Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

The pleasure was all mine …. I was there when a much younger RJ Sledge won the US Nationals. :):). Good Times …

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

This rule will never be reversed, because it's a SAFETY ISSUE ! End of story.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

And a factory sun visor larger than 4x8 inches isn’t ?? REMEMBER , this is the same organization that told us that there was a break in at Wayne Co. speedshop ….:):):)

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Figured you guys needed a laugh.

<img src="https://tinypic.host/images/2023/11/01/IMG_4317---Copy.jpeg" alt="IMG_4317---Copy.jpeg" border="0">

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

I'm not trying to start an argument but if it was a safety issue why are other classes allowed to use them? Point in case is some of the Pro sportsman class guys were using them at the World Finals in Vegas I've been told. I've not verified it yet as I have not gone back and looked at the video on NHRA tv.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Good to see your sense of humor, especially since your great product line took a big hit with the ruling.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Appreciate that. They were very popular, I went and looked and I sent out well over 200 sets in 3 years to racers from multiple countries so it was always a fun conversation. Since the rule change that business is all but dead but they're still available if common sense prevails...

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

If it were actually a safety issue, they'd be banned in all door cars at all NHRA sanctioned tracks at all times.


There are infinitely more sportsman tree bracket door slammers than there are Stock and Super Stock cars. And they race at dozens upon dozens of tracks at least 35-45 weekends per year, the pits and staging lanes are ten times more chaotic than those at a national event or LODRS race. The number of cars, passes, and events for Stock and Super Stock cars combined does not even show up on the radar compared to other sportsman tree door slammer cars.


It ain't even remotely about safety.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

this is like new flexplate rule,stock and superstock does not include slower pro catagories.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Humm... Wonder when some "Well Connected" company will come out with a rule book legal and NHRA approved blinder just for S & SS.. ??

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

It'll probably be sold by one of the companies selling Chinese SFI approved flexplates.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

There are no spectators to hit at a bracket race.

It's about protecting all of the spectators who flood the pit roads when S/C, S/G come to the ready line and S/SS are leaving the scales.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

I doubt there is any stock or super stock drivers running around the pits with a blinder in place. Just doesn’t make any sense.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

There are still plenty of people wandering about. Being a former bracket racer, I've seen plenty of crazy things happen. We literally had a crew member of another car run between our tow vehicle and the dragster, as they were moving and the slack came out of the tow strap. Of course, she face planted right in front of the dragster. And nearly got hit.



This is NOT a safety issue SPECIFIC to Stock and Super Stock. It just isn't.


Now, are there some Stock and Super Stock drivers with some truly stupid "devices" blocking their vision? Absolutely. But they are already in FLAGRANT and EGREGIOUS violation of multiple safety rules, in the general rules and regulations section. And they're not using blinders as per the original rule.


Just because some clown duct tapes as 12"x24" piece of cardboard to his helmet is not a reason to punish a racer with a 3"x5" piece of metal or plastic properly affixed to their roll bar. That's just a load of crap, and everyone knows it.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Well, if there are, they're the ones who need to be dealt with. I haven't seen anyone with a legal blinder down, and besides, that's not going to block anyone from seeing where they're going, or if they're going to hit someone or something. But yeah, I've seen people in the pits, staging lanes, and return roads with crap taped to their helmet. That's a clear violation of the rules to begin with. Punish them, and solve the problem.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Lenny I wish there was a smile or tongue in cheek emoji on here that could be placed on your post... great tongue in cheek comment about the throngs of spectators :):):)
I wonder if this goes back to payback for a guy with a blinder beating a guy that doesn't like blinders?? Humm!

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

I know there are a million reason why blinders should or shouldn't be used, but I thought the real bottom line of this matter was a well known racer who has pull convinced the powers to be that blinders should be illegal because they have a competitive advantage for those who use them.

Just go back to the thread last year and read it to see if I am correct on this. You can lobby all day long if you think you have more pull than this racer did last year.

I also don't know how a lawsuit will win on this since NHRA has the right to enforce a rule they feel is justified. What will be the argument in the lawsuit? They feel they are being discrimated against?

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

sorry double post

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Over 12k views to this and for what?

Seems to me if we accept and just adhere to the General Regulation 7:8 this would all go away.

NHRA is doesn't want to address this anymore than they already have,

Racers need to use some common sense and read the Regulation, NHRA has it in black and white and as long as nobody is using 2 sq ft of tape and cardboard on the side of their helmet, and using what is written in the Regulation I don't think they are going to say anything to anybody.

If people get carried away and stray from what is written in the 7:8 Reg then this just continues.

Just what is not acceptable in the 7:8 Regulations ?????????

I would really like to know.

Thanks
RJ

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

This is what it boils down to as far as I have been told that one person got this rule put in place. I mean that is simply amazing that someone would have that much pull inside of NHRA.
We are approaching the off-season and now is the time to start letting your voice be heard to your SRAC representative if you're in favor or against this if anyone cares to get something done about it.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

If a racer is in the left lane and wants to block the distractions in the right lane they should try closing their right eye.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Yo Bossman! Might be a good time for a poll to help our SRAC representatives and the NHRA lurkers reading this.
Maybe a for, against or don't care?

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Wouldn't this poll be somewhat like me as stick racer voting on whether or not the auto trans racers can use a trans brake button?

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Maybe I am missin something BUT shouldn’t to BLOCK , OR not to BLOCK be a choice ? You know …kinda like the choice to paint your car RED or BLUE….

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

..Or 10 second stick drivers voting against deep staging ;-)

Safety issue ,huh?
When was the last time they enforced...No decals, last century "T" s on windshields, etc. ?

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Jim look at it kind of like our democracy in general, it should be what a majority of the people want and not what one particular person wants. That's called a tyranny. I never used a blinder or blocked but when they changed the rule it pissed me off simply because of why it was done. The rule was changed seemingly because of one person, if it was a safety issue then it's a safety issue in all classes. If I'm wrong about this someone can correct me and I'll gladly change my stance on it.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Can't disagree with you, it would have been 100% better to simply state Stock and Super Stock are purists classes and as such blinders and blockers will no longer be allowed. kinda like when they disallowed two step switch on the steering wheel for stock.....

The unfortunate side effect of this is the loss of some rather intriguing uses of sheet metal, carbon fiber and other materials for the blockers,with some very impressive craftmanship.

Eric

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Purist??? If you want to start eliminating components that are being used as starting line enhancement, you want to single out blinders as the single item that is being utilized?

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Not my perception Jim, but the Nhra's, its the one starting line enhancement that they could police with ease, and effects the drivers reaction time, and while I think they should be allowed, as they have been for decades, its their sandbox and their rules.

I don't think a blinder is actually a enhancement, more of a preference. I'd vote for allowing it again.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Therein lies the problem. It is not supposed to be NHRA's sand box. NHRA and the sand box are supposed to belong to the racers. That's where everything has gone wrong.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

If the racers were in charge, the NHRA would be very short lived.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

The racers were in charge for about 30 years, NHRA grew pretty well.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Some will say that too much influence by racers is why Stock has turned into what it is today.

9" tires, camshaft specs, valve springs, roller rockers, head work, 3 speed transmissions, replacement heads, etc etc etc. Ya can't blame NHRA for all these things especially if you claim nhra was run by racers, because all these things are part of 30 years of "evolution "

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Duane, all but the 9" tires came after the racers "ceded" control to the "executives" in Glendora. Just because a few racers asked for them doesn't mean all the racers wanted or would have voted for them. And, in fact, many of the tech people would have said "no" had Glendora not over ruled them. In fact, most of the cheating caught by tech people and thrown out was later accepted by those executives in the form of "new rules".

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

And you don't think that a lot of this came from aftermarket manufacturer's "buddy deals" and NHRA's lack of any substantial tech? Oh, let's not forget the "threat" of lawsuits.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Troy perhaps a different avenue of approach is needed to help with this problem: Can you send a few sets to Glendora to get them approved as a manufacturer.......You could also become a selective sponsor as well for contigency if it made sense....Might work, I know it would make quite a few racers happy. That combined with SRAC work might just it over the hump.....just a thought.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Eric those are great ideas. I'm full swing winter build season for customers so if a rep would reach out to me (as I don't even know who our current one is) to help drive it I'm happy to help.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

I think Shakespeare once said, " To block or not to block, that is the question."

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

When Wally Parks died, the MOJO went with him. NHRA has not been the same since.

Just my 2 cents, which ain't worth nothin' these days.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Factory option block!