Your Track and NHRA Rules for Roll Cages

[RSpeeds]

So I have had a h3ll of a time trying to get this sorted out. My last car only ran an 11.7 so it was a non issue. I went to my local track and was told I needed a roll cage before I come back. I ran an 11.0 on that pass and was there for a test and tune event. What does your NHRA track say about you racing your cars?

As I understand the rules, any event held that is not a part of the Summit Racing Series such as: West Coast Shootout, Import Faceoff, and test and tune, would follow the exception made to 2008 OEM model-year and newer production cars running slower than 9.99 or 135mph. Events such as West Coast Shootout and Import Faceoff lead to a gray area as they are a competitive racing event where the event is only one day long. Test and tune is not a point-based series so it also falls in a gray area.

Here is the text I pulled from the rule book

The NHRA Summit Racing Series that is contested across North
America forms the world’s largest motorsports program in terms
of racer participation. Participating NHRA member tracks across
North America host regularly scheduled events and award
points. At the end of the season, each track selects a team of
racers from among its top points finishers to represent the track
in a divisional Summit Racing Series Finals. Competitors —
running in different categories based on performance — race
until a champion is crowned in each category. Points totals also
are tallied for team honors


Additionally, requirements and specifications for Street Legal
and other local NHRA member track events are the same
as those for the Summit Racing Series with the following
exception. 2008 OEM model-year and newer production cars
running slower than 9.99 (*6.39) and 135 mph do not have to
meet the requirements and specifications for the Summit Racing
Series except for the following: Convertibles and T-tops must
meet Summit Racing Series roll-bar and roll-cage requirements.
Vehicle must pass all highway safety requirements in the state
in which the vehicle is registered. Unaltered OEM installed antilock brakes, airbag functions, as well as all other OEM safety
related systems must be functioning as per manufacturer’s
specifications. Note: Tires used may be other than OEM, but
they must be DOT-approved, All drivers must meet the Summit
Racing Series helmet and protective-clothing requirements for
the e.t. and mph of vehicle.

At Street Legal events, only legitimate street-legal machines are
permitted to participate. Though competition structure varies
from track to track, emphasis is placed on fun. A common
Street Legal venue will feature time trials and grudge racing
only, which ensures each participant the opportunity for a
maximum number of passes down the dragstrip. Grudge racing
permits participants to choose their competition rather than
participate in an organized eliminator. And, once eliminated, a
participant may return to the staging lanes for more time trials or
grudge runs. Being eliminated at a Street Legal event does not
necessarily mean it’s time to go home

[Dpartinvr4]

It's likely their insurance requires it as opposed to an NHRA rule

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[Alex D]

NHRA tracks require a 6 point roll bar 11.49 and quicker. IHRA tracks will let you go as fast as 10.00 and below 135 for 2008 and newer platform before needing a rollbar as per their rule book. Convertibles are treated differently with requirements at much slower ETs.

[Kaliking]

In my opinion some of these rules are a bit outdated. Cars are so much faster these days straight off the showroom floor, and obtaining more power is so much easier. I get it if you take a1999 Civic Hatchback into the 10s, you want to make sure the car is safe, but what about a new 911 Turbo S the same rules gonna apply?

[RSpeeds]

It's likely their insurance requires it as opposed to an NHRA rule

Sent from my SM-G998U using Audizine Forum mobile app

When I went to the tower they said "We need to follow NHRA rules or we risk losing our NHRA license." I think they feel they are following the rules correctly.

NHRA tracks require a 6 point roll bar 11.49 and quicker. IHRA tracks will let you go as fast as 10.00 and below 135 for 2008 and newer platform before needing a rollbar as per their rule book. Convertibles are treated differently with requirements at much slower ETs.

Interesting. They did say I can attend street legal drags which they do 4 of a year. They said for those events I could run down to 9.99 without a bar or cage.

[Alex D]

It’s honestly the discretion of the track officials. I was able to run in the 10s without getting kicked out but then other days I was booted from staging lanes after one run

[RSpeeds]

It's likely their insurance requires it as opposed to an NHRA rule

Sent from my SM-G998U using Audizine Forum mobile app

It’s honestly the discretion of the track officials. I was able to run in the 10s without getting kicked out but then other days I was booted from staging lanes after one run

I sent them a message on Facebook asking about their requirements and was told that I could run 10.99 or slower. I just get the sense that they don't really know and are just winging it.

[henhead]

This is an interesting discussion, i've just been learning about this stuff myself.

For what its worth, my local track is an NHRA track. I was told by the head tech in guy that I can run down to a 10.00 at any even that isn't a Summit Racing event. I was also told that I need a fire jacket to run under 11.5. That rule didn't seem to get followed to closely since i was able to get two runs in under that without anyone saying anything.

[PeteJ]

The NHRA allows for running down to 10.00 at speeds of less than 135 mph for vehicles manufactured post 2008 with some stipulations. Here is the text from my last rule book. It will be up to the track on how they define some of the modifications such as small brake kits and non DOT approved tires.

INTRODUCTION, NHRA DRAGS: STREET LEGAL STYLE PRESENTED BY
AAA (5th Paragraph) (Page xiv) (9/18/2018) (9/19/2018)
Additionally, requirements and specifications for Street Legal are the same as
those for the Summit Racing Series with the following exception. Unaltered 2008
OEM model-year and newer production cars running slower than 9.99 (*6.39)
and 135 mph do not have to meet the requirements and specifications for the
Summit Racing Series except for the following: Convertibles and T-tops must
meet Summit Racing Series roll-bar and roll-cage requirements. Vehicle must
pass all highway safety requirements in the state in which the vehicle is
registered. Unaltered OEM installed anti-lock brakes, airbag functions, as well as
all other OEM safety related systems must be functioning as per manufacturer’s
specifications. Note: Tires used may be other than OEM, but they must be DOT-
approved.

All drivers
must meet the Summit Racing Series helmet and protective-clothing requirements for the e.t. and mph of vehicle

[Alex D]

Glad to see NHRA has updated their rules to match IHRA. I do believe some track officials might not be as informed during test and tune events unfortunately about the 10.00 rule for 2008 and newer vehicles.

[WmRS3]

I got kicked out for running 10.2 at 139.6 mph at my track last fall. They said I needed 9 second gear but no cage. Double layer everything and shoes. The car is faster now I will be in the 9's I think. So will be interesting when I go back what they do. So is a track rental or test and tune day better? My car is pretty much a race car but I do drive it on the street and it is full weight I don't want to cage it but I want to go faster lol.

[Alex D]

Private Track rentals definitely tend to be more relaxed vs a test and tune.

[WmRS3]

Private Track rentals definitely tend to be more relaxed vs a test and tune.

Perfect I will try a rental day and see what they do if I get into the 9's.

[RSpeeds]

So it seems that my impressions were correct that my track is hold a slightly different standard than other NHRA tracks. They will only let me run 11.5 index at IFO next weekend so I am debating running pump gas on a stock level tune to compete.

[PeteJ]

Glad to see NHRA has updated their rules to match IHRA. I do believe some track officials might not be as informed during test and tune events unfortunately about the 10.00 rule for 2008 and newer vehicles.

It is always up to the track's discretion to go more stringent. For example a few years ago at a local track a driver wiped out got ejected from his vehicle and died, after that happened there was a zero tolerance policy for any safety related violations.

This rule has been in place for many years already, it is not new.

[RSpeeds]

Well I went to one of the four events where they said I can run down to a 10.0. First time racing on an E mixture but I used the less aggressive stage 2 file since I am still on the stock intercooler. The ECU was pulling timing due to IATs which slowed my trap speed down. At the end of the night I ran my best time of the day below. I did manage a 1.560 60 foot on my first run when the tires were still 110F.

10.5.jpg

[WmRS3]

Awesome 60 ft time man nice job.

[WmRS3]

I got kicked out after first 1/4 mile pass I did 10.2 at 138.5 in test n tune. Sucks they said I need a license and cage I have rest of the gear already. I wanted to hit 9's but didn't get a chance to play with tire psi or awd controller.

[RSpeeds]

I got kicked out after first 1/4 mile pass I did 10.2 at 138.5 in test n tune. Sucks they said I need a license and cage I have rest of the gear already. I wanted to hit 9's but didn't get a chance to play with tire psi or awd controller.

Well even if they were to allow the 10.2 they wouldn't allow the 138mph so this makes sense. Nice time though.