2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

If I'm reading it right, it looks like any Stock Eliminator car that runs 10.99 or quicker will be required to have a SFI trans shield. Can this be right?

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Looks about right same as ET Racing. Never looked were 9 second and faster stockers not running a trans shield?

Looks like OEM electronic shift only so e-shift, electric and air shifters may be done.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Our local track requires a shield for cars running faster than 10.99 .

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Is there an expiration date on these shields? I read somewhere that NHRA says 3 years but I don't have a current rule book to verify.

Ken Kopecky
1454 E/SA

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Trans Shield: Rigid - 5 yrs; Flexible - 2 yrs

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Maybe throttle stops with a timer so we can run 11.00

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

I would think it would be better to have listed an index or class break-off. As it is you can have two cars in the same class, maybe even the same combo, that would have different rules. One that runs 10.98 needs the shield and one that runs 11.02 doesn't need one.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

I agree, similar to the roll bar rule. It appears there's going to be a lot of Stockers with tranny blankets in 2018.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

At the US Nats in 2017 cars down as far as H/SA ran 10.99 or better. Looks like they will need a trans shield, blanket, or SFI trans case for 2018. At least the Factory Stock cars come with a SFI aftermarket trans case.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Absolutely not! All safety rules should be based on E.T. and mph. Physics is unaffected by what decals are on the windows. There's always going to be a line where there are additional safety requirements. It makes far more sense to have one line, instead of numerous arbitrary lines.

This is one of major problems that NHRA has now. The "index or class"-based safety rules that they currently have allow one 275hp combo to go 10.00 with a roll bar, -1 firesuit, etc, while mandating that another 275hp combo running 10.80 must have a full roll cage, -5 firesuit, competition license, and many other things. That is simply indefensible.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Excellent point. It makes sense. Problem is it is easier for tech to look at the decal on the window than figure out what each car actually runs. With the direction NHRA tech is going we know what way they will choose.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Looking at the dial-in on the window is even easier.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

So we would put our dial-in on the window before going to tech ?

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

What do the metric guys do?
Only one place to get a shield. Tom waters race car products. Doesn’t clear case braces. On a 69 nova, it requires cutting/modifying floor pan more than rules allow for stock eliminator just to get it to fit. Run a blanket instead? This ain’t tractor pulling. Bye bye 350, hello 6 banger. V/SA here I come.

Ryan Walther
Stock 315

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Instead of worrying about blankets and shields, put a standard trans in your cars and see what fun it is racing and shifting gears. With Jericho and Gforce transmissions, reliability is at it's best. The biggest problem is figuring out the clutch, it's cheaper then converter's because you buy one and work with it. Breakage is minimal these days and repeatability is pretty easy.
Just a suggestion.

Casey Miles
248H Stock

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

There is no dial-in on the window during qualifying.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Amen!!!!!

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Elegal shift is done? Or the shifter can't be electric controlled? Air shifters were allowed in stock? Big rule change here that needs some elaboration.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

OMG.... how do you think they do tech at bracket races? Go through tech: "How fast do you run?" "10.50's" "OK, you need XYZ." This is NOT hard.

And YES, the tech guys already watch E.T.'s. A friend has always wanted to run a 9.99 just once with his Stocker, but doesn't have a full cage. He was specifically told there would be no grace period. One 9.99 and he was out of the event.


Again, the idea that one car running 10.80's requires far more stringent safety standards than an identical car running 10.00 is ludicrous. It also creates a potentially massive problem with insurance. What happens when a 10-oh car wrecks with a roll bar, -1 suit, etc., and the insurance company says, "Why didn't this car and driver meet the same safety standards as this other car that's much slower, but requires a full cage, -5 suit, competition license, ad infinitum?"

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Michael,
Some of the bracket races I've watched here lately doesn't appear to have any rules when it comes to safety....helmet mandatory, everything else is optional. It's not my style but it also doesn't directly impact me!

If you want the simplest rule when it comes to safety....everyone should wear the same thing and have the same requirements. After all, your 10.50 car is running against 8.50 cars going 160+.

Nick

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

There was talk of air and electric shifters being used in stockers stretching the rule so there is a decision made on that.

The new rule does state OEM Electronic Shift. How do you interpret it?

Electronic rpm controls for the electric (internal or external to the transmission) shifting of OEM electric shift automatic transmissions permitted in computer controlled vehicles only.


My assumption is Mr. Forte will have some input on this.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

[QUOTE=SS3718;549006]Michael,
Some of the bracket races I've watched here lately doesn't appear to have any rules when it comes to safety....helmet mandatory, everything else is optional. It's not my style but it also doesn't directly impact me!

If you want the simplest rule when it comes to safety....everyone should wear the same thing and have the same requirements. After all, your 10.50 car is running against 8.50 cars going 160+.

Nick[/QUOTE

Agree on both points. I know of some late model street driven Corvettes, one that runs low 11's and another running low 10's that have done so with just a seat belt and helmet.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Oh. You guys are totally right. Because some bracket race not operated directly by NHRA doesn't enforce the rules, that means that NHRA National and Divisional events cannot and should not be enforced... :rolleyes: Fine, they can just keep doing what they're doing with jacked up rules. Enjoy.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Ok . So what do some of you guys run now on 350 & 400 for shields and did you have floor pan clearance issues ? My friends superstreet car runs a shield on its powerglide... I can the trans blanket is the cheap way out and it would be so dirty after 2 years its trash any how , plus no floor pan issues .......The rule didn't say auto trans only just 10;99 ! Are the stick cases sfi ? Like the ATI TH400,s on the new factory cars .

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

After reading it again its under automatic only .

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Anyone remember Bonzi starts from the 60s? Rev up with the trans in neutral and punch the button on the green light. Saw a stock 442 destroy a trans at Milan when I was in High School and the "staff photographer". Broke the driver's foot and put him in the hospital.

I run an SFI bellhousing and hard trans shield on my 302 C4 12 second bracket car. They call an automatic a slush box but it's really more of a shrapnel box if all that spinning steel ever takes a hike.

On the original topic, I don't care for the spread in safety across cars in the same category. A stocker with a roll bar is often chased by a much faster car with a 25.5 cage. This is fine as long as they stay in their own lanes but this isn't a given. If a COPO or CJ gets loose in the lights, the T/SA would be the big looser..

Just a thought.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Somebody want to clarify this for me? Are you talking about 2 of the exact same car having the differences listed or are you comparing a something like 2014 COPO Camaro to a 1970 Nova, for example?


If it's the latter, or anything similar, the reason should be obvious <shrug> One is built with better safety standards, characteristics, and features built into the car and they're taking that into account, it would seem. Is it right? I have no idea. I'm no engineer or crash expert or anything else like that lol.

If you're comparing 2 of the same car then I don't have any ideas. Sorry.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

275hp carbureted 360 in my Volare in SS/GT can run 10.00 with a roll bar, -1 suit, etc.
275hp EFI 360 in my Volare, FGT requires full cage, -5 suit, etc... all of the 9.99-quicker requirements but at ANY E.T.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

This maybe a problem because there is no such thing as a 200-e , or a 350-e , or a 400-e . Which means to me that the only OEM electric shift transmissions that would be eligible for this rule would be a 4L60-e , 4T80-e , or any of the GM automatic transmissions built after 1993 . The way the rule is written , would be more restrictive , and eliminate an e-shift 200 .

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Final straw for some??

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

See, I like NHRA, because they're always looking out for my safety. It has nothing to do with lining the pockets or their cronies in the aftermarket industry, like some of your guys suggest. New belts every two years? Absolutely! Who among us hasn't experienced a belt failure, with 2+ year old belts? I wish NHRA had the same kind of influence with OEM car manufacturers, because they're obviously risking my life by not requiring belt replacement in my 5-year old pickup.Header tethers? One of the best and most necessary safety items in years. I was constantly getting hit by flying collectors, and now, I feel that I can run down the track with anybody, without worry. The nightmare is finally over. New trans shield every 5 years? Sure! With all of the transmission explosions you see in Stock and Super Stock (and all of the resultant injuries), I'm not really sure that 5 years is often enough. I'm going to write to them, to ask that a new (or "re-certified") trans shield be required for every race. Think how safe we'll be! 3.2A/5 pants, in addition to the jacket? Aww hell yeah! After countless, horrible crashes and fires I've seen in Stock and Super Stock, it's the least they could do. I've actually written to NHRA, to propose that every racer be required to be bubble-wrapped, in addition to the current protective suit. Now that I think of it, maybe the interior of the car should be packed with shipping peanuts.,,,

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

I heard shipping peanuts were the demise of S/SS in the IHRA.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Yeah, but those need to be SFI certified shipping peanuts with a two year expiration tag on each one...

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

My favorite example:

A newbie with a 5.0 Mustang wants to try M/SA with NHRA..13 second car at altitude.
He needs a roll bar , 2 year belts , jacket, pants.
Or, he stays in brackets or test and tune nights, and needs none of the above, down to 11.50.
I talked to Bruce about this several years ago, and he sort of agreed with me.He said he'd bring it up.
Never heard any more about it.
Doesn't seem to matter to NHRA. They don't want the new kid anyway, unless he's willing to shell it out for 5-6 divisionals.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

:d:d:d:d:d

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

A bucket of water isn't worth much until you need to throw it on a fire.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Ryan, same with a Corvette. Blanket's got to be hotter and usually when fluid gets hot, it spits it out.

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

Yup.....made same point moving to NHRA.
Mike Beard made similar point earlier too.
Plus need a custom gas tank and special fuel.

Like I mentioned earlier ... NHRA needs us.
If NHRA relaxed to the 11.50 rule more of us would be right there!

D

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

The last thing that NHRA needs is you......

Re: 2017 to 2018 Rule Amendments
 

I nominate this for POST of the year.......