Street Cars
 

Wasn't the idea of NHRA was to get street racing off the streets and have them race on drags strips where they were off the streets where most people drive? Today there are cars that are driven and raced on the street but are not allowed on the drag strip. I have to ask why? Is it because of liability or hasn't NHRA kept up with the times?

Re: Street Cars
 

Are you referring to imports? Fast and Furious rigs?

Dale

Re: Street Cars
 

yes

Re: Street Cars
 

NHRA definitely hasn't kept up with the times. I've ran into this several times in my short class racing career.

Re: Street Cars
 

Our local track has "Friday Night Test-N-Tune" every week for about $25.00. Ricers galore. Funny wings. & neon lights all over the place.

Re: Street Cars
 

Doug,,, I'm a little confused by "not allowed on the drag strip." Many tracks have Street Legal nights,, Test & Tune days, and also bracket programs, where if the car and driver in question can pass the safety requirements and tech inspection, they should be able to participate. My local track, Bremerton Raceway, has all of these programs, plus other special weekends for more specific interests,,, Nostalgia,, Ford weekend,, Mopar weekend, National Open etc, etc. Its worth checking out. My 2 cents.
Danny Durham

Re: Street Cars
 

the xHRA's would be wise to add Imports to the Sportsman Ranks.

I saw on the PhotoGalley they allow a Turbo Neon in a SS Class.
This needs to be opened up to all SS and Stock..

In fact if NHRA wanted to get another 5% of cars to their races.
Should open up Pure Stock.

Time to stop with the restrictions.
Opening up Pure Stock to Imports and they will take a crack at Class Racing.

D

Re: Street Cars
 

A lot of those street raced cars will not pass tech at the track.

NHRA sanctioned tracks aren't going to waive safety rules to increase cars count. Their liability insurance carrier would not like that.

Lastly, there are many street racers that absolutely do not want to run at a track, even if there are no safety rules or mandatory equipment.

Something about the rush of doing something illegal and getting away with it. :rolleyes:

Re: Street Cars
 

NHRA does need to do a better job of promoting the classes that are open to contemporary import style cars. From a look at Super Stock MX, you could build a pretty wicked little blown or turbo 4 cylinder.

Pacific Raceway has the usual Test nTune and High School Drags that are more open and there is an Electric Car Nationals on the schedule for this season. They don't promote it but you can do it.

There will always be street racers. Safety last nitrous first types.

Dale

EDIT: ALMAK: There are two tracks within an hour or two of the Seattle area but they still had a big problem with street racers a few years ago.

Re: Street Cars
 

Electric Car Nationals?? Those homes along the fence coming in ought to love that,, especially the lack of noise. Not sure if all those fir trees will be safe from all the huggers that will probably show up..
Danny Durham

Re: Street Cars
 

Silent Thunder Electric Car Nationals
September 6, 2014
Pacific Raceways, Kent, Washington

You wire heads get your builds going...

Dale

Re: Street Cars
 

There was a twin turbo import that when it got spooled up ran 9:20s at 145 mph that would not pass tech at a track, however, the car street races all the time.

Re: Street Cars
 

9.20s at 145?? So did this racer just slide the car past the tech officials and make one run, like many have, knowing they'll be asked to leave after putting up an illegal number? I think we've all seen it happen from time to time. Its interesting that the track officials let the car run, if they truly knew what the potential of that car was.
Danny Durham

Re: Street Cars
 

they did not think the car had that kind of potential that is for sure

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I can honstly say when I first got into cars it was all about the cars and having fun, then going faster with my friends and against them. I never even heard of a drag strip. I had noone telling me about them. Long Island had West Hampton and Islip. I think NY National was gone by 82. Never been there. So don't know. I never saw a track until 1986, went to an event at E Town. Spring Nats or something. Still have the stub somewhere. Did not hear of WestHampton till 1987, noone knew where it was(and so easy to find it was, rip)
We ended at Bridgehampton by peoples directions out east, lol.
NHRA and IHRA need to get to schools, auto programs, somewhere else I don't know and promote this drag racing we love. Division directors are you listening?
This sport encompasses so much work, so your ethic in how hard you want it will be tested. Math, science, hands work, social skills, you really need these all to perform onto of some good eye hand coordination.
There is a feeling we know lauching a car and flying down the drag strip that is unmatchable.
I hope NHRA and IHRA and the other sanctioning bodies wake up and help teach the youth of America to get out and race.

Re: Street Cars
 

Chris,,, I hear and appreciate what you're saying, but I believe there will be little to no effort from NHRA or IHRA regarding this "education of the masses". Its going to be up to US as individuals or teams to take our cars, videos , brochures and what have you to reach out to people willing to look into our sport. I'm sure we've all done a little promoting whenever a family or some kids walk up on our pit space and ask about what we're doing, and I've always grabbed more than my share of track schedules to pass out to people when I can.
If someone comes up and asks what the different numbers on the scoreboards mean, take a moment and explain it to them. I had a family come up once, just because there was a "cool car" sitting here, but once I explained to the dad what was going on during that qualifying session and explaining RTs, Ets, MPH and showing the #s on an ET slip, he got it and was fascinated by the math side of things. I told him everything in drag racing has a number assigned to it,,, ET, air pressure, shift point, you know the drill, he got a lot better understanding of things, and decided that he could give this sport a shot. It wasn't long before he was out there with a car, the kids are older now and they race too, so it can still be done,,, we all just have to do our small part to keep the ball rolling. Damn,, I didn't mean to get this long winded.
Danny Durham