*NEWS* What in the wide world of drag racing is going on around here???

[Saleen91]

I've got a couple of things I thought I'd pass out in case others aren't away of the situation.


First off, Fun Ford Weekend (http://www.funfordevents.com) has already announced their 06 schedule. There's several back to back dates. For me, I'm kinda pissed about the Houston event and the Louisiana event being only 1 week apart. No way can I afford to make both events this year.
Also, have you heard about the Pro Mod situation in the NHRA (http://www.dragracingonline.com/analysis/vii_10-promods-1.html). AMS, the main sponsor for the class, is not renewing their sponsorship for it next year! There's a couple of Pro Mod teams that are local to me so this kind of hits home to these guys that have untold thousands of dollars into their race programs. Guys like Thomas Patterson, Frank "Madman" Taylor, and there's also Paul Peace who just BOUGHT his Pro Mod!
While discussing the NHRA, there's rumors that the guys in charge are discussing creating a "supercharged 10.5" class to host at national events. This means that 10.5 racing may be making the big time! Will we see a decline in the local 10.5 racing scene as professional, sponsored, teams take a shot at winning a Wally in the NHRA? It looks like it'll be called AA/Super Modified..and I quote from Drag Racing Online...

full-bodied, centrifugal-supercharged cars have been growing in popularity, certainly brings to mind any number of "ten-wide" association rules, including the new NHRA regulations of full-bodied, centrifugal-supercharged cars based on a six-pounds-per-cubic-inch format with a minimum weight of 2,700 pounds. No details of chassis or tire restrictions were given which leads to speculation that the class will mirror anything from NMRA's Pro 5.0, (6.50/215 performance), to NMCA's Xtreme Street, (8.20/165 performance).
That sounds like 10.5 material to me!
Just a general FYI to everybody from the NHRA:


Effective Jan. 1, 2006, where a Snell-rated helmet is required in NHRA competition, the Snell 90 helmets will no longer be allowed.

Time to check your helmets and get your order in with Santa if yours does foot the bill!
ATTENTION EFI Tuners! The rumor is that the NHRA doesn't like us!

During competition, NHRA prohibits the use of a portable computer while the vehicle is in operation. Such items as a laptop, PDA, Palm Pilot, programmer, and the like may not be installed or located in a vehicle at any point beyond the staging-area ready line. All functions or values must be preset prior to this point.
Who made this one up? I see this rule being policed about as well as stopping women from putting on lipstick while driving in the morning rush hour!
And finally, just because I know this applies to some people on this site (*hint* Joseph! Harvey! and soon to be Brent!)


Any vehicle that runs faster than 135 mph must meet minimum requirements for 9.99-second vehicles, which include an NHRA chassis certification, NHRA competition license, and updated safety requirements.

Apparently the NHRA doesn't care about your ET. If your MPH hits 135, they're going to tag with you 9.99 (or quicker) safety specs. So for cars that run high MPH and slower ET's on street tires, and drag radials, your time is up come January 06!

Thank you and drive through please!

[Fryguy]

Wonder if that means the 135mph guys need a license too.

[Saleen91]

The way I read it, yes.

[maveRick]

How 'bout a 302 Maverick w/slicks and dual exhaust? (translated: 14.5 sec 88mph ;) )

[Otis!]

Don't forget you qualify for the AARP discount there Rickles: 14.9 seconds...

[Chad82GT]

I wish I could get a NHRA license. We have to do the physical and have our runs checked, but our track isnt NHRA so we can't get a gen-u-ine licesne.

The helmet rule is actually a good thing. Any SNELL-90 helmet is at LEAST 10 years old and good chance the lining has deteriorated and won't really protect you.

Sucks about the ProMods... I love that class! Hopefully they'll find a new class sponsor beofre the 2006 season starts.

[Thoroughbred]

You really think local 10.5 races will decline? FSTA entertains me greatly.

[Timebomb]

Fact of the matter is that anyone who wants to run with the big boys on the national level they better have a big budget. I'm all for a new 10.5 type class in NHRA, and would like to see it happen but I don't think it would take anything away from the FSTA or any other somewhat local 10.5 organization (KOTH etc).

I think most of these rules are a good thing, the computer rule on the other hand is a bit vague and should be cleared up. The fact is that the NHRA loves carburetors and if NASCAR and NHRA had their way we will be seeing them on the racetrack in 2025! NHRA is affraid that the teams will use the laptop as some kind of traction control or other functions that could give a team an unfair advantage. To me it makes since to not allow computers in the class rules of certain classes, but to say I have one in my car running down the track is plain stupid. Unfortunetly, many tracks interpret these rules in different ways....for example...define the term competition....it could be a simple test and tune night but since there is a car next to you in the other line you are now in competition and the computer is not allowed.

I am a firm believer that if you have a laptop in the car it needs to be fastened to the car. If you have it in the car and it isn't tied down, just think about what happens when you have a 5 pound piece of hard ABS plactic and metal flying around if you loose control at 150mph. When I race I try to be sure that there isn't anything laying around on the floor of my car just because of this.

My car will be updated after I get it running again. I know how fast it should go and I know what I will have to do to make it legal to conform to the rules. The 135mph rule is kind of a shocker, but I see the reason behind it.

I also really like the promod class, I just wish it would have gotten more exposure. I mean they give so much attention to PS, TF, FC, and PSB on TV that they don't have time to cover or even show a promod run....I'd much rather watch a promod run that a pro stock bike! It almost seems like NHRA didn't give this class exposure for a reason, they are satisifed with the 4 big classes and the sportsman classes that they run at the events.

I will be buying an 2006 rulebook as soon as they come out.

Brent

[gt350mustang]

no worries. i won't be running 135 mph anytime soon ;)

[MUSTANG BILLY]

Man..all that crap sucks..

[89 coupe]

Wonder if that means the 135mph guys need a license too.
I'm pretty sure this has always been the actual rule. Don't know about the enforcement but some of the safety equipment like the 10 pt cage was already there 135 MPH and/or 9.99
Laptops in cars I don't believe will be enforced at any type of local heads up events. My guess is like was stated above, to keep possible traction control out of the cars in NHRA classes like the super classes, etc. which some already have anyway LOL

[89 coupe]

You really think local 10.5 races will decline? FSTA entertains me greatly.
If anything it should make these type local classes bigger. This will draw more interest and may bring more spectators out to support the racing. We need the spectators for this to work.
We were told at our rules meeting last week that 10 races are planned at HMP for the FSTA and they are going to try and bring in others to race.
One of the sponsors is giving $35,000.00 next year for purse money and said he will be speaking to Matt Cook from the KOTH Outlaw racing program about them running with us at least some next year. That would be awesome to have FSTA and Outlaw races together.
FSTA has opened up their 5.75 index also. Ladder bars are legal in the 5.75 class among other things. Just no purpose built electronic bracket cars (no delay boxes) and I believe they will have to weigh per the rules and run on true 10.5 tires. They are trying to raise the car count up. Ben you hearing this???

[SusieQ]

We have to do the physical and have our runs checked.

Ewwwwwwww!


Man..all that crap sucks..


What he said...

[maveRick]

^nursing student^
(did that come out right? :confused: )

-----------

I, for one, would love to see more 10.5's. Sounds like HMP has the right idea at least.

[Saleen91]

FSTA has opened up their 5.75 index also. Ladder bars are legal in the 5.75 class among other things. Just no purpose built electronic bracket cars (no delay boxes) and I believe they will have to weigh per the rules and run on true 10.5 tires. They are trying to raise the car count up. Ben you hearing this???

When did this happen? That means I could run with the FSTA then!!!! I'm all over that!

EDIT: I just combed all over FSTA's site and see no mention of this. :(

[gt350mustang]

ben, this would have happened at their rules meeting on saturday. they haven't posted anything yet.

[BigRed]

WooHoo Ben !

Can I be the lugnut specialist on your race team?
I promise to kick the tires before every run also.

[89 coupe]

When did this happen? That means I could run with the FSTA then!!!! I'm all over that!

EDIT: I just combed all over FSTA's site and see no mention of this. :(
Yep. Just happened Saturday at the rules meeting for next year. I will try and find out if you can run Thanksgiving weekend if you like.
I know you will need true 10.5 tires and I believe you will have to weigh 3200lbs. What size turbo do you have. I don't believe it matters as long as you stay in the 5.75 class anyway but just so I know fill me in on the details of your car.

http://s2.excoboard.com/exco/thread.php?forumid=100750&threadid=600120

Ben check out this thread. The first post mentions the 5.75 new class rules.

[Saleen91]

Brian,

You're IN! :)

Martin,

I do have true 10.5 tires. 30x10.5. The turbo is a 76mm with an air/air intercooler.

[89 coupe]

From what I remember Ben you should fit in just fine. I will contact Mike Kurtz and ask him myself but I don't see any problem's.
The 5.75 class is basically a heads up index type class run off a pro tree.

[Chad82GT]

Quick question: Are 30" tall tires considered "true" 10.5s? I know they're 10.5 wide, but usually people refer to 28s when they're talking about small-tire cars. Then again, maybe that's just here in the deep south/wild west. ;)

Only reason I ask is so you know what to expect before dropping coin on an entry fee. Would hate to see you buy in, then get DQ'd at tech and lose your money.

[89 coupe]

The rule from last year was 30x10.5 max sidewall designation, no W's allowed.
This rule was not changed at the meeting. Most of the cars running in the faster class run a 29.5x10.5 tire. I never knew a 30x10.5 was even available.
I'm still running the little 28x10.5 stiff sidewall. Just don't want to cut my fenders up quite yet.
Ben who makes the tire you have?

[Blue91]

I think his tires are Hoosiers.

[FE_rex]

...........I think most of these rules are a good thing, the computer rule on the other hand is a bit vague and should be cleared up.....
Brent

What vague or a problem. All it says is you can't have a laptop etc in the staging lanes or while going down the track.

[Timebomb]

Ken what I meant was they need to better define the rule in the rulebook so that the tracks have a clear cut and dry what is allowed and what is not. FFW has already said that they will allow laptops in competition as long as they are secured in the vehicle. FFW or NMRA wouldn't have much success if all the cars couldn't run a laptop in the car! I think the real purpose of this rule is to keep them out of the bigger NHRA top 4 classes.

[maveRick]

On that subject, couldn't you have it (laptop) secured in the trunk and have a toggle to start/stop recording?

What's the reasoning behind it? I wonder if it's because there's too much time being taken setting it up after the burnout and making sure the thing is booted up.

"Excuse me, Starter. I'd be obliged if you'd let me borrow a Windows XP boot up CD if you got one on ya.
No? How 'bout a key code?"

[FE_rex]

you're right about keeping them out of NHRA. The main concern of NHRA is traction control and other types of "cheating". It doesn't matter where the laptop is in the car - it can still be used.

Also anything a laptop can do can be done by an fixed computer. With all the money a NHRA team has, they can go to FAST or similar systems.

[89 coupe]

Ken the guys that run the FAST or other similar systems use the laptop for datalogging.
Alex has a datalogger made by FAST which is a lot smaller and lighter, easier to mount solid, etc. to datalog his runs.
Now Kenjo Kelley, who is now tuning Outlaw turbo cars, likes the laptop. He has told me he has seen the datalogger fail several times.
I know Alex has had some problems in the past. Might have been the tuner, but both have never had a problem as far as I know collecting the data from a run using the lapttop vs the datalogger.
Just one more reason I chose nitrous and a carb LOL