Blinder/Blocker clarification needed

[Brad Plourd]

Today, I could clearly see a stock eliminator driver hold something up to block his opponents side of the tree. Is this legal or not?

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Originally Posted by Brad Plourd

Today, I could clearly see a stock eliminator driver hold something up to block his opponents side of the tree. Is this legal or not?

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Looks like it’s legal if it’s not being corrected. Is there anything that says you can’t do this? Just windshields and helmet visors are the way the rule is written. Is this a problem if someone found another option? Or how are we as racers going to turn anyone in that attempts to find another way?
Is it about safety or racers getting the ear of the rule makers for personal agendas?

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[Brad Plourd]

That was my question Todd, and the point of this post.

Is it legal to hold a blocker?

[Brett C]

I say no.
No blinders should mean NO blinders.
But what do I know!?

This is the rule as written.

HELMET For all 10.00 and slower cars, either an open-face or a full-face Snell: M2015, M2020, SA2015, SA2020, FIA: 8860-2010,
8860-2015 or 8860-2018 helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited). Taping or similar modifications to the helmet or helmet shield that reduces the driver's field of vision prohibited. For all 9.99 and quicker cars, a full-face Snell:
M2015, M2020, SA2015, SA2020, FIA:
8860-2010, 8860-2015 or 8860-2018
helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited). Taping or similar modifications to the helmet or helmet shield that reduces the driver's field of vision prohibited. See General Regulations 10:7.


Just says about modification to the Helmet, visor and or , Windshield. Nothing about blocking or having to look at the full tree?
What is happening here is not using any of the above.
BTW I’m not a blocker, but I have no problem with someone who is long as he is safe and following the rules above.
I still think this rule has been mostly written because anti blockers have influenced a sympathetic person in power for their own benefit and agenda.

[Brad Plourd]

I actually agree with you that someone or some group lobbied for this.

[Joey Bohannon]

If you think you have to have a blinder why not just campaign to allow delay boxes......both are crutches.

[PETE PEERY]

I read this forum almost every day but almost never post but this has my dander up. My blinder is 3X3 in and 3X4 with notch cut out mounted permanently on rollbar. They do not impede my vision at all when driving in pits or loading in trailer. However i will say it is somewhat limited in the few seconds when i close one eye as the tree is coming down. If somehow i hit someone while driving in pits then i just was not paying attention or that person was not. Have i seen oversize blinders and aids racers use......YES. NHRA just needs to give us some COMMON SENSE guidelines and enforce them (period). I do not think this new rule is all about safety but more someones personal agenda. If we cannot get some kind of compromise on this we might expect in the future to be told we have to have both hands on wheel at 10&2 at all times. This last comment may sound absurd but my sweet grandaughters driving instructor told her this and she took him literally. She could not turn a 90 degree corner without running over the curb. I'm through with my rant HAVE A NICE DAY.

[Stan Weiss]

Originally Posted by PETE PEERY

I read this forum almost every day but almost never post but this has my dander up. My blinder is 3X3 in and 3X4 with notch cut out mounted permanently on rollbar. They do not impede my vision at all when driving in pits or loading in trailer. However i will say it is somewhat limited in the few seconds when i close one eye as the tree is coming down. If somehow i hit someone while driving in pits then i just was not paying attention or that person was not. Have i seen oversize blinders and aids racers use......YES. NHRA just needs to give us some COMMON SENSE guidelines and enforce them (period). I do not think this new rule is all about safety but more someones personal agenda. If we cannot get some kind of compromise on this we might expect in the future to be told we have to have both hands on wheel at 10&2 at all times. This last comment may sound absurd but my sweet grandaughters driving instructor told her this and she took him literally. She could not turn a 90 degree corner without running over the curb. I'm through with my rant HAVE A NICE DAY.

That is one way to stop people from running a manual trans.


Stan

[KRatcliff]

Originally Posted by PETE PEERY

I read this forum almost every day but almost never post but this has my dander up. My blinder is 3X3 in and 3X4 with notch cut out mounted permanently on rollbar. They do not impede my vision at all when driving in pits or loading in trailer. However i will say it is somewhat limited in the few seconds when i close one eye as the tree is coming down. If somehow i hit someone while driving in pits then i just was not paying attention or that person was not. Have i seen oversize blinders and aids racers use......YES. NHRA just needs to give us some COMMON SENSE guidelines and enforce them (period). I do not think this new rule is all about safety but more someones personal agenda. If we cannot get some kind of compromise on this we might expect in the future to be told we have to have both hands on wheel at 10&2 at all times. This last comment may sound absurd but my sweet grandaughters driving instructor told her this and she took him literally. She could not turn a 90 degree corner without running over the curb. I'm through with my rant HAVE A NICE DAY.

Some may know that this is my Crew Chief (Dad) and I agree with the idea of common sense guidelines for the ones that use blinders.

I for one have to open tree also due to my Crew Chief. I drive a stick in Stock and I thought he was going to stroke out at the starting line because I would get on the 2-step way too early. He would have visions of all that he would need to fix if I kept using a blinder.

I would still use a blinder (if he went to the lanes with the Emmons), but I am making a go of it open tree. Not real good at it mainly because he hasn't figured out a consistent way to connect my delay box. I will have to consider that when his contract renews.