Header Retention Rule Revision

[Bob Gullett]

As per NHRA in the latest rules update.
SECTION 20: GENERAL REGULATIONS, ENGINE: 1, 1:3 EXHAUST (Page 3) (2/18/2014) All cars vehicles must be equipped with exhaust collectors, headers, or stacks installed to direct exhaust out of car vehicle body to rear of car, away from driver and fuel tank. No part of the exhaust system may be routed through the driver’s compartment. Exhaust collectors/stacks system components must be securely fastened (i.e., metal connector straps, bolted, welded, etc.) to prevent loss of collector/stacks system components during competition. Effective Jan. 1, 2014, All removable multi-piece exhaust collectors/stacks must be securely fastened with either an NHRA-accepted header tether, or a minimum ½” (half-inch) stitch weld located on each primary tube or be permanently attached to the vehicle body or frame with positive fasteners (i.e. exhaust hangers, support brackets, bolts/nuts, etc.) such that they require tools for removal to prevent loss of collector/stacks during competition. A current list of NHRA-accepted header tethers is available on NHRARacer.com.

[Ed Carpenter]

So my nuts and bolts are good now?

[Bob Gullett]

The way I read it is all you need is a exhaust hangar and a muffler clamp per collector. Attach the hangar to the body or frame with a muffler clamp attached to the collector. $10-20 worth of parts.

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Oh heck....just welded as set for a Super Comp racer, thought I read 1 inch stitch welds. Oh well guess it will be twice as good. Though I'll follow the rule I still absolutely do not agree with it, I built my entire car, from bending the tubing, fitting it and welding it in...but I can't be trusted to make sure my collectors don't fall off. Don't make sense to this hillbilly. Sorta like wearing a belt and suspenders, either one will get the job done. Heck actually I've got over a half inch of weld involved in my tabs so does that count if I put tabs on all 3 tubes? I'm sure a lawyer could wear them out with the wording they used.

[jmcarter]

Wow, they just screwed the folks who developed tether systems that would meet NHRA's approval, now hangers will do. Some racers will save some $$ but was it all really worth all the angst over the last 4 months?

[Rick Bailey]

Seems like there's still the dragster owners to fleese !

Rick

[Sean Marconette]

It looks like since our season here in the Midwest not starting for another 2 months has paid off, and waiting to see how this fiasco played out. I can fabricate something and not pay for something I could make myself. It's BS that those whose season started a couple of weeks ago had to endure this crap though.

Sean

[Alex Denysenko]

fortunately we sat on our hands on this one as well After speaking with Bruce about it at PRI he himself didn't seem quite convinced either Personally I hope that Lokar gets hung with several thousand of these things

[Greg Hill]

Who thinks up this s#%t?

[jmcarter]

Summit and Jegs stocked up on a lot of them....they can't be too happy either. I especially hate it for guys like Keith Fulp, Mark Lelchook and other entrepreneurs who provided a service and were making modest profit. You know NHRA made them jump through hoops to gain approval. Now you buy NAPA approved and forego NHRA approved...go figure. Course I hate it for all us little guys who bit the bullet early, as it turns out they have "deluxe" retention.

Whole thing smells of NHRA's law department ran amok and then backtracked, or track operators voiced the concerns of thousands of bracket racers across the country.