Hi Guys
Im trying to put together a quick list on Passing NHRA tech for our local Chevelle club. I dont want to scare anyone off, but these are the basic things that I think guys should know to pass tech.
Let me know if it looks OK... BTW helmets are a requirement for all drivers/passengers at our local track.

THE BASIC ITEMS NEEDED TO PASS TECH INSPECTION FOR THE TYPICAL STREET CAR INCLUDE GOOD TIRES, DUAL THROTTLE RETURN SPRINGS, A BATTERY TIE-DOWN, RADIATOR OVERFLOW CATCH-CAN, OPERABLE NEUTRAL-SAFETY SWITCH, ALL WHEEL STUDS MUST BE IN GOOD CONDITION, NO MORE THAN 12" OF NEOPRENE HOSE, OPERATING SEAT BELTS, AND A VALID STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE OR NHRA COMPETITION LICENSE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS. DON’T FORGET TO WEAR LONG PANTS, SHOES, AND A SHIRT!

A HELMET IS ONE OF THE FIRST SAFETY ITEMS THAT YOU WILL NEED . A HELMET IS REQUIRED FOR ALL DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF ANY VEHICLE DOWN THE ROCKFALLS RACETRACK.. HELMETS THAT MEET NHRA REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE THOSE THAT HAVE A SNELL APPROVAL OF 90 OR 95, AS WELL AS THOSE WITH AN SFI RATING OF 31.1, 31.2, 41.1, OR 41.2. ( THE ROCKFALLS WEBSITE STATES THAT THEY WILL ACCEPT SNELL M85, M90, M95, SA85, SA90, SA95 OR K98 SPECIFICATIONS. IF YOU ARE INVESTING IN A HELMET…. IT WOULD BE BEST TO BUY ONE OF THE ONES FROM THE NHRA RULEBOOK).
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE HELMET RATING MUST BE DESIGNATED ON A TAG INSIDE THE HELMET, OR SEWN TO ONE OF THE HELMET STRAPS. THE DESIGNATION STENCILED ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE HELMET IS INSUFFICIENT FOR NHRA TECHNICAL INSPECTION.

ANY CAR WITH A RELOCATED BATTERY MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A MASTER ELECTRICAL CUTOFF, CAPABLE OF STOPPING ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDING IGNITION (MUST SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, AS WELL AS FUEL PUMPS, ETC.). THE SWITCH MUST BE LOCATED ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WITH THE "OFF" POSITION CLEARLY MARKED. IF THE SWITCH IS OF A "PUSH / PULL" TYPE, THEN "PUSH" MUST BE THE MOTION THAT SHUTS OFF THE SWITCH, AND PLASTIC OR "KEYED" TYPED SWITCHES ARE PROHIBITED. ALSO, THE BATTERY MUST BE COMPLETELY SEALED FROM THE DRIVER AND/OR DRIVER COMPARTMENT. THIS MEANS A METAL BULKHEAD MUST SEPARATE THE TRUNK FROM THE DRIVER COMPARTMENT, OR THE BATTERY MUST BE LOCATED IN A SEALED, METAL BOX CONSTRUCTED OF MINIMUM .024 INCH STEEL OR .032 INCH ALUMINUM, OR IN AN NHRA ACCEPTED PLASTIC BOX. IN CARS WITH A CONVENTIONAL TRUNK, METAL CAN SIMPLY BE INSTALLED BEHIND THE REAR SEAT AND UNDER THE PACKAGE TRAY TO EFFECTIVELY SEAL THE BATTERY OFF FROM THE DRIVER. IN A HATCHBACK TYPE VEHICLE THE BATTERY BOX IS USUALLY THE EASIEST SOLUTION, SINCE THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO FABRICATE A BULKHEAD WHICH SEALS TO THE HATCH WHEN CLOSED. AT PRESENT, MOROSO IS THE ONLY COMPANY WHICH OFFERS AN NHRA ACCEPTED PLASTIC BATTERY BOX, PART NUMBER 74050.

WHEEL STUDS …YOU WILL NEED TO PROVE THAT YOU HAVE AT LEAST “ONE STUD WIDTH” OF ENGAGEMENT OF THE STUD THREADS INTO THE HEX PORTION OF THE LUG NUT. IN OTHER WORDS…. IF YOU HAVE 7/16” STUDS, YOU WILL NEED AT LEAST 7/16” OF THAT STUD ENGAGED INTO THE "HEX" PORTION OF THE LUG NUT.. USING “ OPEN ENDED” LUG NUTS IS THE EASIEST WAY FOR THE INSPECTOR TO SEE THIS.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF MAJOR ITEMS THAT ARE REQUIRED AS SPECIFIC ET’S AND SPEEDS. THIS LIST IS A GUIDELINE, AND WE RECOMMEND CONSULTING A CURRENT NHRA RULEBOOK FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND DIAGRAMS.

13.99 SECONDS
- DRIVE LINE LOOP WITH SLICKS (13.00 WITH STREET TIRES)
ROLL BAR IN CONVERTIBLES
- SFI SEAT BELTS IN CONVERTIBLES

11.99 SECONDS
- SFI APPROVED JACKET AND ROLL BAR
- SFI APPROVED SEAT BELTS
- SFI FLYWHEEL / CLUTCH / BELLHOUSING. STEEL VALVE STEMS / ARM RESTRAINTS IN (OPEN CARS)

10.99 SECONDS OR SUPER STREET
- SFI TRANSMISSION SHIELD,
OR AT 135 MPH - AFTERMARKET AXLES
- SFI HARMONIC BALANCER
- ROLL CAGE WITH ALTERED FLOOR PANS,
OR 135 MPH - WINDOW NET REQUIRED
- IGNITION CUT-OFF ON ALL BIKES / SNOWMOBILES THAT EXCEED 135 MPH

9.99 SECONDS OR SUPER GAS OR 135 MPH
- NHRA CHASSIS CERTIFICATION
- NHRA COMPETITION LICENSE
- SFI NECK COLLAR
- SFI GLOVES SFI FLEXPLATE / FLEXPLATE SHIELD
150 MPH PARACHUTE

"DON’T FORGET TO WEAR LONG PANTS, SHOES, AND A SHIRT!"


I race weekly with shorts,tank top,shoes of course,factory 3 point seatbelt and a helmet. I don't understand why NHRA and IHRA differ on rollbars though, 11.99 vs. 11.50. Once I get down in the 11's or 9's(1000ft.track) on a consistent basis I'll get a fire jacket.

I wish we could wear shorts... Black interior is killer after being in the direct sun of the staging lanes.

wow, if my local track enforced those rules, noone would run! I've never seen them even do a tech inspection on a car, even the 'big dog' class cars that run 4's in the 1/8th at test-n-tune.
I think they're only tech rule is 'must be able to move 1/4 mile under its own power' :D

Having been an inspector at an NHRA track in the past, I can tell you that inspections are a definite necessity. Any track that does not do complete inspections of all cars in competition AND rejection of those not conforming, is doing a great injustice to spectators and competititors alike. How would you like to have your pristine Chevelle smacked at 120 mph by the guy in the other lane, just because he had "overlooked" a serious mechanical or safety defect??
Build your car to the exact rules (or better) and insist that your local track abides by the rules as well. That's my opinion.

Just a quick note on the throttle return springs. We just had a gathering for our Nova list and required double throttle springs. Several people had to put them on their car, one of them the springs stacked and the throttle stuck open on the burnout, almost pushed the car into the wall. I understand the need for these in case a springs breaks, but on the other hand it's possible to make a car more unsafe if the springs aren't done right. Try and get them to avoid placing one spring inside of the others so this problem doesn't happen.

505? cant remember your name..did you go to MoKan when they had the last heads up shootout? How did you do? I had a points race and couldnt make it,and I couldnt get Carl to answer my question on deep staging. My old slow reacting Chevelle can't handle that .500 pro tree unless I deep stage.

While some of the safety items are very good ideas i think requiring helments for 18 or 19 second cars is a bit paraniod. I wouldn't think of not wearing one on a motorcycle but in a completely covered car, come on NHRA. Think i'll just remain at home and forget racing or watch when i feel the need. Next they will make the spectators wear helments!

NHRA requires helmets in cars quicker than 13.99. Slower than that, none is required. Some track may require them at higher ET's as, apparently, does Tony's.

69boo307 , I race under these rules all the time. Not really an issue. There isn't much requires of a 14 sec or slower car. And a 13 second car with DOT tires just needs a helmet. All these rules were written in blood.

Hey Robert, no I couldn't make it to the last shootout but I do plan on being there for the next one. Going to run the Car Club Challange this weekend - you ought to go to that, usually pretty fun.

John Heard

Originally posted by Pat Kelley:
NHRA requires helmets in cars quicker than 13.99. Slower than that, none is required. Some track may require them at higher ET's as, apparently, does Tony's.
I believe its an insurance deal.

the track i run at requires a helmet for any and all on race night.that is about all they look at though.one thing i think anybody at the tracks sould keep in mind though is there burn outs at least wait until the car has left in front of you before you start the burn out just in case your throttle sticks where you will have some place to go instead of the guy staging or into the people working the track.