NHRA Tether Rule Update

SSDiv6 · 09-15-2013, 06:02 PM

Just to clarify, it is not a SFI requirement or specification.
It is a NHRA rule change and the product must be approved by them.
Yes, there are various lawsuits against NHRA due to collector injuries.
Although racers and crew members sign a release, they can still hire an attorney and sue NHRA trying to seek compensation.

chevy620 · 09-15-2013, 07:51 PM

That never ends. Anything and everything can and probably will fall off a car.
All they need to do is "create a spec" for the collector tether system". Like a roll bar... build it to this "spec" and you are good to go.

NHRA is always looking for a way out of a lawsuit, I have been through injury lawsuits with their insurance carrier (I was the track owner at the time). Each time it came down to a "summary judgment", they settled before the court date. The insurance carrier and the NHRA cannot afford to find out the Release and Waiver are worthless and set a precedent.

"NHRA-approved" helps them in negotiations but I would be inclined to believe the manufacturers of NHRA-approved items that involve safety are Corporations with limited assets using some legal corporate cover. If they wanted to truly protect the NHRA and tracks they would REQUIRE a multi-Million Dollar liability insurance policy to go along with the NHRA-approved sticker.

If it something else that comes off...think of the possibilities.. and there is NOT a tether...then what? Was NHRA negligent? I think NHRA has started to dig a very deep hole on this that will spiral downward in a hurry.

Just create a "reasonable spec" for the tethers and let the NHRA members and racers create accordingly. What if you have the approved tether and let the cables hang loose? What good was it, really?

C'mon NHRA, some of your guys read this site...fix this before you alienate even MORE sportsman racers!!

Jok

Randall Klein · 09-15-2013, 10:12 PM

My partner got hit by a rock just below the temple at Bandimere, shot out from burnout while watching from fenced area by tower. Ya can't legislate all possible problems, there are dangerous areas, usually marked restricted.....life has risk

Rory McNeil · 09-16-2013, 02:05 AM

I find it odd that exhaust collectors coming off is more of a concern to NHRA than the much more frequent issue of "quick release" steering wheels coming off in the drivers hands., or fiberglass hoods flying off the car or any other number of unfortunate occurances. I can`t recall ever seeing a collector fall off a race car, but have seen several of the others I mentioned. I have had slip on collectors for over 25 years, and with 2 tabs and bolts per collector, I have never had any issues with them falling off. Removal when I WANT them to come off normally requires a rubber mallet, a pry bar. and plenty of WD40 and cuss words!

Jeff Lee · 09-16-2013, 02:12 AM

I've got nearly $500 into my Burns stainless merge collectors and they are attached to a substantially more expensive set of custom stainless two-step headers. You can bet I would make sure they wont slip off and bounce around the underside of my car before being run over. Without being told by NHRA.

And I agree with Rory, have heard about way to many instances of drivers not properly attaching their removable steering wheels.

442OLDS · 09-16-2013, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rory McNeil

I have had slip on collectors for over 25 years, and with 2 tabs and bolts per collector, I have never had any issues with them falling off. Removal when I WANT them to come off normally requires a rubber mallet, a pry bar. and plenty of WD40 and cuss words!

This pretty much says it all.

older racer · 09-16-2013, 12:52 PM

hi, I agree, with you rory. ours has 4 tabs holding collector to primaries, and 2 tabs holding collector extension on,. they don't come of easily!!

Don Kennedy · 09-16-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by older racer

hi, I agree, with you rory. ours has 4 tabs holding collector to primaries, and 2 tabs holding collector extension on,. they don't come of easily!!

I don't have a problem buying NHRA approved Tether System . if some thing happens and a lawsuit comes up I want to make sure the "approved " tether will be known as endorsed by NHRA .

This in My mind is one safe way to avoid some crazy situation where if you do your own and it falls off who is more liable you who build your own or the NHRA approved Tether builder approved by NHRA ?

09-15-2013, 06:02 PM	#1
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,041 Likes: 712 Liked 1,572 Times in 580 Posts	Re: NHRA Tether Rule Update Just to clarify, it is not a SFI requirement or specification. It is a NHRA rule change and the product must be approved by them. Yes, there are various lawsuits against NHRA due to collector injuries. Although racers and crew members sign a release, they can still hire an attorney and sue NHRA trying to seek compensation.

09-15-2013, 07:51 PM	#2
chevy620 Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 188 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NHRA Tether Rule Update That never ends. Anything and everything can and probably will fall off a car. All they need to do is "create a spec" for the collector tether system". Like a roll bar... build it to this "spec" and you are good to go. NHRA is always looking for a way out of a lawsuit, I have been through injury lawsuits with their insurance carrier (I was the track owner at the time). Each time it came down to a "summary judgment", they settled before the court date. The insurance carrier and the NHRA cannot afford to find out the Release and Waiver are worthless and set a precedent. "NHRA-approved" helps them in negotiations but I would be inclined to believe the manufacturers of NHRA-approved items that involve safety are Corporations with limited assets using some legal corporate cover. If they wanted to truly protect the NHRA and tracks they would REQUIRE a multi-Million Dollar liability insurance policy to go along with the NHRA-approved sticker. If it something else that comes off...think of the possibilities.. and there is NOT a tether...then what? Was NHRA negligent? I think NHRA has started to dig a very deep hole on this that will spiral downward in a hurry. Just create a "reasonable spec" for the tethers and let the NHRA members and racers create accordingly. What if you have the approved tether and let the cables hang loose? What good was it, really? C'mon NHRA, some of your guys read this site...fix this before you alienate even MORE sportsman racers!! Jok

09-15-2013, 10:12 PM	#3
Randall Klein Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 785 Likes: 45 Liked 316 Times in 67 Posts	Re: NHRA Tether Rule Update My partner got hit by a rock just below the temple at Bandimere, shot out from burnout while watching from fenced area by tower. Ya can't legislate all possible problems, there are dangerous areas, usually marked restricted.....life has risk

09-16-2013, 02:05 AM	#4
Rory McNeil VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: from Vancouver BC Canada, now in Nova Scotia Posts: 1,311 Likes: 314 Liked 1,102 Times in 301 Posts	Re: NHRA Tether Rule Update I find it odd that exhaust collectors coming off is more of a concern to NHRA than the much more frequent issue of "quick release" steering wheels coming off in the drivers hands., or fiberglass hoods flying off the car or any other number of unfortunate occurances. I can`t recall ever seeing a collector fall off a race car, but have seen several of the others I mentioned. I have had slip on collectors for over 25 years, and with 2 tabs and bolts per collector, I have never had any issues with them falling off. Removal when I WANT them to come off normally requires a rubber mallet, a pry bar. and plenty of WD40 and cuss words! __________________ NHRA 6390 STK M/S 85 Mustang

09-16-2013, 02:12 AM	#5
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: NHRA Tether Rule Update I've got nearly $500 into my Burns stainless merge collectors and they are attached to a substantially more expensive set of custom stainless two-step headers. You can bet I would make sure they wont slip off and bounce around the underside of my car before being run over. Without being told by NHRA. And I agree with Rory, have heard about way to many instances of drivers not properly attaching their removable steering wheels. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

09-16-2013, 12:52 PM	#7
older racer Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 211 Likes: 13 Liked 64 Times in 25 Posts	Re: NHRA Tether Rule Update hi, I agree, with you rory. ours has 4 tabs holding collector to primaries, and 2 tabs holding collector extension on,. they don't come of easily!!