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NMCA’s Hot Street class rules require that all cars must run a carbureted small block with a single un-modified four-barrel cast iron intake. Ten-inch tires are mandatory and the car has to weigh around 3000 lbs depending on the cubic inches of the engine. Rick ran most of the NMCA circuit that first year but the Corvette just wasn’t quick enough.

The classic Corvette dash, complete with a 160 mph stock Speedo and seven grand tach.
Determined to run better, Rick opted for a complete rebuild of the ’Vette for the 1999 season. NMCA rules for Real Street allow cars to have a "back halfed" chassis so Rick had that done to the family ’Vette by Ed Quay and while he was at it he also replaced the stock rear end housing with a sheet metal one. While Rick was having the suspension modified he also restored the body, sprayed a new coat of Honduran paint and even figured out a way to attach the stock hubcaps in a way that passed safety specs.

At the same time he ordered a new small block from Bob Renaldi who, before going to work for Jack Roush, built engines for the Dick Moroso/Robbie Moroso Winston Cup team.

The engine is a 950+ horse, 375-inch SB2 Chevy. All of the engine components are courtesy of the Moroso catalog with the exception of the DaVinci Dominator carb.

The engine was a 375 cubic inch, single carbed, SB2 engine with canted valve heads. That engine made more than 950 hp and it took Rick Moroso from being a qualifier to a contender. During the ’99 season Rick got the ’ Vette to run 9.0s at almost 150 mph and consistently qualified in the top half of the Hot Street field.

The engine was a 375 cubic inch, single carbed, SB2 engine with canted valve heads. That engine made more than 950 hp and it took Rick Moroso from being a qualifier to a contender. During the ’99 season Rick got the ’ Vette to run 9.0s at almost 150 mph and consistently qualified in the top half of the Hot Street field

The 1999 season may have been the last for the nearly 40 year old race car. Rick has ordered a new 2000 model C-5 Corvette and is having renowned Super Stock car builder F.J. Smith build the car to race in Hot Street.

So the ’Vette may retire once again from dragstrip competition but, just as his dad did, Rick retains a soft spot in his heart for his father’s Corvette.

"I’ll put a blower motor in it and drive it on the streets again," Rick said.

Who knows, when Rick sits in the same seat in the same car that his father built and raced it helps keep the memories of his father fresh and brilliant. And keeps the bond that developed between a father and a son and a race car real.

 

 


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