I need some clarification on NHRA rules. For a T-top car, will a Wolfe 6-point roll bar be enough to run 10s? What's required to run 9s? A 12-point?

 

your good to 9.99 unless they have a new rule for the t-top people this year. Lots of rumors flying around but I've yet to hear a final rulling.

 

A T-top car is treated like a convertible when quicker than 11.99. Convertibles are required to have a 6-point when faster than 12.99. All cars are required to have a 6-point at 11.49. So, T-tops are only "special" between 11.50 and 11.99.

All cars are required to have a roll cage at 10.99, according to the Quick Reference chart. But, I don't have my rule book in front of me to confirm (and I'm nowhere close enough to have to worry about it...).

 

10.00 is the cutoff for the 6pt bar. UNLESS you modified the firewall/floorpan,then you need at least an 8pt cage.

 

OK, so a 6-point will be good for 10s. What do you need to go 9.99 or quicker?

Thanks for the replies.

 

You might want to contact your NHRA tech department first. They may be using the same limits as IHRA.

If NHRA hasn't changed their rules then T-top and hardtop cars only need a 6 point bar down to 10.0 unless the floor or firewall have be altered. Under the new IHRA rules, the 6 point bar is only good to 10.0 with a hardtop and 11.49 with a T-top.

Getting into the 9's in the NHRA?
Not including normal stuff like 5 point harness, helmet, driveshaft loop etc.

Competition license
Chassis certification
Automatics need a tranny and flexplate shield
Standards need a flywheel shield or SFI bellhousing, SFI clutch and flywheel
SFI balancer
Full roll cage with window net
Aftermarket axles with retainers (c-clip eliminator, ford 9" etc)
Neck collar
2 layer fire jacket and pants. Single layer gloves
Tubeless tires need metal valve stems.
Lots of money

IHRA rules are much nicer. No chassis certification until 9.0. License is just a form to fill out. No medical. Lots of other stuff not required until running faster. 2 layer jacket and pants, single layer gloves and neck colar not required until 9.0

 

There are specific rules as to how a rollbar/cage must be installed and I'm not sure if the Wolf 6 point bar is legal.

There is an option to bolt the 6x6x1/8 steel plates to the floor but just about everyone welds them. The driver door bar must pass between the drivers shoulder and elbow. If the door bar drops down too much to allow easy access or for door panel clearence then it doesn't usually pass. Swing out door bars are legal down to something like 7.50.

 

I think I mixed in the IHRA t-top requirements. Looking through the NHRA rulebook, it only has special requirements for convertibles, and if, as stated, the floorpan or firewall has been altered.

 

NHRA and IHRA T-top cars can run up to 10.00 flat. 9.99 you have to have a roll cage(10 point).

Coach

 

I have also heard if you go faster than 135MPH you need a 10 point.

 

IHRA rules changed for 2005 season however as of 21 Jan and update has been issued.

1/21/05
p. 97 RollCage/ Roll Bar: Delete the 4th sentence of the section stating, “T-top vehicles follow convertible guidelines.”

To me this now means T-top cars are just like before and follow hardtop rules. Roll bar at 11.99 (NHRA) and 11.49 (IHRA). Full cage at 9.99. That's assuming floor and firewall are unmodified.

So if your car's floor and firewall are still unmodified (typical street car) then a 6 point roll bar is good to 10.00 under NHRA and IHRA rules for all cars except convertibles. If for some reason you run quicker than 135 mph and are still only in the 10 second range, you will need a full cage.

 

anybody got pics of a swing out door bar setup??
mines gonna mainly be a street car but i wanna be able to hit the track and play when i want. i'd hate to have to wedge over that door bar all the time.

mike