[Chuck Beach]

As far as safety there should never be any grey areas, but from a mechanical standpoint there are so many different cars and combinations I sure it is very difficult to cover any and all situations. I think NHRA has done as much as they can when it comes to engine specs for each combo ... from runner volumes, valve sizes, stroke, bore, piston/rod weight, (things you can measure) but after that some things you just can't measure and put in the rule book. Those other specs are left up to interpretation by each tech. I am not saying this is right or wrong, but those are the facts. Hence, left coast, right coast rules.

What I would like to see for any 'ruling' or interpretation by any tech person would be that they should fill out some kind of form or paper work defining the situation or infraction, what they ruled and why and file it in a NHRA data base for future reference. Then they could review this data base info and come up with more of a base line for setting the rules. Over time they could minimize the 'grey areas'. But this takes time and effort and I am not sure they have the staff or time to do it.