no more blocking
 

as Dave pointed out in the "new rules" thread below, everyone may have missed the biggest change of them all. Blocking, blinding, whatever you want to call it, is a done deal.

In General Regulations, 7:8 Windshield, Windows, the entire section reads exactly as it did in the 2007 rulebook...EXCEPT for the last sentence, which reads "The use of any temporary or permanent shielding that obstructs the driver's vision (ie: blinders, staging aids) that are attached to, but not limited to, the helmet or window shield are prohibited".

If you're a stock eliminator racer, I would think you would be thrilled with the changes made for next year. No buttons, no blocking, no crutches...look out the windshield at the WHOLE tree and mash the gas when you think you should...truely a "footbrake" deal.

As for me, I was fine with things the way they were...and I am fine with things the way they are now...

Re: no more blocking
 

It says helmet or window, it does not state visor .... it all depends on how you interpet the rules ...

Re: no more blocking
 

it also says "not limited to". I think that will cover attaching something to one's visor. If you can block out what you want with the factory sun visor, go for it...but the days of hanging a 4x8 sheet of plywood up are over...

Folks wanted a grass roots footbrake class...

Re: no more blocking
 

I think that's a good thing... but moreso pertaining to bracket racing. At least in the Carolinas, there are guys with two huge sections of duct tape on the windshield. I'm surprised they haven't run over somebody in the pits. Although we appreciate people supporting Duck Tape brand duct tape, there are a million other uses for it. ;)

http://www.staginglight.com/images/windshield.jpg

Factory sunvisors are fine, IMO.

Kinda surprising (or not) that they wrote another ambiguous rule, though, isn't it? Wouldn't it have been easier to state nothing other than factory sunvisors and factory helmet visors permitted, if that's what they wanted?

Maybe now that the rules are so much closer to Footbrake, maybe a few more Stockers will support events like the World Footbrake Challenge. Everybody that wants to race for "big money"... $10K, $50K, $10K at Bristol, Memorial Weekend. Pre-Enter by Feb. 1 to get 3-day entry plus 1 crew in for $675. Flyer:http://www.staginglight.com/customers/wfc08.jpg There's a big 3-day Footbrake deal coming to Piedmont July 4th weekend, too.

Re: no more blocking
 

So let me get this straight.

NHRA thinks they have figured out how to keep the truely great racers from winning.

I think even if they limited the number of National meets to 6 and took away the prize money - maybe you guys (langs, zane, rambo, biondos, and others) would stop racing but that would not stop you from winning when you did race.

Talented and more experienced people will be better than average people. Maybe the list of talented people will get bigger now - time will tell.

I hope kids like Andy (and others) will learn what is important in life, as well as in racing.

Honesty, integrity, effort and friendship.

Re: no more blocking
 

Nope, it's very clear.....no interpretation room at all.

Here is the whole sentence
"....The use of any temporary OR permanent shielding that obstructs the driver's vision (i.e. blinders, staging aids) that are attached to, but not limited to, the helmet or window shield are prohibited."

I take "window shield" to mean my O.E. "sun visor".

I'm thinking this is really aimed at Connolly, Line and the other Pro racers that have their helmet shields almost completely taped over, but interesting that they are including devices attached to the cars.....

They've made the rear view mirror rules pretty narrow too, nothing but O.E. types mounted in a conventional manner.....

The entire rulebook has has a make over in wording and terms....those that might bracket race should be studying especially carefully.

Speaking of big money bracket races that Stock and Super Stock guys should run, don't forget the 1st No-Box Nationals presented by Triple O Promotions May 3&3, 2008 at Bunker Hill Dragstrip.....2 $10K's on the 1/8th mile for a $250 pre-entry fee. http://perfectrun.com/ipw-web/bullet...ic.php?t=10307

Re: no more blocking
 

I wonder if you can hold your hand up and block the tree that way, or will some one complain that they want both hands on the wheel no matter what? Getting stupid fast in this sport...

Re: no more blocking
 

Some footbrake classes in the deep south require both hands on the steering wheel. At other tracks, I've seen hands or people holding playing cards to block the tree. Is it stupid that they allow that, stupid that they don't allow that, stupid that a driver needs to do that, or stupid that a driver doesn't do that?

I remember when NHRA Div. 1 legalized delay boxes in Super Pro, but they had a variance in the top bulb. Jim Harrington won the event in Tom Dauber's dragster, blocking the tree with one hand, and letting go of the button off the bottom with his other hand... Yep, leaving with no hands on the wheel in an 8-sec dragster. I think they also had a rule in those days for "a maximum of 8 sq. inches of tape on the windshield."

Seemingly silly rules are written because somebody did something... my favorite is on a Halloween costume, "WARNING: Cape does not enable user to fly."

Re: no more blocking
 

I hopr that they don`t require both hands on the steering wheel, could be kinda tough on us 4 speed guys!

Idiotic!
 

The rule making has now gone from somewhat justifiable rules to total idiocy!
How could someone that came up with this possibly provide a sensible reason for the rule?
How many whiners do you suppose it took before they got sick of listening to them and decided to give in to them? Squeaky wheels!!!!!!!!!!!
Big splotches of tape on the windshield is one thing but two little pieces of cardboard put on in the staging lanes, one blocking part of the hood and one about 3" wide on the visor and usually taken down before I turn off of the track, certainly can't be classified a safety risk!
I've bit my tongue long enough, this is the straw that broke the camels back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: no more blocking
 

Talk about whining... LOL! Why do you need it?

Re: no more blocking
 

so if this is in the general regulations then it pertains to comp and superstock right ?

Shill?
 

Any rule should have some redeeming value!
If there is no safety issue involved name ONE reason for the added rule!

Re: no more blocking
 

Seems to me someone was seriously injured at Vegas behind the tower . The story was the driver had some kind of blocking device on his helmet? windshield?
Can you imagine the lawsuit on that one? Seems like a liability issue. They are just covering their bases.
Like anything else, some people get really carried away with those devices.

Re: no more blocking
 

Deep staging has no effect on safety. Electronics have no effect on safety. Autostart settings, first-or-worst vs worst redlight rule decisions have no effect on safety. Handicap racing versus racing off of indexes, CIC's, national records, or heads-up runs have no effect on safety. If they wanted to eliminate shift lights and tachs, they could do that, too.

They are arbitrary rules. Every sport is defined by a set of arbitrary rules.

Since it is in General Regulations, it would pertain to all categories.

Re: no more blocking
 

Roy Hill always said "A GOOD DRIVER CAN ADAPT". I beleive this is true and the good drivers like you Dan and others such as Zane Biondo and Bertozzi should have no problems.
I could care less about the Blinders it's the 2-steps I don't care for. Stock should be an entry level (LOL) class meaning footbrake only. I also think 10.90 should not be allowed T-Stops either but thats just me.

2008 will be intresting, anybody want to buy a stocker so they can jump in an play.

Chip

Re: no more blocking
 

2-steps operated off of the footbrake - is foot brake racing. I have been using a 2-step on the brake pedal for 10 years - why is it suddenly an issue? It obviously did not turn me into really good driver. The only thing that did that was putting my son in the seat.

I think it only improves reaction time not performance.

My previous post in this thread

I think the off season puts a lot of stress on us.

What About Ihra ???
 

Anyone know if IHRA banned finger activated 2-step buttons & blocking for 2008 too ???

Re: no more blocking
 

2 step CANNOT be wired with line lock. Must be on brake pedal or clutch pedal. Haven't seen anything on the helmet rule. Anyone see the rule about 9.99 and quicker must have a full faced helmet. Nice.

Ed Carpenter

66 Chevy II

4244 SS/I

Re: no more blocking
 

Cool!

-Toby

Re: no more blocking
 

What's up you old deep stager?Coming east next year?

Ed

Re: no more blocking
 

Is this for stock only? If it is in the general regulations does that mean it is for all classes????

Re: no more blocking
 

while I think this is a good rule,,,If it were up to a vote,,,I would vote to allow blinders and blocking

Recently, thinking that Nhra/Ihra would never do away with button leaving,,starting using helmet blinders and they ARE VERY DANGEROUS!!!!!,,, once I stage and the other car stages,,I cant see anything but the tree until I leave and pull the shield up,,,,anything could happen,,starter walk out in front,,,you need to have an ABSOLUTE UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW of where your going BEFORE you hit the throtte,,,,,if you guys dont understand why its a saftey rule,,,then Im clueless why

Re: no more blocking
 

Toby,, I'm with you. I love the new rule. Now if we can get them to stop giving reaction times on our timeslips!!!

Re: no more blocking
 

Do you suppose this applies to those little tiny mail box pop up flags that dragsters and roadsters use.

They are only about 1 inch by 2 inches.

Let me see when - was the last accident caused by one of those.

hmmm - I can not remeber but I am sure it was not long ago.

Re: no more blocking
 

everyone wanted to "put the driver back in the car", well here you go. If you don't have the focus to watch the tree and you need to just leave off the first flash of anything , go get a delay box and run super pro or get a super gas / super comp car and run off the pro tree. I bet Lang and Zane are thrilled.

Re: no more blocking
 

And like with every other change, the drivers that win the most will still win the most.

Re: no more blocking
 

Lee,
I'm with you on that one.
Chip

Re: no more blocking
 

They just keep coming up with more stupid rules..... I can see the tape on a windshield , thats dumb to do. I use a piece of foam board with velcro on the top and bottom. i put it up after i pull into the water and remove it after i leave the starting line. I guess i will just have to go back to the way i used to do it a long time ago....with my hand... they cant tell you no on that, what they gonna do remove your hand? lol


I wonder if this will apply to the local NHRA weekly bracket races as well??

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...vaclaycity.jpg

Re: no more blocking
 

I would like to, but it's probably not gonna happen. You never know though. The price of gas could drop below $2 again. :)

Congratulations on your win at Atco and your runner-up at Budds Creek. Great job! I expect to see you in the winner's circle again soon.


-Toby

Re: no more blocking
 

..now, gimme back incandecent bulbs and I will feel really, really good..all warm and fuzzy inside.

Re: no more blocking
 

Ok so it's late in the day, the sun is shining directly into the driver, hmmm, can't block out the sun so it's hard to see the tree and my goodness what will the next rule be, no burnouts because of some environmentalist wacko ....

Re: no more blocking
 

I thought it was Great were they stoped deep staging and one of the frist race after that a well know deep stager won the race

A good racer will always be a good racer whatever the rules are

i dont care what the rules are as long as there the same for everyone


lloyd 1595 A/SA

Re: no more blocking
 

would this "tilt" the advantage back to the slower cars now because of leaving first? or would most guys still prefer to wait and chase.......

Happy Holidays everyone!

Wade O
#3913

Re: no more blocking
 

I am with you Robert give me back the incadesent bulbs.

Re: no more blocking
 

Could you post a link to where you are seeing tis rule 7:8 revision.I'm not finding it. Thanks, Wayne.

Re: no more blocking
 

double

Re: no more blocking
 

all you guys that wanna keep blinders,buttons and so on..i hope you never bicker about the .90 classes. not much difference if you have all that!...i think it's good they put driver back in and maybe open up the "window" to win a race..and sure...the good racers will probably win even more..just as it should be!

Re: no more blocking
 

anyone ever raced with blinders clearly understand how dangerous it could be,,I have a blinder I use and It admit its DANGEROUS,,when the other car stages and I stage,,I cant see anything but the tree,,,,if the starter walked up beside my car,,,wont see it,,,,so the rule isnt to stop racers winning,,,,unfortunately,,,the races winning the most found that "pro tree style" of leaving worked like a mother,,,,,,

Its bad business for 1 racer to win all the races,,,but winning racers always dominate,,they find a way to win,,,its the sanctioning bodys job to keep it competitive,,,its the racers job to win,,,so each is constantly changing,,,,

Re: no more blocking
 

"By the book" YES, but of course all of that is left up to the track operators to follow or ignore the rules.
General Regulations means everyone entering the gate.

It is not a revision, it is in the new 2008 NHRA Rulebook, Section 4 - General Regulations, subsection 7:8 Windshield,Windows.
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