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| Q.
I want to run slicks on my car, what do
I need to pass tech? |
Anytime
you use slicks you must have a driveshaft
safety loop in place to protect against
driveshaft failure. The loop must be made
of ¼” thick
steel plate, be 2” wide, and must
cover the driveshaft 360° in diameter.
The loop must be installed 6” from
the front u-joint and be bolted in securely
or welded. |
|
Q. Is it okay to use a marine
gas tank as a fuel cell? |
Marine gas tanks are not
allowed on any race car. If you are not using
an original fuel tank, you must use a SFI certified
fuel cell. |
|
Q. What types of fuel line am
I allowed to use on my car? |
There
are only 3 types of fuel line accepted in
lieu
of the factory fuel
line. These are hard line (aluminum or steel),
braided steel line, and NHRA accepted woven
push lock hose. Rubber fuel is acceptable
for connection
purposes but you may not have more than 12” of
rubber fuel throughout the entire vehicle. |
|
Q. Do I need a helmet, and if
so, what kind? |
A
helmet is required for the driver of any
car or truck running 13.99
seconds or quicker in the quarter mile, and
for the rider of any motorcycle. Most drivers
can
use a helmet meeting SNELL M85, M90, M95, SA85,
SA90, SA95 or K98 specifications. Professional
category and some alcohol burning vehicles
require an SA rated helmet. It is important
to note that
the helmet rating must be designated on a tag
INSIDE the helmet, or sewn to one of the helmet
straps. The designation stenciled on the exterior
of the helmet is insufficient for NHRA technical
inspection. Also, some tracks require a helmet
on ALL drivers, so check in advance. Drag Racing
Association Guam requires helmets on all drivers. |
|
Q. When do I need a roll bar
or roll cage, and what should it look like? |
A
roll bar is required in any convertible running
13.99
seconds or quicker
in the quarter mile, and in other cars beginning
at 11.99. The roll bar is accepted in vehicles
running as quick as 10.00 second e.t., provided
the stock firewall and floorboard is intact,
other than for installation of wheel tubs.
The rollbar must be constructed of minimum
1 ¾ inch
o.d. x .118 inch wall mild steel tubing, or 1 ¾ x
.083 chrome moly tubing, and must conform to
the following diagram. |
|
Q. I have a street car that
I occasionally run at the strip. I've relocated
the battery to the rear. What else do I need? |
Any
car with a relocated battery must be equipped
with a
master electrical
cutoff, capable of stopping all electrical
functions including ignition (must shut the
engine off,
as well as fuel pumps, etc.). The switch must
be located on the rear of the vehicle, with
the "off" position
clearly marked. If the switch is of a "push
/ pull" type, then "push" must
be the motion that shuts off the switch, and
plastic or "keyed" typed switches
are prohibited. Also, the battery must be completely
sealed from the driver and/or driver compartment.
This means a metal bulkhead must separate the
trunk from the driver compartment, or the battery
must be located in a sealed, metal box constructed
of minimum .024 inch steel or .032 inch aluminum,
or in an NHRA accepted plastic box. In cars
with
a conventional trunk, metal can simply be installed
behind the rear seat and under the package
tray to effectively seal the battery off from
the
driver. In a hatchback type vehicle the battery
box is usually the easiest solution, since
the alternative is to fabricate a bulkhead
which
seals to the hatch when closed. At present,
Moroso is the only company which offers an
NHRA accepted
plastic battery box, part number 74050. |
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Q. But I drive on the street.
I don't want a big cut off switch hanging on
the back. |
This
solution takes a little work, but it solves
the problem.
Install the
master cutoff inside the vehicle, positioned "sideways" so
that the toggle moves forward and back. Drill
a hole in the toggle handle, and attach a steel
rod that will run out the back of the car, through
a hole drilled completely through one tail light
assembly. Have a spare tail light assembly on
hand, so when you come home from the drags, you
remove the rod and put the cherry tail light
back in for street cruising. Next time you plan
on going to the drag strip, swap lights and reinstall
the rod. Since the drilled light is for the strip
only, you can also have it marked "PUSH
OFF" in big letters so the Tech Inspectors
will think you're cool. |
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