Drag Racing Requirements

[ViperCorp]

I haven't dragged at the track since my modified Vet and noticed the following requirements by the track:

>>>If your rear-wheel-drive vehicle is capable of running quicker than 13.00 in the quarter-mile, a driveshaft loop is required. <<<

>>> If your vehicle is capable of running quicker than 12.00 in the quarter-mile, please consult with our Tech Inspectors for additional safety equipment requirements.<<<<

What the hell is a driveshaft loop? Also, what other requirements are they going to spring on me? It makes no sense to go to the drags if they are going to limit me to a 13.

Any comments from the experienced would be appreciated. BEST!!!

01 GTS, Venom 650R-NX

 

[ViperCorp]

I know a helmet is required; got that!

 

[Big Medicine]

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=115933&Forum=UBB14&Words=driveshaft%20loop&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=115933&Search=true#Post115933

AND

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=115217&Forum=UBB14&Words=nhra&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=2&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=115216&Search=true#Post115217

 

[ViperCorp]

You've gotta be kidding me? Are you telling me everyone here that goes to the drags has this crap?

Firebird used to kick me out with my Corvette; Im sure they will be stricter with my Venom... so basically, "going to the track" will be a waste of my time. One run then get the hell out?

>>>>There are several items that must be accomplished as E.T. is lowered. In looking at your avatar, it appears that you own a convertable. You must use a hard top and/or you must have an NHRA approved roll bar if you run faster than 13.99. You must also have a SNELL approved helmet with a rating of 90 or higher for any car running faster than 13.99

At 11.99 you need to have a Roll Bar with Side bar on at least the drivers side that attaches in a total of (5) points on the vehicle, and a (5) way harness for the driver. Driveshaft and axle safety loops are also required.

At 10.99 to 10.00 with the factory frame and firewall you are required to have aftermarket axles and wheel studs, transmission and flywheel shielding/blanketing, an approved SFI vibration dampner and a few other devices.

at 9.99 and below you will be required to have an (8) point Roll CAGE that completely encases the driver and must be certified and rechecked every 36 months. This is evident by a sticker that is date-marked and placed on the roll cage, a SFI approved driving suit, a SFI approved window net on the drivers side(can be substituted with arm restraints)and a competition drivers license that is obtained through a FAA 3rd class flight physical, an application and finally a series of 1/4 mile runs of which 2 must be 9.99 or faster.

I hope that this information helps. This list is not complete. One thing to consider is that most tracks are loose with regards to some of these regulations. Check with your local tracks to find out approximately what you can get away with should you not wish to invest in some of the required equipment.
<<<<

 

[Snakester]

Usually a Helmet, long sleeve shirts and full pants, are required for cars faster than 14 seconds, and most tracks don't have other restrictions until you get below 12 seconds.

But then you have a series of requirements including a 5 point roll bar, 5-point seatbelts, tranny blanket, safety loops on the driveshaft and halfshafts, and other goodies.

I doubt that the tech will enforce the driveshaft loop ( a safety strap that keeps the driveshaft from hitting the ground in the event that the u-joints break under stress) until 11.99.

11.99 or faster seems to be the trigger point for most tracks, and they will likely kick you off once you first hit 11s, and don't at least have a full rollbar.
Sometimes, they just give you a warning that you can't drive under 12 seconds, and you can run for a quick 1/8 mile, and then lift off the gas or brake near the end of the track to keep the time over 12.0.
For sure you won't be able to run with the N2O without getting kicked off, because you will be too fast.

I know that the restrictions ****, but the track has major insurance liabilities. And they are covering their butts.
Plus once you have seen a crash at speed on the track, you might understand why they have the safety requirements.

-Dean.

 

[V10 MOJO]

all depends upon the track and if its NHRA or if its IHRA. my track for example; i run without the roof and im always running high 11's low 12's and i bracket race every wednesday or friday. all theyve ever asked of me was helmet, harness, and long sleeve shirt or nomex light jacket. every track is probably different though with some ease of following the book

 

[ViperCorp]

That track is NHRA .. and when I ran my modified C5 I was always getting pulled aside and hauled off.

 

[Big Medicine]

The government should regulate the entrance into law schools; life would be so much simpler. I wouldn;t even need to know what an indemnity is.

 

[pdmracing]

nhra tracks will let an rt10 run roofless with arm restraints(around 20$$), any car @ an nhra track will need a roll bar below 11.99. The srt 10 is a true convert so it must run over 14.00 w/o roll bar.
This is an insurance issue. Thats wy they are running 1/8 mile all the time @ the 1/4 mile tracks. It is simply a matter of economics, the insurance costs have trippled in the last few years , forcing the tracks to take action or shut down. The resurgance in attendance by the Fast & furios crowds may help the tracks out finacially. Now how do we get these kids on the road courses??

 

[ViperCorp]

So pretty much going to the track will be a useless endeavor unless I want to get a bunch of upgrades; aka roll bars, blah blah --

 

[Saleen-Explorer]

So pretty much going to the track will be a useless endeavor unless I want to get a bunch of upgrades; aka roll bars, blah blah --

It's especially annoying when you have a car, like the Viper, that is already capable of running a high 11 basically stock.

They are really strict now, a guy down here I know was tunning his Explorer and ran mid 11's, but didn't have a roll cage, they told him to run only the 1/8 and hit the brakes. He did that and still trapped in the 11's but at like 85 mph lol. Then he basically said f*** it and gunned it down the track and was banned for a year lol. They weren't to happy with him running 11's w/o a roll cage let alone a 4800lb daily driver suv. His Explorer should easily be capable of mid 10's now (daily driver also w/ full interior) but I don't think he's installed the bars yet.

I have a video of his runs, the Explorer, that I can post maybe later on, pretty funny to watch/hear peoples reactions when they see this Explorer run and then watch him hit the brakes but still trap in the 11's lol. Track Officials were not very happy with him down at Moroso here.

Moroso Speedway is pretty strict now, Bradenton Speedway seems to be more forgiving here in FL.

Does anybody with a Viper who drags, or just has a roll cage, have one that has been bolted in instead of welded in? Roll cages get annoying in daily drivers, especially when you wack a body part on one damnit lol, but I haven't seen any Vipers yet with bolt in cages that can be removed after 1/4 mile racing.

 

[Supra]

You can run 12's in a Viper without a driveshaft loop (all my friends with Vipers do, maybe they are telling the tech inspectors the cars have drive shaft loops like I tell them about my Supras) but 11.99 or better and if they don't see a cage in the car you are out. They are like NAZIS here in AZ about that at Firebird, Speedworld and SIR (Tucson).

I haven't dragged at the track since my modified Vet and noticed the following requirements by the track:

>>>If your rear-wheel-drive vehicle is capable of running quicker than 13.00 in the quarter-mile, a driveshaft loop is required. <<<

>>> If your vehicle is capable of running quicker than 12.00 in the quarter-mile, please consult with our Tech Inspectors for additional safety equipment requirements.<<<<

What the hell is a driveshaft loop? Also, what other requirements are they going to spring on me? It makes no sense to go to the drags if they are going to limit me to a 13.

Any comments from the experienced would be appreciated. BEST!!!

01 GTS, Venom 650R-NX

 

[BigCarrot]

An Explorer that runs 11's???!!! That would definitely be a site to see!

 

[ViperCorp]

So here's is what I am left with ...

1) Run 1/8 mile runs...
and
2) Run under 12 and then get the hell out? What's the point of getting a SC'er when I can run the [******] thing?

Gee should I spray a 200 shot too? (sarcasm)

What fun is this?

 

[ViperCorp]

Guess I will have to run my runs on Pecos Road and pray for no cops or coyotes.

Sad sad sad.

 

[ViperCorp]

What is to prevent me from doing this:

A) Lining up.
B) When the tree hits green, sit there for 2 seconds.
C) Then take off and run the 1/4 normally.
D) Take my run (probably 13-14 range, safe by track standards) and subtract my response time to get a probable ET time.

Under this method, I would be running normally and not 1/8 runs. My trap speed will also be accurate.

Will the track perceive this as OK or with they know what I am doing?

 

[1TONY1]

Your time (ET) does not start until you move. You could roll forward enough to get out of the beam (6 inches)and start the clock, wait 2 seconds then go...your mph would be correct. I won't take them but a couple of runs to figure you out though. If you were in a plain car it might work. Some tracks have tnt and don't care how fast you go.

Suggestion: Buy a yellow car....they are slower

 

[Supra]

Yes you can do that, that's what I did with my Supra (no roll cage). I ran the 10.4 in Las Vegas, they didn't care or didn't notice the lack of cage. I ran the 143 MPH at Speedworld doing just what you mentioned, when the light turned green I inched forward to start the counter then counted in my head, one-thousand-one, one-thousand-tow and launched. Ran a 12.1 @ 143 MPH and they either didn't notice there was something weird with the high trapspeed or didn't care. Technically though I think you need a roll bar and side hoop at 125 MPH.....

What is to prevent me from doing this:

A) Lining up.
B) When the tree hits green, sit there for 2 seconds.
C) Then take off and run the 1/4 normally.
D) Take my run (probably 13-14 range, safe by track standards) and subtract my response time to get a probable ET time.

Under this method, I would be running normally and not 1/8 runs. My trap speed will also be accurate.

Will the track perceive this as OK or with they know what I am doing?