Isn't that the OPPOSITE of racing?? I know, I know, bracket racing you just want to hit your dial in number. My dial in is 11.5, when I hit that I'll worry about something else.

MikeR

 

you can't, once the lights come down you floor it and go as fast as you can,, it would be like being paired up with a Camry and the Camry wins because you had to go slower,,,,,

 

I know in Houston we had an 1/8th mile about 5 min from my hosue on the NE side of Houston... Then of course we had the great NHRA events at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown... My buddy and I used to go to the 1/8th mile to work on his launches in his old SRT4, then go down to the 1/4 mile when we wanted to really race.

 

That's a good strategy. In bracket racing you will see lots of 11 second cars running in the 12's. In SuperPro you will see lot's of 8 sec cars running in the 10's. It's all about not pushing the engine to it's limits. I understand why the do it, but they are just call sandbaggers. It's ok to do though, makes you understand your launches even more. For just test n' tune days, then it's no fun.

 

NASAProRacing and SCCA have issues with the roll bars in the Crossfire as well, but they tend to be a bit more lenient, which, when you think about it, is sort of stupid. Your chances of a roll over on a road course are far greater than on a drag strip.

I've been to the street legal drags here in SoCal more times than I've been to road course events, and I've seen far more vehicles go off course when turns are involved. A few roll overs included.

For you guys who are just taking your Crossfires to the drag races, you really should try a NASA HPDE day on a road course. Instead of a few seconds of fun you get 20 minute sessions. Drag racing is nice, but the feeling you get from heavy side g-forces, hard braking, snaking through the esses at speed, or nailing that decreasing radius corner just right is a real rush. And the Crossfire is just awesome at it.

 

Nice post Mike...this is what I am trying to get into...but they want the roll bars raised, which I am trying to do now.. along w/ harness set-up...I love the drag racing, but not going to a cage...so I do that only at private day tracks for test and tune....

 

Agreed, if your MB raised bars work out let keep us updated.
I will also not put a cage in my car, I refuse to cut this one up.

 

I made three passes at Toilet (sorry Joliet) And was told the same thing don't come back without a cage or something...whatever I will stick with Rockford and US 41.

 

The tech inspector at Woodburn just tells me.......' go beat up on the Hemi's'.. He really likes the SRT6 and I am the only one out there. Next season I will see if I can surprise that 11.8 second Z06 Vette.

MikeR

 

I love Joliet. Awesome track.

 

I agree traction is incredible there!

I grew up there thats why the nickname

 

That's what we have out here in my neighborhood. All 4 tracks within 2 hours of me have these rules. NHRA is a PIA for street cars... That is why I don't go to NHRA sanctioned tracks. I agree with rollcages below 11, that is necessary. But, if a car is capable of FAR exceeding these NHRA times bone stock... there is a problem. I don't think they would build Viper or Crossfire or Corvette or Cobra or 911 Turbo or Gallardo or SL65 or 430 Roadsters if they where unsafe at those speeds. Obviously, all those Factory Stock Roadsters can do far better than 13.49 stock. If the car is in stock form, it should be allowed to run.

 

Moroso now called Palm Beach Motor Sports recently opened after a several million dollar make-over. It is a 1/4 mile track.

Great shot of beautiful machines in action. I remember that track back in the '60s when it was called Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR). Worked in an aircraft/rocket plant across the Beeline Highway #710 from it. Looks like a first class operation. Local tracks here 1/8th mile and nearest one is IHRA sanctioned. Anyone on here know the restrictions for roadsters at IHRA 1/8 mile tracks?

Who makes good quality roll bars for our cars? Good thread here.

 

I am willing to bet it would be all custom. Could check S&W, put one in a few years ago, wasnt too bad for the price, but I doubt they or anyone offeres a prebent kit for the Crossfire.

 

I guess I am on the verge of being a sick puppy. Hmmmmm, custom rollbar. I ordered the rule book from NHRA, but it will take 4-6 weeks to get to me. Anybody got the spec requirements for a rollbar..... Size of pipes. Does it need to be welded or can it be bolted. I know the driver side bar can be pinned so it can be removable. This is all Jim's fault. lol

 

When do I need a roll bar or roll cage, and what should it look like?
A roll bar is required in any convertible running 13.49 seconds or quicker in the quarter mile, and in other cars beginning at 11.49. The roll bar is accepted in vehicles running as quick as 10.00 second e.t., provided the stock firewall and floorboard is intact, other than for installation of wheel tubs. The rollbar must be constructed of minimum 1 ¾ inch o.d. x .118 inch wall mild steel tubing, or 1 ¾ x .083 chrome moly tubing, and must conform to the following diagram:


[img]If the floor and/or firewall has been modified, then a full roll cage is required beginning at a 10.99 e.t. A full roll cage is required in any vehicle running 9.99 seconds or quicker, and any vehicle running 135 mph or faster (regardless of e.t.). The roll cage must be constructed of minimum 1 5/8 o.d.x .118 mild steel tubing, or 1 5/8 x .083 chrome moly tubing, and must conform to the following diagram:



The roll cage of any vehicle running 9.99 or quicker, or 135 mph or faster, must also be certified by NHRA every 3 years, and have a serialized sticker affixed prior to participation.

 

1/8 mile is garbage (my useless opinion ). 1/4 mile is the only way to go. A lot of things don't start happening until the second half of the track. 1/8 mile is just too short of a distance to accurately measure the overall performance of a car. If you're trying to gain good data, it is more of a challenge since driver error plays a bigger role on a shorter track.

Thank god for Atco!!! As long as you have a helmet and you aren't leaking any fluid, they don't seem to care how fast you go (in regards to street cars). They might have a speed limit, but it's much faster than 13.5; even for roadsters.

 

Atco abides by NHRA division 1 rules. I think it's still 11.50 and faster you are required to have a roll bar. Not sure about roadsters.....There isn't any speed restriction. You can run 12.0@130 and you would be ok. lol, it really makes no sense, but hey, im cool with that.

 

I run @ Bradenton Motorsports Park and I haven't had any issues and I run in the 12s. I only get asked if I have a helmet and I'm good to go. Now, I haven't gone to a sanctioned event so it might be different, only TnT's.

 

Thanks for the info. Did this come from NHRA rulebook?