Well, the time for racing is here! Not only is the track open now, they've started "Test and Tune" Saturdays for the next couple weeks. I'm planning on going this Saturday (Apr 19) and watch. If anyone wants to meet up, that would make for a cool afternoon. We can grab dinner in Canfield afterwards. I know a lot of nice places to choose from.
With racing in mind, I've been checking on the requirements of Quaker City Raceway. I emailed them for the skinny, and they replied very simply that they are an NHRA track and follow the NHRA rules. No extras, nuthin special. So I downloaded the 2008 NHRA Sport Compact rules. I've attached them for anyone else who is new like me and interested in what they need to get into the sport.
As far as I can tell, with a stock SRT-6, all you would need is proper attire (long pants, non-open-toed shoes, and a short or long-sleeved shirt) and a helmet. The helmet must meet Snell K98 or better standards.
To avoid a lot of confusion on the helmets, here's what the NHRA says about them:
Originally Posted by NHRA
2008 NHRA Rules
===============
10:7 HELMETS
As outlined under Class Requirements, drivers in all classes must
wear a helmet meeting Snell or SFI Specifications. Snell K98 is
acceptable in place of any Snell M-rated helmet.
SFI Spec 31.1A = Snell SA, open-face helmet
SFI Spec 31.2A = Snell SA, full-face helmet
SFI Spec 41.1A = Snell M, open-face helmet
SFI Spec 41.2A = Snell M, full-face helmet
Drivers of all cars running 13.99 or quicker must use a helmet
meeting Snell K98, 2000, 2005 or SFI Spec 31.1A, 31.2A,
31.1/2005, 41.1A, 41.2A, or 41.1/2005.
Effective Jan. 1, 2008, full-face helmet mandatory for drivers of all
cars 9.99 or quicker. Goggles prohibited; visor mandatory. See
Class Requirements for additional requirements.
Drivers of cars running 7.49 or quicker must use a helmet meeting
Snell SA2000, SA2005 or SFI 31.1A, 31.2A, or 31.1/2005 Specs.
See Class Requirements.
All helmets must have the appropriate certification sticker affixed
inside the helmet.
NHRA Helmet Expiration Dates
============================
Label Expires
----------------------------
Snell 90 Expired
Snell 95 Expired
Snell K98 1/1/2009
Snell 2000 1/1/2012
Snell 2005 1/1/2017
SFI 31.1 Expired
SFI 31.2 Expired
SFI 41.1 Expired
SFI 41.2 Expired
SFI 31.1A 1/1/2014
SFI 31.2A 1/1/2014
SFI 41.1A 1/1/2014
SFI 41.2A 1/1/2014
SFI 31.1/2005 1/1/2017
SFI 41.1/2005 1/1/2017
Basically what that means is that you can go buy a new helmet, as long as it has Snell certification, you're good to go. In the SRT-6's classification (faster than 13.99 sec ET, but not faster than 9.99), Snell K98 or better is required, which just so happens to include the Snell M2005, which is the most popular motorcycle certification. So, if the helmet is listed as Snell certified, you're good to race an SRT-6 with it, and there are many helmets in the sub-$200 range that fit this category.
There are better certifications, such as the Snell SA certifications (SA2005 is the most current). The SA ratings are more for auto racing than motorcycle, and are tested with roll cage impacts and include fire retardant materials. The prices for SA2005 helmets are usually more than M2005 helmets, and quickly become very expensive. Fortunately, they're not required for those slower than 7.49 seconds in the quarter mile.
Beware of any Snell K98 certified helmets, as they can't be used in NHRA events after 01/01/2009. So you'd get less than a year out of that helmet. For similar reasons, avoid the M2000 and SA2000 ratings, as they will expire 5 years sooner than the M2005 and SA2005's.