2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Alright who has the skinny on this? Will they be back or not? Inquiring minds want to know! I've never used one in competition but am seriously considering it after a rash of redlights this year.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

I don't think so...

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Been told it's definitely gonna be a hot topic . That being said the folks I spoke with both our sportsmen rep and some NHRA folks it didn’t sound to positive. After watching so many of the stk / ss guys at the Dutch fiddling with some resemblanceof factory visors there's gotta be a better way. Ie.no bigger than 3x5 must swing up out.of the way when on return road .... If you guys want.the rule reversed let's hear from ya .
.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Blinders are for race horses not drag racers
Concentrate Danialson……it helps

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Blinders are for real slow stockers at the finish line when racing real fast cars.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

****

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

You guys take this stuff way to serious for me, they just built a new track 70 miles from my house, think I will get an open trailer and go bracket racing, instead of a $300,000 tow operation, I will buy a pit spot and call it good.

Randy Wells
I/S 5628

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Adger what is the lawsuit about? I haven't heard anything about that.
My thoughts on this is I've never done it before in eliminations but NHRA claims it was a safety issue but I can think of at least two times this year they sent us down a track under unsafe conditions and one time it was sprinkling rain so I can't imagine this is what they consider a safety issue.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Sounds like the nhra official had his binders on to not know it was raining

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Coot, I was able to have a great convo with one of the sportsman starters at an airport and I asked him about this topic. He said the big issue if the starter has to tell drivers to shiut their cars off or back up, he doesn't want their to be any obstructions.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

and I was told by an NHRA "higher-up" that it is an "insurance company" decision.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

At the end of the day.. I am pretty sure they cannot tell you that you cant use your hand.. Which is what people did back in the day before people started taping up there windshields and having drop down blinders.. I remember watching Bertozzi do this at bristol in the 90s and is where I learned to do it..

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

BUT …Aren’t the sun visors they allow BIGGER than a 3 x 5 card ????:):)

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Did I see a Pro Stocker using some form of blinder ??

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

On a pro tree, what the heck would they being trying to block out? Seems to me it would be useless.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

They block out their side vision,

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

I have never used a blinder, so I don't really have a dog in this fight. I do,
however have a question about equity and fairness. There must be a conceived advantage otherwise there wouldn't be all this commotion about
blinders. Some cars have cages and cannot use a visor to block. Cars that
have roll bars or no roll bars can have their visors intact and useable.
How is that fair when everybody should have the same driving opportunity?
This isn't about parts allowed on certain cars, this a general rule issue.
OK, I've got my seatbelt on, go ahead and shoot.

J.R.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Haha ,don't kill the messenger. It seemed like a reasonable reason, but who knows.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

About this big in my new Shelby. Just finishing up interior, I’m sure my stock sun visor is legal but I don’t know if they are useful to block until I get the darn thing out on the track. I’ve never used a blinder before so it might just be a distraction and screw me up worse. Then again, who knows until I try it.


https://i.postimg.cc/7ZFfTPmJ/20231030-105115.jpg

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

This really should be looked at. It's only illegal in stock & super stock. If it was a starter concern why is it legal in comp. If it was insurance related, same thing.
A real blinder takes much less windshield than a sunvisor. Just doesnt make good sense as it is written

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

There are probably 100 bracket cars for every Stock or SS car, it apparently is not a safety issue for them to use a blinder.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

It cannot be illegal for "safety reasons" in two classes of door slammers, and "safe and legal" for 100 times as many door slammers in every other class. That's utterly ludicrous. They can make any rule they want, of course. That doesn't make it fair, reasonable, or legitimate.This is strictly a result of some "favorite's" tears and whines.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

So, he walks in front of the cars? All the starters I know go to your window, beside the car. Of course, I saw a very famous sportsman racer with a piece of cardboard the size of a rural parcel post mail box taped to the side of his helmet............

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

I just sit up in the seat and use the bottom of the roll bar to block the tree.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

For all you blinder crybabies
I guess you can’t win without a blinder
Well I can’t either…. But I don’t use em
So I guess if enough of the minority crying my get what you want
Can I get a raise of hands on how many people do this

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

The same can be said for SFI flexplates.
If a Racer can't concentrate well enough to stare at a bulb without the aid of a blinder then maybe that Racer shouldn't be racing! I thought this is why NHRA put "blinders" on the tree!

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

I think the blinder rule isnt fair to all, I cannot use my visor since roll bar is in the way. Some have modified their visors by mounting on roll bar which is not a stock location. But no one wants to in force the rule. I used Hendersons blinder that just blocked middle bulb. I think it is much safer than a visor you can't put back up because of roll bar. So if they want no blinders then why can you use visor to block?

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

The rule as written does not say you can use a visor to block the tree it just says it is legal to have the stock original equipment visor in your car using the factory mounting.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

[QUOTE=Blackgar;687903] If it was a starter concern why is it legal in comp.

My bet is that it is insurance related like Billy says and I bet they are worried about safety in the pits. They don't want to police "visor down" in the pits as against the rules. Since Comp is towed to the lanes they did not make it mandatory in Comp. Lets not push this issue and force NHRA to make it a rule for all classes. Just my guess. Ray

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

I don’t use a blinder, my opposition is solely based on an arbitrary rule handed down without discussion within the SRAC and to suit the wishes of one of their “favorites”.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Curtis , with all due respect …It’s real simple ….a sun visor came in everyone of these cars from the factory ….so as much as they hate it , NHRA can’t make you remove a sun visor …..:):)

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

This is the current 2023 NHRA rule book


7:8 WINDSHIELD, WINDOWS
Windshields and/or windows on all cars, when called for
under Class Requirements, must be of safety glass, Plexiglas,
Lexan, or other shatterproof material, minimum 1/8-inch thick.
Windshields may not be attached with self-locking fastener
buttons. In all Camping World Drag Racing Series and Lucas Oil
Drag Racing Series vehicles, windshields and/or windows must
be clear, without tinting or coloring, except factory-tinted safety
glass. In all other applications, windshield/window tint must
meet the applicable state requirements. Windshield/window
must be in good condition and free from cracks. Competition
number decals are permitted on any window, windshield or
backlite, except as noted in Class Requirements.

Tape of any kind prohibited on any windshield or window. The use of
any temporary or permanent shielding, including paint, that
obstructs the driver’s vision (e.g., blinders, staging aids) and that
is attached to the helmet, window or windshield is prohibited.

Permitted shielding not to exceed 4 inches by 8 inches is
permitted at this time provided that (a) it has a permanent
attachment to the vehicle, such that it requires tools for removal,
and (b) that the shielding is deemed safe by the driver in the
driver’s judgment and so long as the driver can demonstrate
to technical inspectors that the purpose of the modification
is to reduce distraction in the driver’s field of vision. By using
such a shield, the driver acknowledges and agrees that the
driver deems such modification safe in the driver’s judgment
consistent with the driver’s obligations in Section 1, Participant
Agreements and Administrative and Procedural Rules, set forth
above, and that the shield does not impair or interfere with the
safe operation of the driver’s vehicle. Tape, tie straps, binder
clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, glue, etc. are prohibited for
attachment purposes. Vehicle-mounted shielding is allowed to
pivot as long as it remains permanently attached. See General
Regulation 10:7.

RJ

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Well I must admit I hadn't went and read the rule until RJ shared it I was just going by what I was told. The way I read this is a 4"x8" Blinder is ok as long as it flips up out of the way and is permanently attached to the car and not to the helmet, windshield or window.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Somehow this seems unfair I think I'm filing a complaint on behalf of all of us under 6'8" tall Mr Larry!

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Ya know Cooter, if I remember the song correctly from my youth, it went
" Six Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" not " Seven Foot Two, Eye of The Tiger".
I think Larry's mixed up.

J.R.

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Hello RJ, somehow you missed the rule revision on 1-18-2023 ……blinders are NOT allowed but factory visors mounted per OEM are ….

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Hey MJ

I saw that and followed the note at the end to “See General Regulation 7:8”, and that’s what I posted. Clear as Mud, Huh?

I understand that there is litigation proceeding right now.

Great to see you at Indy.

RJ

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

If there is really "litigation", why not share the details?

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Not privy to the details, so I guess we will have to wait and see.

RJ

Re: 2024 Blinder Rule Stock/SS
 

Gump , didn’t know there was litigation BUT a very well connected D-4 Superstock racer is doing his best to attempt to get the NO blinder rule rescinded …:). He has had numerous conversations with California and has retained an attorney .. I guess only time will tell.