Pacific Division News

Question: I have a fast street bike that I would like to take to my local NHRA track and run in the Test & Tune Bike night. What rules do I need to follow just to make test & tune runs? Test & Tune Teresa Answer: Test & Tune Teresa, In section 4C, page 12 of the 2012 NHRA Rulebook it has rules for E. T. Motorcycle. During test & tune or a competition race the E. T. Motorcycle rules must be followed. If bike runs quicker than 9.99 in the 1/4-mile or 6.39 in the 1/8-mile a

Question: Can I position my delay box and throttle control in my Super Pro Camaro so that I can see it with my seat belt and helmet on? Camaro Craig Answer: Camaro Craig, Yes you can. In section 4A, page 7 of the 2012 NHRA Rulebook it states “Delay boxes/devices, throttle controllers, automatic shifter, etc. that provide on/off indications (based on time and/or rpm) may be located within the driver’s view. 52073

A typographical error was made in the 2012 FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN AT US NATIONALS Article posted 8/20/12. The Weight breaks for the 451+ NATURALLY ASPRIATED was originally listed as 3575 pounds however, it should have been listed as 3475 pounds. Please see the corrected rules below: 1. 2008 NEWER MODELS ( 08, 10, 12, AND 13 FORD—09, 10, AND 11 CHALLENGERS---12 CAMARO) 2. WEIGHT BREAKS: 300-450 CID NATURALLY ASPRIATED - 3000#, 451+ NATURALLY ASPRIATED- 3475#

Question: I currently compete in the Super Pro class at a local level, but I am looking to begin running some Top Sportsman events in the near future. With respect to driver’s suit, clothing, neck restraint etc, what will I need to compete in these events? Top Sportsman Tom Answer: Top Sportsman Tom, Per the 2012 NHRA Rulebook, Section 6A Top Sportsman, page 6, in this class “A head and neck restraint device/system meeting SFI 38.1 mandatory and must display a valid SF

As the result of runs under the Automatic Horsepower Factoring System (AHFS) 1.20-second under policy at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, the following change has been made. The horsepower rating for 1986 Chevrolet truck, entries with the 350 cubic inch engine and a factory rating of 1655 currently rated at 165, has been increased by six horsepower, to 171 horsepower; for Stock Eliminator only. NHRA's 2012 Automatic Horsepower Factoring System outlines that any run of 1.20-s

1. 2008 NEWER MODELS ( 08, 10, 12, AND 13 FORD—09, 10, AND 11 CHALLENGERS---12 CAMARO) 2. WEIGHT BREAKS: 300-450 CID NATURALLY ASPRIATED- 3000#, 451+ NATURALLY ASPRIATED- 3575#, ALL SUPERCHARGED – 3675# 3. ABOVE WEIGHT BREAKS INCLUDE DRIVER 4. STOCK ELIMINATOR RULES ( EXECPT WEIGHT BREAKS ) ALL CARS MUST PASS NORMAL TECH 5. AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS RUN TOGETHER 6. 9.90 INDEX 7. CLASS ELIMINATIONS- HEADS UP-4

Question: I have a fast street bike that I would like to take to my local NHRA track and run in the Test & Tune Bike night. What rules do I need to follow just to make test & tune runs? Test & Tune Teresa Answer: Test & Tune Teresa, In section 4C, page 12 of the 2012 NHRA Rulebook it has rules for E. T. Motorcycle. During test & tune or a competition race the E. T. Motorcycle rules must be followed. If bike runs quicker than 9.99 in the 1/4-mile or 6.39 in the 1/8-mile a c

Question: I’m finishing up my Son’s Jr Dragster and was not sure if I need any metal in front of his feet on the foot-box. Foot Box Phil Answer: Foot Box Phil, On page 41 of the 2012 NHRA Jr Dragster Rulebook Interior: 6, Foot-Box Bulkhead it states “All cars must be equipped with a bulkhead in front of the driver’s feet, minimum .024-inch steel, .032-inch aluminum, or .060-inch carbon fiber. Bulkhead must be directly in front of or directly behind foot-box diagonal.” 514

Question: I would like to replace the heavy OEM seat in my 1985 Mustang Pro ET car with a new aftermarket seat. What rules will I need to follow? New Seat Nettie Answer: New Seat Nettie, In the 2012 NHRA Rulebook section 20, page 29, 6:2 Upholstery, Seat it states “The driver’s seat of any car in competition must be constructed, braced, mounted, and upholstered to provide full back and shoulder support. The driver’s seat must be supported on the bottom and back by the fra

Question: I would like to replace the heavy OEM seat in my 1985 Mustang Pro ET car with a new aftermarket seat. What rules will I need to follow? New Seat Nettie Answer: New Seat Nettie, In the 2012 NHRA Rulebook section 20, page 29, 6:2 Upholstery, Seat it states “The driver’s seat of any car in competition must be constructed, braced, mounted, and upholstered to provide full back and shoulder support. The driver’s seat must be supported on the bottom and back by the frame

Stock Horsepower Changes complete for 1st half rating period 2012 Engine Make CID OEM HP NHRA HP New HP Years affected Chev 262 155 189 186 1986 Truck 51728

Question: I am currently building an altered that I plan to run in A/AP Competition Eliminator. Are there any specific rules for the amount of distance between the front of the car and centerline of the front wheels? Comp Altered Andy Answer: Comp Altered Andy, On section 12, page 3 of the 2012 NHRA Rulebook it states, “the maximum front-end overhang for the 1994-1995 Chevrolet Lumina is 47.375 inches, 1994-1997 Pontiac Firebird is 50 inches, 1998-2002 Pontiac Trans Am/Fi

In the continuing effort to maintain parity in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx, the NHRA Technical Department is reducing the minimum weight for supercharged entries from 2,650 pounds to 2,600. The minimum weight for nitrous assisted entries will remain at 2,425 pounds while the minimum weight for turbocharged entries will remain at 2,700 pounds. These rule changes will go into effect July 23, 2012. Additional parity adjustments will be made as nec

Question: I have a 1992 Camaro that I am building to compete in the NHRA’s Stock category. Am I allowed to convert the power steering to a manual system? Stock Car Steve Answer: Stock Car Steve, In the 2012 NHRA Rulebook, Section 10A, page 7, you will find that power steering “may be removed or converted to manual steering.” 51030

Engine Make CID OEM HP NHRA HP New HP Years affected Chev 327 275 274 270 67/68 Camaro/Nova Mopar 318 230 185 182 69 Dart Mopar 440 390 417 411 70 Roadrunner 51399

The following Stock/Super Stock horsepower changes were released July 10, 2012 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 10, 2012. 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 comp

The NHRA Technical Department released Horsepower changes July 10, 2012 after review and evaluation of written requests from Lucas Oil Sportsman Series competitors. All changes are effective July 10, 2012. Only those requests received by May 31, 2012 were considered during this scheduled evaluation. Any requests received after May 31, 2012 will be reviewed during the next scheduled evaluation of 2012. Letter review is part of NHRA's commitment to evaluating input from the Spo

Question: I recently purchased a turbocharged 1988 Ford Mustang that I plan to compete with in the Pro E.T. division as well as other events in the area. Can I put a data recorder on my car to monitor its performance? Fast Ford Fred Answer: Fast Ford Fred, According to Section 4A, page 7 of the 2012 NHRA Rulebook, “Data recorders are permitted in Advanced E.T. and Super Pro only. Data recorders (except for “playback”-type tachometers) are prohibited in all other E.T. clas

Question: I have a ’66 Chevy II that I compete with in NHRA’s Super Street class. Am I allowed to use two-way radios to communicate with my crew? Radio Ray Answer: Radio Ray, Under General Regulations, 9:13 in the 2012 NHRA Rulebook, it states that “the use of two-way radios for the purpose of voice communication between driver and crew is permitted in all classes. Telemetry may in no way be used for gathering data or performing control functions. When radio is mounted in

Question: I would like to take my Super Comp dragster and use it to compete in Top Dragster. Will I need to add a rear wing to my car in order to be allowed to race? If so, are there any specific rules as to how the wing needs to be configured? Wingman Wayne Answer: Wingman Wayne, In the 2012 NHRA Rulebook, under Top Dragster (Section 6B), page 8, Airfoil, you will find your answer. The Rulebook states, “A rear wing is mandatory on all cars that exceed 200 mph; minimum a