Post by Kelly MacKay on Dec 6, 2011 10:42:46 GMT -4
"HOW TO USE THIS RULEBOOK
The NHRA Rulebook provides guidelines and minimum standards
for the construction and operation of vehicles used in NHRA
Championship Drag Racing and at member-track events. It is the
responsibility of the participant to be familiar with the contents of
this Rulebook and to comply with its requirements. Do not leave it
up to track officials to catch all potential rule compliance problems.
That responsibility rests first and foremost with YOU — the
participant.
Additional safety equipment or safety-enhancing equipment is
always permitted and the levels of safety equipment stated in
this Rulebook are minimum prescribed levels for a particular
type of competition and do not prohibit the individual racer
from using additional safety equipment. Participants are
encouraged to investigate the utility of additional safety
devices for your type of competition. In disputed cases,
whether an item of equipment is safety-enhancing or
performance-enhancing will be determined by NHRA in
NHRA’s sole and absolute discretion.
On the other hand, as to performance equipment, it is the
general rule that unless optional performance equipment or
performance-related modification is specifically permitted by
this Rulebook, it is prohibited. All model, engine, or equipment
changes or modifications not specifically addressed in this
Rulebook must be submitted in writing to NHRA for
consideration prior to competition. Approval will be granted or
denied in NHRA’s sole and absolute discretion. The applicant
will be notified of approval or rejection in writing from NHRA
headquarters in Glendora, Calif.
Additionally, any type of vehicle not specifically defined in this
Rulebook, other official NHRA Rulebooks, or other official
NHRA supplements is prohibited for use in competition or
exhibition.
Throughout this Rulebook, a number of references are made
for particular products to meet certain specifications (i.e., SFI
Specs, Snell, DOT, etc.). It is important to realize that these
products are manufactured to meet certain specifications, and
upon completion, the manufacturer labels the product as
meeting that spec. Therefore, except as outlined under SFI
requirements, any change to the product voids that
certification.
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, voids such certification and therefore will not be
accepted by NHRA.
xv
xvi
NOTICE: It is the responsibility of the participant,
not NHRA or any track, to ensure that all safety
equipment is approved and is correctly installed,
worn, maintained, and used.
Unauthorized cars, parts, and/or equipment will not be
considered approved by reason of having passed through
technical inspection at any time, or any number of times.
Moreover, having passed through technical inspection at any
time, or any number of times, is not a defense to a violation
found on further inspection.
The Rulebook divides these guidelines and standards for the
construction and operation of vehicles into two basic groups:
Requirements & Specifications: The minimum standards that
differentiate the various categories of competition vehicles.
General Regulations: Guidelines that concentrate on specific
areas of construction or operation of a vehicle. Many guidelines
in the Rulebook are applicable to many or all categories.
General Regulations provides a central location for the
description of those guidelines.
Both Requirements & Specifications and General Regulations are
further divided into 11 subcategories: 1-Engine, 2-Drivetrain,
3-Brakes & Suspension, 4-Frame, 5-Tires & Wheels, 6-Interior,
7-Body, 8-Electrical, 9-Support Group, 10-Driver, and 11-General.
In many instances, the Requirements & Specifications for a
particular class will reference a General Regulations section. For
example, in Section 4A, Liquid Overflow, the paragraph ends with
the sentence “See General Regulations 1:7.” By turning to General
Regulations, Section 1:7, Liquid Overflow, you will find additional
information about mounting the overflow container and routing the
overflow hoses. Because this information applies to virtually all
categories, it would be repetitive to reprint it in each individual
category’s Requirements & Specifications. It is, nonetheless,
important information to the competitor and/or builder. (An index of
General Regulations is at the beginning of that section.)
Conversely, General Regulations may refer the reader back to
Requirements & Specifications by stating “See Class
Requirements.” The majority of minimum standards found in the
Rulebook are based on the performance level of the vehicle.
However, certain categories classed by cubic inch to weight or
horsepower to weight have additional rules and regulations that
limit the parameters within which a particular performance level
may be reached. For example, Section 7:4, Firewall, General
Regulations describes the minimum standards for construction of a
firewall or bulkhead separating the driver from the engine
compartment. Section 7:4 also states “See Class Requirements.” If
you were considering building a Stock vehicle and turn to Firewall in
the Stock section, the Rulebook states “Alterations prohibited
unless expressly permitted in this section. Firewall coverings
prohibited.” This, then, negates construction of a minimum firewall
by requiring the original, unaltered OEM firewall. Before deciding
which standards are applicable to your vehicle, Class Requirements
AND General Regulations must both be considered.
Another key to understanding the NHRA Rulebook is
that certain classes “build” from another.
When the Rulebook states “Requirements and Specifications for
… are the same as those for ...” you must read the referenced
section first. For example, before reading Section 4B, Advanced
E.T., one must first understand Section 4A, Super Pro, Pro,
Sportsman. Before reading the Super Gas section, one must first
read the Super Street section. If a particular requirement is
mentioned in the Super Street section and not in the Super Gas
section, then the requirement is the same in both categories.
If after reading the Rulebook you still have questions, consult page xiv for
hours and phone numbers where tech personnel may be reached."
So in short, just because it doesn't say you can't, doesn't mean you can.
