Oil Down Penalties

Tom Meyer · 01-29-2015, 09:10 AM

At least they are leaving Us alone.

NHRA bolsters oildown policy for 2015 Mello Yello Series season

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Recognizing the need to reduce the number of oildowns at NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events that cause substantial time delays and negatively affect the entertainment value for fans and TV viewers, the NHRA has increased the monetary fines and points penalties associated with oildowns in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories. Oildown penalties for all other classes will remain the same as they were in 2014.

Each Top Fuel and Funny Car team will be fined $1,000 and receive a five-point deduction following its first oildown violation of the season. A second infraction will result in a $2,000 fine and a 10-point deduction. The third violation will bring a $4,000 fine and loss of 15 points.

Monetary fines and point deductions continue to increase on a scale for each additional oildown violation. The 10th violation will result in an $18,000 fine and a 50-point penalty.

“We offer race teams considerable input on how to avoid oildowns,” said Graham Light, NHRA’s senior vice president of racing operations. “But the responsibility still lies with the team. In 2014, oildowns contributed to significant delays over the course of each race weekend. As we increase the number of live TV broadcasts, we have to make sure that our events stay on schedule.”

Monetary fines will be in effect at all 24 events but points penalties will be waived during the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship.

“Fines are utilized for equipment purchases, personnel training, new technology and support of the NHRA Safety Safari,” Light said.

2015 NHRA Oildown Violation Penalties for Top Fuel and Funny Car
Violation Fine Points
First $1,000 -5
Second $2,000 -10
Third $4,000 -15
Fourth $6,000 -20
Fifth $8,000 -25
Sixth $10,000 -30
Seventh $12,000 -35
Eighth $14,000 -40
Ninth $16,000 -45
10th $18,000 -50

Send Print

novassdude · 01-29-2015, 10:42 AM

I am not a top fool expert. But if they really want to limit oil downs they need to make some rule changes. 1 Single fuel pump (some spec size) and2 limit blower overdrive and these engines will live much longer.

Jim Bailey · 01-29-2015, 11:52 AM

Why try to reinvent the wheel, just follow NASCAR's lead from years ago. LIMIT THE SIZE OF THE FUEL TANK AND LINES. Make them smaller. Work with the chassis builders and make a spec tank and fuel line(s) for the Gagsters, as well as the Funny Cars. - Pick a size - Then tell all the chassis builders "this is it", incorporate it into your new builds. Older cars must be retrofit. Absolutely no changes. Let's use 9 gallon TOTAL capacity for the example ( about 1/2 the average size now used ). Now, let 'em use any pump, any blower, any mag(s), any percentage of nitro, whatever combination you want........ If your burn out doesn't cross the starting line there's no points for that round, and BTW we're going back to "real" Quarter Mile Drag Racing..... If the "piece of $$$$ leaker" runs out of fuel and's on fire at 600 feet, it's not gonna win many rounds -JB-

01-29-2015, 09:10 AM	#1
Tom Meyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pierce NE Posts: 908 Likes: 56 Liked 305 Times in 107 Posts	Oil Down Penalties At least they are leaving Us alone. NHRA bolsters oildown policy for 2015 Mello Yello Series season Wednesday, January 28, 2015 Recognizing the need to reduce the number of oildowns at NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events that cause substantial time delays and negatively affect the entertainment value for fans and TV viewers, the NHRA has increased the monetary fines and points penalties associated with oildowns in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories. Oildown penalties for all other classes will remain the same as they were in 2014. Each Top Fuel and Funny Car team will be fined $1,000 and receive a five-point deduction following its first oildown violation of the season. A second infraction will result in a $2,000 fine and a 10-point deduction. The third violation will bring a $4,000 fine and loss of 15 points. Monetary fines and point deductions continue to increase on a scale for each additional oildown violation. The 10th violation will result in an $18,000 fine and a 50-point penalty. “We offer race teams considerable input on how to avoid oildowns,” said Graham Light, NHRA’s senior vice president of racing operations. “But the responsibility still lies with the team. In 2014, oildowns contributed to significant delays over the course of each race weekend. As we increase the number of live TV broadcasts, we have to make sure that our events stay on schedule.” Monetary fines will be in effect at all 24 events but points penalties will be waived during the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship. “Fines are utilized for equipment purchases, personnel training, new technology and support of the NHRA Safety Safari,” Light said. 2015 NHRA Oildown Violation Penalties for Top Fuel and Funny Car Violation Fine Points First $1,000 -5 Second $2,000 -10 Third $4,000 -15 Fourth $6,000 -20 Fifth $8,000 -25 Sixth $10,000 -30 Seventh $12,000 -35 Eighth $14,000 -40 Ninth $16,000 -45 10th $18,000 -50 Send Print __________________ Tom Meyer 5240 SS Stock ???

01-29-2015, 10:42 AM	#2
novassdude Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: usa Posts: 751 Likes: 204 Liked 133 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Oil Down Penalties I am not a top fool expert. But if they really want to limit oil downs they need to make some rule changes. 1 Single fuel pump (some spec size) and2 limit blower overdrive and these engines will live much longer.

01-29-2015, 11:52 AM	#3
Jim Bailey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 724 Likes: 17 Liked 687 Times in 126 Posts	Re: Oil Down Penalties Why try to reinvent the wheel, just follow NASCAR's lead from years ago. LIMIT THE SIZE OF THE FUEL TANK AND LINES. Make them smaller. Work with the chassis builders and make a spec tank and fuel line(s) for the Gagsters, as well as the Funny Cars. - Pick a size - Then tell all the chassis builders "this is it", incorporate it into your new builds. Older cars must be retrofit. Absolutely no changes. Let's use 9 gallon TOTAL capacity for the example ( about 1/2 the average size now used ). Now, let 'em use any pump, any blower, any mag(s), any percentage of nitro, whatever combination you want........ If your burn out doesn't cross the starting line there's no points for that round, and BTW we're going back to "real" Quarter Mile Drag Racing..... If the "piece of $$$$ leaker" runs out of fuel and's on fire at 600 feet, it's not gonna win many rounds -JB-