NHRA Technical Services previews rule changes for 2009
Select changes are listed below. See the 2009 Rulebook for the final and complete wording of the rules. The Rulebook will be available in December and sent to NHRA members with Issue 48 of National DRAGSTER.
NHRA
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman (7.50 & slower)
Designations: Pro: 9.00 to 13.99
Helmet: K98 no longer permitted.
Advanced E.T. (6.00 to 7.49)
Upholstery: For all front-engine open-bodied vehicles supercharged or turbocharged (gasoline- or methanol-burning), a flame-retardant-material-covered seat is mandatory.
Fire Extinguisher System: Mandatory on all cars. Minimum five-pound NHRA-accepted system. System must be divided with one nozzle on driver's side and one nozzle on engine. Supercharged, alcohol (full-bodied or Funny Car), minimum: 20-pound NHRA-accepted system.
Helmet: Helmet with shield mandatory. K98 helmet no longer permitted.
Front-engine, open-bodied car equipped with nitrous oxide or alcohol, and full-bodied car equipped with nitrous oxide without a full .024-inch steel firewall: Jacket and pants or suit meeting SFI 3.2A15 , gloves and boots or shoes meeting SFI Spec 3.3/5.
Protective Clothing: Note: Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, all drivers in this class will be required to wear a jacket and pants or suit meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/15, except drivers of front-engine, supercharged or turbocharged open-bodied cars, who will continue to be required to wear a jacket and pants or suit meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/20.
Top Sportsman and Top Dragster
2009 rules for these classes will be included in the 2009 NHRA Rulebook
E.T. Motorcycle, Snowmobile, All-Terrain Vehicle, and Electric-Powered Vehicle
Helmet: Helmet with shield mandatory. K98 helmet no longer permitted.
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES
Super Street
Data Recorder: Any drivetrain sensors permitted.
Helmet: K98 helmet no longer permitted.
Super Gas
Belly Pan: If used, must extend forward of the harmonic balancer and rearward to rear-engine plate.
Helmet: K98 helmet no longer permitted.
Stock
Reserved for 1960 and newer model-year factory-production automobiles and some sports cars.
Class Weight Breaks: The power-to-weight factor (as found in the Official NHRA Stock Car Classification Guide) determines the natural class of all cars. The power-to-weight factor is the shipping weight of the vehicle divided by advertised, or when applicable, the factored horsepower for the OEM-assembly-line cylinder heads (not aftermarket cylinder heads). NHRA-accepted aftermarket cylinder heads carry a horsepower penalty that is calculated to the weight of the vehicle and does not change the class of the vehicle.
Pushrod guide plates permitted. Cylinder head may be clearanced for larger diameter pushrods.
Cylinder Heads: Any aftermarket steel valve permitted, must retain stock head and stem diameters (but not stock seat angle). Any valve job permitted.
Pistons: Assembly weight of piston, pin, rings, and connecting rod must be equal to or greater than the minimum assembly weight as found on the then-current Stock Replacement Piston Acceptance List.
Transmission, Automatic: Electronic rpm controls for the electric (internal or external to the transmission) shifting of automatic transmissions permitted in computer-controlled electronic-fuel-injected vehicles only. Otherwise, any gear change must occur as a result of an internal function of the transmission or from direct action by the driver. Pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, etc. controls and shifters in all noncomputer-controlled electronic-fuel-injected vehicles prohibited.
Windows: Factory back glass on a truck may be replaced with Plexiglas, Lexan, or other shatterproof material, minimum 1/8-inch thick, to permit the use of back brace bars on a roll bar or roll cage.
Delay Boxes/Devices: Two-step permitted. Two-step must be foot-activated through brake pedal, clutch pedal, or pressure switch. Hand release prohibited.
Helmet: K98 helmet no longer permitted.
Jacket and pants meeting SFI Spec 3.2A1 mandatory in AA/S through M/S, AA/SA through M/SA, and in any vehicle running 11.49 or quicker.
Super Stock
Oil Pump: Accumulator permitted. Additional external plumbing (except for accumulator and remote oil filter in Super Stock GT) prohibited.
Transmission, Automatic: Transbrake buttons must be NHRA-accepted. Devices must be mechanical-spring actuated and not exceed 3 inches in length from base of (button) switch to top of plunger. Adjustability is permitted and may be made by a thread stop or stop rings. Modifying the switch by the addition of hydraulics, pneumatics, electric, or other means is prohibited.
Transmission, Manual: If any engine/manual transmission combination is listed in the class blueprint specification as being available with only a three-speed manual transmission, it may be replaced with any four-speed manual transmission.
Roll Cage: Roll cage meeting SFI Spec 25.4 or 25.5 is mandatory for all Super Stock cars running 8.49 or quicker.
Helmet: K98 helmet no longer permitted.
Neck Collar: Neck collar meeting SFI Spec 3.3 mandatory in all cars running 9.99 (*6.39) or quicker or cars exceeding 135 mph. A head and neck restraint device/system may be used in lieu of a neck collar.
Jacket and pants meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/5 mandatory in SS/A through SS/I and SS/AH through SS/IA, AA/SA or any vehicle running 9.99 or quicker. Jacket and pants meeting SFI Spec3.2A/1 mandatory in SS/J through SS/P and SS/JA through SS/PA or any vehicle running 10.00 to 11.49.
Note for classes below: Pants meeting the same SFI Spec level as the required jacket mandatory in most classes of Super Stock GT, GT/Truck, Modified Stock, Super Modified Truck, Modified, and Super Stock/MX.
Super Stock GT
Minimum shipping weight requirement of 2,500 pounds: dropped.
For FWD conversion cars, a driveshaft tunnel may be fabricated of the same-as-OEM material and must be fully welded to the as-built OEM floor.
GT/Truck
Roll Cage: Roll cage meeting SFI 25.4 or 25.5 is mandatory for all Super Stock trucks running 8.49 or quicker.
Modified Stock
Carburetor: Class A, one NHRA-accepted 4-barrel, maximum 850cfm, standard OEM configuration. Class B, C, and D, one NHRA-accepted 4-barrel, maximum 750cfm, standard OEM configuration. Class A through D, throttle bore restricted to manufacturer's dimension, measured at the largest point, venturi restricted to manufacturer's dimension plus .025-inch measured at the largest point.
Cylinder Heads: V-8 splayed valve permitted in AS, canted or inline in BS, inline only in CS, and any valve configuration in DS. All heads must be NHRA-accepted, two valves per cylinder, except in classes DS, ES, FS, and GS, four valves per cylinder permitted.
Roll Cage: Roll cage meeting SFI 25.4 or 25.5 is mandatory for all Super Stock cars running 8.49 or quicker.
Wheelbase: Minimum wheelbase 93 inches.
Floor: For FWD conversion cars, a driveshaft tunnel may be fabricated of same-as-OEM floor material and must be fully welded to the as-built OEM floor.
Modified Truck
Carburetor: Class TA, one NHRA-accepted 4-barrel, maximum 850cfm, standard OEM configuration. Classes TB, TC, and TD, one NHRA-accepted 4-barrel, maximum 750cfm, standard OEM configuration. Classes A through D, throttle bore restricted to manufacturer's dimension, measured at the largest point, venturi restricted to manufacturer's dimension plus.025-inch, measured at the largest point.
Modified
Roll Cage: Roll cage meeting SFI 25.4 or 25.5 is mandatory for all Super Stock vehicles running 8.49 or quicker.
Floor: For FWD conversion cars, a driveshaft tunnel may be fabricated of same-as-OEM floor material and must be fully welded to the as-built OEM floor. See General Regulations 7:5.
Super Stock/MX
An EX class will be added to accommodate All Motor cars from the NHRA Sport Compact Series: EX – 11.50 or more pounds per cubic inch, naturally aspirated, methanol only, front-wheel drive only, full-bodied.
Comp
Transmission, Automatic: Transbrake buttons must be NHRA-accepted (see NHRA.com for accepted list). Devices must be mechanical-spring actuated and not exceed 3 inches in length from base of (button) switch to top of plunger. Adjustability is permitted and may be made by a thread stop or stop rings. Modifying the switch by the addition of hydraulics, pneumatics, electric, or other means is prohibited.
Helmet: Helmet with shield mandatory for all open-bodied cars and any closed car running 7.49 seconds or quicker.
Protective Clothing: Note – Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, all drivers in this class running 7.49 seconds or quicker will be required to wear a jacket and pants or suit meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/15.
Gas Dragster, Econo Dragster
Helmet: K98 helmet no longer permitted.
Nostalgia Dragster
Injectors: A/ND, round injector maximum diameter is 3.150 inches (as measured across the butterfly shaft); rotary injector (i.e., with no butterflies) permitted, oval, rectangular, and siamesed (two cylinders/ports maximum) injectors also permitted; area may not exceed that of a 3.150-inch diameter per port. B/ND, round injector with butterflies required; 2.875-inch diameter maximum as measured across the butterfly shaft.
Transmission, Automatic: Automated, electric, or pneumatic shifter prohibited.
Upholstery: For supercharged or turbocharged open-bodied cars (gasoline- or methanol-burning), a flame-retardant-material-covered seat is mandatory.
Protective Clothing: Jacket and pants meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/15, gloves SFI 3.3/5, and boots/shoes 3.3/5 mandatory. Drivers of all cars required to have an SFI 3.3 head sock or an SFI 3.3 skirted helmet.
Altered and Street Roadster
Engine: OEM aftermarket small-block Chevrolet (SBC) engines with bore centers greater than 4.420 inches are not permitted.
Oil Systems: Dry-sump oil systems permitted in Altered classes, prohibited in Street Roadster. Any oil-pump configuration permitted in Altered classes, may be combined with other pump functions. Street Roadster classes, single stage external pump only permitted.
Suspension: Four-link rear-suspension car may use a single spring and shock absorber.
Helmet: Helmet with shield mandatory. K98 helmet no longer permitted.
For supercharged or turbocharged open-bodied cars (gasoline- or methanol-burning) and closed-bodied methanol-burning cars, a suit meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/15, SFI 3.3/15 gloves and SFI 3.3/15 shoes/boots mandatory.
Altered Truck
Helmet: Helmet with shield mandatory in vehicles 7.49 and quicker. K98 helmet no longer permitted.
Econo Altered
Four-link rear-suspension car may use a single spring and shock absorber.
Helmet: Helmet with shield mandatory in vehicles 7.49 and quicker. K98 helmet no longer permitted.
Super Modified
OEM aftermarket small-block Chevrolet (SBC) engines with bore centers greater than 4.420 inches are not permitted.
Roll Cage: Mandatory. All new chassis or at scheduled recertification must meet the following SFI Spec: A/SM through E/SM, A/SMA through E/SMA must meet SFI 25.1E, 25.2, 25.4, or 25.5 as applicable for e.t. and weight. Must conform to specs for body style used. Chassis must be recertified every three years and have serialized sticker affixed to roll cage before participation. Roll-cage padding meeting SFI Spec 45.1 mandatory anywhere driver's helmet may come in contact with roll-cage components.
Hood Scoop: Maximum of 11-inch scoop opening height from adjacent hood surface will apply to all cars in this class.
Helmet: Helmet with shield mandatory in vehicles 7.49 and quicker. K98 helmet no longer permitted.
Pro Modified
AA/PM – Supercharged, methanol. Maximum 527 cubic-inch displacement or turbocharged, gasoline or methanol, maximum 650 cubic-inch displacement; 2,725-pound minimum weight.
Must be a coupe or sedan body style. Nitrous entries, 2,425 pounds. Supercharged or turbocharged entries, 2,725 pounds. Accepted nostalgia body styles (example: 1953 Studebaker, 1955-1957 Chevy and Buick) may deduct 25 pounds from minimum weight; 1938 Chevy and 1941 Willys may deduct 50 pounds from minimum weight. All 1996 and earlier Corvettes run at posted class weights. All 2001 and later bodies (i.e., Chevrolet Cobalt, Cavalier, Corvette [1997 and later], Pontiac GTO, GXP, Grand Am, Dodge Stratus, Vipers [all years], Ford Z-X2 Mustang, Mercury Cougar, Toyota Solara, etc.) add 25 pounds to the minimum weight. Turbocharged cars will be treated as supercharged cars in all other applicable sections.
Nitrous-oxide-assisted entries are limited to 820 cubic inches with a maximum bore center of 5.300. Turbocharged entries are limited to 650 cubic inches with a maximum bore center of 5.000.
Induction: Any induction system permitted on nitrous and turbocharged cars.
Automatic transmissions permitted. Transmission shield meeting SFI Spec 4.1 mandatory. Automatic-transmission flexplate meeting SFI Spec 29.1 and flexplate shield meeting SFI Spec 30.1 mandatory.
Front overhang not to exceed 45 inches forward of the front spindle. If front overhang of selected body is less than the maximum of 45 inches, an NHRA-accepted extension may be added to reach the maximum length.
Top Alcohol Dragster
Oil Lines: Must be tested and tagged, within two years, to indicate that they have been tested.
Flywheel: Maximum depth of flywheel shield: 9.4 inches (inside).
Steering: Commercially available quick-disconnect steering wheel meeting SFI Spec 42.1 or removable (via quick-release pins) steering box cross member mandatory.
Seats: Must be foamed with energy-absorbing material and formed to the driver's body.
Protective Clothing: Drivers of supercharged front-engine cars must use suit meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/20, gloves 3.2A/20 3.3/20, boots 3.3/20 3.3/15, and head sock 3.3 mandatory.
Top Alcohol Funny Car
Brakes: Aluminum front brake rotors prohibited.
Helmet Shroud: Unless the shroud is mounted with fasteners that have 1/2-inch hex-style heads (as required in TF and TAD), a clearance slot minimum 3/4-inch high by 2 inches wide is required on each side of each roll-cage tube where it meets the shoulder hoop.
Tow-Strap Hoop: All cars must have tow-strap hoops on the lower front of the chassis. Hoops must be capable of accepting a 2-inch tow hook without lifting the body and not stressing the body when the car is being towed. Hoops must line up with the centerline of the car below the body-release rod and clearly marked on the body with an arrow pointing down.
Seats: Must be foamed with energy-absorbing material and formed to the driver's body.
Body Rear-Release Mechanism: Must be the pin and cable type with capability to remove body without pulling pin. Release handle must be colored red and of a T-handle design with a minimum measurement of 3 inches in length.
Underbody Coating: Underside of body, including any roof area and all the composite components such as timer boxes, etc. must be covered with SFI Spec 54.1 flame-retardant covering or coating.
NHRA FULL THROTTLE DRAG RACING SERIES
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Fuel Lines: All pressurized fuel systems must use lines that are metallic, steel braided, or NHRA-accepted woven or woven-pushlock.
Induction: EFI electronic fuel injection permitted. All electronic-fuel-injection systems must be NHRA-accepted. All inputs/outputs, sensors, transducers, and wiring related to the fuel-injection system and ignition system must be NHRA-accepted and used in an unaltered manner. Contact the NHRA Technical Department for an approved list of sensors, inputs/outputs, and wiring. A current list of NHRA-accepted electronic-fuel-injection systems is available on NHRA.com.
Wheels: Carbon/composite wheels prohibited.
Pro Stock
Engine Setback: Maximum 81.5 inches; minimum setback 84.5 inches.
Oil-Retention Device: Pan must be constructed of an NHRA-accepted composite material only.
Steering: Maximum 2 buttons allowed on steering wheel.
Suspension: All shock systems must be NHRA-accepted.
Parachute: No more than 3.5 inches of any portion of the parachute pack can be located under the rear of the spoiler. This will be measured from the parachute pack backing plate to the rear tip of the spoiler.
Window Net: Must be either ribbon or mesh type. No solid material type.
Windshield: With the exception of the driver's name, car number, car builder's name, and class designation, side windows, including quarter windows, must remain clear of decals, paint scheme, etc.
Helmet: Helmet with shield mandatory.
Protective Clothing: Note – Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, all drivers in this class will be required to wear a jacket and pants or suit meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/15.
Funny Car
Fuel Injector Hat: Maximum 65 square inches will be measured at butterfly or throttle bodies.
Valve Covers: Must be fabricated steel, titanium, or aluminum (no cast or composite permitted) and NHRA-accepted. Must be installed using 5/16-inch steel studs and nuts. Titanium valve covers must be SFI Spec 14.4, aluminum or steel valve covers must have SFI Spec 14.4 blanket.
Brakes: Aluminum front brake rotors prohibited.
Ballast: Must be secured with minimum of two 1/2-inch or four 3/8-inch Grade 8 fasteners per 100 pounds and be NHRA accepted.
Helmet Shroud: Unless the shroud is mounted with fasteners that have 1/2-inch hex-style heads (as required in TF and TAD), a clearance slot minimum 3/4-inch high by 2 inches wide is required on each side of each roll-cage tube where it meets the shoulder hoop.
Roll Cage: Chassis must meet SFI Spec 10.5. A current list of NHRA-accepted lateral head supports is available on NHRA.com.
Tow-Strap Hoops: All cars must have tow-strap hoops on the lower front of the chassis. Hoops must capable of accepting a 2-inch tow hook without lifting the body and not stressing the body when the car is being towed. Hoops must line up with the centerline of the car, below the body-release rod and clearly marked on the body with an arrow pointing down.
Tires: Minimum tire pressure at start of run 6psi.
Seats: Must be foamed with energy-absorbing material and formed to the driver's body.
Body: Modification to the lower, rear corner of the front wheel opening(s) may be allowed, IF required to meet the clearance for starting-line timing lights. In side view, the body should present clearance, all the way across the car, 3 inches from the ground, extending for a length of 12 inches + 1/4-inch max, rearward from the front spindle centerline. Any exposed edges or openings as a result of trimming the wheel opening corner should be patched and refinished. Such modifications must be authorized in advance by the NHRA Technical Services Department and accepted upon completion.
Rear-Release Mechanism: Must be the pin-and-cable type with capability to remove body without pulling pin.
Underbody Coating: Underside of body, including any roof area and all the composite components such as timer boxes, etc. must be covered with SFI Spec 54.1 flame-retardant covering or coating.
Doghouse: Doghouse fire shielding in driver compartment mandatory; if carbon fiber, must be covered with SFI Spec 54.1 flame-retardant covering or coating.
Rear Bumpers: Maximum measurement from trailing edge of rear bumper to ground 29 inches at rear tire pressure of 6.0psi.
Ignition Systems: Removable or pin-type timing pointers prohibited.
Top Fuel
Fuel Injector Hat: Maximum fuel injector air inlet opening: 65 square inches measured at butterfly or throttle bodies, excluding cross shaft in fully open position.
Valve Covers: Must be fabricated steel, titanium, or aluminum (no cast or composite permitted) and NHRA-accepted. Must be installed with 5/16-inch steel studs and nuts. Titanium valve covers must be SFI Spec 14.4, aluminum or steel valve covers must have SFI Spec 14.4 blanket.
Vent Tube Breathers: Minimum catch can(s) capacity is 6.75 gallons.
Ballast: Must be secured with minimum of two 1/2-inch or four 3/8-inch Grade 8 fasteners per 100 pounds and be NHRA-accepted.
Helmet Shroud: Bolt heads must be 1/2-inch hex-style head; no clearance slots allowed.
Roll Cage: A current list of NHRA-accepted lateral head supports is available on NHRA.com.
Tires: Minimum tire pressure at start of run 6 ½psi.
Seats: Must be foamed with energy-absorbing material and formed to the driver's body.
Wings and Supports: All Top Fuel rear wing main elements must be positioned with a zero to positive 2-degree angle relative to the racing surface. Must be unaltered from manufacturer's specs.
Ignition Systems: Removable or pin-type timing pointers prohibited.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
Roll Cage: Open-bodied cars running 9.99 and quicker and/or faster than 135 mph must meet applicable SFI Specification for e.t. (see Class Requirements). Full-bodied cars running 8.49 and quicker and/or exceeding 180 mph must meet applicable SFI Specification for e.t. and weight (see Class Requirements). SFI Specifications may be purchased from the SFI Foundation (sfifoundation.com, (858) 451-8868); SFI Specifications are not available from NHRA Technical Services.
"D" bar installation for full-bodied cars: For front-wheel-drive cars, with complete OEM floor (from the firewall to the rear of the trunk) and rocker/sill boxes, the 1 1/4-inch x .058-inch CM (.118-inch MS) "D" bars (when required; i.e., when the main hoop is not welded to the frame) may be welded to a 1 5/8-inch x .083-inch CM (.118-inch MS) cross member welded to the rocker/sill box via conventional 6-inch x 6-inch x 1/8-inch-thick plates. For rear-wheel-drive cars, with neither a frame nor subframe connectors, but with complete OEM floor (from the firewall to the rear of the trunk; exception: the rear inner wheel wells may be tubbed with steel or aluminum) and rocker/sill boxes, the 1 1/4-inch x .058-inch CM (.118-inch MS) "D" bars may be welded to conventional 6-inch x 6-inch x 1/8-inch plates attached to the driveshaft tunnel.
Steel-bodied pickup trucks (7.50 seconds and slower), roll cages are permitted with no back braces if the roll cage satisfies SFI 25.1E, 25.2, 25.4, or the roll cage consists of a four-point (door car) cage with a complete SFI 2.4B, 2.5B, 2.6, 2.7A dragster, SFI 10.2, 10.3 altered, or SFI 10.4 street roadster roll cage/driver's compartment incorporated into and attached to the four-point roll cage. An upper windshield bar is mandatory.
Non-steel-bodied pickup trucks (7.50 seconds and slower), roll cages are permitted with no back braces if the roll cage satisfies SFI 25.1E, 25.2, 25.4, or the roll cage satisfies the requirements for SFI 2.4B, 2.5B, 2.6, 2.7A dragster, SFI 10.2, 10.3 altered, or SFI 10.4 street roadster roll cage/driver's compartment. No four-point (door car) cage is required and no upper windshield bar is required.
All joints indicated as tube-to-tube joints/intersections must be fabricated by properly notching the components to fit with minimum clearance unless otherwise noted. Crushing the end of a tube to oval in lieu of properly notching/fitting the tube is not acceptable. Welding a plate to the side of one tube and butt welding the other tube to the plate surface in lieu of properly notching/fitting the tube is not acceptable.
For Sportsman full-bodied cars that require a roll cage (7.50 seconds and slower, including cars inspected to SFI 25.4 or 25.5): If the windshield/roof bars are interrupted by the dash bar, then either the entire dash bar must be minimum 1 1/2-inch x .058-inch CM (.118-inch MS) or the entire dash bar must be minimum 1 1/4 inches x .058-inch CM (.118-inch MS) and must be braced with gussets to both the upper and lower sections of each windshield/roof bar. The gussets may be either 1.75 inches x 1.75 inches x .110-inch (with one 1/2-inch-diameter and two 5/16-inch-diameter holes maximum) 4130 CM or MS plate (triangle shaped) or 3/4-inch x .049-inch CM (.118-inch MS) tubing at least 4 inches long. An interrupted windshield/roof bar is defined as one that has been completely severed into upper and lower sections/pieces and then the sections/pieces are welded to the dash bar.
Windshield, Windows: Shielding not to exceed 4 inches x 8 inches is permitted at this time provided that (a) it has a permanent attachment to the vehicle, such that it requires tools for removal, and (b) that the shielding is deemed safe by the driver in the driver's judgment and so long as the driver can demonstrate to technical inspectors that the purpose of the modification is to reduce distraction in the driver's field of vision. By using such a shield, the driver acknowledges and agrees that the driver deems such modification safe in the driver's judgment consistent with the driver's obligations in Section 1, Participant Agreements and Administrative and Procedural Rules, set forth above, and that the shield does not impair or interfere with the safe operation of the driver's vehicle.
Ignition: All removable or pin-type timing devices are prohibited.
Electronic Fuel Injection: In classes where allowed, must be closed, OEM-type system; i.e., may monitor only engine functions. Monitoring of vehicle performance criteria, wheel speed, driveshaft speed, vehicle acceleration, etc. by fuel-injection system prohibited. All aftermarket OEM-type electronic fuel injection must be NHRA-accepted. A current list of NHRA-accepted electronic-fuel-injection systems is available on NHRA.com.
Head Sock or Skirted Helmet: Required on all supercharged cars and all cars with an automatic transmission and/or converter in the driver's compartment. Head sock or skirted helmet also required on all open-bodied cars where a neck collar is not used; i.e., where a head and neck restraint only is used.
Helmet: Structural modifications to helmet/shield are prohibited. Cutting of helmet or helmet shield prohibited. Helmet must remain as manufactured, except for paint scheme/graphics and permitted non-structural driver modifications to helmet shield as set forth below. Taping or similar modifications to the helmet shield made by the driver that reduce the driver's field of vision, and are deemed safe by driver in the driver's judgment, are permitted at this time so long as the driver can demonstrate to technical inspectors that the purpose of the modification is to reduce distraction in the driver's field of vision. By using such a modification to the helmet shield, the driver acknowledges and agrees that the driver deems such modification safe in the driver's judgment consistent with the driver's obligations in Section 1, Participant Agreements and Administrative and Procedural Rules, set forth above, and that the modification does not impair or interfere with the safe operation of the driver's vehicle.
Helmet shield mandatory for vehicles 7.49 or quicker.
Neck Collar/Head and Neck Restraint: Neck collar meeting SFI Spec 3.3 mandatory in all cars running 9.99 (*6.39) or quicker or cars exceeding 135 mph. A head and neck restraint device/system may be used in lieu of a neck collar.
An SFI-approved head and neck restraint device/system is mandatory for any vehicle running 200 mph or faster and in all of the following classes: Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, and the following classes in Comp: A/D, A/DA, B/D, B/DA, H/D, A/ED, AA/A, AA/AM, AA/AT, BB/AT, CC/AT, A/PM, AA/PM, A/AP, A/A, A/AA, B/A, B/AA, and in Alternative Sanctioning Organization vehicles running 200 mph or faster.
Protective Clothing: "Protective Clothing" includes suit (one-piece suit or jacket and pants); head sock; gloves; and boots or shoes. Driver must meet all Protective Clothing requirements stated under General Regulations.
Protective Clothing requirements stated are minimum requirements; drivers are free to upgrade Protective Clothing. Each item of Protective Clothing must meet applicable specifications. Each item must be properly labeled and in good condition. All jackets/pants or suits for SFI Spec 3.2A/15 or 3.2A/20 must be recertified on a five-year interval. All gloves must have a full layer of flame-retardant material inside the glove. Leather palm gloves without a full layer of flame-retardant material separating leather from driver's hand prohibited.
If no specific Protective Clothing requirements are stated for a particular class, then the minimum requirements are as follows: full-length pants; short- or long-sleeved shirt; closed shoes; and socks. No shorts. No bare legs. No bare torsos. No tank tops. No open-toe or open-heel shoes or sandals. Synthetic clothing not recommended.
NOTICE
Under no circumstances may any certified product be modified, altered, or in any way vary from the "as manufactured" condition. Such a practice is in violation of the SFI, Snell, DOT, etc. program, voids such certification, and therefore will not be accepted by NHRA.
It is the responsibility of the participant to ensure that all safety equipment is approved and is correctly installed, worn, maintained and used.
* = eighth-mile
NHRA, working with the safety task force formed a little more than three months ago, has continued to investigate, analyze, and determine ways to implement initiatives to enhance racing safety. Among the areas under review were parachutes and braking systems. Below is a brief update on the progress being made on these two initiatives.
Parachutes
An area of focus has been parachute materials and mounting. Testing has been ongoing on the use of Kevlar parachute material, developed by Bill Simpson at Impact Racing, which is more fire resistant and more resistant to tearing and dragging. Teams/drivers testing the new material include Jeff Arend, Melanie Troxel, Gary Densham, Bob Tasca III, Jack Beckman, Ron Capps, Ashley Force, and Robert Hight. Also, NHRA is working with its safety task force and several Funny Car teams to determine different parachute mounting locations on Funny Car chassis as well as the possible use of launchers to better propel and more quickly blossom the parachutes. At the same time, research continues on minimizing parachute entanglement. Material and mounting rules are expected to be announced by NHRA prior to the beginning of the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season.
Braking system
Currently, leading manufacturers in the performance parts industry are working with teams to test a variety of new brake systems for Top Fuel dragsters and fuel Funny Cars. Jim Head is testing a power-assisted master cylinder on his Funny Car, and Larry Dixon is about to test a dual braking system utilizing two master cylinders on his Top Fuel dragster. In addition, a new, larger front brake is being developed. The new brake systems and larger front brake mechanism are currently being manufactured, and once enough product is available in the marketplace for all applicable race teams, the system will be mandated by NHRA.