First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Hello all.

I have been preparring to run my first S/ST event for some time. Tried to make it out last year but had to build up a new short bloock late in teh season. We are just putting the final touches on a new motor package and hope to have it sorted in time for Bradenton.

Any advice as I prepare for my first NHRA event? I have run many local events and some events in the NMCA series, but look forward to my first NHRA divisional.

Anything in particular I should be prepared for in tech? I already spoke to the division tech director to go overa few items and I think I am in good shape but appreciate your perspective for those areas that hang people up.

Not much pro-tree experience, but I have been practicing on my porta-tree and hope for the best.

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

Greg

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Me too.
I'm thinking of coming. I have never been to a NHRA race. Can anyone give some insight?
How about the schedule?
Thansk
Chip

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Well if you have a rule book, :rolleyes: sorry if you look on the NHRA web site follow all the guide lines, rules and enjoy racing your in for the time of your life.
The people are more than willing to help and show ya what ever you need (if ya bring enough beer :D)..........Good luck

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Division 2 website 'lags' compared to others and the Bradenton website is only showing the same schedule info as provided in last week's ND (link here for ref).

http://www.bradentonmotorsports.com/...5044&zoneid=84

Legend, I haven't compared NHRA/IHRA rulebooks but main difference is the weight minimum (2800 for NHRA and not unusual to be asked across the scales for round 1 winners). NHRA requires the locking trans dipstick (see other threads) and if you're running over 135MPH then you're inspected to S/G regs (mandatory chassis cert, license, diaper, SFI-5 pants, gloves, etc.).

I haven't had any trouble in tech, just always prepared with copies of certification on flywheel and items hard to access. They're going to check seat belt dates religiously since guys have given them trouble on that (including one racer bounced at the Valdosta National Open for switching belts just to get thru tech). Grounded plastic fuel cell, dual throttle return springs, functional on/off switch, functional neutral safety switch are the items I've been asked about most frequently....Legend, I KNOW you know the drill and for others new to NHRA S/ST your best friend is the rulebook that you can download from the NHRA website if you're not joining NHRA till you get to the trailer. After you get your credentials and run card just make sure you keep the run card for punch out in staging. They usually have clean up runs for anyone who gets hung up in tech or simply arrives late on Friday.

If you don't have a lot of data for your T/S settings then lots of luck because you're going to need it. Lots of good racers in S/ST but if you're just after a grade point to help your cause for getting into the Charlotte national event in March then have fun, observe and ask. Racers are racers...

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

JM,
You said keep copies of certification on stuff like the flywheel. What do I need there? It's got a sticker on it. I did put a new balancer on this year. The sticker was gone off the old one. My shield has a sticker on it too. Belts good. New cell with ground. New battery boxes. What about Window net? I have a mesh one. Is it legal? Does it need a sticker too?

Most important thing, do you think you can get in Charlotte with 1-2 grade points. Already 10 cars entered.
Thanks
Chip

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Chip, I'm just guessing but with them only taking 50 and ten already signed up it's going to take at least 3 to get in..........
I've never had them ( tec) ask for copy's of cert for trans shield ,flex plate or parts they can't see. BUT that's in Div 3........

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Legend; I've got copies of my recertification paperwork just in case but never been asked for it; if you have the stickers on you're good. The mesh type window nets do have a 2 year expiration period whereas the ribbon style has no expiration period. By the rule your mesh net would have to have a dated SFI 27 patch on it but not sure how likely they are for checking it. If it was mine I'd put a ribbon net in and forget it.

Suppose everyone has their own opinion on Charlotte grade points but given all the Div 1, 2 and 3 racers who are within an easy drive from Charlotte I gotta believe it will take more than 2 points to get in. Just look at the Division 1 racers who have already entered and you gotta think that at least 30-35 D2 racers will try to compete. Definitely think that S/ST will fill up before other .90 classes and doesn't help that they set the field at 50 for us. You better try for Gainesville as well to even have a chance. But again, that's my opinion.

65Shoebox; all this addressing what you were looking for?

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

I will get another net. I agree about the 3+ to get in Charlotte. I guess I will use this year to chase grade points and shoot for next year.
Thanks
Guys

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Do the Bradenton, Gainesville, Orlando trio of races and you might get in...it's worth a shot. NHRA is usually pretty quick about updating grade points.

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Greg & Legend
Welcome.
This is everyone's first big race of the season, so many of us don't yet have 100% handle on our cars either. New engines, electronics, combos etc,
Tech is by the book (so be sure to check NHRA updates too... how about those locking dipsticks?)
We usually only get a few good time trials (as long as the weather cooperates) so your pro tree practice is a good idea.

For all the deep south folks that had the unusual freezing weather, be sure to check your freeze plugs. Some engines froze and pushed out the freeze plugs. Not something we're used to dealing with.

And personally, I recommend a diaper for every car. Not only will save the track major clean up if you have a problem, but it may save you and the car by preventing the slip n slide of oil on tires.

See you there & good luck!


Ed too....(the Flying Monkey Camaro)

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Ed can show you how to have a .000 light and run a 10.90 with a 0!!!!

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

i have been looking forward to my first NHRA divisional after being away from competetive racing for more than 10 years, but our new motor is taking ALOT longer to get finished than we hoped.... All little things that you run into when building a new combo.... mostly ....

I am contemplating borrowing a firends car to at least race Bradentons points race, then maybe resume again when my car is finished for Renolds, and Atlanta...

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Just to let you know, we never turn on the scales for our SS/T events, to much hassle.
Biggest is going by all the safety rules.

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

gents,

check the rulebook... my recollection is that the mesh window nets are NOT available with a SFI cert of any kind... and the ribbon type have an expiration (two or three years). I had the opportunity to buy a new ribbon net at Norwalk last year when the inspector decided to play exactly by the book

update: I checked the rulebook... words are "ribbon type, or SFI mesh"... unfortunately (at least the Div III inspector at Norwalk claimed) that you can't get a SFI 27 mesh window net... and the ribbon type do apparently expire...

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

My mesh has a tag on it April 07

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Chip; you said you were updating to a ribbon type so that's good. Copied here is section 6.3 of the rulebook.

6:3 WINDOW NET
A ribbon-type or SFI Spec 27.1 mesh-type window net is
mandatory on any full-bodied car required by the rules to have a roll
cage. Window net must be securely mounted on the inside of the
roll cage, with the permanent attachment at the bottom. All
attachment points must be designed in an attempt to protect the
driver and avoid contact with track surface or guardwall. Eyelet
clips, dogleash hardware, hose clamps, etc. prohibited. Penetration
of webbing, except as performed by manufacturer, prohibited. Any
modification to net must be performed by manufacturer. A ribbon
type window net does not expire, unless it is torn or battered.

Further in the back (pg 312) where SFI Spec expiration periods are given is this one concerning SFI 27.1

27.1 Window Net (Mesh) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 years

Never ceases to amaze me how people can 'read' a rulebook and walk away with erroneous information; guess that's why they have tech....LOL

Anyone running a NHRA Divisional or National S/ST where they already have the scales set up for class racing should be prepared to be weighed...if they want to forfeit a winning pass then so be it. Know I'm not packing hundreds of pounds of lead for the fun of it; it killed a bunch of my MPH.

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Tech is generally pretty easy as long as you are current with the updates on your equipment and you write down the sfi numbers & dates on the tech card. They will take look under the hood and trunk, make sure the fuel cell has a ground on it, attached the filler, battery is secured properly. One year they were hell bent on checking the lower seat belt strap mount, I'm sure this year they will be looking at the dipstick. The Div. 2 tech guys are good people and are not usually looking to bust chops, if something is not right they will ask you to make sure it is fixed for the next race except for belts of course.

I'm still on the fence if I can make the race, Valentines day is my Wifes favorite holiday and I promised that I would take this race off for her after the last few years but she cracked the door open the other day and I may get to go :confused:

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Hey Dave I wish you would have stayed home 2 years ago . I would have won not runner up! See you in Gainesville not going to Bradenton. Good luck!

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

I decided to sit it out again this year... instead of using someone else's car, I will wait on mine... we are getting close, final parts should be here in the next week or so.. may be able to make the last 1/2 of the season...


Kinda glad I bailed this year anyway now... weather is soo cold.... Rained Friday..... Nice out today but windy as heck.... And to top that NHRA moved the Orlando race to Atlanta...I dont like racing in the cold... why would I EVER go to Atlanta in early March????

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Lots of good replies (as I recently returned to S/G competition from a long absence). One more item - if you have an old ladder bar car like mine, make sure you have the straps securing the front attachment point in case of a rod end failure. They made sure to check that on mine. They also checked the neutral safety switch, and my damn wires had actually shorted across each other (there was just enough space where the insulation had shrunk back from the connector after many years). Kinda embarrassing, but I pulled the trans tunnel in line and had it working before the tech guy got too far away. LOL, he told me he'd check me the next time to make sure I had tape or shrink tubing on to prevent that problem.

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

The weather sucked.... I'm home and still haven't thawed out yet.
The rumor is the race was called after 2 more crashes? Geeez I hope everyone is OK.

Super Street finished up. Congrats David Owens!

It was great seeing many new faces in SST. For those of you who think you have to run the entire season.... no way! Come out and play whenever you can and you will be warmly welcomed by your classmates, even if the weather is horrible!

(my stocker is back in the shop and won't be out for the first few races either)

and Rob, Ed & the Monkey were way too speedy today. We packed up after 2nd round.
:(

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

I saw that Shelly I was watching u guys on DRC. You and Dennis were the only super streeters I knew down there. You will get em next time

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Ed and I hope to see you this summer Rob, we'll be "up north" :)

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Hey shelly,it was too damn cold...at least we had entertainment with dan moore parked between us ha ha
scott

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

hehe right you are Scott!
I am hoping beyond hope it will be warmer at G'ville.

Wearing all the clothes in your camper at once, isn't much fun.

Re: First S/ST Event in Bradenton
 

Good luck to you and ed,hope we see you later in the year
scott