2009 Rule Changes Announce at NHRA.com

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/33870.htm

Sorry everyone, somehow this posted twice

 

Took care of that for ya Nancy

 

The tow hook is a great idea that we have been using for a couple years. We put a tow loop facing forward off the bottom of our weight bar after the body was about ripped off the car one time when they hooked the upper frame rail and then put the body back down to tow if off the track.

The new rules now state we must have one located below the body pull handle which, like I said, we already have and it's easy to spot. I wonder why we need to put an arrow on the front of the body to go along with it? Can't they just use the pull handle for reference?

Those '09 pictures will look real nice with an arrow on the front of all the FC's.

RG

 

Did it say what color the arrow must be? Just make the arrow the same color as the body and it will photograph just fine.

 

I am hearing $650 for the fire retardant paint

 

Rear Body Latch

When I found out about this cable and pin thing scheduled for next year, it was just before Pomona-Feb.
I had seen it on the fuel cars as a very unsafe lazy way to do a quick fix with the pins and cables. I was shocked there was talk of making this mandatory. As luck would have it, (knowing that fire tends to go back to the rear, and having seen what wire does when it gets red hot), I had already designed a whole new idiot proof mechanical latch assembly that would be easy to operate, make the body ON/OFF much easier, and the 1/2" alum. pull rod would not melt!
I had already mounted it on two cars, so it was easy to take pictures and bring them to Pomona for Jim Collins to look at. He looked and studied, then said "I don't see anything wrong with that, you'll have NO problem."
I said: "But Jim, it's not always you in the tech line, all I'm asking is for another sentence added to read: OR APPROVED SYSTEM".
I offered to leave the pictures, and he said no problem.
I am shocked this unsafe cable deal was released as mandatory.
I have already emailed Jim, but realize he's probably on the road.
I'll post again if I hear from him.
If anyone wants to see this far safer system, I have no clue how to post pics. If I can email them to someone that can post them, I'd be happy to. I did not design this deal for EGO, but to hopefully keep somebody from getting toasted while a rescue guy is standing there with a knob in his hand!

 

Bob, could you please email me some photos of your system?

n_sitko@hotmail.com

Thanks!

 

paint?

I'm still wondering about the fire paint. All I want is an answer yes or no - is the paint I bought from Wizards 3 years ago that came with an "NHRA ACCEPTED" decal still good, or do I need to spend another whack of money on fire paint, as well as add another couple pounds to my already too heavy body?

 

really? if $650 can save my life i would pay for a double coat.

 

Randy Parker made a rear body latch similar to the one that Bob described. I like it and it works great. I'm thinking of having Russ paint it the same color as the arrow so it will blend in,

 

Thanks Frankie.

Bob, any way that you can post the pictures on this site so everyone can have some idea?

We are going the route that Worsham used on his car, very effective and works the same way.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the rules. Glad they are released this early so we can get clarification not to mention time to incorporate them. Would really like to see some pics of the release mechanism.
Thanks, Ro Yale

 

I have the same latch on the rear of my car as the front. I believe it was built by the Parkers. I don't understand why the NHRA would want a cable if a well built linkage would work and would be safer in the event of a fire. The body coating thing isn't really clear to me. Is the stuff I have on there now which was certified before good enough now? Dave Germain

 

The paint we use now is no better than standard bathroom paint with the label ripped off so you don't know it came from the local Home Depot, and then they charge $250.00 for it because it's "approved." They gentleman I buy from is typically out of the paint, but always has yellow body labels for sale for $250.00.

RG

 

Bob you can go to www.Photobucket.com and download your pictures there, then post them here, it worked for me.
Ken