Calling out NHRA's safety regulations.
Jul 14, 2011 | 09:58 PM
#31
Actually, NHRA is making money off of cages, chassis certs. Chassis cert has doubled this year. I paid $200 for chassis cert this year on my evo. Need chassis cert at 135mph and faster.
To make a few replies....
NHRA can be in bed with SFI all they want. I'll wear a helmet, a harness and whatever jacket and suit they want me to, but I refuse to cage my car. Also, SFI and NHRA aren't making any money on cage installs. There are thousands of fabricators out there that can handle the job.
You have to draw the line somewhere. I understand that. The NHRA also doesn't have millions in surplus to hire teams of people to go over each and every car and make an insanely complex rulebook that addresses each car individually. I understand that as well, HOWEVER, these rules are generally written for old, gutted lead sleds that have 2 point seatbelts and drum brakes stock. There should be a separate listing for newer cars that can go faster and safer. I don't know what the criteria would be, could be drivetrain, brakes, safety rating, etc. They could also just leave the discretion up to the tech officials. My car barely burns out first gear and runs low 11's. The thing has never even been scary to drive on the track, not once. It is safer than just about every else on the track when I am there and I'm the one getting kicked out.
This is what I suggest. Keep the rules the same for helmets and firesuits. Make the cage rule 11.0 for RWD and FWD. Cars with AWD should have a more lenient rule set for E.T., I'd say 10.50. The MPH rule should also be bumped to 140 IF the car has properly functioning disc brakes on all corners.
NHRA can be in bed with SFI all they want. I'll wear a helmet, a harness and whatever jacket and suit they want me to, but I refuse to cage my car. Also, SFI and NHRA aren't making any money on cage installs. There are thousands of fabricators out there that can handle the job.
You have to draw the line somewhere. I understand that. The NHRA also doesn't have millions in surplus to hire teams of people to go over each and every car and make an insanely complex rulebook that addresses each car individually. I understand that as well, HOWEVER, these rules are generally written for old, gutted lead sleds that have 2 point seatbelts and drum brakes stock. There should be a separate listing for newer cars that can go faster and safer. I don't know what the criteria would be, could be drivetrain, brakes, safety rating, etc. They could also just leave the discretion up to the tech officials. My car barely burns out first gear and runs low 11's. The thing has never even been scary to drive on the track, not once. It is safer than just about every else on the track when I am there and I'm the one getting kicked out.
This is what I suggest. Keep the rules the same for helmets and firesuits. Make the cage rule 11.0 for RWD and FWD. Cars with AWD should have a more lenient rule set for E.T., I'd say 10.50. The MPH rule should also be bumped to 140 IF the car has properly functioning disc brakes on all corners.
Jul 15, 2011 | 10:27 AM
#32
Always finding a way to rape you somehow.....people gotta put food on their table somehow i guess
I too have *****ed about these rules that again were designed for older domestic cars that struggled to run 10.999 many many years ago but have since given up and have succumbed to the fact that if you wana go out and have fun it'll cost you in many ways...........the icing on the cake is helping stay alive just in case.......amazing how jaded my outlook on it is now
Jul 15, 2011 | 11:32 AM
#33
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: St. Charles, IL
That's a very good point, I forgot all about chassis cert. Maybe they could still charge that fee but instead of having your cage certified, you could have the car tested/inspected in other ways......
Jul 15, 2011 | 11:51 AM
#34
I highly doubt I'll ever put a cage in my car. I've done a lot to it, but throwing a cage in it crosses a line I don't want to step over.
I've ran low 11's at the local 1/4 without even wearing a helmet, and they didn't say a word. My friend ran 10's the other week at Zmax (big NHRA track) with only a helmet and didn't have any trouble. You can pretty much run anything you want at the local 1/8th mile tracks.
I've ran low 11's at the local 1/4 without even wearing a helmet, and they didn't say a word. My friend ran 10's the other week at Zmax (big NHRA track) with only a helmet and didn't have any trouble. You can pretty much run anything you want at the local 1/8th mile tracks.
Aug 29, 2011 | 04:33 PM
#36
aggrivating.. two weeks ago i ran an 11.44@119 and they told me to slow down.. ok w/e.. i make the next pass and ran an 11.41@120.. i got the boot and got screamed at blah blah..
i went back last wed and made a few passes.. 11.7-11.8 on the brakes.. then i go full out, 11.35@120.. got the boot again, screamed at, etc, etc.. its super annoying and imo i feel it should be cut down to 10.49
this is LVD by the way
i went back last wed and made a few passes.. 11.7-11.8 on the brakes.. then i go full out, 11.35@120.. got the boot again, screamed at, etc, etc.. its super annoying and imo i feel it should be cut down to 10.49
this is LVD by the way
Aug 29, 2011 | 04:41 PM
#37
i went to the track friday. i was told i needed axle shaft loops. yes axle shaft loops. i needed an sfi approved engine dampener, a 360 degree scatter shield.
this is on a street car that runs sub 10s. these rules are getting ridiculous
this is on a street car that runs sub 10s. these rules are getting ridiculous
Aug 29, 2011 | 06:30 PM
#38
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: WA
Yeah agreed. If you have allnfactory safety stuff in place, airbags etc, you shouldn't need a cage unless yourenin the 10's. Maybe a harness bar and 5 points, but FFs a full cage in a straight line? Its a bit outdated.
Aug 29, 2011 | 06:58 PM
#39
The other two things on your list have been in the rulebook for quite some time. The whole "street car" thing is starting to get out of hand. The evo is a deathtrap if rolled at speeds over 135 anyways, sorry to say but if you car is running in the 9's it's not much of a "street car" anymore. You're in "racecar" teritory.
It seems kinda like an ego thing at this point, call it what it is, if you built the car with the purpose of drag racing you've made compromises to the streetability in some ways...like being smog legal
Heres a quick shot of the cage in my car, not done yet I know but it's getting close.
Building a car by the rulebook takes time but the piece of mind I'll have about my safety in the event this thing turns at 160+ makes it worth it.
Aug 29, 2011 | 07:14 PM
#40
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: St. Charles, IL
It's not about ego or the fact of claiming it's a 'street' car. It's the fact that cages are dangerous for the street combined with the increasing technology that allows us to go faster safer. Go for a long drive today and you'll see many 11 second cars in a populated area. Make that same drive 5 years ago and it's not likely that you'd see one.
Street cars and I'm talking legit street cars are very fast nowadays. Racing them on the street is really unsafe. Racing them at the track is very safe. Now if you wanted to be smart you'd take your car to the track, but no, you can't, because if you want to race in a safe, controlled atmosphere, you have to make your car unsafe for the street, aka dedicate it to a drag only car. If you do go and get kicked out you will be harassed, ridiculed and screamed at by tech.
Last edited by Boltz.; Aug 29, 2011 at 07:16 PM.
Aug 29, 2011 | 07:21 PM
#41
3 pt belts are out of the car, they have no place with the cage.
The bars are far enough from my head I have NO fears about driving the car on the street. Of course thats not what it was built for anyways, maybe a trip to the store or something.
11's are fine, we both agreed earlier in this thread that the rollbar rule should be revised, but if you are running 9's or better the safety equipment needs to be adressed IMO.
The bars are far enough from my head I have NO fears about driving the car on the street. Of course thats not what it was built for anyways,
maybe a trip to the store or something.11's are fine, we both agreed earlier in this thread that the rollbar rule should be revised, but if you are running 9's or better the safety equipment needs to be adressed IMO.
Aug 29, 2011 | 07:33 PM
#43
NHRA makes no sense
A lot of times when I see a mishap at the track it involves motorcycles. They have NOTHING but leather and a helmet protecting them. Ill wear leather in my car if thats the case
The tracks should give you the option to sign a waiver releasing them from any liability..at least up to 10.0
I was in Norwalk (NHRA sanctioned track) for the shootout and they said nothing about nothing. Dudes racing in their shorts going 9s with no cages. So how do they get away with that?
A lot of times when I see a mishap at the track it involves motorcycles. They have NOTHING but leather and a helmet protecting them. Ill wear leather in my car if thats the case
The tracks should give you the option to sign a waiver releasing them from any liability..at least up to 10.0
I was in Norwalk (NHRA sanctioned track) for the shootout and they said nothing about nothing. Dudes racing in their shorts going 9s with no cages. So how do they get away with that?
Aug 29, 2011 | 08:19 PM
#44
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: St. Charles, IL
3 pt belts are out of the car, they have no place with the cage.
The bars are far enough from my head I have NO fears about driving the car on the street. Of course thats not what it was built for anyways, maybe a trip to the store or something.
11's are fine, we both agreed earlier in this thread that the rollbar rule should be revised, but if you are running 9's or better the safety equipment needs to be adressed IMO.
The bars are far enough from my head I have NO fears about driving the car on the street. Of course thats not what it was built for anyways,
maybe a trip to the store or something.11's are fine, we both agreed earlier in this thread that the rollbar rule should be revised, but if you are running 9's or better the safety equipment needs to be adressed IMO.
Hillbilly's. No offense.
Aug 30, 2011 | 01:52 PM
#45
NHRA tracks usually don't push safety rules for track rentals or private events such as the Shootout.