SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by L.Fite

Since you asked...
Not currently racing, used to run Super Comp and Brackets.
Been around Pro Stock cars, (Pre Jellybean back when local guys could run) Comp cars, etc.

Have always had SFI flywheels on everything, since they became mandatory for what we were running, so I guess I'm used to it.
Never saw a flex plate explode but have seen one spit the weight off and go through the bell.
Saw balancers spit the ring off on the starting line back when stock balancers were still being used.

I've never argued about safety equipment.
All the rules we have, have mostly been a reaction to something bad happening (usually involving a death or serious injury, IE: window nets, 4' belts, blowproof bellhousings, SFI chassis)
Sadly, I've known personally some of the people involved in some of these incidents.

Been doing this since late 70s until life got in the way.
Now I have more time, so slowly trying to get a car put together.
I might not be up on all the latest stuff, but I intend to have fun.
I miss racing, but now we are down to one 1/8 mile track, so there's that...

L.Fite, racing what you've been familiar with racing I agree with you're not arguing about safety equipment. I'm not talking about Pro Stock or S/C but I HAVE been talking about Brackets. What I am talking about is High 11/low 12 second and slower Stockers!
My DTD tells me that NHRA is trying to "align" the rules but that is absolutely not the case and not true. They claim to be "aligning" the rules with the Stick classes where a V8 must have an SFI shield and flywheel. As it is written now, a V8 automatic combo needs an SFI flexplate even in a 14 second car! The caveat being that a V8 automatic car doesn't need a transmission shield/blanket until 10.99! And it doesn't need a flexplate shield until 9.99! Where is the "alignment"?
A Bracket car doesn't need an SFI flexplate or any kind of shield until 9.99!
If there is any history of vast numbers of 11/12/14 second Stockers breaking flexplates, I don't know anything about it and I'm a pretty nosy guy.

Hey, get your butt in gear and get something together and come out and play! Time's short!