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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!