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#1
08-16-2003, 04:29 AM
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Went to Houston Raceway Park last nite with my son to race his 2001 Formula. He made his first run on motor only and snapped off a 12.50. Got around to get his timeslip and they tell him to go see the tech. Seems a T-top car is now considered the same as a convertible and needs a roll cage on any run under 14.0. He has the cage and we will be installing it this weekend. I do not know how many tracks are going to hold to this but HRP has to because they host a major NHRA event. JUst thought I would let some people know just in case. I hate to see a lot of the new Fbodies not run but this rule will affect many of them. They just have to figure out a way to let the Rustangs appear to be the better cars. LOL
Butch
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Butch |
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#2
08-16-2003, 04:29 AM
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Went to Houston Raceway Park last nite with my son to race his 2001 Formula. He made his first run on motor only and snapped off a 12.50. Got around to get his timeslip and they tell him to go see the tech. Seems a T-top car is now considered the same as a convertible and needs a roll cage on any run under 14.0. He has the cage and we will be installing it this weekend. I do not know how many tracks are going to hold to this but HRP has to because they host a major NHRA event. JUst thought I would let some people know just in case. I hate to see a lot of the new Fbodies not run but this rule will affect many of them. They just have to figure out a way to let the Rustangs appear to be the better cars. LOL
Butch
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Butch |
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#3
08-16-2003, 06:01 AM
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Good luck installing it in one weekend
 . Molly or Mild Steel Cage?------------------- If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
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"We in government should learn to look at our country with the eyes of the entrepenuer, seeing possibilities where others see only problems" -Ronald Reagan |
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#4
08-16-2003, 08:06 AM
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it can be done in a weekend if you can cut and do it right
*Front frame being notched to fit 6.5 bs *22 bar roll cage in the works *Smoothing everything on the body *GW solid bushings |
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#5
08-16-2003, 08:13 AM
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make sure you spot weld everything together first, then if your happy fully weld in the cage
*Front frame being notched to fit 6.5 bs *22 bar roll cage in the works *Smoothing everything on the body *GW solid bushings |
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#6
08-16-2003, 08:27 AM
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Just put the t-tops back in and wear the helmet. It's when you run with them out that the conv. rule takes effect. If they still give you a hard time ask them to show the rule to you from the book, then post it and we will all know. I can't find it in 2003 book or in National Dragster in the rule revisions page. Have fun till 11.99, then you will need the rollbar. You don.t need the full cage until you reach 9.99 or over 135mph, or you have cut the floor from the firewall or halved it down the center. Have Fun....
BIGGERISBETTER-78 Catalina, 3650#, 13.750, 400 .060, 6x8, Q-jet. 15 yrs in NHRA tech ret. Next drag car, 78 Bonne Stationwagon. [This message was edited by tikiklubracing on August 16, 2003 at 11:35 AM.]
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NHRA tech. "Its just a 412, I swear it". Pontiac tip of the year, quit those damn cigarettes. 
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#7
08-16-2003, 08:35 AM
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It does not matter if the tops are in or out they are still classifing it as a convertible. We had the tops in and he was wearing a helmet. Head tech said no runs under 14 without roll cage.
Butch
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Butch |
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#8
08-16-2003, 08:40 AM
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Demand they show you it in the rules book, or rule revision pg. of National Dragster. The track is allowed to make rules, this could be the case. They just can't make rules under NHRA mins.I'll call Div. 3 this week and get it straight from the, O well you know. HIH
BIGGERISBETTER-78 Catalina, 3650#, 13.750, 400 .060, 6x8, Q-jet. 15 yrs in NHRA tech ret. Next drag car, 78 Bonne Stationwagon.
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NHRA tech. "Its just a 412, I swear it". Pontiac tip of the year, quit those damn cigarettes.
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#9
08-16-2003, 09:00 AM
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It might very well be a track only decision. HRP is slowly going to the dogs here lately anyway. What we need is a sanctioned IHRA track in the Houston area. Their rules are a little less than NHRA but there again any track can set its own minimums as long as it stays within the bounds of NHRA rules.
Butch
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Butch |
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#10
08-16-2003, 09:24 AM
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The "Rule Book" is merely a minimum guideline. Any track can modify these rules to any extreme they feel as long as it doesn't fall below what the rule book says. Obviously there's a reason for the rule change.
Oh ya installing a cage in 2 days is not hard to do. I've done it several times. Limit your breaks, bust ass and you'll get it done
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Jack Ferris RestoRacing LLC www.restoracing.com Sandy, UT --------------------------------------------------- |
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#11
08-16-2003, 12:44 PM
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Tiki, that is the same problem we are having at Bradenton Motorsports park. What makes me mad is a STOCK LS1 F body will run low 13's...
 Remember when I posted about this a while back? It's been hit and miss, but they are enforcing it most of the time... |
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#12
08-16-2003, 12:48 PM
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At the PSN my T top car was OK to 12.00s. They didn't like it in the 11s though. As was stated I have never seen T tops listed in the rule book . There is a windshield and sailpanel like a hard top, not a convertable with just a windshield frame in case of roll over which is why the roll bar rule.
But I guess they can have their own rules. One year in the NMCA everyone had to drain the antifreeze out(I couldn't find that in the rule but understand it) and many had to got to a local welder to have roll bars have a new brace added that not other NHRA track on our circuit required. HRP is a pain to run at, as they do just want the big events. Go to Sequin or Sealy. Friendlier folks that like the little guys. Sequin is IHRA so 11.50s before a rollbar required on hard tops in the 1/4 hooks as good as nay track.from Tomball just another hour compared to HRP.
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Skip Fix 1978 Trans Am original owner 10.99 @ 124 pump gas 455 E heads, NO Bird ever! 1981 Black SE Trans Am stockish 6X 400ci, turbo 301 on a stand 1965 GTO 4 barrel 3 speed project 2004 GTO Pulse Red stock motor computer tune [email protected] 1964 Impala SS 409/470ci 600 HP stroker project 1979 Camaro IAII Edelbrock head 500" 695 HP 10.33@132 3595lbs 1964 Corvette Coupe 327 4 speed |
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#13
08-16-2003, 03:35 PM
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Skip, I might try Seguin one of these days. It is a 1/4 mile track right? Sealy is just 1/8 mile and I like to get the full meal deal. Good for tuning and practice launches though. Feels like going to a topless bar but keeping my eyes closed.
Butch
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Butch |
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#14
08-17-2003, 06:13 PM
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I don't have the rule book handy right now, but i raced a convertible and the book clearly states that they must have a roll bar at 13.99 or faster. Plus, ANY car needs a roll bar at 11.99 or faster. I was considering another street/strip car with t-tops and two tracks told me they were classified the same as a convertible. I 'think' the rule applies to cars that DO NOT HAVE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED TOPS.
Good luck with the installation. Also, you might consider installing a 'swing-out' driver side-bar ... which will make it much easier to get in/out of the car once the steel tubing is in there with you  When the GREEN LIGHT DROPS ... the BULL**** STOPS! 1968 GTO ... 8.28 @ 162, 3050#, Pontiac 455 (474), 400hp NOS Over 50 pictures here: http://community.webshots.com/user/old68goat
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When the GREEN LIGHT DROPS ... the BULL**** STOPS! 1968 GTO ... 8.28 @ 162, 3050#, Pontiac 455 (474), 400hp NOS Over 50 pictures here: http://community.webshots.com/user/old68goat |
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#15
08-17-2003, 07:46 PM
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Hmm, rather than a swing-out side bar, what about bolt-in sidebars? I don't have a rule book, are they legal or what? I would think they would be a lot more conveinient for a fast street-driven car.
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Shopping for a project... |
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#16
08-17-2003, 10:18 PM
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I don't believe bolt in bars are legal.
Ron 
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Due to the current economic conditions...the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off. Meet you at the finish line.....don't be late! |
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#17
08-18-2003, 03:54 AM
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Calling NHRA today.
BIGGERISBETTER-78 Catalina, 3650#, 13.750, 400 .060, 6x8, Q-jet. 15 yrs in NHRA tech ret. Next drag car, 78 Bonne Stationwagon.
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NHRA tech. "Its just a 412, I swear it". Pontiac tip of the year, quit those damn cigarettes.
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#18
08-18-2003, 11:53 AM
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Ive never heard of anything like this around here. Hopefully that stupid rule will stay wherever your from and not make its way here.
Project: Black Hawk See the saga unfold here: My 455 Firebird 2001 Camaro Z28 M6: [email protected] stock cam, stock heads, stock rear, stock clutch
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2001 Camaro Z28 M6: [email protected] stock cam, stock heads, stock rear, stock clutch |
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#19
08-18-2003, 05:21 PM
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I BOUGHT MY KIT FROM ALSTON CHASISWORKS WITH THE REMOVEABLE DOOR BARS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE NHRA LEGAL. PULL TWO 1/2" PINS AND THE BARS SIT IN THE GARAGE UNTIL RACEDAY. VERY HIGH QUALITY AND EASY KIT TO INSTALL. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TO TWO DIFFERENT NHRA TRACKS AND THEY HAVE NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THEM. ON SEPT 3 I'M GOING TO BRAINERD MN. FOR THE STREET DRAG NIGHT, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REAL TIGHT ON TECH SO I'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
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#20
08-18-2003, 07:14 PM
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Well so far the rollbar install has been a big pain and near disaster. Last nite the guy we had welding for us had finished welding down the rear plates. We were sitting there about ten minutes later the car starts burning. We finally get it out and what had happened was the new cars have plastic fuel tanks (like just about everyting else on the car) and it had gotten hot enough to melt the tank and ignite the vapors. Probably lucky that it was full or it probably would have exploded. Went today and got a tank and hoses from a salvage yard and the car is back on the road. It was a close call because we were in a shop with about 6 other cars being "modified". Makes me feel a little bit better that my '78 TA is a little heavier but almost all steel. We will get it finished up tommorow nite and we are using the removable side bars. Later
Butch
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