Nostalgia Funny Car & the 4.900" Bore Spacing Rule

Hello Everyone,

My name's Paul and I'm new around here, great Forum. I did a search but did not pull up any threads on this subject although this Forum platform certainly seems like the place to ask.

We are wanting to run Nostalgia Funny Car (NFC). Now that NHRA has taken control of this class, the ol' 4.900" bore spacing rule has been brought into the NFC program. Well, we build 385 Series Fords over here (which have a 4.900" bore spacing), and my biz parters even have previous experience running the 429/460 based engine in NHRA events.

I have seen this 4.900" rule applied to other NHRA programs and, yes, I am well aware or the reasoning behind it for the big programs. I have even read some great threads right here on this subject. But applying the 4.900" bore spacing rule in NFC??? This just didn't used to be the case and one could run a 460-based engine or any of several other engines for that matter. That has always been the beauty of it.

So on this topic specifically (4.900" Rule in NFC), I'd like to know why you guys might think this rule was seemingly, casually lateralled over to NFC? Could this have been an simple oversight that needs to be brought to the attention of the NHRA (good luck on that one). Or is it to keep Ford out of the class? Can't be just that. To keep sponsor-starved Top Fuel from running lesser programs for an interim season (as was suggested to me)? That doesn't quite fit since the 4.900" rule already applies to them in the first place...unless they are sticking Top Fuel rules into NFC to keep those guys in line for the lower classes, should they run. Or...?

Non-Ford guys may not find this a big deal. Obviously it is to us 460 enthusiasts and apparently several other people I know that wish to get involved (or get re-involved) with a 460-based engine program.

There are so many ways to keep the big-time 4.900" & 5.000" aftermarket blocks and heads out of NFC, such as, "4.84 bore spacing maxmum (exception: 429/460 production blocks allowed)." Or is it the Boss Hemi that they are trying to shut the door on? That blows because it was allowed back in the day, wasn't it? Besides, we want to run a wedge-headed deal, not a Boss Hemi.

And lastly, has anyone here ever written or petitioned the NHRA for a rule ammendment or a waiver to allow a specific engine program within a class?

Thanks,

Paul

 

Paul.....
you might get a little more insight if you post this over on Justin's site. it's a great Nostalgia site, with great people. http://www.classicfunnycarboard.com/
copy and paste your question to the forums section.
hope this helps

 

What Darren said. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Darren and Kenneth,

You've pointed me in the right direction. Thanks very much for that!

I'll start with their search engine, of course.

Paul