MAY be the best representation of what a GT500 is capable of running now. Maybe? What was he talking? Low 12?
It isn't stock looking, and it has his "ultimate '67 GT500 headers on it".
Challenge him to a match race. See if he'll bring it out.
You are correct about "seniors" not wanting to travel across the country, none the less tow across it. They don't even need to hide the keys from me now. I'm too busy watching Jeopardy.
