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DALLESPORT (DRAG RACING) QUESTIONS


Z204me

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Hi all...

 

I have seen a few mentions of this topic scattered around in the "general" post for this Western meet, so I thought that I would make a specific post for it...

 

Does anybody have a "rulebook" for this event? I have several questions regarding this event...like...

 

-) Helmet required? What kind of helmet?

-) Type of tires required?

-) Passengers allowed in car during race? Helmet for them?

-) Radiator overflow jug required?

-) Battery tray requirements?

-) Bellhousing requirements?

 

At one point, I was reading the rulebooks for both Fontana and Las Vegas. The rules seem to be based on your elapsed time. One "rule" that confused me was the radiator overflow requirement...I don't think 1stGen's came with one did they? When I bought my 70, it had one installed, but I took it out...do I need to bring it along? We are driving the car, which has BF Goodrich Radial T/A's on it...should I buy two "special" rear drag type tires? Helmets...should I buy one for me and for a passenger? Can passengers ride along during the race? Battery...I have the normal battery tray for my 70, but the lower, hidden, smaller piece is "busted"...should I fabricate a metal brace to address this. I mean...the battery is secure to the actual battery tray...but the battery tray is not "braced" as good as it should be? Also, my car is a manual transmission...do I need something above and beyond the normal GM type bellhousing?

 

I am still debating on whether I SHOULD participate or not. I really WANT to...but...being that we are driving the car 600 miles to get to the car show...then driving all over the Western U.S. the following week...I am also taking that into consideration. The parents are bringing the motorhome, so I can stow a bunch of goodies in it, but, if I break the car...

 

Thoughts, advice, concerns...all of you that plan on participating...what are you doing for a "check list"?

 

Thanks all...

 

 

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I will get in touch with the people in charge of the drag racing and get back to you with some info.

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Rules may vary from track to track, so it's good to contact them to be sure, but at my local track:

Helmets required (snell 2000 or newer) if you run faster than 13.99

One front seat passenger is allowed if you run slower than 14.00

(once you break into the 13's, the passenger gets out and the helmet goes on).

Tires for street drags need to be DOT approved.

All cars need a radiator "catch can" to prevent water being poured on the track. I have seen antifreeze bottles used with a hose for this purpose...I use a hose routed to my winshield washer reservoir.

The battery must be mechanicaly held down. (no bungee cords)

 

I don't know about the rules for bellhousings. frown

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LOL, John just got back to me this morning with that contact info. I won't be able to call him until Friday (day off) so if someone wants to get the info earlier please feel free to call him and post the info here. smile

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Guess that I don't need to go to The Dalles then. If you have a POC that's good. Did you ask Tim about the parking lot??? I just now got a call from a John Bishop and he said if we had any Eagles members. They will let them park at the Eagles free. If you all have it handled then I'll let you run with the ball.

 

 

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here ya go....

 

Okay..I talked to Tim who runs the racing portion of the car show. He gave me a lot of info so I'll try to get it all down here. It may be out of sequence so bare with me....

 

Sunday there is a drivers meeting at the track at 9:45, these meetings are generally to go over the basics with everyone, basic rules, safety, things like that...racing starts about 10

 

As far as tech, that happens Friday night as part of the cruise event. There is a parking lot that is marked for tech (across from a Tai restaurant, the only one in town). There you will pay your race fee ($40), get your car inspected and get your wristband. He said they will help folks find it.

 

They do use NHRA rules so please go to www.autoclubspeedway.com. In the upper right click on Drag Strip...takes a bit for it to come up so be patient. In the left column you should see Street Legal Rules, click on that...that's pretty much what you need to run, main difference is the Dalles is an 1/8th mile so references to ET's you need to basically cut in half.

 

You can run slicks and you can run open (open headers or cutouts). If you are running street tires they request that you go around the water box for your burnout.

 

Tim said they are low tech meaning they don't have a real sophisticated timing system. They do not have 60' times and if the system should fail they will go to a good old flag method. They use a sportsman tree..that means a pre-stage light..a staged light and then 3 yellow and the 4th is the green.

 

There will be 2 to 3 test runs you can make. This is where you get an idea of what your car will run. After that there will be an actual competition using a "dial in" number. You use what you ran in the test session to determine what dial number you want to use. Your competition does the same and the difference is programmed into the tree. So if you should dial a 8.50 second ET and the other guy dials a 7.5 you get to leave 1 second before the other guy and whoever get there first wins unless you go too fast (8.49 or faster in this example). This is called a "break out" and you lose. If both break out then it's whoever breaks out the least. Of course a red light (leaving too early) is a loss. Sounds complicated....it's not..we can talk about it during our bench sessions Friday and Saturday.

 

There are 4 classes:

 

Sportsman....9.5 seconds and slower (no helmet required)

Modified......8.5-9.5 (helmet)

Pro...............7.5-8.5 (helmet)

Super Pro.....7.5 and faster (helmet)

(most tracks I go to require a SNELL certified 2000 or newer helmet)

 

This is basically the same as the Summit ET series classes I run so I'm familiar with this

 

 

 

The run is 1/8th mile and the shutdown is 1/8th mile, one of the tracks I run at is about the same and it's no problem. The turn off at the end of the run is to the left..THE LEFT LANE HAS PRIORITY for the turn off. The right lane must allow the left lane to exit first, if the right lane car cuts in front of the left lane car they will be kicked out!!!

 

The eliminations will result with a winner in each class, I hope our FGMCC members can score a few. After the eliminations there will be a "grudge" race session time permitting. This is where you can run against another car you want to challenge, it's for fun.

 

Couple more things, I would advise that if you plan on giving your car a try down the track put a double return spring on the throttle return. This is typically something every track looks for no matter how fast or slow the car is...it's a safety thing...second they no longer allow passengers during the runs. However, if you want to do this then talk to Tim during the Grudge session, he'll probably work something out for you.

 

I think that's most of it, if anyone has questions please feel free to PM me and I'll try to answer as best I can...Davey

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanks for taking the time to do that Dave.

 

The lot where they do the tech is only a couple blocks from the hotel. cool This is the same lot I was hoping the club could park trailers. Royce is working on the trailer parking. smile

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Aaron, I just got off the phone w/Tim Ernes and he said that we could use that lot with on exception. That being he needs the lot on Friday (3-10) for the tech inspection of the cars competing in the races on Sunday. He did say that we were welcome to use the lot, but we'd have to stack the trailers in tight and no room for the tow vehicles. I will touch base with him on the 12th when I get there and I hope I can get it all secured for the members. Questions, PM me. Hope this helps.

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I could not get the link Davey posted to open, but I found this

info on another site reported as NHRA rules:

 

 

 

Rather than looking at these rules from the standpoint that NHRA

is making me spend more money, think of them as recommendations

that can perhaps save your life and/or your car from serious

damage. A young hot rodder recently complained that his local

dragstrip browbeat him into wearing a helmet while racing his 12-

second street car! He obviously missed the point that wearing a

helmet while running his car is only for his benefit. Each of

the following brackets requires a certain amount of safety

equipment. Each subsequent, quicker bracket adds to these

requirements in building-block fashion. Now let's get into what

it takes to pass tech and go fast safely.

 

 

14.99

 

To prevent radiator overflow from leaking onto the track, NHRA

requires an overflow can of at least one pint in volume. This

can be as simple as routing a radiator overflow tube into a

windshield washer reservoir.

 

 

All cars should also be equipped with a proper battery hold-

down, even when the battery is in the stock location. Factory

stock hold-downs are acceptable in this case. Otherwise, bolts

of 3/8-inch diameter must be used to retain the battery. Lug

nuts are another area of concern, especially with aftermarket

wheels. NHRA recommends all cars be equipped with open-ended lug

nuts to allow the inspector to verify the length of thread

engagement.

 

 

Obviously, all lug nuts and studs must be in place. For slower

cars, this isnt a critical point, especially when using O.E.M.

wheels. But with faster cars and aftermarket wheels, the concern

is that the lug nut engage the threads of the stud for a

distance at least equal to the diameter of the stud. Inquire at

your local track as to what the tech inspector will accept.

 

 

Since fire is an ever-present threat, NHRA specifies no more

than a total of 12 inches of rubber fuel line in the fuel

delivery system. This includes the rubber line between the

pickup and an external fuel pump and also between the fuel pump

and carburetor. In the case of an accident, rubber line is

susceptible to damage that could cause a fire. Investing in

either steel hard line or braided-steel fuel line is both wise

and far safer than using rubber fuel line. Some type of reverse

lockout for aftermarket shifters is also required for all cars.

 

 

13.99

 

NHRA requires a DOT, SNELL or SFI helmet for any car quicker

than 14.00. There are a number of different specs so you should

check with your local tech inspector.

 

 

For cars that run e.t.s between 12.00 and 13.99, all of the

above requirements apply along with the addition of a driveshaft

loop. A new-for-95 rule exempts cars running 13.00 and slower

when equipped with street tires. Since traction is the key to

going quick, this places more strain on the driveshaft. To

prevent the driveshaft from breaking at the front U-joint area

and perhaps coming into the interior of the car, or digging into

the track and pole-vaulting the car, NHRA mandates that a steel

loop be placed just behind the front U-joint of the driveshaft.

A universal driveshaft loop is available from Lakewood that

bolts to the floorpan. A rollbar is required in this e.t.

bracket only if the car is a convertible.

 

 

11.99

 

By the time a car is capable of running between 11.00 and 11.99

seconds in the quarter-mile, safety requirements are especially

important. Up until this point, factory seatbelts are

acceptable, but in the 11-second-and-quicker time zone you need

a quality safety harness. The minimum requirement is a 3-inch-

wide, five-point harness meeting SFI spec 16.1. The 1995

National Hot Rod Association Rulebook outlines the proper way to

mount the shoulder harness and belts.

 

 

An NHRA-legal rollbar is also required in the category. Recent

rule changes have reconfigured what NHRA classifies as a

rollbar. The classic four-point bar is no longer acceptable. The

new standard is mild-steel tubing of at least .120-inch wall

thickness (most chassis companies, like Art Morrison, use .134-

inch wall tubing) that includes a forward-running side bar from

the main hoop past the drivers shoulder. This bar is only

required on the drivers side, but most systems include both

sides for a six-point rollbar.

 

 

An SFI-approved scattershield is also necessary in this e.t.

category. NHRA requires the scattershield to have an SFI

aluminum-foil sticker. According to Red Roberts of McLeod

Industries, older bellhousings can be certified by sending the

scattershield and block plate to the original manufacturer. The

company will inspect the housing and if it passes, it will

receive an SFI 6-1 certification. Most SFI certifications are

good for five years. Contact your manufacturer if youre not

sure.

 

The clutch and flywheel must also be SFI certified. The main

consideration in this area is to avoid using a cast-iron

flywheel. According to Roberts, sometime in the mid-70s most of

the new car companies began using nodular iron flywheels that

are much safer. Most, if not all, current high-performance

aluminum and steel flywheels are safe when used in conjunction

with an approved scattershield, but the rules state that the

pressure plate and flywheel need an SFI certification number.

Roberts says the best plan is to record all your SFI numbers in

a logbook. This makes it easier for the tech inspector and it

shows the inspector that you understand the importance of the

inspection process. This e.t. level also requires steel valve

stems in all wheels, along with arm restraints for open-cockpit

cars like roadsters.

 

 

10.99

 

Cars running between 10.00 and 10.99 need all the above-

mentioned safety equipment, plus drivers protective clothing,

aftermarket axles and an SFI-approved harmonic balancer. The

driver needs to have at least a single-layer, SFI-approved

jacket such as those sold by companies like Diest, Simpson, RJR

and others, as well as long pants and approved drivers gloves.

 

 

The aftermarket axle requirement also extends to installing a C-

clip eliminator kit in any rearend that uses a C-clip to retain

the rear axle, such as the GM 10- and 12-bolts and the Ford 8.8-

inch rearends. While the current NHRA axle rule does not include

an SFI spec for axles, experienced axle manufacturers such as

Summers Brothers, Mark Williams, Strange and others offer axles

intended for this kind of abuse.

 

Harmonic balancers first became a subject of concern on blown

cars that placed enormous loads on the balancer driving the

supercharger. Now, any car running quicker than 10.99 needs an

SFI-approved harmonic balancer to be legal. Companies like

Vibratech, TCI, BHJ and others can supply the necessary legal

part.

 

 

A new NHRA safety rule change for 1995 states that cars running

between 10.00 and 10.99 must have a rollcage unless the car has

an unaltered firewall, floorpan and body (except for wheeltubs).

This means if you have a street car with a stock floorpan and

firewall but have tubbed it for bigger tires, all you need is a

five-point rollbar until the car runs quicker than 10.00. Of

course, a rollcage is perfectly acceptable if you wish to

install one.

 

9.99

 

Now we're into the really quick cars, those running from 9.00 to

9.99 seconds in the quarter. These cars are blazingly fast and

capable of speeds approaching 150 mph. Significant improvements

must be made to the car in order to step into the 9-second zone.

Foremost among these is a rollcage. The cage must be constructed

of mild-steel tubing at least 15/8 inch in diameter, with .120-

inch wall thickness. It can also be chrome-moly tubing of .083-

inch wall thickness with a total of eight attachment points.

These eight points refer to the placement of the cage

surrounding the driver, including the two rear support bars.

NHRA does not require bars that run forward to the front

suspension, although many cage designs include them. All cars

running 9.99 or quicker must have the cage certified by NHRA and

have the NHRA certification sticker attached to the cage.

 

 

Attached to the cage is a window net to keep the drivers arms

inside the car. The driver must also wear a neck collar and

fireproof clothing meeting an SFI spec. Additional requirements

include an NHRA competition license, an external electrical

shutoff and a flexplate/automatic transmission shield. If your

car can run over 150 mph in the quarter, as many of these cars

do, then NHRA also requires a parachute to help slow the car

down. Now that weve primed the pump, your best bet is to obtain

a 1995 NHRA Rulebook for $10 and carefully read the E.T. Bracket

General Regulations section. The Rulebook specifies exactly what

will be required depending upon your cars e.t. capability. Drag

racing with fast street cars is tons of fun. Its even better

when you do it safely.

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Thanks Royce! We could put the trailers in tight at one end of the lot. The trucks/tow vehicles can park on the street next to the hotel. Good Job!

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okay for those of you that can't open the Auto Club site here they are. They're a bit different from what Jake posted as some rules have changed recently.

 

Points of interest...if you have street tires a driveshaft loop is not required until 11.50 (1/4) or 7.35 (1/8). If you have drag radials or slicks then they'll want it if you're faster than about 8.0

 

This is the same for a rollbar as well. I don't think we have anyone going that fast...unless there's a sandbagger out there.. grin

 

You do not need anything other than factory seat belts until you get to the rollbar ET's.

 

Thread engagement for the lug nuts is at least the diameter of the wheel stud. If the diameter is 7/16 then you need that much thread engagement (this will usually only come into play with faster cars)

 

As long as you have a secure fuel line they usually won't bug you about that, if anything they just tell you to fit it for next time.

 

As stated if you have converted to an aftermarket floor shifter you must have a reverse lockout.

 

Most tracks I go to want to see a SNELL helmet

 

None of the bellhousing/flywheel/clutch is a concern unless you have a manual trans and your car is faster than about 7.50 in the 1/8th.

 

here are the Street Legal rules from Fontana..they are current...At the Dalles you do not need mufflers...

 

ALL NHRA STREET LEGAL RULES WILL APPLY AND GOVERN THE EVENT

(NHRA Rule Book supercedes all Auto Club Dragway rules)

 

NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR GLASS CONTAINERS PERMITTED AT ANY TIME! If you bring it in a cooler, it will be confiscated.

 

Basic Technical Requirements

Vehicle must have current vehicle registration; license and a valid proof of insurance (must have all documentation with you at time of registration). Cars can be brought into the speedway on trailers and approved racing slicks are permitted. All vehicles must enter off of Cherry Avenue. The speedway is located at 9300 Cherry Avenue, Fontana.

Cost - $10 per person to enter the speedway and $10 for a Tech Card to race your vehicle ($20 total).

 

Under 18

Anyone under 18 years of age must have a parental permission form completed to race. The form must be signed by both parents unless one parent has sole custody, in that case one signature will be accepted. If the parent(s) are not present on race day, the form must be notarized and submitted at registration. The form must be an original, no photo copies or faxes accepted. New in 2005, you will only need one form signed per year. You will be issued a card which will be good from January to December of the current year. This card must be presented at tech and registration to show you have a form on file.

 

10-Second Rule

There is a 10-second flat ET rule. No cars quicker than 10 seconds will be allowed. (If you need an NHRA Competition License to drive your car at an NHRA Drag Strip, it is too quick for Auto Club Dragway during a Street Legal event.)

 

Vehicle

No water, fuel, oil or trans leaks.

 

Electronics

No aftermarket electronic devices allowed (throttle stops, delay boxes, etc.)

 

Exhaust

Must be routed through street legal muffler(s). All runs will be monitored on a decibel meter (100db at 100" from the strip). If it is too loud you will not be allowed to run. NO EXCEPTIONS! It is your responsibility.

 

Tires

Approved racing slicks are permitted, as well as street legal DOT approved treaded tires, front and rear required on all vehicles. Tires will be inspected for overall condition.

 

Wheels

All wheel studs, with lug nuts required. Broken or missing studs/lugs must be replaced before racing. Hub caps/wheel covers must be removed for inspection.

 

Lines & Hoses

All fuel, transmission, brake and power steering lines must be secure and free of leaks. Neoprene fuel lines limited to 12 overall.

 

Radiator

Overflow catch tank (16 oz. minimum) mandatory on all vehicles and no leaks.

Driver: Must have valid state driver's license. Driver & Passenger: No shorts, bare legs, tank-tops, bare torsos, or bare feet permitted when racing. (Insurance Requirement).

 

Helmet

Required in all vehicles faster than 13.99 seconds. Helmet must meet SNELL 95 or better standards (must have label inside of helmet). NOTE: In January 2007 the requirement will be SNELL 2000 or better.

 

Seats

Must be securely fastened to floor or frame with minimum 4 attaching bolt and nuts. No sheet metal screws.

 

Seat Belts

All cars and trucks must have as a minimum an O.E.M. type lap belt system, securely mounted to frame or floor.

 

Batteries & Ballast

Batteries must be secured per O.E.M. or with minimum of two (2) 3/8 diameter bolts (no straps, bungee cords, wire, etc). Loose ballast is not permitted on the racetrack, so be prepared to empty trunks and interiors of all loose items. Spare tires, jacks, etc. must be securely mounted or must be removed. Tools, jack stands, coolers, loose speakers, wheel covers, etc. are considered loose ballast and are not permitted on the track. If you don't need it, or don't want to leave it unattended, leave it at home.

 

Neutral Safety Switch

All vehicles must be equipped with an operational neutral safety switch. The neutral safety switch prevents the vehicle's starter from turning the engine over unless the transmission is in park or neutral (or unless the clutch pedal is depressed with a manual transmission).

 

Nitrous Oxide: Bottles must be stamped as meeting DOT 1800-pound standards and must be securely bolted to the frame or floor (no bungee cords, hose clamps, etc.) All fittings, hoses, etc. must be compatible from same manufacturer, vented to outside of driver compartment.

 

Roll Bars & Cages

Roll bar required in any vehicle running between 10.00 and 11.49 E.T. (convertibles between 11.00 and 13.99). Roll bar/cage structures must meet minimum NHRA standards as found in the 2004 rulebook.

 

Motorcycles

Must be registered for the street, front and rear brakes, chain guards, ignition cutoff switch, and functioning snapback throttle mandatory. Any pressurized container (air shifter bottles, nitrous bottles) must be stamped as DOT 1800 pound standards. Leather jacket, gloves and leather (above ankle) shoes mandatory (up to 120 mph; over this speed full leather is required).

 

Convertibles

All racers participating with convertibles that are quicker than 13.99 seconds MUST wear a helmet.

 

Note: When elapsed times are quicker than 11.99 specialized racing equipment is required. For example, when a roll bar or cage is required, so is an approved 5-point harness assembly. If you know or suspect that your vehicle will exceed these ET limits, we suggest contacting the NHRA Tech Department at (626) 914-4761 with your questions.

 

After Tech Inspection

Move your car forward and walk to the "Tech Registration booth" where you will sign a release of liability, get your restricted area wristband and run card. Once you have completed registration, return to your car to have your number applied to your windows. You may now find yourself a pit location (10 X 20) max per car.

 

Hear the Call

Tune your car radio to 104.7 FM for the PA announcements. All categories will be called to the staging lanes in groups of 50. The group number is on your run card. Please DO NOT come to the lanes until your category is called. Be sure to bring your RUN CARD and have all safety items in place with seat belts on. Also, leave all loose items out of the vehicle.

 

Staging Lanes

When you are called to the lanes, go to the back of the staging lanes and you will be directed to a lane. At the front of the lane you will be asked for your RUN CARD, get it punched and proceed as directed.

 

Burn-Out/Staging

You will be directed to the water box where a 5 second burn-out is permitted. On the staring line official's signal, roll your car forward until the top two small yellow bulbs on your side of the tree are lit. STOP. You are now staged and ready. When the tree is activated, you will see 3 amber bulbs flash .500 seconds apart then GREEN. Try to leave on the last amber bulb for a better reaction time but be careful not to leave too early or you will red-light.

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