TAFC rule amendment - body mounts...

Discussion in 'Pit Buzz' started by Will Hanna, Mar 17, 2016.

  1. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
    Staff Member

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    New TAFC rule amendment (amendment at the end in bold/red):

    SECTION 14: TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR, BODY: 7, BODY (Page 4) (3/9/2016) Any modification to body not expressly permitted in this Rulebook is prohibited. Any body that meets the Funny Car (Section 17) body requirements in their entirety is acceptable for Top Alcohol Funny Car competition. These bodies must be run as they come from the NHRA- accepted molds. Any modification not expressly permitted in the Funny Car (Section 17) body requirements is prohibited. Otherwise, for cars running at NHRA national events, body must be 1992 or later model year. On cars not running NHRA national events, body must be 1972 or later model year. All bodies must be an NHRA-accepted sports car, coupe, or sedan body of a type originally mass-produced by automobile manufacturer (domestic or foreign). Must have originally measured 63 inches wide or more at centerline of front and rear axle. Maximum body and/or roof width cannot exceed stock dimensions. Duplications of production bodies of fiberglass or carbon fiber permitted. Body may be lengthened or shortened. Front and rear contour of body must resemble same configuration and design for specific body used; holes for air passage prohibited. Maximum body width variation from front to rear is 6 inches. Minimum body width is 60 inches when mounted. Bodies are measured at centerline of front and rear axles. Enclosing the wheelwells or the use of wheel fairings is prohibited. Fender flares or lips (maximum 1 inch) not on original factory-produced bodies will not be considered in any width measurement. Wheelwell openings: front, minimum 5 inches measured vertically from centerline of the front axle to wheelwell opening; rear, minimum 8 inches measured vertically from centerline of rear axle to wheelwell opening. Trailing edge of rocker minimum of 18 inches measured directly from centerline of rear axle. Front overhang not to exceed 40 inches from centerline of front axle. Beltline moldings (if on stock vehicle), headlight and taillight housings or indentations must be incorporated into body. Headlights and taillights must be painted or decaled to simulate OEM appearance and configuration. Taillight area may be hinged (top only) for air venting, maximum 100 square inches per side; any other holes in rear of body prohibited. Hood scoops prohibited; injector must protrude through hood. Maximum dimensions of hood cowling, 26 inches wide by 5 inches high. Opening for blower hat must have a minimum 2.500-inch clearance between body and throttle linkage. Rocker panel extensions may not be more than 1 inch wide. Ground effects of any description prohibited. Ground effects include, but are not limited to, rocker skirts, belly pans, sheet-metal work under the body that produces a “tunnel” for the passage of air, etc. All bodies run in competition must be run as they come from the respective molds. Final determination on all body modifications rests with NHRA Technical Services Department. Bodies must be removable from a rear-release mechanism that must be accessible in the taillight panel area. The rear-release mechanism may be of any mechanical design. The mechanism must be unobstructed and easily visible and not located within 3 inches of any other opening. Release handle must be of a Thandle design with a minimum measurement of 3 inches in length. Contact NHRA Technical Services Department for acceptable design, operation, and installation Body (hood) burst panel, minimum 288 square inches, mandatory on all screw-supercharger-equipped cars. Body burst panel must be secured with plastic screws and two NHRA-accepted body burst panel tethers, with separate body pads for each of the two tethers bolted with a plate on both sides of panel. NHRA-accepted body burst panel tethers: Amick Race Car Restraints part number JF-101. Any new body designs or concepts must receive approval from NHRA prior to competition. Plans, drawings, pictures, etc. must be submitted to the NHRA Technical Department for approval. Body specifications may vary for certain exhibition vehicles; prior NHRA approval necessary. Underside of body, including any roof area and all the composite components such as timer boxes, etc., must be covered with SFI Spec 54.1 flame-retardant covering or coating. Must be applied according to the manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations, and must be applied externally. All bolts and fasteners on body, windows, etc. must have button heads toward outside of body. All stiffeners must be placed on the inside of the body, whether on windows, spoiler, etc. Mounting trees for body may not be adjustable. The framing must be a permanent fixture, with no adjustments. Any method used to allow the body to move (e.g. springs, dampers etc.) during the run is prohibited.

    Thoughts?
     
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  2. DQUES

    DQUES Member

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    Does the last sentence in red also pertain to the Fuel funnies ? .
     
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  3. Randy G.

    Randy G. Top Alcohol

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    Doesn't sound like it effects the McKinney adjustable saddles as they are set with a jamb nut once adjusted.
     
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  4. Psychosurfer

    Psychosurfer New Member

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    Does anyone know if this applies to modifications? Specifically, we are mounting a newer body on our chassis. My thought was to weld mounts to the back of the main chassis for the structure that would then support the rear body pivot. Are we allowed to have this as a removable structure or must it be welded to the main frame?
     
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  5. Dale H.

    Dale H. Member

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    Did you ever notice how some cars have 3 in. clearance from the nose to the track, but at the finish line, the nose is rubbing the ground.
     
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  6. TOL

    TOL Active Member

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    My read is that the structure must me immovable and stationary during a run, but that's only me.

    Imagine what could happen if NHRA let off a bit? NHRA by the way stands for "No Hot-Rods Allowed".
     
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