Stockers Beware
 

In tech Thursday At Atlanta dragway I got booted out for an illegal battery,fake display battery, up front which was in the car when I bought it. Being ignorant I had no idea this was a killing offense. The tech guy went straight to it like a hound on a rabbit and sent me to the NHRA trailer where they promptly told me I'm DQ ed for that race. They said they had already thrown a few out this year and would not give me the opportunity to fix the problem even if we fixed it right then and there. I tried to pay to re enter the car under another driver's name and no dice, although they were 100+ cars light of a field, we had passed the cut off date. BS. I'll chaulk this one up as a learning experience and don't let it happen to you.
FYI This was in my E/SA 68 Camaro

Re: Stockers Beware
 

I might be mistaken, but I thought NHRA fired their warning shot on this deal last year at a National event. After that it seemed like a bulletin was put out with info that basically stated if caught you would be bounced. I hate that happened to you. A $1000 mistake. Entry, fuel there and back and whatever else not to race hurts.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Thanks Steve but I bought the car recently and wasnt aware of the rule. The good news is I live 80 miles from commerce so that 80 something ft rig didn't burn too much fuel and Danny said they would roll the money to another event as he knows me well and knows I just got it and would never cheat especially when I have to add weight to make E. Hope this helps some one else.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

At Indy last year a fellow had a borrowed car to run in stock. Can't remember his name but same deal. Had a fake battery up front. Pleaded his case but to no avail. Mine was checked. Plus in class before my run I was asked to open the trunk to see my fuel cell. It was check for temperature to make sure I'm guessing the fuel wasn't "artificially" cooled. Plus my spare tire was a four bolt spare saver wheel. I was told after it was checked first round that I could be tossed for it but they just said technically the tire has to fit the bolt pattern of the car and they would let me go this time. There's one in there now that will bolt on! Always something isn't there.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

...not only the bolt pattern, but you must also be able to pick up the tire too.
I know of racers that were told to pick up the spare and they couldn't...it appears the tire had been filled with either cement or lots of lead! :)

Re: Stockers Beware
 

That's interesting I know NHRA tech found one this past weekend in a Stocker at the Norwalk pts race and he was aloud to fix it and go through tech again. I guess different rules for different divisions.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

I just went thru all the bulletins and found the one from indy and two more but that was before I had this car and never looked at stock any thing. The rule says" at the minimum dq" so the guy in Norwalk had a nice tech that was not looking to be a hard ***. QUESTION.... a spare tire is optional isn't it?

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Kinda of like someone drops bag of ice on the track at Vegas, more like different rules for different people.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Bob,
When did cooling your fuel become an offense? Have they made cool cans illegal then also?

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Funny thing is I tried freezing the fuel on the dyno. Was worth nothing! Lol.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Yes it is,Tom..but seeing it comes with the car, it doesn't count as part of your 100 lb. removable ballast.
Therefore (obviously) it would have to fit the car in question.
Been that way for at least a half of century ,that I can remember (gulp)

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Thanks that's what I thought and don't need the weight. Just waiting to hear back from NHRA Tech as to the size minimum for these batteries. I have no clue and if anyone knows please chime in.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Some stockers run north of 150 mph now and NHRA is still worried about 45 year old cars that have a fake battery in the front.

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Some times thing that don't work on the dyno,do work at the track.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

There's no minimum on the front batteries. It's just that a rear battery can't be any bigger.
It's supposed to be for the electric water pump and fan, but they know guys are gonna parallel them together to start the car off them too.
Years ago, we used lawn tractor batteries that would start a SBC just fine, but now with the MSDs and electric cooling devices, they're not gonna cut it.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

This^. The dyno is a great tool, but the scoreboards and time slip tell the full story. Also, something that may work with one particular engine combination may not work with another.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

So this brings up my point again about relocating both batteries to the rear. Would solve many issues with fake batteries, safety during a accident , it just makes no sense ....period !!

But aluminum seats and aluminum Raidiators sure do lol.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

If you want to race super/stock then race that class, leave Stock alone!!!!!!!

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Found this to be true many times. Is a good place to seat the rings.

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Great point. The stockers are starting to look like dirt track cars inside with their Kirkey seat. I can't understand that one and then they get all lathered up over a freaking battery. Go figure. I hope this thread reachs any one that was ignorant of the rule as I was and also I learned about battery sizes etc. Thanks all

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Typically if something is found in the initial tech inspection you are allowed to make repairs and go back through tech once you fix the problem. Before you pass tech you are not actually a participant in the event. It has been done this way for years. Now if they caught that infraction after tech and qualifying that's a different story then you get DQ'd. I think Tom was done wrong on this one

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Totally agree! Especially at a national event, C'mon Man! Ain't like he showed up with a blower strapped to it. Also if they are looking so hard why wasn't it caught at Charlotte when etched there?

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Don't usually respond to no name posts but your about 15 years to late for that. ..

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What NHRA said about all of this was that "you are going to the race with the intent to cheat".

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Interesting that a stock racer was caught (during tech inspection) with a fake/hollow display battery at a National Event last year. He was allowed to replace it and went on to win the event? Seems a little inconsistent?

Re: Stockers Beware
 

Get a court citation and go before 3 different judges and find out how inconsistent each of the sentences and fines are and we want to single out drag racing. Even worse listen to our elected Congressmen talk about the same subject and see if there is ANY consistency. Crap look at the NFL, we suspend a wife beater for 2 games and we suspend a 2 lb low football for 4 games and a million dollars. Great message. NHRA has learned well but it started well before them.
reed

Re: Stockers Beware
 

All
I am amazed by this thread.
Its racing 101 time.

Rule 1- Go through tech ready to race, with no funny business. Learn from a seasoned veteran racer if needed. Often you just barely get through tech, and time trial one is called to the lanes.

Rule 2- Tech guys rarely get on their hands-knees, and crawl under your car (except Travis, Wayne and some others) So everything under the hood is going to be looked at hard, but maybe not the bottom side. Its just easier to look at your carb return spring and battery!

Rule 3- If you get caught doing something wrong, learn from the mistake, and others mistakes as well. Think hard about telling on yourself, online too. I see you are trying to help others in this case. But some people take pictures of their borderline chassis or parts, and post them here.

Rule 4- If you get caught doing something wrong, be humble, say you are sorry, and admit you are waiting in line, to burn your wallet on the NHRA bonfire of wallets!

Over the years, they were very strict on certain rules, and wanted to send a message with the punishment. It appears they are trying to do that with batteries. Its also good to learn when they search for illegal ballast, illegal electronics etc... That is often after tech as well.