Nhra amendments in four classes
 

NHRA Tech Department announces amendments to Rulebook in four classes
Wednesday, July 14, 2010

As part of its continuing efforts to enhance safety, NHRA announced today that rear carbon fiber brake rotors and pads will be mandatory for Top Fuel Dragsters, Funny Cars, Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars effective July 21, 2010, and front carbon fiber brakes will be mandatory for Funny Cars and Top Alcohol Funny Cars by August 11, 2010. The vast majority of vehicles in these classes already use this equipment.

As an additional safety enhancement, NHRA is also working with manufacturers on a secondary tethering device for parachutes in the Top Fuel, Funny Car, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes. This is in addition to an enhanced specification for parachute mounting for the same four classes that was introduced earlier this year.

A radio frequency-activated shutoff device, which shuts off the fuel supply, cuts ignition and deploys the parachutes if the driver has not done so after passing the finish line, will be mandatory beginning in 2011 for the Top Alcohol classes. This device has been mandatory in Top Fuel and Funny Car since earlier this year. Top Alcohol drivers may install the receiving device on their vehicles and use it immediately at all of the national events remaining on the 2010 schedule.

NHRA’s investigations continue into the tragedies that have struck the sport this year and NHRA and the entire racing community again extend deepest condolences to the families of those involved. NHRA continues to actively address safety issues and work to enhance safety in the sport.

All of today’s announcements follow a series of safety enhancements for Top Fuel, Funny Car, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car implemented this year. These include a burst-panel activated safety shutoff system, which releases parachutes automatically when the manifold burst panel breaks; the use of a cable around the main element of the rear wing to automatically deploy the chutes if the wing breaks; improved oil catch can systems; use of the Eject helmet removal system; and fireproof tubing around brake lines.

Re: Nhra amendments in four classes
 

I applaud the NHRA for this move! It's a shame it took several deaths to implement. Jim

Re: Nhra amendments in four classes
 

X's 2 for me Jim. I will keep my fingers crossed that another accident does not happen with these new changes. Good call for NHRA. Now how about the sand traps and catch nets !

Re: Nhra amendments in four classes
 

yea me three,
What about mandatory track preparation and the traction compound used. Like mandatory touchup between catagories. Some tracks do it for pride but some don't. NHRA needs to hire that guy that does Joliet for all national events. I use to have his card he's amazing.

The owner at Muncie Dragway, Dave in Indiana personally comes out of the tower to run the tractor himself and tests both lanes after an oil down. Not sure what the combo should be but some format ought to be maintained with all the budget cuts!!

Stacy

Re: Nhra amendments in four classes
 

This is a great start by NHRA. But there are still too many tracks that were designed and built when the speeds the Pro and Alcohol Classes are now running weren't even dreamed of! No one wants to see it, but the time maybe right to just slow some of these cars down, given the narrow margin for error. Just my opinion.

Lew

Re: Nhra amendments in four classes
 

I agree Lew ....

Re: Nhra amendments in four classes
 

I'm happy that NHRA is beginning to take this situation more seriously.I hope they continue to keep, on top of it,for the good of the racers and the sport.

Re: Nhra amendments in four classes
 

Looks like someone saw my post on here "Alcohol Dragster" #65. I told you that there were "some" dedicated folks in the NHRA. Nice start!

Wade Mahaffey