NHRA recently revised their late model ET and MPH rules so that the current crop of fast from the factory hot rods can still be NHRA legal on the race track and also leave some room for performance mods. This is great news for aftermarket parts manufacturers, because most performance parts were not allowed on the previous rules package and that meant many cars were not eligible to legally go down the race track. This resulted in tracks either not allowing those cars, which forced them out on the streets, or put the track in a position where they had to allow a car on the track that NHRA would approve of.
Thankfully the rules change will fix most of those issues, and everyone is super stoked about it, including our friends at ProCharger who put this video together talking about how this all works now.
Here’s the video, and what both ProCharger and NHRA have to say about it.
PROCHARGERS, ROLL CAGES, AND STREET CARS:
It is no secret that the stock performance capability and safety improvements in today’s late model muscle cars has been improved over cars made even less than a decade ago. Customers can now easily make 600, 700, 800 or even 1000+ HP ProCharger bolt-on supercharger systems which could mean sub-10 second quarter mile times.
Well, the NHRA is listening to its customers and is instituting new rule changes to encourage customers to use their supercharger systems to their full potential on the track. Now let’s get to all the technical details that we found from the source.
NHRA’s Announcement from NHRA.com
As part of the ongoing effort to keep pace with current trends in the high-performance automotive industry, NHRA has announced several enhancements to the Street Legal program. The program will allow a broader and more diverse range of vehicles for the participants and give recognition to their on-track performance.
Since its formation in 1951, the National Hot Rod Association has worked tirelessly to combat and eliminate the dangerous and illegal practice of street racing. To this day, that continues to be the primary mission for the association. One of the most effective tools in the fight against illegal street racing has been establishing Street Legal events, which are held regularly at NHRA member tracks across North America.
“Updating and improving the Street Legal program couldn’t come at a more crucial time for our industry and sport,” said Matt DeYoung, Tucson Dragway Track Manager. “We continue to see manufacturers make faster vehicles available righ off the showroom floor while increasing features that couldn’t be overlooked anymore. NHRA along with the help and input of NHRA Member Tracks across the country have worked to improve and grow the experience and sustainability of this program for our Street Legal customers. We believe our racers will embrace these changes and it will grow our grudge racing and Street Legal Program while helping prevent faster OEM cars taking to the streets.”
Changes to the Street Legal program will allow racers with 2014 and newer OEM model-year production cars to run as quick as 9.00-seconds and/or 150-mph (5.65-eighth mile). In addition, racers with 2008-2013 OEM model-year cars will still be permitted to run as quickly as 10.00-seconds and/or 135-mph (6.40-eighth mile).
Unaltered OEM installed antilock brakes, OEM airbag functions, OEM stock frame\unibody construction, including OEM floors and firewall, as well as all other OEM safety-related systems must be functioning as per manufacturer’s specifications. Tires used may be other than OEM, but they must be DOT-approved. Convertibles quicker than 13.49(8.25) and T-tops quicker than 11.49 (7.35) must meet Summit Racing Series roll-bar and roll-cage requirements. An NHRA Level 6 license is required for drivers running quicker than 10.00 (*6.39) or faster than 135 mph. A level 7 competition license is also available to racers whose elapse times are above 10.00/6.40.
NHRA will recognize racers at an NHRA Member Track for their on-track performance with unique Street Legal decals. Street Legal decals will be available for racers at a quarter-mile facility who break the 13, 12, 11, and 10-second benchmarks and at an eighth-mile facility who break the 9, 8, 7, and 6-second benchmarks.
Racers who break into the 9’s in a quarter-mile or 5’s in an eighth mile at an NHRA Member Track and submit to NHRA a license application will receive an exclusive decal, only available with the Street Legal NHRA competition license, to recognize their achievement.
“Each year, automotive manufacturers continue to push the limits of performance by building production vehicles that are quicker and faster than the previous year’s models, “said Lonnie Grim, NHRA National Tech Director. “At NHRA, we very much support their commitment to performance and recognize that there is still a very large market for performance cars. At the same time, we acknowledge that NHRA needs to keep pace with the current trends, which is why we’ve announced these rules adjustments.”
“Under these new guidelines, owners of Shelby GT 500, Corvette ZR-1, Dodge Demon, Tesla Plaid, or other high performance vehicles will have the ability to participate in and enjoy NHRA Street Legal racing events without making extensive modifications to their cars.”
The Street Legal category is reserved for foreign and domestic OEM production-type automobiles and trucks. While the use of aftermarket parts is accepted, all vehicles must be street driven, and drivers must carry state-issued proof of registration and valid insurance information. All vehicles must also display a valid license plate(s).
“I want to stress that these limitations are not restricted when it comes to the use of aftermarket bolt-on products and other modifications,” said Grim. “This simply states that vehicles racing under the Street Legal guidelines do have to meet the OEM safety system requirements as noted.”
Vehicles participating in the Street Legal events must be able to pass all state highway safety requirements for the state in which the vehicle is registered and retains all OEM safety features. Only legitimate street-legal machines are permitted to participate at designated Street Legal events. Although the competition structure can vary from track to track, a strong emphasis is placed on fun and providing a welcoming environment for first-time new racers. Many Street Legal events feature open time trials and grudge racing only, which typically allows each participant an opportunity to make as many passes down the dragstrip as possible.
The grudge racing element allows participants to choose their competition instead of participating in an organized eliminator. Win or lose, a grudge racing participant may return to the staging lanes for more time trials or more grudge runs. Losing a race at a Street Legal event does not typically mean it’s time to go home. Street Legal events provide a legal and controlled environment where racers of all skill levels enjoy the sport of NHRA Drag Racing.
To locate an NHRA Member Track near you, please click HERE.
So now you can legally run 9.00 with no cage! Hardly sounds like any thought of safety was put into this plan. Wonder what the reason could possibly be? $$$$$$$
Swapping roll cages for decals? Sounds fair.
What some people may not understand is that NHRA changes coincide with changes in national highway safety regulations related to crash worthiness and in particular roll over protection. The testing and standards imposed on 2014 and newer vehicles make them as safe as a vehicle with a full roll cage. The important element that is missing in the NHRA regulations, and which could unfortunately lead to some injuries and possibly deaths are multi point safety harnesses. While the car itself may be deemed “safe” in a rollover, a driver that is not properly restrained can still suffer significant injuries. In this regard I would agree that NHRA’s rule change seems a bit questionable. I guess their lawyers determined that they can just point the finger at the car manufacturers when the almost inevitable lawsuit is filed against them by a driver and/or family who gets seriously injured/killed crashing a street car at an NHRA track. While the NHRA may have the resources to defend a lawsuit like this my question is what about the track owner who gets sued when this happens?
My other issue is that in my state (CA) this rule change is simply too late. There are so few tracks left here and the NHRA tracks that are still here are either too far away for many racers or are not open for street car events. If NHRA really wants to get drivers of fast street cars off the streets and onto tracks why aren’t they opening tracks like Pomona or finding ways to build new facilities? This whole thing really seems like more of a PR exercise to me.