Pacific Division News

Question: What type of ignition system am I allowed to use on my Jr. Dragster? Ignition System Sue Answer: Ignition System Sue, You must use either a magneto or battery ignition system. When a battery ignition is used, the MSD Small Engine Ignition kits 41500 and 41510 and MSD ignition unit 42231 are the only accepted units for NHRA competition. 56667

Question: If we are towing our Jr Dragster with a front-end-dolly behind our golf cart do we still need to have a flag? Jr. Jill Answer: Jr. Jill, Anytime a Jr Dragster is being towed a fluorescent or brightly colored flag, 5 feet above the ground, attached to the Jr Dragster is required. 56438

Question: I have a supercharged front-engine dragster that I run in Top Dragster. Can you tell me what the fire extinguisher system requirements are for my combination? Front-Engine Phil Answer: Front-Engine Phil, According to the 2013 NHRA Rulebook (Section 6B, page 9) you must have “a 20-pound NHRA-accepted system.” Keep in mind that the “system must be divided with a minimum one nozzle directed into the driver compartment and minimum one nozzle directed into the engine

After further internal conversations as well as discussions with the SRAC, the NHRA Technical Department has reconsidered the recent horsepower adjustments which were announced on August 6, 2013. All announced adjustments will be reverted back to their original values prior to the August 6th announcement. These combinations will be reviewed during the standard end of the year review. 56286

The NHRA Technical department recently adjusted the factored horsepower on several GM Super Stock GT combinations, and Ford Stock and Super Stock combinations. These adjustments were made due to clerical errors from previous AHFS adjustments; these recent adjustments are not part of the AHFS mid or end of year adjustments. To better explain the changes, one example was the 99-04 346 305-350 in SS/GT, factored anywhere from 305 to 324 horsepower. All of these combinations are

Stock Horsepower corrections complete for 1st half rating period 2013 Engine Make CID OEM HP Years affected GM 346 305 00 Camaro/Firebird Mopar 440 385 1971 GTX Ford 302 122-157 72-82 Super Stock Horsepower corrections complete for 1st half rating period 2013 Engine Make CID OEM HP Years affected GM

Question: The local NHRA Tech Inspector said I need to make my passenger door operative from the outside on my Super Pro Camaro. Is that true for their track only or all NHRA tracks? Door Handle David Answer: Door Handle David, That is true for any NHRA track. You would need to follow the 2013 NHRA Rulebook section 20, page 29, Interior: 6, 6.1 Drivers Compartment. It states “Both doors must be functional from the inside and outside on all full-bodied cars.” 56135

Question: When I go to my local NHRA track to test my Top Dragster what rules would I need to follow, Top Dragster or Advanced ET? Top Dragster Tony Answer: Top Dragster Tony, At your local NHRA track if you are running the NHRA Top Dragster class all racers in that class would need to follow the NHRA 2013 Top Dragster rules. If you are running the ET or Advanced ET class than you would need to follow all of those NHRA rules. 55842

After a thorough internal review and consultation with the Stock/Super Stock Sportsman Racing Advisory Council, the NHRA Technical Department has decided to amend the rule regarding the notching of bumper covers in all categories of Stock and Super Stock. The following paragraph will now pertain to all categories of Stock and Super Stock. Rear bumper cover only (i.e., not the bumper) may be notched or slotted for clearance around wheelie bars. Opening maximum is to allow for

Question: I have a rear engine dragster and the SFI 29.1 flex plate shield hits the frame. Can I cut on the flex plate shield to make it fit? Flex plate Phil Answer: Flex plate Phil, No you may not. On page 15 (XV) of the 2013 NHRA Rulebook in the last paragraph it states "Under no circumstances may any certified product be modified, altered, or in any way vary from the "as manufactured" condition. Such a practice is in violation of the SFI, Snell, DOT, etc. program, voi

Earlier today the NHRA Technical Department released additional 2013 Rule Amendments. Unless otherwise noted in this document, these additional amendments will come into effect immediately. This document, 2013 NHRA Rulebook Amendments, can be found under the Rules section of NHRARacer.com 55856

Question: I am putting a roll bar in my daily driver so that I am able to meet the safety requirements at the speed I am running. Being a daily driver, can the rear crossbar be bolted in so that I can still have good access to the back seat? Roll Bar Ralph Answer: Roll Bar Ralph, No, the cross bar may not be bolted in. In the 2013 NHRA Rulebook, Section 20, page 19 it states, “Crossbar and rear braces must be welded to main hoop.” This page and the following page describ

Super Stock Horsepower Changes complete for 1st half rating period 2013 Engine Make CID OEM HP NHRA HP New HP Years affected AMC 360 290 280 276 1970 AMX Chev 427 430 482 476 68 Corvette 55805

Question: I’m running a low eight second Super Pro dragster and I would like to use a head and neck restraint system. I was told I would still need to use my neck collar. Is this correct? Head & Neck Harold Answer: Head & Neck Harold, In the 2013 NHRA Rulebook, section 4A, page 9, it states “If SFI Spec 3.3 neck collar is required and driver opts to use an SFI 38.1 head and neck restraint system instead, then SFI Spec 3.3 head sock or SFI Spec 3.3 skirted helmet mandator

The following Stock/Super Stock horsepower changes were released July 9, 2013 produced by the Automatic Horsepower Factoring System (AHFS). This is the first of two scheduled horsepower adjustments for this year. All changes are effective July 9, 2013. It should be noted that these changes include only results produced by the AHFS, and do not include written letters or requests. Those changes are listed separately. The AHFS is a program based on actual run data compil

The NHRA Technical Department released Horsepower changes July 9, 2013 after review and evaluation of written requests from Lucas Oil Sportsman Series competitors. All changes are effective July 9, 2013. Only those requests received by May 31, 2013 were considered during this scheduled evaluation. Any requests received after May 31, 2013 will be reviewed during the next scheduled evaluation of 2013. Letter review is part of NHRA's commitment to evaluating input from the Sport

Question: Can I have a momentary cutoff switch in my Jr. Dragster cockpit if I have a separate cutoff toggle switch? Jr. Dragster Jake Answer: Jr. Dragster Jake, Yes you can. In the 2013 NHRA Summit Jr. Drag Racing League Rulebook, page 43, Buttons/Switches, it states, “Entrants are allowed to use a total of two buttons in the cockpit. One of these switches/buttons is for the ignition shutoff, which cannot be momentary and cannot be reset from the driver’s compartment; the

Question: I am new to drag racing, and I am currently building a Super Pro Dragster. I was told that the delay box must be NHRA Accepted. How do I find what delay box is legal for my application? Delay Box Dan Answer: Delay Box Dan, A full list of all NHRA Accepted products is available on NHRARacer.com. Simply navigate to the site, look at the column on the left and find the link labeled NHRA Accepted Products. The resulting page gives you a link to the Accepted Produc

Question: My son’s Jr. Dragster has suspension in both the front and rear of the car. Are there any rules regarding how much travel the car can have? Suspension Steve Answer: Suspension Steve, In the 2013 NHRA Summit Jr. Drag Racing League Rulebook, page 38, Suspension, it states, “Suspension permitted; maximum upward suspension travel 2 inches.” 55188

Question: I would like to add a fuel pressure gauge to my 2008 Chevy Aveo Super Pro car. As you can imagine, the firewall is close to the back of the small block Chevy. Is it legal to mount the newer style fuel pressure gauge isolator on the firewall? Pressure Gauge Pete Answer: Pressure Gauge Pete, On page 4 of the 2013 NHRA Rulebook in the General Regulations section, 1:5 Fuel System, Location: it states “Fuel pressure gauge isolators, with steel braided line, may be moun