Competition Driveshaft loops

[Twisted Shifter]

I was wondering if anyone could help me with the specs etc for driveshaft loops. I have not received my NHRA rule book as f yet and I am trying to figure out what the rule is for them. If I understand what I have read I need them if I am running quicker than 13. 99? What other “safety” tech issues do I need to take care of? At what point do I need to run a roll bar or cage?



Thank you for your time and help.

 

[RacinDuallie]

2:4 - Driveline -

On any car in which the driver sit over or in back of the rearend center section, a suitable protective shield of . 120" minimum thickness steel plate must be installed for those units with universal joints securely mounted to the rearend center section and the bellhousing adapter. Where possible, couplers are recommended in place of u-joints. For staight couplers, the minimum shield requirement is . 063 inch aluminum which must contain an inspection cover for removal and inspection of coupler, securely mounted to the rearend center section and the bellhousing adapter, or as noted in class requirements. In place of a crossmember, in the vicinity of the front universal joint, all cars in competition using open driveshafts, must have a retainer loop 360 degrees of enclosure, 1/4" minimum thickness and 2 inches wide, or 7/8-inch x . 065-inch welded steel tubing securely mounted and located within 6 inches of the front universal joint for support of the driveshaft in the event of a failure. Recommended that the loop be round rather than oblong to minimize loading of the loop. Open drivelines passing any part of the drivers body must be completly enclosed in 1/8-inch minimum thickness steel plate, securely mountedto the frame or steel stucture.....

 

[RacinDuallie]

Roll Bars for 11. 99 or qwicker- Roll cage for 10. 99 or qwicker- both with padding to protect driver




These were quoted from an older rule book so if the was any revisions someone please holler out... ... ...

 

[paulb]

Roll Bars for 11. 99 or qwicker- Roll cage for 10. 99 or qwicker- both with padding to protect driver









These were quoted from an older rule book so if the was any revisions someone please holler out... ... ...

Here are the current rules:



Beginning Jan. 1, 2005, a roll bar and an SFI 16. 1 driver-restraint system will be mandatory on any vehicle running 11. 49 or quicker and for convertibles running 13. 49 or quicker. An SFI 3. 2A/1 jacket will be mandatory for all drivers in vehicles running between 10. 00 to 11. 49 seconds. On any car running 11. 49 or quicker, a flywheel and clutch meeting SFI Spec 1. 1 or 1. 2 and a flywheel shield meeting SFI Spec 6. 1, 6. 2, 6. 3, or 9. 1 will be mandatory. A driveshaft loop will be required on all cars running 13. 99 or quicker and utilizing slicks, except vehicles equipped with street tires running 11. 49 or slower.





In a nutshell you do not need drive shaft loops if you are running street tires (D. O. T. approved), until you run quicker then 11. 49. A word of caution here... Some tracks (Bremerton Wa is one), will require them at a slower E. T. A roll bar is not required until you run 11. 49 or quicker.



Paul

 

[RacinDuallie]

And there's the revisions... . I knew there was - But I don't have the current book with me now which is why I put the word for the holler out!

 

[Rhondasway]

Paul, are you absolutely sure about that driveline loop rule? I guess I should dig out my rule book... I'd love to remove some weight from my truck (those things ain't light)!

Yes, Bremerton required them at 13. 99 or quicker, when everyone else was at 12. 99 or quicker. Be sure you know before you go.

 

[paulb]

Paul, are you absolutely sure about that driveline loop rule? I guess I should dig out my rule book... I'd love to remove some weight from my truck (those things ain't light)!

Yes, Bremerton required them at 13. 99 or quicker, when everyone else was at 12. 99 or quicker. Be sure you know before you go.

Rhonda, that was a cut and paste from the NHRA web site, in the 2005 rule revision page. It was a change from previous years...



Paul

 

[Twisted Shifter]

If I understand this ... ...



So because I am running DOT slicks I dont need them but some tracks make you run them. So I will put them on and be done. If I stay above the 11. 5 I dont need a cage or bar?

 

[paulb]

If I understand this ... ...



So because I am running DOT slicks I dont need them but some tracks make you run them. So I will put them on and be done. If I stay above the 11. 5 I dont need a cage or bar?

You got it.



Paul

 

[Twisted Shifter]

Well gee wizz I gues I arnt as dumb as me looks



Now if Roadway can just find my parts to finish the truck I will be in good shape.

 

[ob1kobi]

Might want to be careful, even though you said DOT slick, I assume that you meant DOT Cheater slick. I have been at some tracks, and this has happened to me at our local track (it's IHRA though) where they said if it was a certain brand, MT for example, that no loops were ok, but since I had M&H's at the time they wouldn't let me run unless I had them. Didn't make any sense, but I didn't want to push the subject.



Ted

 

[RacinDuallie]

Might want to be careful, even though you said DOT slick, I assume that you meant DOT Cheater slick. I have been at some tracks, and this has happened to me at our local track (it's IHRA though) where they said if it was a certain brand, MT for example, that no loops were ok, but since I had M&H's at the time they wouldn't let me run unless I had them. Didn't make any sense, but I didn't want to push the subject.

Ted

Could it be that the M&H's have a softer compound to them compared to the M/T's?

 

[ob1kobi]

it could be, or maybe they just weren't familiar with the M&H cheater slick. But in my opinion a DOT cheater slick is a DOT cheater slick. As long as it has a DOT stamping, the brand shouldn't matter. I would think, if they want to say one required loops and one didn't, that the MT brand WOULD require them, since they are as good, if not better, than most slicks out there anyhow.

 

[Twisted Shifter]

I have a set of M&H DOT cheaters ..... But I will do the loops just so I dont have to worry I guess... I hope that I dont go sub 11. 5 for the time being so that I dont have to worry about cage/bar ..... What about harness and seat? This is going to be a daily driver for about a year and I really dont want to put in a "Race" seat if I can help it.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Steve... ... ... ... The bars are for your protection. What's the problem with keeping your tail in one piece? We haven't heard of it yet, but we will have a truck roll and I really don't think the roof will stay up if it rolls over on the wall. 100 - 120 MPH in a 7000 lb truck is a lot to asked to stay together. Pardon me, but it's for your own damn good. Lose you paint job, truck, or turbos, but not your life.



Safety is number 1. Always.

Who cares what it cost.



. . Preston.

 

[Rhondasway]

Rhonda, that was a cut and paste from the NHRA web site, in the 2005 rule revision page. It was a change from previous years...



Paul

Thanks once again Paul. How do you keep track of these things? Want to be on the payroll to keep me informed? :-laf

Now I debate taking those heavy, awkward beasts off. Maybe for a TnT just for giggles; With my luck, that'll be the day a Ujoint gives up...