My NHRA rule book is out dated. A buddy told me when running slicks all cars need long wheel studs and a five point harness. I've run slicks before and had neither and tech didn't say a word. I thought the requirement was open lug nuts and a driveshaft loop. Can someone have a look in this years book and straighten me out? Thanks.
I don't have a rule book, so I use Don Graham. The last time I checked with him (2006, don't think I checked this year), you do not need open end lug nuts, they just have to engage at least 1/2" of thread (for 1/2" studs) - the rule stated (paraphrasing) it has to engage an amount of threads equal to the diameter of the stud. Driveshaft loop is a requirement for slicks or faster than 14 sec (at the time). Five point harness does not come in until well faster than 13 seconds).. I'm thinking 11's somewhere.
I think the point of the open end lug nuts is so they can visually see that the stud is long enough. Without them you would need to remove a lug nut to see.
you don't need a harness until you run faster than 11.49. and here in division 7 you don't need to update the harness every 2 years, as they finally realized an outdated 5 point harness was still safer than the legal 30 year old lap belt.
I'm glad someone finally figured out that these belts don't explode at 2 years old! I thought that just happened in Mission Impossible episodes. Anyway, I hadn't heard that one Don, but that was one of my biggest pet peeves with NHRA. When I was first starting out in racing it was costing me too much just for belts every two years. Now after that rant I will say that they are just looking out for us I suppose. It's a lot easier to run low numbers now than it was 20 years ago.
mine were outdated in october of last year. i checked with the nhra tech director before the et finals to make sure. they check every time i go through tech and just drop the belt.
dave, do they do like division 7 does for bracket racers back there. if you don't go faster than 11.49 you don't have to get the belts recertified? just curious as to wether i'll have any problems in ky. or va.
i dont believe thats the case with Mason-Dixon...or at least i certianly hope not i have a 5 pt but no cage...yet...
I race divsion 7 and had to change the 5 pt belts in my car last month because they were 2 years old. If the 2 year rule isn't in affect anymore then somebody at NHRA should let the tech guys at LACR and Irwindale know about this.
I'm guessing what Don means is that if you don't need a roll bar then you don't need the harness re-certified every 2 years. I know guys that use a 5 point harness even though they could have kept the stock seat belts. The tech guys were making them get the belts re-certified just because they had a 5 pt racing harness. For example, Don goes high 11's and isn't required to have a roll bar and harness, but he does anyways (cause he's smart). Since he isn't faster than 11.49 he shouldn't need the certified belts.
just jim, tell them to get ahold of ben wilson. the tech inspector for div.7 his number and email are in the front of the national dragster. i talked to ben personnally. just remember that tracks can make their own rules. also i'm sure this dosent apply to the lodrs or the powerade series. just local brackets. ben's # 520-579-1426, tues & thurs. 7-9p.m., email benwilsond7@aol.com . hope this helps. p.s. like erik said this only applies to those cars not running faster than 11.49.
