TECH Basics
TMP - NHRA - Basic Safety Requirements 2011
These rules are designed as a quick reference chart for vehicles 7.50 and slower. This chart does not supercede the current NHRA rulebook in anyway.
Arm Restraints
Required on all open bodied cars. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 6:3, 10:3.
Rollcage
Vehicles 10.99 or quicker, any vehicle faster than 135 mph, all convertibles faster than 10.99, any vehicle with altered floor or firewall. Full body cars un-altered (stock) from firewall back (tubs allowed) 10.00 to 10.99, roll bar permitted in place of rollcage. Head contact areas mut be padded with SFI Spec. 45:1 padding if quicker than 9.99. Any head contact areas must be padded. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 4:11, 10:6.
Rollbar
Convertibles quicker than 13.49, all cars 11.00 or quicker, all cars faster than 135mph; all dune buggy type cars 12.00 and slower. Any head contact areas must be padded. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 4:10, 10:6.
Parachute
Required on any car faster than 150 mph. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 4:8.
Driver Restraint System - Seatbelts
All vehicles required to have roll bar or roll cage SFI 16.1 restraint. All others must have an accepted quick release system. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 10:5, 10:11
Battery
Must not be located in the driver or passenger compartment. Barrier firewall required; battery secured with minimum 3/8" bolts. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 8:1.
Overflow
Minimum 1 pint overflow required on all radiators stock overflow adequate on most street cars. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 1:7.
Chassis Certification:
Required before ANY runs. All cars 9.99 or quicker, 135 mph or faster. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 1:7
Protective Clothing
All cars 10.00 to 11.49 naturally aspirated or only OEM power adders, with full OEM or .024 steel firewall, all cars 10.00 to 13.99 with any non OEM power adders, with full OEM or .024 steel firewall jacket SF1 Spec. 3.2A/1 mandatory. All cars from 9.99 to 7.50 or fster than 135 mph require at minimum Jacket & Pants SF1 Spec. 3.2A/15, Gloves SF1 Spec. 3.3/5, and Shoes or Boots SF1 Spec. 3.3/5...See NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 10:10 or ET Section 4A Pg# 8 for more detail. Some combinations and vehicle types need more than what is posted here.
Helmet
Required in all cars 10.00 to 13.99 - Full face helmet required on all cars 9.99 or quicker. Shield mandatory 7.49 and quicker. Snell SA2000, M2000, SA2005, M2005, SA2010, M2010, or SF1 31.1A, 31.2A, 31.1/2005, 41.1A, 41.2A, or 41.1/2002 specs. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 10:7.
License
All competitors mush have a valid, government issued license beyond a learners permit. All vehicles quicker than 9.99 or faster than 135 mph must have NHRA competition license. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 10:4.
Co-Driver
One maximum Co-Driver is allowed in an OEM Stock licensed street car 14.00 and slower. Occupant must be a minimum of 16 years of age, and must sign same waiver as driver. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 10:9.
Neck Collar
9.99 and quicker, 135 mph of faster, SFI Spec. 3.3, or approved head and neck restraint system device. (Must use SFI Spec 3.3 head sock or skirted helmet if using restraint device). Collar or device recommended to all vehicles requiring helmet. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 10.8.
Switches
Neutral safety switch required on all vehicles (vehicle cannot start in gear). Master battery cutoff mandatory on all vehicles 9.99 or quicker, 135 mph or faster, or any vehicle where battery has been re-located. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 8:4.
Taillights
All vehicles must have at least one working taillight. Must be turned on for night racing. Flashing, blinking or strobe lights prohibited. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 8:6.
Driveline
Any car quicker than 13.99 with slicks must have driveshaft loop installed. Street cars 11.49 and slower without slicks exempt. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 2:4.
Nitrous Oxide
Allowed in most classes. Must be vented outside of drivers compartment and have a relief valve. See NHRA Rulebook for detailed specifications. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 8:6 ...Any external heating of bottles other than by approved warmer will result in automatic removal from track property.
Window Net
Required on any full bodied vehicle which requires a rollcage. NHRA 2011 Rulebook General Reg. 6:3.
Motorcycles
Full face helmet and shield meeting SFI specs above mandatory. License requirements same as above. All bikes faster than 120 mph require SFI Spec. 40.1/2 one or two piece (zipper together) suit. Leather boots or shoes above ankle, leather gloves mandatory on all bikes. chain guards mandatory. Front and rear brakes mandatory. Snap back throttle mandatory. All bikes quicker than 10.99 need lanyard attached to driver, unless OEM cut-off is on bike. Rear fender width of tire and running past rear axle mandatory.
