Competition RR has NHRA trouble at Mission, BC

[Rhondasway]

When teching two weekends ago at Mission, BC, I was told that I would not be allowed to run anymore due to my crankshaft centerline height. The Kondolays of DTT contacted NHRA to see if they could help me (thanks Bill, Shanti, Stefan), but NHRA is backing their tech guys.

The rulebook states "Maximum height of crankshaft centerline 36 inches on OEM trucks; all others 24 inches. " Mine is 27. 5. If I dropped the frame onto the axle, it still wouldn't be low enough...

I was told that all the tech guys from the area had discussed the subject at their last meeting, so the same thing may happen at my other local tracks. I'm still planning to attempt racing, but have braced myself for bad news.

I would like to hear if anyone else has had this happen.

If you drag, do you go to NHRA tracks?

Anyone bracket race seriously against cars, for points, etc?

I'd appreciate any input on this matter. Thanks.

 

[Cummins4Life]

Dang that sucks!

Find a shorter tire/wheel combo and swap insome higher gears in the diff. Probably make the truck look funny and be less useable. Maybe find a way to drop the front cross member and motor mounts a little with some shorter front springs. Neither idea is very cost effective though.



Whats their reasoning for the 24" limitation?

 

[Brandon]

Yikes I hope it works out for you. Bumping this up for you... ...



danelle

 

[Sled Puller]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but the DHRA allows for 36 inches, and a lot of their events are at NHRA tracks.



Some careful politic-ing should remedy this problem.

 

[jtisdale]

Originally posted by Sled Puller

Some careful politic-ing should remedy this problem.

Gene "Walking Tall" Mohney

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

rotten



i guess we need to try and find out nhra's defination of oem. i wil look in my nhra rule book today.



jim

 

[DHRA]

Rhonda,

I have run into this also. I also have had extended conversations with NHRA tech about this. The rule is created because of the height of the retaining walls. They encourage the member tracks to use their judgement on a vehicle as to its safety to the fans. In case of you loosing steering your vehicle is most likely to go over the wall than a vehicle 24" tall.

I had them approve the 31" centerline height for 4 wheel drives for this reason. I will make some calls today, I don't think they are being very fair to you. Hopefully we can get through to them. It seems to only be a problem with Division 6 NHRA.

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

mission is one of the toughest tracks to tech at.

 

[DHRA]

Yea, that is what NHRA says too. We may not get anywhere, but it wouldn't be the first nor the last time I heard the word "no".

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

When I talked to the head of tech, he indirectly said that other racers were complaining that they don't want to go down the track against or after one of these heavily fueled truck as if your chasing one you can't see which is very dangerous, and if your after one the track is very slick. I also talked with the starter at the track and he said that it's getting to the point with these trucks that they have to stop racing and re-prep the track after we run. He also said that nobody really complained when Rhonda ran Sportman as she was chasing everyone, but now that she has stepped up to Pro most cars are chasing her. So one thing that we all are probably gonna need to look out for is a way to minimize smoke.



The problem with Mission Tech is there inconsistant, how does rhonda fail tech when my truck with 6" of lift and 37" tires passed tech at Mission several times.

 

[KLockliear]

Originally posted by Stefan Kondolay



The problem with Mission Tech is there inconsistant, how does rhonda fail tech when my truck with 6" of lift and 37" tires passed tech at Mission several times.

Selective Enforcement?



Running stacks might quell their other gripes.

 

[DHRA]

Call is in, they are meeting about it right now.



It has been suggested to us (DHRA) already to have a PM (Particulate Matter) restriction. We have to wait until ULSD is introduced and we can get some lab testing done to have conclusive information to enforce a PM restriction that won't change in 2 years.

Nothing gets the track as sloppy as the jet cars, IMO. Even when I was running only 14 seconds I would slip and slide after them.

It's racers looking for an excuse, we just happen to be the easy target.

 

[Fletcher]

centerline height

So, this needs to be changed right-a-way! Because, if lower trucks decided to run with the Panzer/Herzschwache diesel application, due to the antispheistacal configuration of this style motor it puts the crank height to 36-37 inches off the ground depending on front suspension set up in 2wd trucks.

 

[thejeepdude]

Re: centerline height

Originally posted by Fletcher

due to the antispheistacal configuration

Um, I love big words, but this one escapes me. please explain.

 

[JoshPeters]

Sounds like to many people got beat by these 6500lbs beasts and cant handle the ego trip. Diesel racing in general is going to be the next big thing if these people want to believe it or not.



Josh

 

[DHRA]

You know Bill, you can run that set up out at Bremerton! LOL.

 

[Snow man]

Ive always run with a little N20 at the track,after the launch it cleans right up . IMO the smoke is cool to us,but most other racers arent amused by it,and I think the others are in the ear of officials. Were going to have deal with the smoke,in the future even racing.

 

[Rhondasway]

Thanks Eric and everyone for your input. This matter does have to be handled delicately; I for one don't want to PO anyone.

It seems that the smoke may be a driving issue, and they looked for a technicality, which they found. I don't blame them one bit for the smoke issue, as it is really unfair if your opponent can't see the lights, the track, or whatever, especially in bracket racing. I should have put in stacks long ago, and planned to, but just couldn't seem to get it done... I believe that would help, but maybe not cure the problem.

As far as crank height, there's got to be a way to either change that rule, or get exceptions for folks like us (as a whole). I'd be willing to undergo a more thorough tech process if necessary. I'd think that if my steering or any such thing were about to fall apart, that should be visible.

I don't understand why my truck would make the track slick. It does not leak any fluids. I have a catch bottle for my breather. Where is this residue coming from?

Heck, I even have driveline loops now, thanks to Nathan Wright (IdahoCTD).

I'll tell you what will not be happening:

I will not lower my truck.

I will not sell my truck to buy a lower truck (2WD).

I will not buy some Camaro or Mustang to continue racing.



I plan to continue to race the Princess, even if I have to jump through flaming hoops while juggling broken glass blindfolded and listening to Michael Bolton...

There's got to be a way around this. Eric and others, let's keep this moving forward, eh? There are way too many cars waiting for me to beat them to give up now. Oo.

 

[paulb]

Ronda,



I think you have the right attitude. I have had dealings with Division 6 techs before to (not with my truck but with the dragster), and a clear head, with persistance will prevail. I am heading up to DTT next week to get a full billet trans, for the very purpose of drag racing. I plan to run sportsman class this year, so I would like to see this resolved at a Division 6 level. Both of the local tracks I race at, have not had a problem with us racing our trucks, and I hope that continues.



Keep up the good work, and your positive attitude.



Paul

 

[LaserBob]

Rhonda, I love it when you talk dirty.