Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Today, I could clearly see a stock eliminator driver hold something up to block his opponents side of the tree. Is this legal or not?

🤔 🤔 🤔

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Looks like it’s legal if it’s not being corrected. Is there anything that says you can’t do this? Just windshields and helmet visors are the way the rule is written. Is this a problem if someone found another option? Or how are we as racers going to turn anyone in that attempts to find another way?
Is it about safety or racers getting the ear of the rule makers for personal agendas?

🤔🤔🤔

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

That was my question Todd, and the point of this post.

Is it legal to hold a blocker?

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

I say no.
No blinders should mean NO blinders.
But what do I know!?

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

This is the rule as written.

HELMET For all 10.00 and slower cars, either an open-face or a full-face Snell: M2015, M2020, SA2015, SA2020, FIA: 8860-2010,
8860-2015 or 8860-2018 helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited). Taping or similar modifications to the helmet or helmet shield that reduces the driver's field of vision prohibited. For all 9.99 and quicker cars, a full-face Snell:
M2015, M2020, SA2015, SA2020, FIA:
8860-2010, 8860-2015 or 8860-2018
helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited). Taping or similar modifications to the helmet or helmet shield that reduces the driver's field of vision prohibited. See General Regulations 10:7.


Just says about modification to the Helmet, visor and or , Windshield. Nothing about blocking or having to look at the full tree?
What is happening here is not using any of the above.
BTW I’m not a blocker, but I have no problem with someone who is long as he is safe and following the rules above.
I still think this rule has been mostly written because anti blockers have influenced a sympathetic person in power for their own benefit and agenda.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

I actually agree with you that someone or some group lobbied for this.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

A handheld block may fall under unsecured ballast so be sure before you do so.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

That’s a stretch. Could be a log book.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Since NHRA is so concerned with blockers and safety I will be holding a prayer card of St. Christopher in my right hand this upcoming season. As many know St. Christopher is the patron Saint of travel soooo I believe I will have all my bases covered. Never mind that it’s ALWAYS safer to have TWO hands on the steering wheel instead of ONE ….:eek:

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

This is the never ending story of TEARS !! What Bubski would like to propose is that some entrepreneur !! Come up with an SFI certified blinder like some of the other ridiculous must need in order to race items !! That way SFI and NHRA can cash in and make it a contingency item so you can get robbed of every last penny you make !! At least you'll have your blinder than !! Cheers !!

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

I can see it now, "Blinder Tethers", only $129.99, with a 2 year SFI cert!

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

This is what the rule says.. I guess it depends on what “temporary” or “permanent”is or is not.

Temporary or permanent shielding that obstructs the drivers vision (eg.. blinders, staging aids) is prohibited

Temporary or permanent
Taping or similar modifications
to the helmet or helmet shield that reduces the driver’s field of vision is prohibited.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

My understanding is that the rule was made to deal with visibility problems in the pits.

I would not see a hand held device as a problem in the pits and would assume that they would be allowed. Yes I am saying this fully understanding wat assume can mean!

Bill Lamb

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

If you think you have to have a blinder why not just campaign to allow delay boxes......both are crutches.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

I read this forum almost every day but almost never post but this has my dander up. My blinder is 3X3 in and 3X4 with notch cut out mounted permanently on rollbar. They do not impede my vision at all when driving in pits or loading in trailer. However i will say it is somewhat limited in the few seconds when i close one eye as the tree is coming down. If somehow i hit someone while driving in pits then i just was not paying attention or that person was not. Have i seen oversize blinders and aids racers use......YES. NHRA just needs to give us some COMMON SENSE guidelines and enforce them (period). I do not think this new rule is all about safety but more someones personal agenda. If we cannot get some kind of compromise on this we might expect in the future to be told we have to have both hands on wheel at 10&2 at all times. This last comment may sound absurd but my sweet grandaughters driving instructor told her this and she took him literally. She could not turn a 90 degree corner without running over the curb. I'm through with my rant HAVE A NICE DAY.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

That is one way to stop people from running a manual trans. :rolleyes:


Stan

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Some may know that this is my Crew Chief (Dad) and I agree with the idea of common sense guidelines for the ones that use blinders.

I for one have to open tree also due to my Crew Chief. I drive a stick in Stock and I thought he was going to stroke out at the starting line because I would get on the 2-step way too early. He would have visions of all that he would need to fix if I kept using a blinder.

I would still use a blinder (if he went to the lanes with the Emmons), but I am making a go of it open tree. Not real good at it mainly because he hasn't figured out a consistent way to connect my delay box. I will have to consider that when his contract renews.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Bubski like This won't just stop !! OK its not legal to "port " your stock heads right ?? But it's hard to police ?? Right ?? A blinder is not very hard to police !! for **%k sake put away the bracket racing aids you all despise cause your so much better than a "bracket racer" !! Work on your limp neck and inability to function as a CLASS RACER and Have a nice day !! Cheers !!

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Come on. Just use your sun visor. It's factory installed. Everyone still has to catch the bottom bulb.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Mr. Future, it’s a lil harder to use a factory sun visor when you have a full cage in the car …

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

There is a sun visor I believe is from a jeep that has a small bar type through the sun visor that you can use a hose clamp to the bar above the windshield that worked perfect all you do when after the run flip it up very simple and effective according to the rule i will try and find out the part number . it was a long time ago i got this sun visor I will also try and post a picture ,not sure how to do this on this web site ??
OK Just goggle jeep sun visor and there are many to choose from i just did that they will work perfect except when running against me lol

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

And here, ladies and gentlemen, we see the unintended consequences of an egregiously poor decision on the part of NHRA.


Instead of a new rule, all that was necessary, if the concern is actually safety, was to:


A. Inspect all blinders in tech, force the removal of anything that doesn't fit the rules, and issue warnings, that any blinder in place while not on the track is an immediate, non arguable DQ.


B. Have the same staff that monitors scales and fuel check verify that all blinders are out of the way when the vehicle leaves the track, and issue DQ's to ALL violators.




Problem solved. No questions, no new rules, no arguments, and no goofy crap on the starting line.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

I don’t use a blinder or deep stage
That being said
Too fukin bad get over it
No blinder is what is is.
Nooooooooo
The world we live in is about who’s the biggest crybaby and let’s appease them
Let just go racing already

And there is no tech so it will be up to us racers to enforce

Can’t wait till someone using a hand held blinder is tossed out on a win for using one

Deal with it.


Let’s do a Classracer poll. To see how many racers use it

Bet it’s a small minority.

Can’t wait to rat someone out

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Make a visor spacer very similar to a carb space for roll cage clearance. Will the visor be model specific or just fitting under the corporate umbrella? Clarification please.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Any updates or rulings from Orlando?

I the way I read the rule:

Anything found in your car that that can be used for blinding and is not the factory sun visor is grounds for DQ at anytime?

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

I'm curious how you legislate someone holding up their hand to block? If they aren't holding an actual object, but just have their hand up, surely that can't be illegal.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

THIS!! I blocked like this for YEARS! As a kid I saw Bertozzi and Harrington do it this way and thought it was genius so I started doing the same.. I dont see how they can say you cannot do it this way...

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

The blinder police were out in force this weekend at OSW. There was a NHRA person at the head of the lanes checking as you pulled out. Most ridiculous was they made someone with a nice new Impact helmet remove the shield because the thin decal at the top of the shield where it said Impact..... constituted a blinder!! LOL!!

I really don't have a dog in this fight as I don't block but I do have one ask. Please NHRA if you are going to use a divider board on the tree... at least put one up the WORKS!! Even the National event tree has one but it isn't long enough. I can still see my opponents tree come down clear as day. There was no Divider/Blinder on the tree this weekend for Q1. After being reminded they put it on..... but it was useless.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Soon we'll all need cameras in the car for monitoring. Then again some old videos show some crazy blinders in the past. Some of the one I seen are/were rediculous. When you have to move your head just to see the water box attendant. Might be time to stop it.

Paul Haszlauer

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Don i could be wrong but i wouldn't think the above would be legal according to the rule unless im missing something.

"Unaltered OEM sun visor mounted in OEM location permitted."

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Both of my G-Force helmets have those stripes across the top of the shield. I also use those helmets to ride my Harleys. I can simply tilt my head forward if the sun happens to be too bright. Now that's illegal? Seriously? Just for fun, someone should threaten to sue NHRA for forcing them to remove a factory installed safety device from a required piece of safety equipment.





Stupidity such as that is EXACTLY what I knew would come from this rule. It's pretty funny, actually, that this rule is a "safety" issue, but "ONLY" in 1-2 classes. ROFLMFAO.



And then, when people start trying to get others a DQ, starting arguments and fights, it'll be worse than Saturday night at the podunk race track.


How sad that a supposedly relatively adult sport among friends is degenerating to such a childish level.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

It's so simple Alan. They already have a size requirement. Obviously NHRA thought it was an ok size when they wrote it up. Change the language to say it must be on a swivel and swivel out of the way when not "in use". Usage is for on track usage only and can't be deployed until you pre stage, and both the left and right units must be swiveled away when not actually on the track.That's how I did it for YEARS. How is that not safe ?
Good Lord, why so complicated...

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

I sent a letter to the powers that be at NHRA proposing to reduce the max size from 4x8 down to 12 sq inch max (which is plenty big) and require that any blinder be removed or swiveled up any time you were on the return road or in the pits, didn't get anywhere with that as a proposed revision to the rules.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Kenny if the dividers are too short racers will be leaving off of the slower cars tree.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

They’ve obviously never tried to stage a car at Bowling Green in the late afternoon or Pacific Raceway or Gainesville for first round Friday morning.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Exactly! When I'm faster, especially just a tick faster, I still have trouble occasionally with a bulb or less stagger. As long as I've been doing it it still throws me off occasionally. Hence.... put an effective splitter of don't bother.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

I reached out to Pat Cvengros, Lonnie Grim and Ned Walliser to voice my support for allowing the freedom to choose to use a blinder or not. A portion of the response that I received back from Pat C is highlighted below.

We have been told that this rule is solely based on safety as stated in the clarification posted on www.nhraracer.com Jan 20. IF that was the case, why is there a need to mention the fact that Stock/SS are full tree categories and bringing a level playing field to the starting line??

Maybe all 7 of the current SRAC reps can chime in and give us the details of the conversations that they’ve had with NHRA authorities over the past year or 2 on the subject.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

But it states an oem sunvisor is allowed. Larger and covers more of the windshield than most blinders I’m guessing. I won’t get into how many times I’ve seen cars with hood scoops just about run into someone or something. But blinders are banned. So if we we choose to use the factory sunvisor as a blinder it’s totally legal correct? And for the record I use a blinder. Or at least I did. Still should be able to run a blinder if you want. Not because the people who chose not to use one (which is their choice) getting the rule changed that I can’t run one.

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

....Which is exactly what happened to deep staging ;-)

Re: Blinder/Blocker clarification needed
 

Doesn't that mixed signal response from NHRA indicate that there is more to this than the 'safety issue' that initially was used as a basis for the change? Why would you start talking about the function of blinders as it relates to racing if the reason for the change was purely for pit safety? I'm hearing some rumors that this had more to do with certain racers burning NHRA's ear about banning them and not a safety issue at all. I still go back to my previous question, if there was a pit incident, someone on this site must have knowledge of it?