And you thought air/ electrical shifters in stockers was ?..

[tstickff]

Originally Posted by Jared Jordan

Personally, I?m more concerned about mystery buttons in the interior and cars that stutter and break up in high gear while they miraculously run dead on the dial.

ive been saying for years, when will electronics be looked at? problem is who actually knows what to look for? now with all these racepacs, sensors,driveshaft speed sensors, what do you protest? also think they should eliminate allowing cell phones recording directly behind racecars on the starting line. just my .002

Tim Stickles

[Ty Kwaiser]

xix HOW TO USE THIS RULEBOOK The NHRA Rulebook provides guidelines and minimum standards for the construction and operation of vehicles used in NHRA Championship Drag Racing and at member-track events. It is the responsibility of the participant to be familiar with the contents of this Rulebook and to comply with its requirements. Do not leave it up to track officials to catch all potential rule compliance problems. That responsibility rests first and foremost with YOU ? the participant. Additional safety equipment or safety-enhancing equipment is always permitted and the levels of safety equipment stated in this Rulebook are minimum prescribed levels for a particular type of competition and do not prohibit the individual racer from using additional safety equipment. Participants are encouraged to investigate the utility of additional safety devices for your type of competition. In disputed cases, whether an item of equipment is safety enhancing or performance-enhancing will be determined by NHRA in NHRA?s sole and absolute discretion. All safety equipment must be operational if installed regardless of if the equipment is part of or in addition to the minimum required safety equipment per category. On the other hand, as to performance equipment, it is the general rule that unless optional performance equipment or performance-related modification is specifically permitted by this Rulebook, it is prohibited.

I believe the last sentence of this paragraph copied from the rulebook is in agreement with Mr. Derby City's assertion and opinion, and many of the rest of us that a "finish-line stripe taker" in stock or superstock is not in accordance with the rules.

[Jim Caughlin]

A few years backs, I had an idea about a clutch release device that I wanted to try, I decided it would be best to run it by Jerry Valentine before I built it, he pretty much cut me off half way through my explanation of what I wanted to do and vetoed my plan. His comment was "Just because the rule book doesn't say you can't do doesn't mean that you can".

Jim Caughlin
SS6019

[Mike Taylor 3601]

Originally Posted by tstickff

ive been saying for years, when will electronics be looked at? problem is who actually knows what to look for? now with all these racepacs, sensors,driveshaft speed sensors, what do you protest? also think they should eliminate allowing cell phones recording directly behind racecars on the starting line. just my .002

Tim Stickles

I experienced a questionable thing once 1/8 mile race IHRA years ago...
other car was chasing me about .30 at 330' his nose was in my quarter window and would gain about 12-18''and fall back and pull back up12-18'' nose of car didn't drop,front of car stayed at same ride height,this repeatedly happened from 330' to 500-600'. stuck his nose out and backed into me. YES he had about .025 advantage on RT's but it was odd watching their car surge back and forth 12-18'' and front end never drop or raise..

[Jack Matyas]

Well ! ! ! 38 posts and not one ( 1 ) stinkin picture .........

[Henry S]

I believe the rule book does state this clearly, I was told once that the rule book states only what yo can do and all else is not permitted. The bold text in the general reg identifies the ruling. Under general reg 4:5 GROUND CLEARANCE A-Arm Upright 4:4 Minimum 3 inches from front of car to 12 inches behind centerline of front axle; 2 inches for remainder of car, except oil pan and exhaust headers where permitted. When permitted under Class Requirements, devices used for anti-rotation purposes (i.e., wheelie bars) are exempt from the 2-inch clearance rule. Unless otherwise permitted by Class Requirements, the installation of a ?beam breaker? in front of the body is restricted to extending no farther forward than the body or bumper and must also satisfy the 3-inch ground-clearance requirement.

In the stock section of the rule book:
BODY Alterations or customizing prohibited; extent of customizing is limited to paint only. Convertible-top cars must run with top up. Sedan delivery, Ranchero, El Camino, etc. (if found properly classified in the Classification Guide) are eligible only if all class requirements are met. Raising and/or lowering front or rear of cars prohibited. Cars must retain level attitude at standstill, except those that have a forward rake (a permitted modification). Bottom of rocker panel cannot be higher than centerline of rear axle. Body mount insulators may be replaced with solid mounts of same size. Aluminum or other lightweight material may not be used to replace heavier items on car. In front-wheel-drive vehicles, air dams and spoilers that were available through the manufacturer are permitted front and rear This is pretty clear that it is not legal.

[Ben Holt]

Page XIX of the 2025 NHRA Rulebook

"How to Use This Rulebook"

"On the other hand, as to performance equipment, it is the
general rule that unless optional performance equipment or
performance-related modification is specifically permitted
by this Rulebook, it is prohibited. All model, engine, or
equipment changes or modifications not specifically
addressed in this Rulebook must be submitted in writing
to NHRA for consideration prior to competition. Approval
will be granted or denied in NHRA?s sole and absolute
discretion. The applicant will be notified of approval or
rejection in writing from NHRA headquarters."

Being that the beam splitter has a definitive purpose, and is not specified as legal in the Stock Eliminator rules, I would deem it illegal.

[Cglrcng]

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Well ! ! ! 38 posts and not one ( 1 ) stinkin picture .........

Here you go Jack pics for you. During the fabrication of the item of controversy May 14, 2024 (flip the pics







over)...bracket, blade, bolts, nuts, and a safety tether for the blade.


Then 2 pics of it in use at a bracket race in November 2024. During full throttle attitude and with car at rest in the Winners Circle Photo same day. And use at bracket race Battle of the Brands March 2025. And 1 without it from Oct. 2023 and the actual 6 points I can use to break the 6" high beam at 1,320' depending on last move before the beam. Actually 6 points from front bumper point to tires (bumper, upper spoiler, lower spoiler, lower air dam, tires). Hard brakes to full throttle and all done with 2 feet.

With it on only 2 points...bumper on brakes or the beam breaker.

Attached not to the body in any manner (as I witnessed of many other body alterations to serve the same exact
purpose in both S/SS before taking the
step of adding the allowed device. But
added by adding 2 1/2 in bolts to the
frame member holding the front bumper
assembly, equal with the front of the
lower front spoiler, at least 2" behind the
front bumper, and 10" in front of the
lower rearward air dam mfg. attached
with 2 bolts and easily removed in 5 mins. The 6 points marked in the 1st photo (class win, without beam breaker), are feet apart from bumper to tires.

At this point I would rather leave us all guessing at which point I have total control of using to break the 1,320' beam 6" off the ground with. I only have control of the removal or use of mine, others using other forms and fashions (there are many), must be holding their breath right now. They are out there, and not just a few. People only saw mine because I did not customize or alter the actual body to achieve the same goal.
below the radiator support.

I used those particular pics as to show the attitude of the car at rest and at full throttle operation. The last move *without it present and attached*
determins which point of the car triggers
the 6" high beam break point...hard
brakes (but not smoking tires), and out
of throttle the bumper breaks the beam,
Out of throttle light to no brakes, the
spoiler breaks the beam, out of it late
the lower air dam breaks the beams,
dead in it, the tire breaks the beams.

Without it on, the track can be 4 different lengths...all my choices. With it on, hard brakes and out of it bumper only. And all other choices 2" back the beam breaker ended all timing. I have not touched the brake pedal but once since I put it on. Ask any of my competitors as many of them know I have broken out against a lot of them (both by tiny amounts and large amounts as wind affects the slower cars by a lot more than faster cars as we are just flat out in the wind longer, far too many and this deep dive has educated me I am far and away better off without the aid of the Still determined by NHRA and their rulebook "beam breaker" as described in G.R. 4.5.

[Cglrcng]

Without it in Oct. 2023 the 6 points marked w/ yellow numbers 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, and 5's. It can actually go faster on the brakes if chosen very late in the run.

And with it recently in March (bracket race).