2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

NHRA Technical Department Announces 2014 SS/AH Cylinder Head Rules



In February of this year, the NHRA Technical Department adjusted the rules concerning cylinder heads in the SS/AH class for the 2013 season to more accurately reflect the types of cylinder heads currently being used in competition. This rule change was made in an effort to avoid the immediate cost and inconvenience to racers of purchasing new cylinder heads for the 2013 season.

Since the release of these rule amendments, the NHRA Technical Department has been in conversations with the Super Stock racing community. As a result of these discussions, the NHRA Technical Department will revert back to the 2012 Super Stock cylinder head rules beginning with the 2014 season. The NHRA Technical Department feels that changing these rules back to their 2012 level for SS/AH is consistent with:



Continuation and future growth of the SS/AH class
Alignment of Super Stock rules for all classes
Preservation of the spirit and intent of a unique vehicle in Drag Racing History
Racers to be able to easily obtain factory correct components which will be tuned and modified within existing rules (not redesigned) to maximize performance capability
Maintaining the architecture of the components as designed
Taking this step in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary celebration of the 426 Gen II Hemi in 2014 (introduced in Feb, 1964)


Delaying the new rule implementation until 2014 will allow racers time to make the necessary changes to their vehicles to be in compliance. The 2014 SS/AH cylinder head rules will not permit external modifications, cutting into any part of the valve cover bolt hole and the valve cover bolt holes must remain unaltered and in their original location.





Glen Gray

NHRA

Vice President Technical Operations

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Amen!!!!!

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Does this mean we need new heads for13 and then new heads for 14 Lots of money for the moter guys

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Sure looks like it if we want to be competitive this year at the Shootouts

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Nhra finally got some balls! Cant wait to see how fast top guys will be in 2014. Let the crying begin in pa. and mi.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Wow. Just when I thought NHRA could not make less sense.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if they stepped back and took a look at what their buffoonery
has done to S/SS in general for the past 10 years or so and to correct the situation.
Might bring back some of the guys who threw up the white flag.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Ed you can't fix stupid.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

X10 This is unprecedented in the history of the NHRA, they grew a set instead of accommodating the cheaters as they done in the past. Now continue to stand by the rulebook and stop enhancing us further. Would'nt it be nice to be respected for standing your ground instead of loathed for your free for all lack of rules enforcement? Congratulations now try to take some more steps to bring class racing back in line.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

X2
Well put Scott. NHRA made the right call. Good Job!

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

The way S and SS have gone, it is like going to a carnival and watching the freak show. NHRA has allowed stuff so far from "stock" that they should be embarrassed.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

If Nhra would have thrown wescott out at indy when they first saw them cutting heads into bolts and holes we wouldn't have this problem. Then i guess Barton heard Chuck could do it so he cuts them even more! And he pass teardown. The rulebook clearly states if nothing is said in super stock go back to stock! Which say you can't cut in to bolt or holes!!!To much let slide! Yet i win in belle rose and get thrown out because my screws aren't sticking thru butterfly plate! give me a break!

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Funny how some things change, the more they stay the same. Here is an Editorial in the December 1980 Super Stock &Drag Illustrated Magazine, about Hemi cars at the '80 US Nationals.

16 out of 21 Hemi cars were found to have "deburred" blocks and weren't allowed to race. Very interesting article:

http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/x...sb4cf4a5f.jpeg

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

It doesn't matter what the rules are, the results will still be the same, and I dont see what credibility someone has that hasnt been at a race in 4 years. If excuses were factored into a timeslip, the class would have different winners.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

We were at that 1980 race with our 65 car. They were throwing out cars for light blocks and 68 cars for light fiberglass. I remember they tossed Big Joe for a light block in his black 65 stick car, He told them that he came to race and would bolt a head on the front bumper just to get to race. We were all standing around and Joe said boys you know that these Chevy guys are breed to hate us. Of course you would have to hear Joe say it to appreciate it. But there were a bunch tossed out.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Hey Chuck, Jason said will let the car do the talking,

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Sorry Charlie, that is just wrong...

I'm going to just bite my lip and just tell a little story about Bucky. When he was helping me load my "Cuda he cut his hand. As I watched him putting a band aid on I realized his blood wasn't red - He was bleeding HEMI ORANGE!

If there is ever a vote of Inductees into the Super Stock Hemi hall of fame, Bucky will definitely get my first vote...

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

John, Thanks for the added details to that 1980 Indy Hemi saga. Another picture from that event:
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/x...pse1346be9.jpg

As you can see thats a pretty high profile factory team car in that trailer. Obviously Politics weren't involved in their decision to toss anyone...

I was not at Indy in 2012 so anything I say will be here-say, BUT the facts I do know is that the winner and the lone car that was tossed did have the same "external modification". Now IMO, a few bolts that stabilize the valvetrain through the head are not external modifications. But technically they are and NHRA saw it that they were- illegal - For one car and one car only and not in post-race teardown. Were politics involved? IDK or do I really care at this point as it wont change anything.

All that matters from here forward is a consistent and equal enforcement of the rules for all...

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

I love it!! NHRA take note this is what draws crowds a good old fashioned rivalry from well respected competitors ,engine builders and drivers good luck to you all well be watching!

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

SS/DA You are right they did not hesitate to toss out anybody. Jr. Carpinent was angry about light fiberglass. You know back then everyone wanted to beat the other guy, but it seems you did not have the kind of tension between the hemi racers Back then Hemi guys were Mopar diehards.Everybody wanted to beat the other guy but after the race they were friends again. It seems like nobody really slammed the other guy as they do today. Bucky Hess may have not been out for awhile but he was when a lot of people gave up on the Hemi cars

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

SS had class eliminations at the Gators and only one SS/AH shows up. He had to run in the Combo class. Are racers in SS/AH not interested in running unless special money is put up for their class win?

At least it was good to see that six cars in SS/AH did show up for Belle Rose and one made it to the semifinals in SS eliminator.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Man, what a mess. Is this an early April fools joke? Just when I thought it was over and we could move on.

If they are seriously going through with this decision for those reasons they should also consider reversing some of the other rules.

Clutchless Transmissions
Small Rod Journals
Tunnel Rams
Inline Carbs

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Couldn't agree more! These cars had cross rams on them, not PS style tunnel rams. They should have to maintain the factory spacing on the carbs as well. I never understood why these things were allowed, it makes no sense whatsoever. Honda rod journals, WTF?? The only negative I see to returning to the older guidelines is that it's a big hit financially to guys who have the things that will become illegal.and need to be replaced.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

I don't remember the block stuff at Indy in 1980. But I do remember the SS/AA in the barn before us. That could have been why. That's where I saw my first acid ported head in person.
After we quit in 1981 our pit crew Kevin Schmidt went to work for a machine shop that specialized in Hemi's. He had to relocate from the northeast. His main job was to use bondo and metal filings and make the blocks look stock.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

25 some years in the class and having won just about everything worth winning at some point, has earned that credibility.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

I suggest yall save the old cross rams, and start measuring the cars. Just sayin. And who knows, take a little power out and you can run rounds, or at least show up for first round. NHRA must share some of the responsibility for this, but a radical swing back at one time might not be what is called for. Imagine, a 68 without the carbs in the scoop. I was in Indy when the first inline showed up. Travis and I were looking at this thing, and I told him this would be the start of the ruination of SS/AA. And here we are. Some of us still run rounds, look at any race we go to.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Where was this new info officially posted?

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Mr Hebert & Little Joe both go rounds. I don't look forward to having to run either one of them.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

New Tuesday Tech question, "If I'm caught cheating, will they change the rules for me?"

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

Yes if last name starts in "B" or "W". "H" not good.

Re: 2014 426 Hemi Rules
 

I love this! Is this a form of hang man?