Are you ready?
Article by: George Klass
January 2004
How many of you racers have added some more horsepower over the
winter. Or, if your class rules now allow a lighter minimum
weight, how many of you have taken advantage of it?
Either way, you will (hopefully) be going quicker and faster in
2004. So, how many of you will be impacted by any new SFI Specs or
NHRA (or IHRA) rules, corresponding to your increase in speed,
and/or quicker elapsed time. This may be a good time to review the
safety items that you may be required to have this season, the
ones that you may not have needed last year.
Let’s start out with the basics. To keep this easy to understand,
let’s use the same ET (or MPH) breaks that are in the NHRA or IHRA
Rulebooks for 2004.
Starting at 14.00 ET or slower, this is what you will be required
to have. Nothing. As long as you have a radiator overflow
container and your vehicle is in good condition (steering, brakes,
tires, etc.) and you are wearing long pants, you are ready to
race. Here’s one I bet you didn’t know. If you are running 14.00
or slower, you are allowed to take along a “co-driver” (passenger)
as long as the passenger is at least 16-years old.
Now let’s move on into the other ET categories. If you are running
between 13.99 and 12.00, you will be required to have the
following:
|
Item |
ET |
Comment |
|
Drive shaft loop |
13.99 |
For drag slicks only |
|
5 or 6-point roll bar |
13.99 |
For convertibles only |
|
5-point safety harness |
13.99 |
For convertibles only, SFI Spec 16.1 |
|
Helmet |
13.99 |
Snell 90 or greater |
|
Drive shaft loop |
13.00 |
For “street” or DOT tires |
At IHRA tracks, you won’t need the drive shaft loop for a drag
slick equipped car until 13.49 ET.
Now we are getting serious. Here is what is required if you are
running between 11.99 ET, down to 11.00 ET.
|
Item |
ET |
Comment |
|
5 or 6-point roll bar |
11.99 |
|
|
5-point safety harness |
11.99 |
SFI Spec 16.1 |
|
Flywheel shield |
11.99 |
SFI Spec 6.1 or 6.2 |
|
Flywheel & clutch |
11.99 |
SFI Spec 1.1 or 1.2 |
|
Driver’s jacket |
11.99 |
SFI spec 3.2A/1 |
At IHRA tracks, the above items are not required until 11.49 ET.
In addition, at 11.49, IHRA you will also be require a fire
extinguisher and a shield for the automatic transmission, SFI Spec
4.1.
The next level is going to be 10.99 ET down to 10.00 flat.
|
Item |
ET |
Comment |
|
Full roll cage |
10.99 |
For convertibles only. Also required for
any car running 135 MPH or faster. |
|
Harmonic balancer
|
10.99 |
SFI Spec 18.1 |
|
Aftermarket axles |
10.99 |
|
|
Axle retention device |
10.99 |
Sometimes called C-clip eliminators |
|
Auto trans shield |
10.99 |
SFI Spec 4.1 |
For IHRA tracks, at 10.99 you will also need a Class D Competition
License.
The next ET break is for cars running between 9.99 ET down to 8.50
ET.
|
Item |
ET |
Comment |
|
Flex plate (auto trans) |
9.99 |
SFI Spec 29.1 |
|
Flex plate shield |
9.99 |
SFI Spec 30.1 |
|
Full roll cage |
9.99 |
|
|
Window net |
9.99 |
SFI Spec 27.1 |
|
Master battery cut-off switch |
9.99 |
Also required for any rear mounted
battery relocation. |
|
NHRA competition license |
9.99 |
Class 4, Category C |
|
Chassis certification |
9.99 |
|
|
Drivers jacket & pants or suit |
9.99 |
SFI Spec 3.2A/5 |
|
Neck collar |
9.99 |
SFI Spec 3.3 |
|
Gloves |
9.99 |
SFI Spec 3.3/1 |
At IHRA tracks, you won’t be required to have the roll cage and
window net until you run 9.00 ET, and at 8.99 ET, IHRA requires
you to have a Class C competition license.
I hesitate to get into anything running under 8.50, but here goes.
|
Item |
ET |
Comment |
|
On-board fire suppression system |
8.49 |
Minimum 1 nozzle on driver and 1 one
nozzle on engine. |
|
Chassis certification |
8.49 |
Spec 25.4 or 25.5, less than 3600# |
|
Chassis certification |
7.49 |
Spec 25.1E, 7.49 & quicker |
|
Chassis certification |
7.49 |
SFI Spec 25.2, 7.50 & slower |
|
Chassis certification |
7.50 - 8.49 |
SFI Spec 25.5, less than 3600# |
|
NHRA competition license |
7.49 |
Class 3, Category C |
|
Parachute |
|
150mph or Faster |
At IHRA tracks, a Class B license is required at 7.99 ET to 7.50
ET, and below that, a Class A (Pro Stock) IHRA license is
required.
Correct chassis certification has been very confusing lately, what
with the different chassis combinations, vehicle weights and also
with a somewhat convoluted “start date”, based on the existing
chassis certification expiration date. This is where you need to
chat with your chassis shop. They should know the Specs and
requirements. Also, this list is to be used as a guide only, and
not as a “Tech Sheet”.
|
