Drag racing a convertible Gen III

Ghoust · Jan 10, 2011

Guys,

Have any of you successfully passed tech inspection at a drag strip to drag race your convertible gen III? I am wondering if all hope is lost here. I have always been a drag racing enthusiast and successfully campaigned a few mustangs down the quarter mile. However, I took my paxton'ed Gen III to Infineon raceway in Northern California only to be kicked out due to my car being convertible. Is this track being too picky on safety or is this the norm others have found while drag racing?

I don't want to cage my car so am wondering if putting on a hardtop would remedy the "tech inspection"?

Thanks for your input.

351carlo · Jan 10, 2011

Completely dependent upon your local track and when you go.

I have no problem passing tech at a private rental at a particular track, but I know I'm only afforded one run at a different track on a public day.

1fast400 · Jan 10, 2011

They shouldn't kick you out prior to making a run. The problem is, i believe nhra requires a 6 point cage if 13.49 or faster.

99 R/T 10 · Jan 10, 2011

Get out of that communist state...................

In the south, it just depends on the track, but I can run, no top, t-shirt, shorts and flip flops if I wanted to........................

ILLSMOQ · Jan 10, 2011

Sears Point (Infineon) has always been been very strict.

Unless your running 10's Sacramento Raceway usually isn't too picky,

dipapa · Jan 10, 2011

See page 4 for drag racing convertibles

http://www.infineonraceway.com/documents/IRDragRules.pdf

Nixon's SRT · Jan 11, 2011

Depends on the track. I watched a built convertible mustang cobra run a low 10 sec pass with top down and no helmet. Track didn't say a word. May need a coupe hardtop to get in

1fast400 · Jan 11, 2011

NHRA sanctioned tracks won't take risks, they're going to go by the rulebook. IHRA tracks, not as much.

351carlo · Jan 11, 2011

That is not true regarding NHRA vs IHRA. Sanctioning of the track, while it does tell which rulebook the track SHOULD follow, in practice tracks differ depending upon management and who is working them.

I've run 140+ mph passes at NHRA tracks with no comment on public days before.

It's all up to the officials and management. Private rentals throw an entirely different variable into the equation.

Canyon707 · Jan 12, 2011

I race at Infineon all the time. They are strict with the rules so if you can't play by there rules go somewhere else or make the modifications . To them it's all about safety and I don't have any issues with that. I think the opportunity the track gives us to race every week far exceeds most other tracks.

1fast400 · Jan 12, 2011

351carlo said:
That is not true regarding NHRA vs IHRA. Sanctioning of the track, while it does tell which rulebook the track SHOULD follow, in practice tracks differ depending upon management and who is working them.

I've run 140+ mph passes at NHRA tracks with no comment on public days before.

It's all up to the officials and management. Private rentals throw an entirely different variable into the equation.

I'd love to know what NHRA track isn't following rules, I've never seen it. Must be a west coast thing. I could see getting a run down before getting tossed. Of course you could be in a hard top and running 12's at 140 haha

09 Venom · Jan 12, 2011

351carlo said:
Completely dependent upon your local track and when you go.

I have no problem passing tech at a private rental at a particular track, but I know I'm only afforded one run at a different track on a public day.

1fast400 said:
They shouldn't kick you out prior to making a run. The problem is, i believe nhra requires a 6 point cage if 13.49 or faster.

Agree with both statements. I have heard

tracks in my area will let you run private rentals but on public days...if car is stock..can run but not below 13.5...if so they ****** you off the track.

Roysviper · Jan 12, 2011

12s at 140 mph???? 140 is 9s all day.....that must be a joke,huh??? :nono:

Believe me if anyone knows, 1fast400 does. :headbang:

351carlo · Jan 12, 2011

East Coast tracks, Mid-Atlantic region, more than one. I live in Northern Delaware.

Have also seen it happen in the Southeast as well. I'm not going to discuss which tracks in particular, but there have been multiple vehicles at multiple tracks.

And yes, 140s is not in the 12s LOL. If you've never seen this happen at a track rental, you're not local to me or don't attend private rentals.

With regards to the public days, N/T fees are paid and the track officials were lenient. I've also been kicked out on similar occasions.

1fast400 · Jan 12, 2011

I owned an IHRA track, I might know a thing or two

.

I've ran 12's at 150 before. Blew the tires off so bad, was going to abort the run, got back into it and finished it. It was at zmax pinks in front of about 30k people. On invo's and pump gas

Roysviper · Jan 13, 2011

1fast400 said:
I owned an IHRA track, I might know a thing or two .

I've ran 12's at 150 before. Blew the tires off so bad, was going to abort the run, got back into it and finished it. It was at zmax pinks in front of about 30k people. On invo's and pump gas

That Viper of yours is one fine Viper!! Gotta be tons of fun to drive. Spectators Gotta love watchin a nice clean Viper go down the track showing what our Vipers are capable of. 150s is for sure an 8 second pass when you don't blow the tires off. We know a chute is required for anything running 150 mph, which you do have. :2tu:

09 Venom · Jan 13, 2011

This is why I had to get a GEN IV coupe...no issues at tracks anymore..

Drag racing a convertible Gen III

Ghoust

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351carlo

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1fast400

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99 R/T 10

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ILLSMOQ

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dipapa

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Nixon's SRT

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1fast400

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351carlo

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Canyon707

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1fast400

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09 Venom

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Roysviper

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351carlo

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1fast400

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Roysviper

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09 Venom

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