No Tech Inspection

[Carguy49]

Isn't SAFETY of the driver and all around him/her the most important thing??

The original NHRA decal said "Dedicated to Safety", what happened???

That being said, some of the rules don't make sense. How does a helmet wear out and why do belts need replacing in, I believe, 2 years??

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Carguy49

Isn't SAFETY of the driver and all around him/her the most important thing??

The original NHRA decal said "Dedicated to Safety", what happened???

That being said, some of the rules don't make sense. How does a helmet wear out and why do belts need replacing in, I believe, 2 years??

You're questioning the NHRA's commitment to safety while complaining that some of the safety-based rules are too rigorous?

[Carguy49]

I guess I didn't say it right. I am wondering what the criteria is for replacement/update of equipment. Do helmets wear out or seat belts become frayed or what. Just looking for answers.

Thanks for your reply, just looking for info on the situation.

[Lenny5160]

Originally Posted by Carguy49

I guess I didn't say it right. I am wondering what the criteria is for replacement/update of equipment. Do helmets wear out or seat belts become frayed or what. Just looking for answers.

Thanks for your reply, just looking for info on the situation.

I question many of the same rules. I retire my belts looking almost new, but they need to write the rule to cover the car that sits on an open trailer in the southern sun all year. I asked my chassis cert guy about this and he gave me the number on how much the stitching can degrade over that time; it was a bunch.

The one that gets me are the trans shields; just inert metal pieces. I have two transmissions in the garage that need to be torn down and sent across the country just so someone can glance at the case and steel liner before sending it all back with a couple stickers.

[BigBlockBill]

The one that gets me are the trans shields; just inert metal pieces. I have two transmissions in the garage that need to be torn down and sent across the country just so someone can glance at the case and steel liner before sending it all back with a couple stickers.[/QUOTE]

My thought on the trans shield would be that NHRA knows how often they are removed and replace in these cars and maybe the mounting holes get sloppy? That is 114.36% guess work on my part.

[CMcAllister]

Originally Posted by Carguy49

I guess I didn't say it right. I am wondering what the criteria is for replacement/update of equipment. Do helmets wear out or seat belts become frayed or what. Just looking for answers.

Thanks for your reply, just looking for info on the situation.

Justification for most of these specs have been addressed in the past. i.e. wear and tear and environmental degradation to belt material, helmets being thrown around and banged up, advances in technology and the need to take advantage of them, etc.

While you may keep your car in an enclosed trailer and a climate controlled shop, and your helmet in a nice bag to protect it, many don't. The rules need to take into consideration the sloppiest, least attentive, most abusive car owner and the wear and tear he heaps on his equipment.

Plenty of guys out there would show up with 30 year old motorcycle helmets and torn to shreds belts if they could. And do if the tracks aren't paying attention.

Shields and SFI cases? If a guy knew it would never be checked after being purchased, what would stop them from cutting, modifying or hacking it up to fit, or be easier to use, or continuing to use it if it were damaged?

Insurability of the sport drives all this stuff.

[Steve Stasko]

Originally Posted by Carguy49

That being said, some of the rules don't make sense. How does a helmet wear out and why do belts need replacing in, I believe, 2 years??

If $300 for a helmet every 10 years, and $100 or so for belts every two years is breaking the bank, this isn't the hobby for you.

I was fortunate enough to walk away from a pretty nasty accident in 2010 without as much as a scratch or a headache. I am very thankful for SFI specifications.

[FireSale]

Originally Posted by Carguy49

Isn't SAFETY of the driver and all around him/her the most important thing??

The original NHRA decal said "Dedicated to Safety", what happened???

That being said, some of the rules don't make sense. How does a helmet wear out and why do belts need replacing in, I believe, 2 years??

Helmets don't wear out but helmet tech continues to advance. 10 years isn't unreasonable to me and I'm due for a new one. Nylon webbing does degrade with exposure to the environment and UV radiation. It's essentially a parachute harness used a couple of hundred times per year. What bugs me is the manufacture date instead of sale date. It's been sealed in a box for 4 months at Simpson and I get 20 months of use even it I buy a week before the bell. In a short season area like the NorthWest you could need a new belt every year is your timing is bad. There are two tech associations SFI and FIA, which is international. FIA has higher standards and 5 year belts. NHRA does not recognize FIA certification




EDIT: Ditto on trans shields. I have a $700 Lakewood SFI bellhousing on my C4. It's a frigging hunk of bullet proof

STEEL and I have to replace it? it dosen't even have a paint chip.

[Larry Hill]

Or you buy a trans shield that will not bolt up and can’t make a band adjustment in the car without a modification. After the modification the shield won’t get recertification.

[63corvette]

I just sent my trans case to Reid and my belts for re-web to Stroud.
The belts I can see however, the trans case is a waste of time and money for all involved.
It is NHRA's sand box we play in so we have to live by the rules they apply.
Some are nonsense and others need to be strengthened and tech is one of those.
I cringe sometimes when some competitors pull up alongside when I know they are not following all the safety rules and I am sure I am not alone in this.
I did purchase a new helmet this year. It was a Simpson and was the exact same make and model. The 2020 model fit totally different and when I brought it to the attention of the Simpson rep when I tried it on I was told it was a new safer design with a little different shape. I hope that was accurate as it did fit totally different. By the way I paid much more that $300 for a new helmet, in fact about 2 1/2 times that.
My only issue was it was marked Made In China! Not my preference.
Just My 2 Cents which is really 1 Cent after inflation.
Rick Cates
Canyon, TX