HA/GR = NHRA legal?

[alteredpilot]

if this has been covered please refer me to the thread.

i'm just wanting to verify that the rules were or weren't written to conform to current NHRA safety requirements as outlined in the 2007 rulebook.

IF SO...
what class do they fall under?

according to my research the rules would allow the cars to run at an NHRA sanctioned track as an E.T. class car of dune buggy type, 12.00 seconds and slower.

any input?

[Jim Marlett]

I tried to get a straight answer from NHRA about roll bar requirements, since that is pretty much the only thing I could see that may not be in compliance, and I got nowhere. The only deviation I see is that NHRA indicates that roll bars, when required, should have rear braces to within 5" of the top of the roll bar. HA/GR rules don't require that brace and most of HA/GRs don't have them. There is certainly nothing prohibiting rear braces, so I figured, if I ever get off my lazy rump and build one, that I would include rear braces. Regardless of my opinion, the Indianapolis track ran HA/GRs without rear braces. A lot of it will boil down to what the local track tech inspectors think is safe.

I think anyone planing to run a HA/GR at an NHRA sanctioned track would do well get their hands on a rulebook and make it legal for the ET and body style that applies to their car.

I would also add that HA/GR rules seem to me to be in line with or more restrictive than NHRA ET class rules with the possible exception of the rear brace on the roll bar, and that one may really only be in my head.

[ThingyM]

Hey Mitch,, When you find something out, Clue me in.

[Rand Man]

I have a rear bar and highly reccomend it.

[Mr. Mac]

It probably wont be long until we have to have bars on the bottom out the sides and in the front. then we will have to run diapers,blankets,and cups on our 12 second cars.Fuckem

[ThingyM]

I agree Mac: I'm building mine like the rules stated. I'm not about to install 6 point cage, 1" helmet bars, Etc. Etc.. I thought the idea was to build and RUN them like they use to. I'll run the Antiques before I'll change it to another Giz-stop-o car.

[REJ]

Hopefully in two months, I be finding out. Mine should be ready by then and I have one NHRA 1/4 track I plan on testing on.
We do have an 1/8 mile outlaw track that I'm sure I can run on, but I do not like running the 1/8, it's too damn short.:eek:

[ThingyM]

The only reason I like the 1/8 mile for these cars is you don't have to twist them up for long period of time. I run 1/4 mile all the time. kind of like the 1/8 for a change. But its all fun......

[alteredpilot]

okay...
called NHRA.
here's the rub...
i went round and round with these guys and basically came away with nothing more than 'lets sit down with all the specs and hash it out'...

'requirements for body style and E.T.':
since they are center steer, open cars then 'technically' they are altered/funny car type cars (i know, i know) and do not classify as 'dune buggy' type vehicles per se. that means they must meet the altered spec for 9.99 and slower....according to NHRA...

on a brite note...
according to NHRA div. 7 tech, if your local tech inspector says its a go (using good ol' common sense) then its a go.

getting this thru NHRA is NOT the way to go. they are bound by paraysis thru anslysis.

[Mr. Mac]

I agree apilot, dont tell NHRA nothing when going from track to track we just play it by ear. Most of the sactioned tracks will tell you what you will have to change but will let you run this time. Last year at Indy when the Ramrods matched raced against the Hornets the tech inspector had never seen or heard of a Hamb car. The look on the young man's face was priceless.:D :D

[Jim Marlett]

There is a group of flathead and inline racers based in Denver that occasionally ran into rule trouble with their 12 and 11 second dragsters. There are quite a few of them with three point cages in their slow slingshots. According to one of the members, when they started reminding the tech folks that they were running under ET rules and not "dragster" or "altered" rules, they quit having trouble.

My decision after trying to talk to an NHRA tech guy was to let sleeping dogs lie.

[QQMOON]

Important stuff here guys we are at the point downunder where we need your help to get our cars back on the track is there any info or documentation through NHRA IHRA to say in some way the HA/GRs have or can run on a sanctioned track any help or rules you can provide will help our plea because at the moment we are out of the race unless we can prove you guys are doing it legal per say

The Altered rule may have to apply here as well "not in the Sprit" but if thats what it takes then thats the way we go

I cannot stress how important this is because its killing me all this work and you know the rest

Thanks
Joseph

[REJ]

I have talked to the NHRA tech guy at my local track, also showed him pics of the build up. He said he will not make a determination until he sees it, but he seems to think it will run in a bracket class for cars that run slower than 12.99.
I hope to let you know in the next couple of weeks, as plans are to get it back together and down to the track shortly.

[Rand Man]

The NHRA general safety rules aren't hard to meet. I recently picked up a rule book. It looks to me like msot of there rues are class specific. If you're not trying to enter a sanctioned event, in a specific class. Most rules don't apply at the speeds we're going.

QQ, I don't fully understand your post. Were you kicked off a track? Do you have a specific question?

[blown49]

Question I have about the rear bar rule and 5" from the top bar. Bend radius on 1-3/4" DOM tube is 6-1/2". How do you attach the top of the rear bar......in the bend?

[GMC BUBBA]

I tried to get a straight answer from NHRA about roll bar requirements, since that is pretty much the only thing I could see that may not be in compliance, and I got nowhere. The only deviation I see is that NHRA indicates that roll bars, when required, should have rear braces to within 5" of the top of the roll bar. HA/GR rules don't require that brace and most of HA/GRs don't have them. There is certainly nothing prohibiting rear braces, so I figured, if I ever get off my lazy rump and build one, that I would include rear braces. Regardless of my opinion, the Indianapolis track ran HA/GRs without rear braces. A lot of it will boil down to what the local track tech inspectors think is safe.

I think anyone planing to run a HA/GR at an NHRA sanctioned track would do well get their hands on a rulebook and make it legal for the ET and body style that applies to their car.

I would also add that HA/GR rules seem to me to be in line with or more restrictive than NHRA ET class rules with the possible exception of the rear brace on the roll bar, and that one may really only be in my head.

Jim, Good post. We built our car straight off the HA/GR rules sheet but our cage is somewhat different than some. Our goal was to put the driver down inside the cage a little deeper and added not only a couple rear braces ( 5 inches from top) but also a helment bar at the rear.

[blown49]

This is the cage I have designed for our HA/GR car. Should be 6 point but again the rear bars attach 6-1/2" from the top of the hoop. Frame is stepped 6" in the rear so thats why the frame attachments look different heights.

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL755/2598819/5779043/236010888.jpg

[Godzilla]

The best advice I have gotten on my frame is if I want it to tech at an IHRA or NHRA sanctioned event build it to meet the specs. for the altered class. If it is not important to me to run in a sactioned event then build it safe to suit myself and have fun running in an exhibition class or bracket racing.

Since there is no pre-existing class that these cars fit into...then they will have to create a new class for them. When NHRA/IHRA NEEDS to make a class for these cars they will...but there is no real need now. I only see a handful of cars running at the present time (here in the states anyway). I mean really...if you were NHRA/IHRA would you create rules and a new class for 6 cars?

[QQMOON]

Thanks for your Replys guys....... We have not been kicked off any tracks we have only raced once and our next Nostaliga meeting is in April........... ANDRA which is like your NHRA are wanting us to have a Licence and a log book because they are pourpose build racecars which in turn means we need to fit into a class somewhere if i can prove to them that you guys run under some sort of NHRA ruling then we have a chance but i need to get this done before the next meeting on the 9th of April

Thanks again Guys
Joseph

[Mr. Mac]

Why cant you start your own class HA/GR I know you will have to convince them but it would be worth a try.
That what we did at Indy(NHRA track) last year. We showed them a copy of the HA/GR rules and they said ok. I'm sure we had a little help from GoodGuys still be worth a try. Good Luck
Mac

[Drewfus]

Why cant you start your own class HA/GR I know you will have to convince them but it would be worth a try.
That what we did at Indy(NHRA track) last year. We showed them a copy of the HA/GR rules and they said ok. I'm sure we had a little help from GoodGuys still be worth a try. Good Luck
Mac

We effectively did that, with our 'small' version of the 'goodguys', that being our CNDRA, but politics is a little bit bigger, as we're being pushed to meet a spec of a car that is sub 10 sec. Generally all are in favour of what we're about, but we have a couple of hurdles to jump in the effort to make things easier for everyone, hence, if we could demonstrate that NHRA were 'cool' with these type of cars, as they are, then we'd have a benchmark to influence our ANDRA....

This is important to us ....
A.

[Godzilla]

I am not very optimistic about NHRA or any other sanctioning body creating a new class here. On a track by track basis I think we will get to run as an exhibition class...or in the brackets any time we want...I just don't see a HA/GR ever accumulating NHRA divisional points...not unless it is in a category that is already established. Maybe if there were 50 or 100 cars running from across the country....but then they would have to all be able to meet the same set of rules...and that does not appear to be happening consistently now.

As I have stated before...I do not have a HA/GR...but I do support the class whole heartedly. I want to see this class grow...but it is clear to me that it still has a lot of growing pains to go thru before that happens.

[Mr. Mac]

We effectively did that, with our 'small' version of the 'goodguys', that being our CNDRA, but politics is a little bit bigger, as we're being pushed to meet a spec of a car that is sub 10 sec. Generally all are in favour of what we're about, but we have a couple of hurdles to jump in the effort to make things easier for everyone, hence, if we could demonstrate that NHRA were 'cool' with these type of cars, as they are, then we'd have a benchmark to influence our ANDRA....

This is important to us ....


A.

OK! So you guys just pack your shit up and sail over here and we will all race together. To hell with your aussie NHRA or what ever it's called.:D :D

[Drewfus]

OK! So you guys just pack your shit up and sail over here and we will all race together. To hell with your aussie NHRA or what ever it's called.:D :D

As much as we wish we could move (and yes we have thought about it many times), we're not prepared to quit, not by a long shot.

We have, in principal the support of the governing bodies, just that a few individuals wish to make it more political than it needs to be (in our opinion).

We'll keep at it...

A

[blown49]

REJ POSTED

Ihave talked to the NHRA tech guy at my local track, also showed him pics of the build up. He said he will not make a determination until he sees it, but he seems to think it will run in a bracket class for cars that run slower than 12.99.
I hope to let you know in the next couple of weeks, as plans are to get it back together and down to the track shortly.

Aren't some cars under 12.99 now?

[Godzilla]

The IHRA track at Tulsa will allow the cars with a single roll bar and two down bars to run as quick as 11.99. They are presently running in the 12.40 range, today.

Put in a little more cage and they will be able to run at a minimum in the 11.0s...if they are capable of running that quick...which some are, for sure. The cages come out looking like funny car cages...sort of...not very traditional but conform to the present rules that state the single roll bar and two down bars as a minimum.