70 dart 470 ci drag car build.
When I started racing it was under IMCA sanction. They had a rule that said something to the effect of " all competitors finishing in the top four in the feature race are subject to have their motors claimed for $325 with $25 going to the wrecker that pulls the motor at the end of the race. Drivers that finish fifth on back and on the lead lap are eligible to claim. So everyone called them "claimer motors".
If you finished in the top four and got claimed your "still hot" motor went home in the back of your competition's pickup that night. There was a lot of sin involved in building claimer motors and a lot of drama at the racetrack.
I’ve always hated claim rules. You always had guys that just built garbage and then they’d “claim” a top 5 engine.
It was stupid and it still is.
In fact, the AMA has (or had as of about 5 years ago had it) a claim rule. At least in the lower levels.
Haiden Deegan was winning. A lot. Not only was he winning he was smoking the other kids.
No doubt Deegan had money behind him. His dad is massively successful and he’s good with his money. Plus I’m sure they were getting at least some sponsorship help.
Anyway, that stupid rule was still in effect and one of the kids he raced against (his mom and dad really) “claimed” Deegan’s bike.
No one racing at the level these kid were are flat broke. They ain’t picking **** with the chickens but clearly some have a much smaller budget than guys like Deegan.
Anyway, this kids family claimed Deegan’s bike.
The ensuing **** storm could have predicted by the most simple mind.
I don’t remember the details now but I think the kid never got the bike. If he did it wasn’t for very long.
The whole debacle was a black eye on the sport. I don’t know if AMA fixed that idiotic rule or not.
Sadly, the kid that claimed the bike is nowhere to be seen for whatever reason and Deegan is still fast. Faster than most of the class most days.
The upshot is you could give me any top 5 MX bike and rack me up with the best in the world and when the gate dropped I’d be so far behind the pack after 3 corners I wouldn’t even be able to see them.
A world class rider or driver can do very well and even win on substandard equipment.
A slow, talentless hack like me can have a world class bike (or car, bowling ball, pool cue, whatever) and not even qualify.
Claimer rules are repugnant.