Competition Get ready for new NHRA rules - Diapers!

[JoshPeters]

My thoughts: When you are running at or faster than this level, why would you want to take a gamble and risk your life and safety as well as the safety of others, as well as the putting the hosting tracks insurance for future events in risk? If your engine pops atleast you wont have oil slopping down under the slicks while @ 130+mph , it will be contained in the blanket.

Wow... That's a pretty bold statement in itself. Last I remember they haven't been required. I don't recall this being that big of a safety issue. As Comp said it... it's a TV time thing. It's also the fact that people don't go to races to see a clean up, they go to see a race.



I have yet to see ANY proof that this is really a Safety related thing for that driver. It's more to keep crap off the track

Second- When your CEO of the DHRA, gets on here and boasts about being the ONLY sanctioning body for diesels..... then you need to abide BY THESE RULES AS PER NHRA- - - - - - unless your insurance policy structures different in the event of litigational matters.

OK, ya know what Quit whining about who has what Organization where. Last time I checked NONE of you have come to Minnesota. (Wisc has been the nearist) If your Sanctioning body is so big and so great then why aren't you from Washington to Florida? Maine to California? Man alive guys! I'm sick of hearing who is supposed to be better. NEITHER of you are doing SQUAT for people in my area! So what does that mean? Should I start OUR very own and claim the same BS?

On top of it all, when you make this statement David, how is this to encourage other racers to run at this level at DHRA sanctioned events, when you are allowing racers to run in a dangerous manner? I wouldnt feel comfortable running against another racer that could very well run into me or my truck because of your alternate status and rule skirting of the NHRA? But then why call it a sanctioning body of the NHRA- if your not conforming to their rules??

These Diapers are SO important that they haven't been used since the first 2 model T's raced down a dirt road.



Prove me wrong... but here's a question... How many drivers have been SERIOUSLY injured because they didn't have a Diaper? Again, near as I can tell, it's to keep clean up time down. NOT for safety.



There are trucks that run quite frequently that aren't by every rule the NHRA has. I'm quite sure that if you sat down with a rule book, alot of the trucks out there that make an occasional pass down the 1/4 aren't "NHRA Legal. " How about my truck? Big ole 1ton, Mud tires, tailgate off, spare tire still hangin out under the bed, just my handy dandy seatbelt and a helmet that is 2 sizes to big.



Guess what? I ran like that at one of your belovid NHRA approved tracks on a bracket racing day. Infact there was another Money class running that day WITH US. Not just an open day. If there was money involved, I consider it an event. Were there big boys there that day? Sure, for this area. Were there guys running faster than ANY of our trucks/rails? Yup. As I recall I saw a low 7 second pass that day. I don't think he had a diaper though.....

 

[RacinDuallie]

Josh, a short answer- If NHRA demands this as a requirement, I will comply. . . . . And it is a rule they want met. And I think its a wise one... .


And have you inquired to any of the diesel motorsports associations about events close to your area? ?

 

[JoshPeters]

Josh, a short answer- If NHRA demands this as a requirement, I will comply. . . . . And it is a rule they want met. And I think its a wise one... .





And have you inquired to any of the diesel motorsports associations about events close to your area? ?

I'm not arguing about complying. I'm just saying, if it's the safety issue as you are saying, why wasn't it done YEARS ago? They've had SFI blankets for transmissions for years. The clean up issue is more what I'm getting at. I've been to TiM and IRP 2 times, for a total of 3 national events. On the Drag strip... I only recall one major oil down. (I could be off on that... but that's what I remember) And that was THIS year by one of the No Limit Duramaxes.



Being I run the MNTDR, I tend to stay up as close as I can. Like I said above... they are getting closer... but the DHRA was in Wisc last year.



2 years ago I had looked into setting something up. One man, without winning the lottery or having major corperate backing can not START something like that.



JP

 

[Fletcher]

DHRA Rules will have no effect on this. This will be any NHRA sanctioned track. DHRA events run mostly at NHRA tracks, making it manditory for any DHRA competitor unter the 9. 99 index.

HI PAT !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fletcher]

I'm not arguing about complying. I'm just saying, if it's the safety issue as you are saying, why wasn't it done YEARS ago? They've had SFI blankets for transmissions for years. The clean up issue is more what I'm getting at. I've been to TiM and IRP 2 times, for a total of 3 national events. On the Drag strip... I only recall one major oil down. (I could be off on that... but that's what I remember) And that was THIS year by one of the No Limit Duramaxes.



Being I run the MNTDR, I tend to stay up as close as I can. Like I said above... they are getting closer... but the DHRA was in Wisc last year.



2 years ago I had looked into setting something up. One man, without winning the lottery or having major corperate backing can not START something like that.



JP

Hi Josh!!!!!

 

[MMeier]

so your telling me that my camaro, if it runs 9. 99 or faster then 135mph that I need a blanket for a T-N-T night at a nhra track. If thats the case I see profit margins falling at tracks that rely on T-N-T's . Am I off base here.



Jake

Don't worry about that, I'm sure they will raise prices at the concession stand to make up for it !

 

[fest3er]

... I for one have always been treated good at the DHRA races by tech, but Have always felt that it was kind of the honor system, as most of their tech experience was not on Pro Type cars, and felt a duty to make sure I presented a Race vehicle that was the safest , I could make it.

And making the vehicle as safe as is reasonably possible and reasonably necessary should be the goal of every participant in motorsports. Folks will always push the limits of class rules trying to gain a competitive advantage, but they should never go cheap on safety, whether or not the sanctioning rules address all safety issues.



Both DHRA and NHRA rule books disclaim the ability of tech inspection to detect all problems with all vehicles, and I would imagine most motorsports sanctioning bodies have similar disclaimers. It has always been up to the owner and/or driver to bring the vehicle into compliance with the class and safety rules. After all, it would be rather counterproductive to haul a race vehicle 2000 miles to a race, only to be DQed for failing tech.

 

[fest3er]

DHRA Rules will have no effect on this. This will be any NHRA sanctioned track. DHRA events run mostly at NHRA tracks, making it manditory for any DHRA competitor unter the 9. 99 index.

Actually, no. A DHRA-operated drag race is sanctioned by DHRA, is tech inspected by DHRA's SFI-certified inspectors, is covered by DHRA's liability insurance, and must comply with only DHRA rules. This is true whether the race is held at an IHRA track, NHRA track or a non-aligned, independent track.

 

[DRAG DIESEL]

but here's a question... How many drivers have been SERIOUSLY injured because they didn't have a Diaper? Again, near as I can tell, it's to keep clean up time down. NOT for safety.

Don't forget, it not the guy with or without the diaper that will get hurt, it's the next guy down the track after someone oils it down. And your right, it won't bother a good driver, cause he knows when power is not making it to the track... but I have seen "normal" people hit walls even on a Fun Run night. Also, it's not about getting "seriously injured", no one wants to see anyone hit the wall. That's why a hush comes over the crowd when it happens, and applause if they driver walks away.

 

[JCutter]

I probably dont have any business posting on this but im trying to understand alittle better. How does the blanket attach to the engine or frame? Will it catch all of the oil and parts we hold compaired to a gasser? From my comprehension of whats been said, its an across the board thing that applies to everybody (gas and diesel), right.

 

[RacinDuallie]

I probably dont have any business posting on this but im trying to understand alittle better. How does the blanket attach to the engine or frame? Will it catch all of the oil and parts we hold compaired to a gasser? From my comprehension of whats been said, its an across the board thing that applies to everybody (gas and diesel), right.

It attaches to the engine itself. As far as NHRA is concerned ANY 9. 99 or qwicker vehicle it will be a requirement that will be checked when you are in the NHRA tech lanes.

We-(PDRA) are in discussion with someone now on a specific SFI spec. containment blanket for the Cummins Diesel engines. . . . . . .

 

[JoshPeters]

Hi Josh

Hi Fletcher!

Don't forget, it not the guy with or without the diaper that will get hurt, it's the next guy down the track after someone oils it down. And your right, it won't bother a good driver, cause he knows when power is not making it to the track... but I have seen "normal" people hit walls even on a Fun Run night. Also, it's not about getting "seriously injured", no one wants to see anyone hit the wall. That's why a hush comes over the crowd when it happens, and applause if they driver walks away.

I understand that. BUT, the next guy in line also knows it's been oil down. They know they could be comming into a bad situation. At the class indicated, all drivers are required to have a License. That means they know what they are getting into should something occur.



I'm not arguing that the Diaper is a bad idea, or shouldn't be run. I'm arguing the fact that if at IRP, the DHRA doesn't feel the need to require them, what is the TRUE and REAL danger?



Josh

 

[Todd T]

1. 18 60’ sideways.

I just saw my 9 month old cow doing that in the pasture

It is the reasonability of sanction bodies to make sure the minimum standards of safety are set. If NHRA sets the standard as such, it would behoove other alternate bodies to use due diligences to as well as any other rule proffered by NHRA

Well said, I concur!!! it takes a lot of skidding on your lid to stop from 135MPH and god save anyone who is in the way of that.

 

[RacinDuallie]

Gentlemen,

We are talking about an additional safety requirement that the NHRA is has mandated into their governing rules /requirements. Yes the additional benifit for this minimal monentary outlay is reduced downtime at events for dispatching of the Safety Safari to clean up and re-prep the track, which in turn speeds up the program and keeps the spectators in the stands.

We are talking here about the safety of ourselves and our brothers and sisters safety on the tracks as well as spectators and track personell. Also in the event of a mishap, if permanent damage is inflicted to one's person or someone around us the minimal cost incurred on the purchase of such safety devises is an addition preventive for a mishap to happen. Damage to a vehicle can be fixed or replaced.

But permanent injury cannot be replaced. . . . .



So it kinda outweights the cost of the devise, designed for safety measures.

 

[Pat@BD]

Actually, no. A DHRA-operated drag race is sanctioned by DHRA, is tech inspected by DHRA's SFI-certified inspectors, is covered by DHRA's liability insurance, and must comply with only DHRA rules. This is true whether the race is held at an IHRA track, NHRA track or a non-aligned, independent track.

I know that the NHRA sanctioned tracks out here you have to pass a NHRA tech to run on their NHRA track. There are a multitude of other sanctioning orginizations out there that have their own specific tech, but out here on the west coast you have to still comply with the basic NHRA rules to run NHRA track. Otherwise we could come up with our own rules on truck heights and things like that.

 

[Pat@BD]

Anybody that has ran in the 9s can tell you how quickly things can go wrong. If the 9 second truck before me happens to drop a little oil on the track that is all it takes to make the next vehicle make a sharp right or left hand turn into the wall at 100+ mph. A little bit of oil under one of your slicks is enough to make the vehicle make a very sharp turn either way. For the money that it costs in relation to what people spend on their vehicles this should be a no brainer. Not only for the trucks in front of you but again if you happen to have some oil drop from your truck at 130mph you wont like the end result.

 

[RacinDuallie]

The NHRA is very serious on fluid containment.

True story.

At this past years K&N Super Nationals held here in New Jersey @ Raceway Park, I had the pleasure of hanging with an old hometown friend, who is currently a Professional Funny Car Driver on the NHRA Powerade Tour, Terry Haddock- driver of the Hoodia H57 sponsored Funny Car... Anyways- Its qualifiying on Friday nite, the air and track is in perfect condition. I believe before the F/C field was called, T/F driver Rod Fuller just set a new track speed record. So the track was in optimum condition... .

Terry and the crew prepare the ride for an attempt to seize a spot on the field, at the line the team goes thru its paces and gets the car fired and ready, Terry does his burnout and things looked good for securing a spot in the field. Terry and the crew get the car back behind the tree and lift the lid to do their qwick check-outs and to reset the fuel for race mode. Well the starting line official spotted 1 drip of liquid -drop- 1 DRIP- and gave Terry the shut off /kill sign. The crew and Terry were looking at each other like wtf ? ? They got shut out of qualifying that session. Upon returning to the pit area, we poured over the car and it was determined that the drip was condensation inside the main tube rail of the chassis... ...
The condensation in the tube shook out a drip after being violently shook during that perfect burnout Terry did, and as the codensation built up on the bottom of the tube it caused the drip- the one the NHRA official spotted.....

 

[Pat@BD]

I have crewed with a Pro Mod car and dropping fluid definately is taken seriously. Not only from a safety stand point but "stuff" on the track unless you are at a national event, usually means at least 30 minutes of track down time. This takes away from the entertainment value. The professional classes in the NHRA are actually fined and can risk losing points from dropping "stuff" on the track.