NHRA West Central Division news: Rule Changes For 2008

Rule Changes For 2008

Monday, December 03, 2007

General Regulations

1.11 Supercharger Restraints

All non-screw type superchargers not on alcohol require a SFI 14.1 restraint. All non-screw type superchargers on alcohol require a SFI 14.2 restraint, or as outlined in class requirements. All screw-type superchargers require a SFI 14.21 restraint.

4.2 Ballast

Cars running 8.49 and quicker are limited to 250 pounds maximum, per SFI chassis specification.

6.2 Upholstery, Seats

All front engine open bodied, supercharged or turbocharged (gasoline or methanol) running 7.49 seconds and quicker, must have a Nomex-upholstered seat.

8.2 Delay Boxes

Prohibited in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp, Super Stock, and Stock; permitted in all other categories (E.T. rules may vary by division; contact division office). A delay box or delay device is defined as any device (electric, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, etc.) built for the express purpose of creating a delay between the release of trans-brake line-loc, or two-step button, or release of foot or hand brake, or release of clutch pedal/lever, or release of any other device and the resultant action of the vehicle.

8.3 Ignition

All TDC pointers must be pinned to prevent removal.

8.7 Switches, Buttons

Transbrake and/or line-loc switches must be NHRA-accepted for use in all classes that prohibit delay devices.

9.3 Fire Extinguisher

Dragster, and Top Alcohol Funny Car, fire extinguishing system must meet SFI Spec 17.1 and installed and utilized per manufacturer’s installation requirements. All front engine open bodied supercharged or turbocharged (gasoline or methanol) cars must be equipped with a SFI rated 20 pound fire system.

9.4 Generators

All generators, air compressors, etc., that are powered by an internal combustion engine must have the exhaust directed up and above the top of the trailer, truck, RV, tent/awning, etc.

9.11 Traction Control

Any type of traction control device, electronic or mechanical, is prohibited. A traction control device is any unit or system that uses live data to control functions of the vehicle, such as tire slip, which are not controlled by the driver. These devices are, but not limited to, timing control based on wheel, driveline, or engine acceleration, braking control, throttle control, tire-shake meters, vertical acceleration meters, misfire control, stutter box, relays, and/or rpm activated chips.

10.7 Helmet

Effective Jan. 1, 2008, full face helmet mandatory on all cars 9.99 or quicker. Goggles prohibited; visor mandatory. See Class Requirement for additional requirements.

Any car with an automatic transmission in the driver compartment (i.e. one without a floor covering over the transmission): suit meeting SFI Spec 32A/15, gloves and shoes or boots meeting SFI Spec 3.3/5 mandatory.

All open-bodied methanol burning or nitrous oxide equipped cars 7.49 seconds and quicker use a SFI 3.2A/15 suit with 3.2A/5 gloves and boots.

All open-bodied rear-engine supercharged or turbocharged methanol-burning cars 7.49 and quicker use a SFI 3.2A/15 suit with SFI 3.3/15 gloves and boots.

All open-bodied front-engine supercharged or turbocharged methanol-burning cars 7.49 and quicker use a SFI 3.2A/20 suit with SFI 3.3/20 gloves and boots.

Drivers of all open-bodied cars that do not use an SFI 3.3 neck collar must use a SFI 3.3 head sock or skirted helmet.

ET Classes

Oil Retention Device

All vehicles permitted to utilize an NHRA-accepted lower engine oil retention device; may use a belly pan in lieu of device attached to the engine. If belly pan is used, must extend from framerail to framerail, and extend forward of the harmonic balancer to the rear of the engine block, and must incorporate a minimum 2-inch high lip on all sides. See General Regulations 1:8.

Instruments

Driveshaft sensor may be connected to either the tachometer OR the data recorder, but not both. Must be one single wire, with no splices, and easily traceable.

Advanced ET

OIL RETENTION DEVICE

All vehicles running 7.49 or quicker must utilize an NHRA-accepted lower engine oil retention device; may use a belly pan in lieu of a device attached to the engine. The belly pan must extend from framerail to framerail, and extend forward of the harmonic balancer and rearward of the flywheel, and must incorporate a minimum 2- inch high lip on all sides. See General Regulations 1:8.

Stock Class

AA/S Class added.

Fuel Injected Stock Classes Deleted. Fuel Injected Stock classes now within regular Stock Classes.

Connecting Rods

Stock OEM or NHRA-accepted aftermarket rods permitted. NHRA accepted aftermarket rods must meet specifications as found on the then-current NHRA Stock & Super Stock Replacement Rod Acceptance List. No minimum weight on connecting rods, provided the combined weight of the piston, pin, rings and connecting rod is equal to or greater than the Minimum Assembly Weight as found on the then-current Stock Replacement Piston Acceptance List.”

Cylinder Heads

Cylinder head may have all of the seats replaced. Any valve job permitted, bottom cut may not extend more than .250-inches below seat angle.

Engine

Cylinder bores must not exceed .075-inch over stock.

Oil Pump

Accumulator Permitted.

Pistons

No minimum weight on pistons provided the combined weight of the piston, pin, rings and connecting rod is equal to or greater than the Minimum Assembly Weight as found on the then-current Stock Replacement Piston Acceptance List.

Super Stock

Engine

Cylinder bores must not exceed .075-inch over stock.

Transmission, Automatic

If any engine/automatic transmission combination is listed in the class blueprint specification as being available with only a two-speed automatic transmission, it may be replaced with any three-speed corporate automatic transmission.

Comp Eliminator

Helmet

All front-engine open-bodied cars supercharged or turbocharged (gasoline or methanol) car a Snell SA or SFI equivalent mandatory. All naturally-aspirated front-engine open-bodied cars to use a Snell SA or SFI equivalent mandatory. (M rated helmets prohibited) See General Regulations 10:7.

Top Alcohol Dragster

Roll Cage

Additional padding, mounted on flat stock and fastened to the roll cage on both sides of the driver's helmet, mandatory. Additional padding must be NHRA-accepted, securely mounted using bolts or locking fasteners, and must include a flame-resistant covering. Currently accepted manufacturers are IPS, Impact, Butler and Mark 1.

Seat

Seats must be foamed or formed to the driver's body. Minimum one layer, Nomex-type material mandatory as seat upholstery, with manufacturer's name displayed. No magnesium permitted.

Top Alcohol Funny Car

Supercharged with screw-type supercharger, methanol: 2,300 pounds minimum weight.

Supercharged with Roots-type supercharger, methanol: 2,225 pounds minimum weight.

Roll Cage

Helmet Shroud/Deflector Plate

All vehicles in Top Alcohol Funny Car must have a rear-roll cage shroud. A one- or three-piece shroud is permitted. The shroud must be constructed of minimum .075-inch Grade 2 ASTM-B-265 titanium or .090-inch 4130 steel or be of NHRA accepted composite construction and must be shaped to conform to the roll cage. The shroud must be attached to each of the side bars with a minimum of three 1/4-inch minimum diameter Grade 8 bolts and bosses per side, to the top with one 1/4-inch minimum diameter Grade 8 bolt and boss, and to the rear bars with a minimum of two 1/4-inch minimum diameter Grade 8 bolts and bosses per side. Tabs with] bolt and nut, where the nut is welded to the tab, may be used in place of the bosses. Three piece shields must be made with two side shields and a center section.

The shroud must be installed flush with or be filled/sealed to the upper roll cage bars and shoulder hoop to the extent that protective equipment cannot inadvertently catch between the shroud and the roll-cage components. Absolutely no components may be mounted to the helmet shroud above the top of the shoulder hoop. Unless the shroud is mounted with fasteners that have ½-inch hex style heads (as required in TF and TAD) a clearance slot minimum 1-¾- inch high by 2-inch wide is required on each side of each roll cage tube where it meets the shoulder hoop

Seat

Seats must be foamed or formed to the driver's body. Minimum one layer, Nomex-type material mandatory as seat upholstery, with manufacturer's name displayed. No magnesium permitted.

Super Street

Oil Retention Device

All vehicles permitted to utilize an NHRA-accepted lower engine oil retention device; may use a belly pan in lieu of a device attached to the engine. See General Regulations 1:8.

Roll Cage

All new and existing Street Roadsters must conform to SFI Spec 10.4 upon initial inspection or at the next scheduled recertification.

Data Recorder

Any drivetrain sensors prohibited.

Super Gas

Oil Retention Device

All vehicles must utilize an NHRA-accepted lower engine oil retention device; may use a belly pan in lieu of a device attached to the engine. If belly pan is used, must extend from framerail to framerail, and extend forward of the harmonic balancer and rearward of the flywheel, and must incorporate a minimum 2-inch high lip on all sides. See General Regulations 1:8.

Roll Cage

All new and existing Street Roadsters must conform to SFI Spec 10.4 upon initial inspection or at the next scheduled recertification.

Data Recorder

Any drivetrain sensors prohibited.

Super Comp

Oil Retention Device

Roll Cage

All new and existing Street Roadsters must conform to SFI Spec 10.4 upon initial inspection or at the next scheduled recertification.

Data Recorder

Any drivetrain sensors prohibited.

Spoilers/Wings

Non-OEM airfoils or wings permitted; must be permanently attached to frame or roll cage, non-adjustable during run.

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