NHRA mandates 2009 testing policy for Top Fuel, Funny Car
Unlimited testing for Top Fuel and Funny Car teams will be permitted until the 2009 season opener at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Feb. 5, 2009. At that point, and during the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season (Feb 5 to Nov 15), professional nitromethane teams will be limited to a maximum of four (4) one-day test sessions. This policy applies to both the team and driver.
NHRA's definition of testing includes, but is not limited to, any run or attempted run conducted at any track whatsoever, whether or not it is an NHRA track or NHRA-sanctioned track. Exhibitions, match racing, licensing attempts, and the like, are considered testing and will be subject to this testing policy. For example, participating at a two-day match race will be defined as two testing session days. Regardless of the number of runs attempted per day, each day will be defined as one testing day.
A team in violation of this testing policy will forfeit all NHRA Full Throttle points earned at the next NHRA National event at which the team participates. Any team demonstrating a flagrant disregard or continual violation of the testing policy may be subject to additional punitive action as deemed appropriate by NHRA in its sole and absolute discretion.
The policy was developed after consultation with several professional nitromethane teams on a fair and equitable way to limit testing in the 2009 season. NHRA's decisions enforcing the policy will be final and not appealable.