NHRA national question

[THE LEGEND]

I was told by another racer last year that if:
You don't run S/ST at your first ever national event you can never run S/ST at a national event.
Example I go to Zmax and run S/C my first ever race, then I can't enter s/sst ever.
Is this true. I can't find the rule in the book.

[jmcarter]

That's incorrect Chip. Perhaps the person was referring to using a single grade point earned in S/ST to run S/C and then being unable to use that single "combined" grade point to run S/ST at a National until you've earned another S/ST point?

[THE LEGEND]

Jim,
I have on S/ST grade point can I use it to run S/C?
Splain Lucy how that works.
Thanks
Chip

[jmcarter]

Yes you can use that single point to run S/C if you have the required license. You can't crossover your IHRA license for NHRA unfortunately. First you need to establish a NHRA Registration login (after having your S/C # and license of course) and start here....

http://www.nhraeventreg.com/

Without being registered you can still see event statistics (quotas, # of entrants, etc.) and the release dates for events based on number of grade points you have. Registration is a a several step process but once you get there you'll see your grade points and can then select categories (classes) and events that you're eligible for. S/C is one of the fastest classes to fill up so good luck getting in with a single point at Charlotte. Give it a try and if you get hung up don't hesitate to use the "Contact NHRA" icon on the registration screen to shoot them a e:mail. Hope this helps.

[THE LEGEND]

Jim,
I plan on running the first 3 div 2 races either sst or sc. Will that give me 4 grade points for the rest of the year?
Chip

[Bill Koski]

No.
They don't add up from year to year.
If you run two cars at the three races you'd have a total of 6 grade points.

[THE LEGEND]

Man this is confusing, and ya'll fuss about IHRA.LOL

Bill,
I got one from last year. If I run 1 car the first 3 this year will give me a total of 3.
So if I try to get in a race they would use my 3 from this year?
Next year they would use this years 3 until I run more than 3 from next year then use that #???????????????
Is that correct?
Chip

[jmcarter]

Basically correct Chip; Bill doesn't run S/ST so perhaps he doesn't know about the Scotty rule (unless they change it) in which case you can't run anything combined with S/ST at a single event. Anyway, your current year's points count as your running total once you've exceeded the prior year's points so you're correct on that. Just beware you can't use S/C grade points from this year toward entry in the fall Charlotte S/ST national.

BTW, I don't complain about IHRA; even plan on running some races with them this year.

[Bill Koski]

I'm not sure they keep a tab on this years grade points. After you get the three this year it may be wise to call NHRA, the people in the registration section are some of the nicest people I've ever dealt with.
I'm in the same boat, only 2 total from last year. There is also an average for a certain number of preious years they can revert to.

[Chris Williams]

Grade points are good a year from the event. If you run in July, the grade point you got at that race is good until (through, I think) that same event next year.