This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Nhra has decided to make any car that runs over 150 miles an hour required to wear a head and neck restraint. I would think by that wording it means all bracket racing, all classes including stock, superstock, super street, super gas, etc..
Safety is one thing, but this is just gotten out of hand another product that is quite expensive and needs recertification. We already have neck collars, mandatory
I don’t see the huge loss of life that made this necessary. Maybe better track prep would be the answer, not mandatory regulations.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Build slow, P.O.S. cars! It's the same purse. ;-)

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Wow, effective immediately even. Like the binder rule, no dialogue with the SRAC just bam, there you go. If there was some precipitating action it would be nice if they’d share what that was and provide a reasonable timetable for implementation. Would guess this impacts a few class racers entered at Pomona, will definitely impact a lot of Super Street racers.

https://www.nhraracer.com/content/ge...754&zoneid=132

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I agree with track prep. I've seen deliberate tower decisions lately that warrant scrutiny!! 🤑

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Good find Keith. There have been 2 crashes in comp eliminator , one at South Ga., and one at Baytown within the last week…..

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

From the Rulebook amendments;

Beginning January 1st, 2024, A head and neck restraint device/system
meeting SFI 38.1 is mandatory for any vehicle running 150 mph or faster
for 1/4 or 1/8 mile or running 7.49 (*4.49) E.T. or quicker or by Class
Requirements.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

All classes in Comp were already required to have a device.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Probably has more to do with lawyers and insurance companies than anything.

1/8 mile racing just became even more popular.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I don’t think the Hemi cars had to???

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I wore 1 in COMP this weekend with a Hemi car. What I understood is that all COMP classes have to wear it. Maybe I'm wrong

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Look at the effective date 1/1/2024

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

What brand \ style do you wear ?

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

From the 12/6/22 amendments.

SECTION 13: COMP, DRIVER: 10, NECK COLLAR/HEAD AND NECK
RESTRAINT DEVICE/SYSTEM (New Section after HELMET) (Page 6)
(12/6/2022)
A head and neck restraint device/system meeting SFI 38.1 mandatory and must
display a valid SFI label. At all times that the driver is in the race vehicle, from the
ready line until the vehicle is on the return road, driver must properly utilize an
SFI 38.1 head and neck restraint device/system, including connecting the helmet
as required for full functionality of the device. The head and neck restraint
device/system, when connected, must conform to the manufacturer’s mounting
instructions, and it must be configured, maintained, and used in accordance with
the manufacturer’s instructions. Modification of the device is prohibited. An SFI
38.1 head and neck restraint device can be used with, or without, a neck collar;
when a neck collar is not used, an SFI 3.3 head sock or SFI Spec 3.3 skirted
helmet is required.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

The rumor I heard was one-piece driving suits are next. Same effective date.

Brilliant.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

It was the Simpson Hybrid Pro

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Here's the part I don't understand.......you can't put the neck collar over the head and neck restraint.......at least on the 1 I have. I need to try and put it on under the helmet straps.

An SFI
38.1 head and neck restraint device can be used with, or without, a neck collar;
when a neck collar is not used, an SFI 3.3 head sock or SFI Spec 3.3 skirted
helmet is required.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

AH/SM "was" the only class in comp that did not require a head/neck restraint device. That was due to the rules for AH/SM mirror the SS/AH (super stock) rules. It is still, technically, going to be that way. If you have an SS/AH/AH/SM car that does not go over 150 you still don't need it.

I think this a great rule change. If you are going 150 + in a car over 3000 lbs (which is the majority of Stock/Super Stock that can go that fast) you should be wearing a HANS-type device. It's only your neck/brain that you're trying to protect.....

The reasoning for the wording of the neck collar along with the HANS is that you must have something to protect your neck in case of a fire. The neck collar satisfies that requirement, but if you wear a HANS and no neck collar you are exposed. Hence the skirted helmet/head sock/neck collar options. Most everyone I have seen runs a sock

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I believe its a great idea. I watched my close friend, Wes Leopold, barrel roll in SGMP. Quit counting at 10 times and was praying that he'd be alright. Walked away with some shoulder pain that he had before the incident. I'm sure the Hans device played some role in saving his neck, literally speaking.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Just so guys understand that if you run in SS and only go 148 MPH's and think you won't need a head & restraint , think again. If the class/record holder goes faster than 150 than you will be required to comply. No differentt than running 10.20's in SS/JA but because the record is sub 10.00 you need a SFI chassis cert.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Not how the 150mph+ parachute rule or 8.50 or quicker funny car style cage rule are applied. These are only applied if meeting or exceeding the performance requirements. Not by class record. Would think head and neck restraints would be same way.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Just another racer expense that NHRA is passing down from the big classes. I'll bet their liberal lawyer out there in California instituted this. NHRA is becoming more and more like the democratic party almost weekly now. I understand we participate in a dangerous sport, but when are they gonna stop making everything mandatory and making it more and more expensive for the Sportsman racer to compete at their events? And, WE, the Sportsman racers, still have to pay that MANDITORY insurance at EACH national event that we enter. Never had to pay that separate fee years ago. And everyone needs to know and understand, that insurance pays for the life flight helicopter just in case one of the pros needs to be life flighted out of the facility. Do some research on that. How come the Sportsman racers are required to pay this separate insurance cost? It used to be included in our membership fee. How come it's not a once per year fee, instead of an every national event fee? And, if they claim this insurance fee is NOT just provided for helicopter for the pros at the national events, then how come they don't have the helicopter at the divisional races for us Sportsman? Getting harder and harder to justify attending their events.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I've been wearing a HANS device for a few years now, I see no problem with it. I agree with Ben Holt, these 3000lb+ cars going 150mph+ will hurt like hell if something bad happens. Cost is irrelevant and anyone that says otherwise should probably get their head checked BEFORE the accident. If you have a car going 150+, you can spare a few hundred bucks on a safety device. If you think that little foam neck collar is going to do anything, you're only lying to yourself. My kid's bicycle helmet has more protection than those flimsy foam pads - they are worthless.

I agree with this rule change. One of the small number of instances that a sanctioning body may actually be protecting racers from themselves.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Remove blidder and install Hans device while driving in pits. It's a jungle out there.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

How about NHRA bring tech back to make sure the cars are safe? Or prep the whole track so we won’t need this thing!
And 7.49 seconds doesn’t equal 150, it’s more like 170mph they should raise the speed to match the et.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

This new rule will affect quite a few sportsman. Have you thought about all the additional cost of the safety regulations that the government requires on new cars. Nobody complains about that. I think you can be never to safe.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

We all don’t have or want new vehicles. And I for one definitely don’t need the government to mandate what I can and can’t do with my personal safety.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I agree with you about government overreach. NHRA seems to be doing the same thing but you have to wonder if there is outside pressure driving some of the decisions being made. Iam sure we will never know.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I don’t agree with some of the rule changes or even the lack of leadership NHRA displays at the top, but I don’t know why anyone would tag this to politics. Technology has allowed a lot of easy horsepower to increase speeds across most classes. Look at the super street super gas etc speeds. Etc. Why not take advantage of safety technology?

I recall having to put a parachute on our old 69 camaro back in the 90’s because the class record was 150. We would be lucky to hit 140 back then. So they could just assign hans type devices to more classes. At least this way racers can prepare for it knowing their own cars performance. .

I don’t like the extra charge either for the pros but I have seen sportsman line flighted at national events before so…..

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

If we can get Dumbo close to that fast I will have one. As for a one piece driving suit, a onesie, I wonder if I can get some Tom Hammonds hand me downs.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I just don't understand why drag racers put up with this. The organization clearly is more concerned with the organization and the leadership than the people the organization is supposed to represent. Why is there no "club" for the actual racers where the "club" leadership works for the desires of the club members? If NHRA isn't working for the racers, why stick with them? Vote with your feet. I know people have a lot of money wrapped up in racing, but why not have an organization work FOR you?

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Until the rumors started in the fall it was nothing I ever thought about. As I looked into it I found that the only purpose of the neck collar was for fire protection of the neck not to keep the head stable, which is what I thought. I bought a Z tech hans because it was adjustable and I figured the mandatory would come soon. I put mine on once I get in the car and after the GAineville races I was able to get everything off as I went down the return road like I did before. You still have decent head movement from side to side and up and down. What confused me the most was I could look down more then with the neck collar so I thought what good is this thing. So I read more about the Hans devices and there main purpose is to keep your head from launching off your shoulders in the event of an issue on the track.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

The "Kirkey seats" where lobbied in as a safety thing I seem to recall (right:rolleyes:) but when other safety related items that don't help performance are up for review they don't seem to get the same love from everybody :)

p.s. I still got the choice to feel the excitement being unsafe in my factory seats!

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Sooooo,
The guy driving the 170 mph car has to wear one but the guy in other lane driving the 85 mph car doesn't? I'm sure they'd never tangle.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Jeff Kundratic joined my show last night to discuss more and to answer some questions.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I know i was racing for years without a Hans type device just using a neck collar but after thinking about it and seeing the comparison of with vs without I decided last year to start using one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wu4...carEngineering

But I do agree that it should be up to the driver for a lot of this stuff, just like with the blinders, I experimented with using them a couple times, didn't like it, but just because I don't use them I see no reason why someone else shouldn't be allowed to if they feel it helps them.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

im not going to like it. but i can see why we need it. if it was up to racers we would be out there in flip flops and shorts racing.

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I dont mind saftey rules, but i go
by my self and race sg and sc. Can they be put on by your self in the car and with brand can be done this way

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

I bought a Z tech because its adjustable. I put in on in the car and I am able to take it off on the return road when driving the way I did for all these years with a neck collar

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

If this is based on the individual's car and not the class average, then some may be dumping during qualifying (as well as during eliminations :D )

Re: This will affect some of you fast guys
 

Look at Neckgen. I use it and it's really easy to put on. Place it on my shoulders, pull my shoulder belts over it and clip them in. It has D shaped rings that you can put your thumb through and your fingers on the helmet clips and guide them right in. Easy peasy.