NHRA Tether Rule Update

[Randall Klein]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 ?

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Again...instead of forcing everone to buy a product that a small minority THINKS solves a problem that 90% of the racers do not see as an issue. Why not instead spend the effort toward keeping people out of harms way? If you were to walk across a busy freeway without being conciuos of your surroundings and get hit...who's liable? Standing behind a car doing a burnout and expecting NOT to be hit by something, be it a rock, nut, bolt or collector is irresponsible.Didn't an entire funny car body get launched into the crowd at the Charlotte race? Anyone hurt? What's NHRA going to do with that? Face it racing is dangerous even as a spectator, nascar, NHRA, local tracks people have and will continue to get hurt both as particpants and those merely watching. Knee jerk reactions have never solved anything,only a way of saying they've addressed the "issue". Now that said if this winter the rule still stands I'll be looking for options to abide by the ruling.

[FED 387]

I am all for safety !!!! However when it comes to mandates and a solution that is equivalent in all aspects that can be fabricated by a racer for a "nominal" cost versus a NHRA approved manufacturers system for "hundreds" of dollars more I think bears looking into. Their has to be a happy ground here. Look at the engine diapers mandate. If you can fabricate a diaper that meets NHRA guidelines you do not need to purchase a "store bought" diaper--- this should be the same way too--- MY OPINION!!!!! FED 387

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Don Kennedy

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 ?

In our current environment, NHRA, the manufacturer and the racer would be sued by the injured party.

1. NHRA would be sued for lack of enforcement or approving a device that was not designed properly that did not provide 100% safety.

2. The manufacturer would be sued for workmanship, manufacturing defects and/or improper assembly instructions.

3. Since the racer/owner needs to assemble the tethering device, he would be sued for not assembling or installing the device correctly, and then the racer would blame the manufacturer and NHRA.


This is the world I live in as part of my job; it is called Product Liability and Torts.

I know of a case in which a private pilot, purchased a commercial/automotive GPS to use on his private airplane when he went hunting.
He lost his life when he crashed his airplane during bad weather and while using the GPS.
Although the manual for the GPS warned and stated that was not approved for aviation use, due to the fact the manual showed pictures of different types of vehicles such as cars, trucks, boats and an airplane, the manufacturer lost the lawsuit.
The court established through its decision that although there was language and warnings that the particular GPS was not approved or designed for airborne/aviation applications or use, just having the picture on the cover of the manual, inferred that it was for use on airplanes.

[Don Kennedy]

Originally Posted by ssdiv6

in our current environment, nhra, the manufacturer and the racer would be sued by the injured party.

1. Nhra would be sued for lack of enforcement or approving a device that was not designed properly that did not provide 100% safety.

2. The manufacturer would be sued for workmanship, manufacturing defects and/or improper assembly instructions.

3. Since the racer/owner needs to assemble the tethering device, he would be sued for not assembling or installing the device correctly, and then the racer would blame the manufacturer and nhra.


This is the world i live in as part of my job; it is called product liability and torts.

I know of a case in which a private pilot, purchased a commercial/automotive gps to use on his private airplane when he went hunting.
He lost his life when he crashed his airplane during bad weather and while using the gps.
Although the manual for the gps warned and stated that was not approved for aviation use, due to the fact the manual showed pictures of different types of vehicles such as cars, trucks, boats and an airplane, the manufacturer lost the lawsuit.
The court established through its decision that although there was language and warnings that the particular gps was not approved or designed for airborne/aviation applications or use, just having the picture on the cover of the manual, inferred that it was for use on airplanes.

oic