plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

OK ---how are you all plumbing the hand brake on a dragster WITH a foot operated brake system-- in conjunction with the foot system a seperate system altogther or what---only want to use the hand brake for staging not stopping the car unless it is an emergency---thanx for your responses

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

Good luck with that......LOL

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

Better check with the Tech Director in your division.. last I heard, NHRA was making guys take the hand brakes out if they had foot brakes.. not sure if their minds have been changed since last year..

Check it out before you waste a lot of time..

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

And take a read through this thread for some of the issues that have been raised: http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=32576

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

so you cannot have 2 seperate systems AT ALL one for braking/stopping and one for staging???? I understand the reasoning for what HRA has ruled but are 2 completely seperate systems allowed one for braking by foot pedal and one for staging by hand ??? or anything more than ONE method (either hand or foot but not both) of applying brake pressure is not allowed

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

The whole subject confuses the heck out of me. :confused:

I'm not sure I understand the reasoning behind any of the choices. So, when I built our new car, I just went with a single pedal on a dual master connected to two separate brake systems (lines, calipers, etc.). That I _know_ is legal.

As Charlie suggests, I really think you should call your local division director and discuss it. Because it appears to differ by division and you'll want to get some kind of direction before you put any effort into constructing a system that won't tech.

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

Not sure this is legal.........
http://secure.chassisshop.com/partlist/5465/

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

Pro Stock all have hand brakes now.

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

I would like to have one just for unloading the car.

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

Works great for that function........makes unloading the car a snap...and I never struggle to see behind me.......

I have a RaceTech....added the handbrake myself....

NHRA is out to lunch on this rule.....

If I can't race my car the way it is, I stay home....I've had enough of them telling me what I need to buy and pay for and do.

I put the second set of brakes in their to be safer not to be less safe......

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

I think the hand brake is in fact a good idea and also an added safety feature.. HOWEVER, I'm sure the guys that had them at the Bristol National last year were thinking the same thing when NHRA Tech told them to remove them or go home..

But they also made a bunch of us S/G guys pop our chutes and repack them in front of them.. go figure.. good thing there wasn't somebody's crusty old underwear in there when I pulled it, huh...

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

Charlie my friend.....


Someone needs to remind the geniuses at NHRATech that even if you successfully pull your chute after you lose your brakes your still going to hit something.... anything other than a sand trap and your going to wreck your car and may get hurt......

My car has 2 systems....One fails I have the other...I don't need a hand brake to dump my car in an unsafe manner and end up in the guradrail.....

In 1966 the American auto manufacturers added dual master cylinders to passeneger cars....The purpose of that was to prevent you from losing ALL your brakes should you have a hydraulic failure due to a blown cylinder or caliper. Later cars had combination valves that accomplished the same thing.....

I go 170 mph at tracks like Island Dragway and you know very well what that track is like.........an NHRA SANCTIONED track. When they raced the open series there they did ask everyone with a S/C car to pull their chutes. I did and it was the only time I've ever done that......I am keeping my dual brakes or as I said staying home......I am not entering a single NHRA Division Event or National Event and have some Tech dude tell me I need to remove my handlever.......

Are ya listening NHRA TECH.......if you are you need to fix this issue...and talk to the people that race the cars that benefit from the added safety of having the extra brake system and those that had an event where it saved them and their cars...........Pulling your chute will not stop your car if you lose your brakes. Having two sets actuated at the same time is less safe as it can be too aggressive.....

Re: plumbing hand brake on a dragster
 

They did this for all the "super" classes at Seattle last year. The reason stated was that we pull them so infrequently, they sometimes don't actually pop. Ours was fine, a friend behind me pulled the lever, and ... nothing ... it just sat there. He jiggled it, nothing. Gave it a good hit, and it popped. He was thanking the tech guys for making him do it.