Question:

I just purchased a center-steer altered that ran 7.70 in the ¼-mile and I will be putting my blown small-block Chevy motor in it and I think it should run about 7.0 in the ¼-mile.  I was told that I will need to cover the seat with flame-retardant cloth.  Is this something I will need to do?

Covered Seat Carl

Answer:

Covered Seat Carl,

That is correct.  In the 2012 NHRA Rulebook in the Advanced ET section 4B, page 11 it states “For all front-engine open-bodied vehicles supercharged or turbocharged (gasoline- or methanol-burning), a flame-retardant material-covered seat is mandatory.”