Drag Racing - Questions ...

[firemanfrank]

Ok, so I'm getting a couple of guys together for a run up at nearby track (Lebanon Valley Dragway), and a few questions have come up.

Seeing that it's been over 10 years since I've been to the drags, I decided on checking current NHRA rules.

This is what I found:

NHRA 2006 Tech Inspection Guidelines

* Valid driver's license beyond a learner’s permit level.
* Must be 16 years or older.
* Seat belts required.
* Long pants and full T-Shirt (no tank tops) and shoes (no sandals).
* Helmets are required in all classes. 14.00 seconds or slower must
wear a minimum of DOT certified helmet. 13.99 and quicker must have
Snell 95, K98, 2000, SFI 31.1A ,31.2A, 41.1A, or 41.2A helmet.
* Doors must be functional from both inside and outside.
* All cars must be self starting.
* Good tires.
* Hub caps and trim rings removed.
* Safe windshields.
* Brakes in good working order.
* Must have one functional tail light. No flashing or blinking lights
permitted.
* Must have neutral safety switch and reverse lock out device.
* Radiator catch can overflow, at least one pint.
* Carburetor inlet must not be openly exposed.
* Roll bar mandatory in all cars running 11.00-11.49 seconds.
* Roll cage mandatory in all vehicles running 10.99 and quicker or any
car exceeding 135 mph.
* If car has T-tops or is a convertible, the driver must have Snell 95,
K98, 2000, SFI 31.1A ,31.2A, 41.1A, OR 41.2A helmet.
* Neck collar mandatory in all cars running 9.99 and quicker or
exceeding 135 mph.
* Convertibles must have roll bar if running 13.49 and quicker.
* Automatic transmission lines must be high pressure type.
* Pressurized containers (for example, air bottles) must be DOT
approved.
* Hood scoops may not extend more than 11 inches above original hood
surface.
* Mechanical throttle linkage, if altered, must have toe loop on pedal.
* Dual carb return springs.
* All holes in floor, firewall, and rear must be plugged with .024 steel or
032 aluminum.
* Fuel block or regulator must be 6 inches from firewall.
* No more than 12 inches of rubber hose in fuel system from tank to
carb.
* No fuel lines in drivers compartment.
* Retention strap mandatory with traction bars and ladder bars.
* Drive shaft loop required 13.99 and quicker and all cars using slicks, including DOT slicks.
* Three inch driver restraint system (seat harness) SFI Spec 16.1
mandatory in any car required to have roll bar or roll cage.
* Batteries must be securely mounted and may not be located in the
driver compartment. If battery is relocated, vehicle must have master
cutoff switch at rear of car clearly marked on/off.
* Master cutoff mandatory on any car running 9.99 and quicker or
exceeding 135 mph.
* Jacket meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/I required at 10.00 to 11.49.
* Jacket and pants meeting SFI Spec 3.2 A/5 and gloves meeting SFI
Spec 3.3/1 required at 7.50 to 9.99 or any vehicle exceeding 135 mph.
* Only factory tint on windows.
* Must have metal valve stems 11.99 and quicker.
* 9.99 and quicker cars must be chassis certified and have NHRA license.
* If using nitrous oxide system: All bottles must be securely mounted,
stamped with minimum DOT 1800 lb. rating and identified as nitrous
oxide. If bottle is in driver's compartment, it must be equipped with a
relief valve vented outside of driver's compartment. System must be
commercially available and installed per manufacturer's
recommendation.
* Parachute required on cars 9.99 and quicker and all cars exceeding
150 mph.

Items that one of the guys who wants to go had questions about are:

* Only factory tint on windows.
* Must have neutral safety switch and reverse lock out device.


Thanks!

[Sponsor]

[Foc]

From what i have seen, at least aroud here, the track rules are much much more relaxed. My car has never been inspected, nor my helmet. My windows are also tinted, and no one has ever questioned me about it.

[blanezx3]

You should be fine. Those usually apply for NHRA and not for local test and tunes

[GreenEnvy]

check with the track before you go on what their requirements are.
know the track here requires a snell 98 or better rating on helmets and everyone no matter how slow must wear them.
tech inspections and rules are different from track to track

[domesticdisturbance]

you dont need a helmet unless you run under a 14 sec quarter mile. Usually before a track event they have an hour for getting your car inspected by the track crew and a q and a session. the inspection isnt as vigorous as those but are similar. if your car can pass an inspection, you can pass a track test.

[firemanfrank]

^^^ Muchos Gracias for all the advice peeps!

Seems like my best bet then is to try and contact the track.


Thanks!

[Scott_SVT]

I just got back from my track, no one said a word about my helmet, even though I ran 2 13.7's

(I brought it, just in case, but it sat on the passenger floorboard the whole time)

[GreenEnvy]

damn, track here everyone wears a helmet, no exceptions. that and anything loose has to be taken out of the car. if its not bolted down or factory it has to come out.
most tracks insurance carrier dictates what goes and what doesnt.
just a heads up.

my bad, the track here goes by ihra rules. but a helmet is still required.

[gold_zx3]

yeah i dont know what regulations the track i go to has, but i didnt have to wear a helmet unless it was 13 or 14 sec 1/4. I also didnt have much of an inspection either, dont think I really had one. This track is pretty popular too, ive see it on tv several times

[viney266]

Don't sweat the window tint, and most cars come with all the lockout crap anyway.

Most tracks do not require a helmet until under 14.00.. but take one to be safe, also they are picky about the long pants and the shirts, too. The only other thing, if you have any oil leaks, whipe the engine down good before going to the track.