I’ve been through the nhra rule book. I can’t find anything about racing an untested car that breaks the rules on the first pass. Do they ban you or let you go home and retune it and then come back??
NHRA rules ??
- Thread starter Brooks James
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33IMP
Well-Known Member
Kinda depends on the track manager and staff. I used to get a "reminder" that i wasnt allowed to go nines without a license, then it became a stern talking to. Easy enough to slow down a bit.
On the other hand, a flagrant "in your face" by a racer got a much more stringent response. A 4wd 1500 pickup with a twin turbo 427 ls went 6.0, 120+ in the eighth here a while back..... with a three point stock belt, and not even a bar. He was told NOT to bring it back till it met every rule they could find in the book. Havent ever seen it again.
We have a muffler rule that i have never seen enforced, (but they enforce the mask rule religiously) and a few that need a bar get by without one, for a while.
I think for an untested car that ends up too quick, common sense tends to prevail. Probably just ask you to slow down a bit.
On the other hand, a flagrant "in your face" by a racer got a much more stringent response. A 4wd 1500 pickup with a twin turbo 427 ls went 6.0, 120+ in the eighth here a while back..... with a three point stock belt, and not even a bar. He was told NOT to bring it back till it met every rule they could find in the book. Havent ever seen it again.
We have a muffler rule that i have never seen enforced, (but they enforce the mask rule religiously) and a few that need a bar get by without one, for a while.
I think for an untested car that ends up too quick, common sense tends to prevail. Probably just ask you to slow down a bit.
Charrlie_S
Well-Known Member
With NHRA's financial issues, and their attitude toward non profesional racers, they will probably fine you $10,000 and hold the car till paid.
Actually, I agree with the above post. and add this. If the car looks like it was done properly, they will be more leniant then if the car is just thrown together. Of course there are the tracks that don't even look at the car.
Actually, I agree with the above post. and add this. If the car looks like it was done properly, they will be more leniant then if the car is just thrown together. Of course there are the tracks that don't even look at the car.
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Blind Squirrel
Well-Known Member
It also depends on the rule. Its kind of like sins. There are venial and major. Venial is not going to keep you from getting in. Major on the other hand.... I know one that at some tracks have and people fail to think they mean it. Anti-freeze. Some tracks, if you spill anti-freeze on their track. Your gone. No if and or buts. Doesn't seem like a big deal but it's basically a major sin.
Several years ago when we built my son a better 360 we kinda knew it would be fast enough to need a rollbar. My son wired the back barrels of his 750 closed and headed to the track. He explained to the tech guy what was going on and he safely raced that day at ET’s slower than his needed rollbar. After he lost later in the day the tech guy (friend I’ve known for years) told him he would let him make one pass unwired. He ran .40 under the cage requirement and found out it was worth putting a bar in it. Three weeks later he was legal after a friend helped him put a nice 6 point in it.
Make an honest guess and prepare your car for that ET per rules. If you "think" you have an 11.30 car as you are guessing that you are building, then put a cage in it, along with everything else required. If you don't want to do that then tell them it won't run faster than what your safety equipment is and be prepared to get out of it at the 1000 ft marker and coast through.
P.S. - there are 1/8 mile rules too, you can be required for certain safety requirements for your 1/8 mile numbers as well.
Back in 99, we had a guy in a 65 Mustang rip a 8.90 with just a lap belt in the car.
He got one pass and then became a spectator. lol
He got one pass and then became a spectator. lol
383Scampman
Well-Known Member
A lot of tracks , N.E.D. is one , will let you run "one and done". The put in the computer so you can't sneak in . They enforce belts , helmets , drive hoops , antifreeze , diapers . If you dump fluids on the track , you're done .
33IMP
Well-Known Member
I think the question in thiz post refers to how effective an untested nitrous system is at improving e.t . Ive seen 150hp systems improve over a second in the eighth. Ive also seen under a half second, depending on how well the setup works, and how well the car works.
Be honest with the tech guy, you'll be fine.
Be honest with the tech guy, you'll be fine.
33IMP
Well-Known Member
I did something similar. I was getting hassled about needing a license, so i took the secondary link off my 750 gold claw. Slowed from 6.30s to low 6.50s . I was surprised how little effect it had.
Breaks "which" rules? You have the rule book, right?
you won't be breaking any rules with your 13.0 pass.
After reading all your threads. May I suggest you get a little seat time before you hit the track.
You might want to make a few passes at the track before you hit the juice button.
Your safety is utmost concern, as well as others.
Read the book and remember the rules.
At our track on test n tune nights you can even ask for a single for the safety of others if in doubt
if you pass the basic tech requirements....lug nuts....radiator overflow...battery 3/8 bolts tie down...seat belts...you are good to 13 flat..
then you need a Snell 2010 or newer helmet....down to 11.49
after 11.49 ..it starts with roll bar and 6 point seat bells...
our tech will generally ask how fast do you think it will run???
then you need a Snell 2010 or newer helmet....down to 11.49
after 11.49 ..it starts with roll bar and 6 point seat bells...
our tech will generally ask how fast do you think it will run???
13.99 or quicker needs a helmet - UNLESS - you have T-tops, convertible, or sun roof, then you need one regardless of ET.
This, James. This ^^^^ And watch others make passes before ever hitting the staging lanes, where they stage, the track workers and how they communicate with the drivers. Something goes array, let off the gas! If you break, get off to the side quickly and STOP!!! Do not oil down our (speaking for all of us) track!!! 2 hrs delays are brutal for track clean up!
mderoy340
Well-Known Member
Gainesville will tech you be prepared. OSW not so much.
If it is something like going faster than you are check out for, they will usually give you a warning to slow it down....its not a big deal, I wouldn't give it a second thought. Being polite goes a long way.
Charrlie_S
Well-Known Member
1st time I was in a dragster (bracket car) I made one nice easy pass, just to feel the car. Second pass was all out, as next run would be eliminations. Track official was waiting for me at the time slip booth. Told me I had two choices. Either slow it down, or park it. If I broke the ET cut point again, with out the license, I would be banned from the track for 4 weeks. I did have a license for door car, but not a dragster. Not a big deal to get the upgrade. I said fine, no problem, parked the car, and made an appointment to get the upgrade test.
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