Header Tethers - Jury IN or OUT

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by voltdr

OK, IMO here is the main reason for the collector tether requirement.

1. At some time NHRA got sued for a collector coming off a race car.
2. The insurance company made NHRA institute a policy to stop this from happening.
3. **POOF** Collector tethers were born.
4. I still believe we should be able to make our own.
Remember back when the big stink about aerosol spray cans at National Events erupted? NHRA creates a program, threatening fines, etc. to make sure the EPA thinks we are doing things better.
Unfortunately, it is the cost of doing business (racing).
At least the tethers don't expire every two ears.
Dan

Where does this all end?
If somebody gets hit by a flying stone from a car doing a burnout, will we be required to buy NHRA approved mudflaps or screens behind the tires?
Will we need "Hood Tethers" to prevent a fiberglass hood from taking flight and possibly landing in the stands?
Will the Nitro cars soon need "Blower Belt catchers"?
Several years ago, I believe at Sonoma, a Nitro car lost a rear wheel& tire, which was quickly found in the Sportsman pits, after doing considerable damage to Steve Wanns fathers valuable "Air Grabber" hood. I guess Slick Tethers won`t be needed since the only damage was done to a Sportsman racers car. Although after John Irvings truck took a whack out of the tree at Pomona, maybe Stock and S/S cars will need em.

[Dean Feiock]

Originally Posted by CollectorTethers.com

Dean,

Thanks for sharing your he said, he said story with us. I can guarantee you and any of our customers and future customers that our products are NHRA Accepted and any products that are purchased directly from us or one of our authorized distributors is legal.

If anyone has a question about this feel free to call me directly. But I guarantee you they meet the NHRA criteria that is required.

Scott Lemen
615-587-2027

I am aware of the accepted list and who's on it. Likewise, the accepted list was part of the NHRA packet.

However, currently............ IN DIV 5.......per Bob..........
Only those systems with etched and/or engraved clamps AND cables will be accepted. Clamps, such as the ones in a Lokar kit, which are labeled Ideal, will not be accepted.

Like I said, this information can be discarded if you wish. I'm just trying to keep my fellow Div 5 racers from showing up at their first Div 5 race and then told their system is not acceptable.

I wouldn't be one to suggest you flood Bob's office with phone calls or emails. But if you have ever been through tech in Div 5, you'll know it's better to follow the rules than ask for forgiveness.

[voltdr]

I have sent an email to NHRA tech to have them clarify this latest info. That is where the question should be directed. I will post the reply as soon as I receive one.
Dan Foley
SC4698

[voltdr]

Thanks Scott

[Don Fardie]

Originally Posted by C and W Racing

I don't know about the rest of the Manufactures, But the ones that keith Fulp has on the approved list, KFM, have tags on the cables as well, He was one of the first one out with them. Clamps and tags are lazer etched with his logo. I've had mine since Reynolds and am very pleased with them
Chuck

Dead On...... No guess work with these for the tech guys if ya have the correct ones or not!

[Wheelie58]

I'm not sure how the D5 info was presented, but any of my customers can be assured that ones purchased from my company are NHRA approved and easily identifiable...all parts.
To contact me with any questions just google search my name and look for my information or PM me on the forum. Not advertising...for sure, just don't want my customers to get nervous from wrong info.
Thank you,
Keith Fulp

[michel426]

I have no problem with a collector restraint system and I don't be-grudge any of the manufactures of them. What I do have a problem with is that we as racers can install our own chassis and suspension components, weld in our own roll bars or cages, install brakes etc. etc. etc. Some racers are ASA certified technicians, welders, or as in my case being from Canada a federally licenced auto mechanic and we are not qualified to manufacture our own restraint system. A cable and 2 clamps. How hard can it be to make this or bolt an exhaust pipe hangar to the frame or floor boards with a muffler clamp to the collector. Just my opinion.
__________________
well said BOB. BS rules (again)!

[Mike Pearson]

We will find out down here in Div 2 in about 10 days as our season kicks off at Orlando. I am sure tech will be a zoo with this new rule. I ordered mine from KFM last week. Still waiting for them to be delivered. Keith will most likely be at the track so he will be able to answer any questions that the tech people might have with his product.

[Rob Petrie E395]

Very true Mr Fletcher. And as a rule I will try to comply to it 100% like any other rule in the book. But what sucks is I bought something that was supposed to be a legal NHRA accepted part to comply with the rule. And now if what was in one of the first posts of this thread is correct. Now that NHRA legal product I just got a couple weeks ago may NOT be legal after all. Because the clamps were not engraved by the manufacturer. Hopefully they will make it right if they are not legal. This whole thing is a mess. Paid for them on Dec 17. Was told next day shipping. Was sent a tracking number next day. Then for Three weeks or so I have to fight with them to get them to tell me whats going on. Because everyday when I track the tracking number it just shows the shipping company received notification that they would be shipped but were never dropped off. Finally after a post I put on facbook about the whole deal they decided to get in contact with me. And I get told excuses like. We are on Vacation, its the holidays, Its our suppliers fault. All after being told the day I ordered and paid for them that they were in stock ready to ship same or next day. At the time I thought it was a scam. I did eventually get them but now they may or may not be legal. The fact that I could have made them myself is irrelevant. The whole deal pisses me off a little. Sorry for the Rant.

[Jim Wahl]

Dan, The fight over the cost of the tethers was fought a while ago. I think the point of this thread is that whether you paid $500 a set or $49.95 a set, you were buying them from an NHRA approved manufacturer who NHRA listed on their site as approved and legal. Now, literally days before the season starts an NHRA official (D5) changes the specs and makes 90% of the previously approved tethers unacceptable. This is wrong! This is BS! I really hope Glendora will straighten this BS out. As I posted before, My tethers were bought from an NHRA listed manufacturer, has the required tag and I have the receipt in the race car. If that isn't good enough, I will request my entry money be returned and I will race elsewhere. Jim

.