I'm running low 11s at over 120 MPH and I truly understand the need for the 6-point roll-bar and other safety equipment (5-point strap, Etc.). Additionally, the past two years I've seen several really bad wrecks at several different drag strips.

WD

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2189634

 

yes but a full cage for low 11's?

9.99 is nhra rulle for full 10 point cage

 

That oil retention device rule is gonna be a real PITA.

Rich

 

Is a fire-proof jacket still required for after-market super/turbocharged cars regardless of ET?

 

thats what i heard but its not here tho...... i know some track enforce it (E-town does)

 

Just another reason to keep my car running low 10's rather than dipping down into the 9's.

 

The oil retention rule (diaper) is the worst idea. The only fast cars that have a hope of installing one are tube chassis cars. There's absolutely no room between my headers and starter to put one on my car. That and the cost of an "SFI" diaper will put most racers out of racing. They also retain a lot of heat and that's not something you need in an engine compartment of a door car.

I'm glad I race under IHRA rules. They haven't gotten stupid yet.

 

From the 2007 Rule Book:

Section 16 - General Requirements

1: LOWER ENGINE CONTAINMENT DEVICE

When required, an SFI Spec 7.1 or 7.2 Lower Engine Containment Device must cover the sides of the block and pan up to within one inch of the head mating surface and extend to within 1 1/2 inches of the front and rear of the cylinder case area. The front and rear oil pan must be covered upward to the pan rail. The device must be free of cuts, tears, openings, etc. that would allow oil to escape. The device must be secured with a minimum of four straps, one at each corner. A positive device must be used to cover and contain external oil pumps that fasten directly to the engine; this device must fit such that it will contain oil from an engine failure. The device must have a solid member (hard part) along the top edge to form a zero air gap between the sides of the device (and/or the absorbent material) and the engine block. SFI Spec 7.1 devices must be updated/recertified byt the original manufacturer at one-year intervals.

 

+1 for IHRA

 

I can see something like that on a 7.50 and quicker vehicle but not a 9.99 and quicker. I hope the rule gets shot down or at least modified.

Just one more reason to run IHRA.

Ack! And it needs to be recertified every year. What a crock! Just one more reason to force out the grass roots racers.

 

 

I have been looking into this. SFI 7.2 is the Kevlar blankets that sell for ~$800. Spec 7.1 has apparently not been finalized yet, but seems like the currently offerred "sportsman" blankets will be compliant. The thing is, even these are in the $400 range and I bet they only go up once they start to "certify" them. And they are still gonna be near impossible to fit on a car like my Z-28. It won't be a problem on my race car, but I still not convinced it will really add much to safety. How often do non-blower cars with no N2O blow up in such a way as to hole the pan?

Poor cost/benefit ratio IMHO.

Rich

 

I've blown up quite a few NA engines but only punched a hole through the oil pan once.

I really can't see how they can enforce the diaper rule on a door car. As we already know, there's just no room to install one and the added cost will just force the sportsman racers out of NHRA.

If the rule does stay in place, it would probably be only enforced at national and maybe divisional events where oildowns are costly delays. Of course a blower/NOS car has a much greater chance of oiling down the track than a NA car at any level.

One other rule that everyone should be aware of. Snell 95 helmets become outdated on Jan 1. I'm not sure if IHRA will upgrade the helmet rule at the same time but usually does. I can't believe I've been racing long enough that I need to buy a new helmet. Snell 2005 helmets are available but not everywhere yet.

Things to buy in the spring
New helmet
New 5 point harness
New 32 x 14 slicks

The rest of my SFI stuff is good until at least 2008.

 

Yep, my Snell 95 is done this year too

 

According to this guy http://web.camaross.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=25 the STS turbo rule isn't true, so I don't know how much credit I'd give the rest of the stuff in the original post.

If I was STS I'd sure be pissed about this rumor!