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Pure Stock, pure fun

NHRA's new E. T. racing class for newer, unmodified vehicles takes manufacturer safety engineering into account in rules



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6/22/2004

At NHRA's annual member track meetings last winter, one item discussed with track operators was the modernization of certain rules as they apply to street-legal cars that compete at NHRA member track street-legal events. The key question: "Why should E. T. bracket rules and regulations have to apply to newer, faster, yet safer pure-stock-type street-legal vehicles running at test-n-tune or street-legal events?"



The answer: NHRA believes the time has come, since the street-legal category is one of the fastest growing categories running weekly at NHRA member tracks throughout North America, to reevaluate and better define existing rules and regulations to match the improving levels of safety and performance in today's production vehicles.

NHRA's new Pure Stock class is for street-legal vehicles that run 11. 50 seconds or slower. Pure Stock Street Legal rules are specifically intended for street-legal vehicles that are production stock, as manufactured and sold by the original automobile manufacturer.



Currently, all street-legal vehicles are governed by the same rules and regulations as those in the NHRA Summit Racing Series section of the NHRA Rulebook. While the E. T. rules can and do apply to street-legal cars that have been modified with certain performance enhancements, such rules may not necessarily fit today's OEM high-performance vehicles as produced by auto manufacturers.



"In looking at the types of vehicles being produced today by OEM manufacturers, it is apparent that high-performance vehicles are once again popular with buyers," explained Len Imbrogno, NHRA's director of Sportsman racing and member tracks. "Along with the increasing horsepower levels of today's performance vehicles comes a much higher level of engineering in structural design and safety features incorporated into the vehicles by the auto industry. It is therefore possible for us to now consider separate rules for pure-stock vehicles. "



To that point, with input from NHRA member tracks, NHRA has finalized a set of rules for street-legal events that apply to any car considered to be purely stock and street legal. The new Pure Stock Street Legal rules and regulations can be integrated into existing street-legal categories by member tracks or run as a separate class. The new rules, however, apply only to stock OEM-type production vehicles. Once any power adder or performance hardware is used, it then must follow the existing Summit E. T. safety requirements. Otherwise, any pure-stock, street-legal car running 11. 50 or slower (example: stock Dodge Viper) would be governed by the proposed new Pure Stock Street Legal rules, providing the vehicle remains completely OEM stock.



As an example, under existing Summit E. T. rules, a convertible running 13. 99 and quicker must have a driveshaft loop and roll bar. Under the new rules, a pure-stock street-legal car will not require this equipment unless it runs 11. 49 or quicker.

Vehicles must meet all state-highway safety requirements for the state in which the vehicle is registered, must be street driven, display valid license plates (or temporary permits), and have proof of vehicle registration and valid insurance.



"With a growing emphasis by local law-enforcement agencies to reduce street racing, NHRA's street-legal program has been an effective tool in the fight against illegal street racing," explained NHRA President Tom Compton. "Not only has the NHRA street-legal program helped in the fight against illegal street racing, but at the grassroots level, it also allows anyone wishing to participate in NHRA Drag Racing the opportunity to do so.



"The new Pure Stock Street Legal rules are a very important element for all NHRA member tracks to help grow their street-legal programs and another example of how we will continue to listen to input from our member tracks and react to their needs. "



Within the framework of the street-legal category, the following technical rules and regulations will apply for Pure Stock Street Legal vehicles that run 11. 50 or slower. Pure Stock Street Legal rules are specifically intended for street-legal vehicles that are production stock, as manufactured and sold by the original automobile manufacturer. For street-legal cars other than Pure Stock, tech rules and regulations are the same as those in the NHRA Summit Racing Series E. T. vehicle section of the NHRA Rulebook. Once any power adders or performance hardware are added to a Pure Stock Street Legal vehicle, it is then also classified as an E. T. vehicle



At street-legal events, only legitimate street-legal machines are permitted to participate. Though competition structure varies from track to track, the emphasis is on fun. A common street-legal venue will feature time trials and grudge racing only, which ensures each participant the opportunity for a maximum number of passes down the dragstrip. Grudge racing permits participants to choose their competition rather than participate in an organized eliminator. Once eliminated, a participant may return to the staging lanes for more time trials or grudge runs. Being eliminated at a street-legal event does not necessarily mean it's time to go home.





Pure Stock Street Legal Supplemental Rules

Vehicles must meet all state-highway safety requirements for the state in which the vehicle is registered and must remain as produced by the OEM manufacturer to be deemed an accepted street-legal vehicle. All vehicles must be street driven, display valid license plates (or temporary permits), and have proof of vehicle registration and valid insurance.

REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS



ENGINE

Engine/Transmission

OEM production engine and transmission case and components must be as produced by OEM manufacturer for the particular vehicle application. All other engines and transmissions prohibited.



Exhaust System

All vehicles must be equipped with mufflers and a functional exhaust system that extends at least behind the drivers' seat. Competition exhaust permitted. Exhaust must be directed out of car to rear, away from driver and fuel tank.



Fuel

Racing gasoline, gasoline, gasohol, diesel, ethanol, natural gas, and propane permitted. Nitromethane prohibited.



Fuel System/Battery

All batteries, fuel tanks, fuel lines, fuel pumps, or filler necks must retain stock OEM location as produced by the OEM manufacturer.



Liquid Overflow

Catch-can mandatory for coolant overflow; one-pint (16-ounce) minimum capacity.



Nitrous Oxide

Prohibited. The use of nitrous oxide will deem the vehicle non-street-legal and car will be classified under E. T. Handicap Racing rules.



Supercharger, Turbocharger

Original OEM supercharger or turbocharger permitted. Any non-OEM, high helix, or screw-type supercharger prohibited.



BRAKES & SUSPENSION

Brakes

Four-wheel OEM-style brake system mandatory.



Steering

Each car in competition must have sufficient positive front-end alignment to ensure proper handling of car at all speeds.



Suspension

All cars must have a full suspension system of the type produced by an automobile manufacturer (i. e. springs, torsion bars, etc. ). Lightening of stock components prohibited. Rigid mounted suspensions prohibited.



TIRES & WHEELS

Tires

Street tires or DOT drag radials permitted. Racing slicks prohibited.



Wheels

Must be automotive-type wheels suitable for street use.



BODY

Body

Must have full top and windshield as produced by OEM manufacturer. All full-bodied cars must have two driver exits. Both doors must be functional from inside and outside on all full-bodied cars. Four stock-production fenders mandatory, body kits permitted.



Firewall

Mandatory, as produced by OEM manufacturer. Firewall may not be altered in any manner.



Hood

Mandatory.



Seats

Properly braced, framed, and supported OEM-style seats mandatory.



Windshield, Windows

Mandatory, as produced by OEM manufacturer only. Must be in good condition and free of cracks. Windshield/window tint must meet the applicable state requirements. Windows must be closed during races; need not be operable. Decals permitted on rear quarter and rear window only. Competition-number decals are permitted on any window or windshield.



ELECTRICAL

Batteries

Batteries must be securely mounted in stock OEM location only.



Ignition

OEM-designed ignition system permitted.



Headlights, Taillights

All lights must be operational.



SUPPORT GROUP

Computer

Computers installed on stock vehicles by the new-vehicle manufacturers for the proper operation of such vehicles are permitted. OEM electronic fuel injection permitted.



Electronics

The use of racing electronics (i. e. delay box, throttle stop, etc. ) strictly prohibited.



Fire-extinguisher system

Permitted; must be securely mounted.



DRIVER

Credentials

Driver must have a valid unrestricted state- or government-issued driver's license, with no underage driving restrictions (i. e. supervised, provisional, etc. ).



Driver Restraint System

Seat belt mandatory in all cars as produced by OEM manufacturer. Aftermarket driver-restraint systems with higher rating than OEM permitted.



Helmet Drivers in all 13. 99 (8. 59 eighth-mile) or quicker cars must wear a helmet meeting Snell 90, 95, K98, 2000 or SFI 31. 1A, 31. 2A, 41. 1A, or 41. 2A Specs.



Protective Clothing

All drivers are required to wear full-length pants, shoes, and socks. Nylon or nylon-type clothing and open-toe shoes prohibited. Shorts, bare legs, tank tops, or bare torsos prohibited.





















of course it says we can't use nitrous but that's ok. and twin turbo's might be a strech but this may be a way to get into the mid 11's without a cage.
 
Thanks for posting that Jim. I had heard mention of it when I was at Mission on Friday, and do think they're starting down the right path. It's nice to see the NHRA putting effort into changing with the times; not an easy feat for such a huge organization.

That being said, I hope they understand that most people who like to street race also like to modify their vehicles, if only with exhaust or a chip. For those guys (and us as well), this new program will not help.

Mission was running their "King of the Hill" street-legal bracket, which was limited to street-legal cars (no outlaw, slicks, etc). Apparently they're getting sponsors for this, so in addition to the $10 each racer has to pay to run in it (on top of what they paid to get in), there can be pretty good additional money. When I was there it was $350 to first place and $100 to second. Pretty good idea, I think.
 
"Fuel System/Battery

All batteries, fuel tanks, fuel lines, fuel pumps, or filler necks must retain stock OEM location as produced by the OEM manufacturer. "



So... I guess guys with PE-4200's or FASS pumps can't run in this class.



Matt
 
The way I read it there may be 1 or two people on the TDR that can run in that class and that's about all. Doesn't look to apply to the vast majority of us.



Once any power adders or performance hardware are added to a Pure Stock Street Legal vehicle, it is then also classified as an E. T. vehicle
 
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