General NHRA Rules

The following list should answer a few of the more common questions concerning what may be required to race at your local track. It is presented as general information only and you should always refer to the official NHRA rule book or your local track before heading out to race.

• Roll Bars

  Unless otherwise required by your class:
  

• Roll Bars required on convertibles running quicker than 11.00 - 13.99.
• Roll Bars required on all cars running quicker than 11.00 - 11.99.

• Roll Cages required on convertibles running 10.99 or faster than 135mph.
• Roll Cages required on all cars running 10.99 or faster than 135mph. - One exception: full bodied cars running between 10.00 and 10.99, with unaltered firewalls, floor and body (from firewall rearward - wheel tubes permitted) can compete with just a roll bar.

  Faster than a 9.99 you need a chassis sticker and have the car reinspected every 3 years.

• Helmets

  Drivers of all 13.99 or quicker cars, and co-drivers in 14.00 to 14.99 second cars, must wear a helmet meeting Snell 85, 90,or SFI 31.1,31.2 specs. see general regulations10:7

  10:7 as outlined under class requirements, drivers in all classes must wear a helmet meeting snell of SFI specifications.

  Drivers of sportsman classed and et cars (14.99 or quicker) must use a helmet meeting snell 85, 90, 95, or SFI 31.1, 31.2, 41.1 or 41.2 specs. exception: Effective 1/1/2002, Snell 85 helmets will be discontinued.

  Drivers of pro-sportsman and professional cars must use a helmet meeting snell SA90, or SFI 31.2 specs. Acceptance of SA90 helmets will be discontinued 1/1/2001.

  Modification to helmet/visor/shield are prohibited. The use of snapped or button on bubble shield is restricted to motorcycle rider/driver and as additional protection with the use of goggles in other classes. All helmets must have the appropriate certification sticker affixed inside the helmet.

• Drive-shaft loop

  If you have slicks, you must have a drive-shaft loop. If your car runs 12.99 or quicker, you will need a drive shaft loop, even if you are running street tires.

• Kill Switch

  If the battery is relocated, to the trunk for example, you must have an external cut-off switch on the back of the car which cuts off the electrical system and must also stop the car from running.

• Seat Belts

  According to the 1997 NHRA Rule book General Regulation 10:5, Driver Restraint Systems, on pages 178:

  A quick-release, 3-inch shoulder harness meeting SFI Spec 16.1, including crotch strap, is mandatory in all cars in competition required by the rules to have a roll bar or a roll cage. Driver restraint system must be clearly labeled as meeting SFI Spec 16.1 and be dated by manufacturer. System must be updated at two-year intervals from date of manufacture. All seat belt and shoulder harness installations must be mutually compatible, originally designed to be used with each other, and produced by the same manufacturer. Cars using OEM or OEM type seat may route crotch strap in front of seat instead of through seat. Only those units that release all five attachment points in one motion are permitted. When arm restraints are worn with a restraint system that utilizes a "latch lever", a protective cover must be installed to prevent arm restraint from accidentally releasing the latch lever. Protective cover not needed if system uses "duckbill" latch hardware. All harness sections must be mounted to the frame, crossmember, or reinforced mounting, and installed to limit driver's body travel both upward and forward. Seat belts may not be wrapped around lower frame rails. Under no circumstances are bolts inserted through belt webbing permitted for mounting. Check manufacturers instructions.

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