ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or not?
 

This is a request for rules clarification regarding "Beam Breakers" in Stock & Super Stock.

1. Are non-original beam breaking equipment/devices allowed?
2. Are there any restrictions regarding mounting of original, custom, or aftermarket devices in the frontal area beneath the body or framework forward of the front wheels?

Here is a picture of a part that has been a subject of recent discussion on this topic

https://classracer.com/classforum/at...1&d=1745861659

Thank you,
Jim Grossi SS7856

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Looks legal to me according to the rules. The Finnish line I believe is 12 inches above the racing surface. The stripe taker needs to be at that height at speed.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Don't like it, not one bit!!!

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

I believe the rule book does state this clearly, I was told once that the rule book states only what yo can do and all else is not permitted. The bold text in the general reg identifies the ruling. Under general reg 4:5 GROUND CLEARANCE A-Arm Upright 4:4 Minimum 3 inches from front of car to 12 inches behind centerline of front axle; 2 inches for remainder of car, except oil pan and exhaust headers where permitted. When permitted under Class Requirements, devices used for anti-rotation purposes (i.e., wheelie bars) are exempt from the 2-inch clearance rule. Unless otherwise permitted by Class Requirements, the installation of a ?beam breaker? in front of the body is restricted to extending no farther forward than the body or bumper and must also satisfy the 3-inch ground-clearance requirement.

In the stock section of the rule book:
BODY Alterations or customizing prohibited; extent of customizing is limited to paint only. Convertible-top cars must run with top up. Sedan delivery, Ranchero, El Camino, etc. (if found properly classified in the Classification Guide) are eligible only if all class requirements are met. Raising and/or lowering front or rear of cars prohibited. Cars must retain level attitude at standstill, except those that have a forward rake (a permitted modification). Bottom of rocker panel cannot be higher than centerline of rear axle. Body mount insulators may be replaced with solid mounts of same size. Aluminum or other lightweight material may not be used to replace heavier items on car. In front-wheel-drive vehicles, air dams and spoilers that were available through the manufacturer are permitted front and rear. This is pretty clear that it is not legal.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Respectfully, this shows the inconsistencies of tech nowadays. Years ago Danny Gracia made me remove my OEM duck bill from the front bumper on my Daytona stating it was too low. Mind you, Wes Leopold had been wheeling the car like that for 20+ years.

Per the Stock Eliminator section of the rulebook "BODY: Alterations or customizing prohibited; extent of customizing is limited to paint only."

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

For what it's worth.
Standard timing equipment beam placement

• Height of staging beams approximately 1 9/16"
• Height of 60" beam - 10"
• Height of interval time beams, speed trap beams, and ET stop beam - all 5"

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Thanks Jim

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Why doesn?t someone contact Lonnie Grimm and get it clarified instead of debating each others brains our here?!

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Because Lonnie and Pat were approached about it while in Vegas and it was deemed LEGAL according to them....

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Congratulations everyone!
You're all NOW Bracket Racers.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Then there is no debate.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Bracket racing until Heads-up

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

This is not legal. It is altered body work. It also appears to have less than three inches of ground clearance which the the rule book clearly states

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

The general rules specifically allow a beam breaker in any class. It even spells out the size, positioning and heights. The rule in Super stock does not have any mention of a beam breaker in that section of the rule book. So that is open to interpretation. We need a clarification from NHRA tech for stock and super stock.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Maybe so Mr. Larry.
Let?s play this out, say your DragPak and ours goes head up with same engine combos. One of the cars has one of these contraptions hanging on the bottom of it, the other does not. Technically the car that has this so called gadget has an advantage, does it not? If yes, then my opinion, that it is an unequal advantage and should not be allowed in especially Stock Eliminator, period, for any reason. But, if no advantage, then no reason to have a rule.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

It?s always fun to race y?all. As the rules are written I think the stripe taker is legal. If we race and y?all have one I have no complaints on the within the rules part. In my opinion the Candies teams play by the rules.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

I guess my good friend Toby Lang was correct when he told me 25 years ago that we are ( ) Racing 99 percent of the time …..

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Coming Soon!

https://scontent-msp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...8A&oe=681831E0

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Worst part of this whole deal is I can't even make a useful one for my combo. To get a stripe catcher to work on my car would be almost impossible. The difference in the front of my car from ride height to full extension is so large, that I'd never be able to get one that always caught the beam whether I'm in the gas or not. To get it low enough to trip the 5 inch tall finish line beam, it would have to be on the ground all the rest of the time. I'll get in the shop and see what I can fab up just for the sake of a new project, but looks like I won't be running one legal or not.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Thanks Mr. Larry
It obviously seems that tech didn't throw it out so?.
I guess the debate now is should racers fight to make it illegal in stock at least???

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

In my opinion and experience there are often different dimensions to rules.

For example

• Rules as written
• Rules as interpreted
• Rules as enforced

I think this particular rule needs some added clarity for Stock and Super Stock. Most importantly I'd like to know how the ruling will be enforced, and that it will be enforced the same for everyone everywhere. That's why I posted the request here in a public forum rather than making a private call to any individual NHRA representative.
We have a Sportsman Racer Advisory Council (SRAC) comprised of 1 Stock or Super Stock rep from each division, plus an NHRA Division Director and technical representative. The stated purpose of the SRAC is to provide a means for discussing and evaluating rules and regulations pertaining to Sportsman racing at NHRA events. IMO This request is perfectly suited for their scope of work.
I don't know that we need to fight for anything, but think it's a good idea to express opinions to our reps so they can best represent our collective interests.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

This is legal WtF.
This ain?t bracket racing or street outlaws
If you want this, you need to buy a third generation or fourth generation, Camaro or Firebird
And hit the brakes real hard
I mean, the poor guys only got four cylinders. Go get four more spark plugs.
IF MY COMPITION HAS THIS IM TRASHING IT IN THE STAGING LANES
TRY ME PLEASE

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Coming to a track near you!!!! Have to love yah James

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Like it or not, you're bracket racing the majority of time!

As for your last capitalized sentence. If acted on, would be Staging Lane Rage!

This whole Beam Breaker Topic(s) have been entertaining till James last comment. There's a proper way to handle the situation & Staging Lane Rage is unacceptable to a 4-cylinder guy or any other racer!

1700/STY/781L :)

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

They are ILLEGAL!

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

It would be kool if the strip taker was spring loaded in the up position and was deployed to the locked position on the automatic 1-2 shift.
I really think a race car is like a spouse, look all you want just do not touch.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

I alluded to something similar in another thread.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

This thread is certainly the pot calling the kettle black.

The rules as written:
Body: Alterations or customizing prohibited; extent of customizing
is limited to paint only

Rules as interpreted:
I have a 1970 and up corvette body, I think I'll stick a '69 nose on it and call it a 1969. Close enough

Rules as enforced:
Tech not only turns there head but Joe Costello does a segment and no one said a word.

I'll give you its a nice SS/GT car but according to the rules, illegal. The rear fenders need to be for the year claimed. You could say you flared the rear wheel wells but according to the rules that is illegal.

https://www.speednik.com/files/2025/...-48_864321.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/4a/8b/42/4...287d3e7628.jpg

For the non corvette affficianados, '68 and '69 have no rear fender flares, 1970-'73 have the flares and chrome bumper in rear still. Take note as very easy to decipher looking behind the rear tire. No mudflaps needed on a 70 up vette. Orange corvette is a '70-'73 body with '68-'69 nose hung on it.

Stripe taker is a misdeamenor compared to this blatant violation attempt. And nobody says a word. Clearly a bracket race at this point. BTW, where is Ed?????

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Just so everyone is aware, my pecker extender was quickly and unequivocally disqualified and I was asked to remove it upon investigation. I had a rules official come by my pit area at Carolina Dragway this past weekend before I ever made a pass to see it for himself. He asked to remain nameless but said that my modification or any of it's kind, for its purpose, mounted to anything (bumper, radiator support, K-member) would not be legal. He said that he would convene with other rules officials to get a more clear ruling. Since then, I have received an email from SRAC member Mike Crutchfield asking for votes and opinions on beam breakers legality.

I would consider my hack job a success and this matter should be concluded shortly.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

https://i.imgur.com/wExeJt1.png

1700/STY/781L :)

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

https://www.nhraracer.com/content/ge...206&zoneid=132

Beam breakers now officially illegal in Stock and SS.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Wow , Common Sense prevails again …..D-7 tech could have handled this at the Vegas double BUT chose not to …..

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

I agree. I grow weary of the comment used to justify this stuff. You know the one, we are bracket racers.

There is nothing wrong with a dedicated bracket car.

However, there is a difference between stock and Superstock cars that are racing in a modified bracket program and cars that have no baseline rules other than safety regulations.

I am thankful that the NHRA officials did listen and act here.

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

Why would they do that, they were prohibited after the Vegas double. ;)

1700/STY/781L :)

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

. Actually, I have raced stock since 1977 AND I firmly believe they have always been illegal in Stock/Superstock . The fact that there is no Pre Race tech AND the fact that many racers like to PUSH the envelope DOES NOT mean Beam Breakers were Legal in Stock/Superstock …..I reiterate that this is MY OPINION …..

Re: ATTN SRAC members- Beam Breakers in STK & SS - Legal or
 

I hate to age myself, but when we had a group of dedicated tech people
they would have given you 5 minutes to get that crap off your car, or option
B) take all your stuff back to the house. We don't have room for illegal
stuff here. Today, nobody has any horsepower to make a decision, they
don't want to not let the person race for fear of repercussion, so they
go to the poor division director, who was recently hired because he ran
a good no-prep program for ABC sanctioning group, was given no training
on S/SS, doesn't have an empowered Tech person, Wesley won't answer
the phone, LOL, so they have to have meetings, get opinions, get options,
talk to legal, and then it filters down to us. Its called progress. ???

J.R.