Originally Posted by Cglrcng
The correct terminology used in General Regulations 4.5 is "beam breaker." Which is where Section 11A Stock directs you to concerning Ground Clearance. And I studied a whole host of well over 125 Stock/S.S. cars and saw a whole host of others (more than half of those looked at live and in pictures had some rendition of beam breakers (either added or natural in under body types and styles), and General Regulations 4.5 allows the addition of a "beam breaker" as long as it does not extend farther out from the farthest forward point of the body or bumper. (Certain classes do allow it in front of that point). And also satisfies the 3" (on track), ground clearance rule from front of body to 12"
behind front axle centerline.
If you think I am the only one out there, then you need to pay a lot more attention to the classes and look at more than just the slowest NHRA Stock Eliminator car in the world.
Some are mere oil pan warming cords looped from oil pan up to the top of the grill, some are actual additions in sheet metal to the lower front body fender panels, many are not quite as pronounced and evident as mine is, but they are there none the less on a great many Stock and Super Stockers.
What they told you was not quite the correct direction or answer (as I would have whipped out my phone, shown you that per the rule book, both Section 11A, and General Regulations Section 4.5 where11A directs us to look further, that you too can run a "beam breaker"), if you
had taken the time and asked me directly (instead of running off to ask tech if I was legal), it is legal as now written. After careful study of many other cars in the class, and seeing so many different renditions of front end beam breakers in Stock/ Super Stock/ Comp/ and others...I counted over 35 different types and styles before deciding to avail. myself of adding one as pronounced as mine is.
I only added it because it was legal, and if I hit the brakes at the stripe there is both a front air dam (below the bumoer and back a few inches, and further back under the radiator, a foot there is a lower
air deflector that both can easily trigger the breaking of the finish line beams.
Added only to assure that the finish line
stripe "beam break" is consistently at the same place whether I am dead in it or on the brakes. It is installed a few inches behind the farthest point forward of the bumper, and directly under the front leading edge of the lower and farther back air dam. It is very pronounced and not hidden like I have witnessed of many other lower additions.
Maybe that is what drew your specific attention to mine (like it was the only one out there or something). Pssssst, I am by far not alone in the use of the as of now at least (legal "beam breaking" aid). Start studying some Stockers in the lanes and in pics readily available here and elsewhere on the web. When you actually look, some will jump out at you, some you will be highly surprised you missed all these years.
Mine is affixed (and highly visible to all competitors), and not operated by cable or otherwise, but those type exist also.
Nitrous is not legal.
Oh, and my recent breakouts tell me maybe it is time to remove it as my lights against tough company are there on demand, and my tires are farther back. I stage with those 20" tall tires (that are a lot closer to my body than the bumper, not the beam breaker.
I am really surprised though that the biggest fear is a 17.75 index EF/S Stocker at Las Vegas with a beam breaker...I must be doing something right. (Even though I am lately looking for a Luke Bogacki class to show up entitled "How to race the stripe with a
very slow car against really fast company and win!")
Outside of I think 1 red (4 wides)...my last 8 losses were all .027 to .004 and all broke out. And absolutely everyone and everything is faster than I am...but with the new Holley Terminator X...I am going slowly quicker (baby steps, one step at a time), as it is learning, so am I.
At 75mph at the (1/4 mile), stripe, that beam breaker does not do much except make the track length consistently the same length (dead on the throttle, on the brakes, or out of the throttle).
Again I will say it...if you are paying attention to the slowest guy, you are missing the boat. I am however quite flattered. The lights are there now at the tree when I need em...and once I can trust the repeatability of running within a few thou, I will not be completely turned around in the seat (in my fishbowl of a car...that is mostly glass above the lower chest), staring into your eyes (to zero in on your very fast closing rates), and I will be able to use both pedals again and stripe leads a lot closer will result.
15" rims, new 23"-25" FWD slicks are coming soon enough once I reach Texas in May. Next vote...Do I have too many decals...lol. C'mon guys I am trying really hard to just fit in at age almost 68. Just riding next to you guys, watchin' you do wheelies in the rear view, and hopefully riding next to you at the stripe (and cutting a few up along the way at the tree sometimes), is the thrill of my life at this point in time (beam breaker or no beam breaker), please do not spoil my fun.
If you approach tech about me, please post the 700 bucks and protest....At this point I could surely use some pocket cash inflow. Only the nut behind the wheel needs adjusting...and only at the stripe lately. I do love Vegas after dark though a lot more than the break of day.
Signed a night owl (and born and bred night racer), stuck in a daytime racing
world!
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