Weight reductions and track rules.

[BamSHO]

Yeah I'm going there.

This is always a hot topic, no matter what car it is or what class you run at the track. Everyone has there opinion.

We have seen just seat removal to full blown stripping of interiors.

Probably what most don't know, there are some rules that cover our cars. Now it's up to each track owner and the person in charge of tech to enforce these rules.


I know most tracks overlook or really don't know much about these rules, and our cars are overlooked.

I get it, have been racing enough the past 5 years to know how "things work"

The IHRA rule is in the attachment

 

[ridered74]

The closest look my car ever got during tech inspection was at summit. They checked my tire tread on both sides. That was it tho, four other tracks I've been to just look at the tech card to make sure it's signed and check for the snell sticker on the helmet.

Lots of people have been completely honest with me about how they go faster, so I try to do the same. Hiding mods is a dick move imho. It's also disrespectful to people who have gone the same time as you, but with more mods.

 

[BamSHO]

I mean everything that is relevant to the driver seat belt, airbags, etc even in my most stripped set up are all functional.

No it's not. Read the rules, UNALTERED safety features. Removal of dash and your drivers seat(which includes an airbag) is altered. Like I stated, it's up to each track owner and tech person.

Your car won't pass tech here.

 

[SM105K]

That is for the IHRA.....

What does the NHRA say? I don't run at any IHRA tracks.

 

[Jordan_R]

That is for the IHRA.....

What does the NHRA say? I don't run at any IHRA tracks.

It's basically the same stuff, but I don't always go to "street legal" events so not sure when that also gets thrown into the mix. I also speed on the highway so so much for following the rules anyways.

 

[BamSHO]

I mean everything that is relevant to the driver seat belt, airbags, etc even in my most stripped set up are all functional.

Read the rules. It states "unaltered OEM safety equipment". You have stated and shown you removed your driver's seat with a racing seat correct? Seat has an airbag in it. Plus everything else.

I'm pointing this out due to my track I go to, they are getting more serious on safety and teching cars in better.

Many of you may have not known these rules.

Your car wouldn't pass tech here.

 

[BamSHO]

It's basically the same stuff, but I don't always go to "street legal" events so not sure when that also gets thrown into the mix. I also speed on the highway so so much for following the rules anyways.

Doesn't matter if your at events or not, you need to pass tech.

 

[StealBlueSho]

Sooo... maybe the track Jordan goes to isn’t IHRA or NHRA certified?

I know that MIR and Capitol Raceway usually do a quick tech inspection but nothing crazy... I have seen then turn away cars before due to issues.

I’m wondering if perhaps they see a newer car they just assume it’s good to go?


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[BamSHO]

The biggest thing is replacing the drivers OEM seat with a racing seat. That changes everything.

 

[StealBlueSho]

True... the motor did unload itself before he got down the track with the new seat...

But I think BamSHO is more bringing the rules out since there has been a lot of guys pulling interiors to see what they can do...

It makes sense to understand what is permitted and what isn’t if you happen to go to an event where it matters.


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[BamSHO]

Because I have put a race seat in my car that totally means I have been down the quarter mile with it then right? Definitely didn't add that like last month or anything. Just seems more like a call out than anything else.

Your car, your life. If the tracks around there let you, good for them.

 

[StealBlueSho]

And for bracket racing which is where this would most likely come into play... remember it’s not who is fastest but who is most consistent in all things.

BamSHO has one at least one title and placed in many street champion events. So he knows what’s up.

There is a reason tracks started banning Crown Vic’s in their bracket events... yea they were slow AF, but they were consistent within a few hundredths and would take the title with a rookie driver.


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[BamSHO]

I've raced the last 6 years for 2 different track owners. One that so so cared about safety and the current one that actually does. It's night and day. Especially this year in which he had to crack down on safety equipment and rules. I have good racer friends that have had to spend money on cages, gear.

This crack down is because of the insurance carriers. I know this cause my wife now works in the office at the track I run at. It's been very eye opening to say the least.

Tracks stream events now, and let me tell you. The insurance carriers ARE watching. If they see something wrong, they are calling the office Monday if not sooner. This is no joke.

This is why I did this post, was because of all the talk on weight reduction.

If your going to do it, just do it safely. That's all I ask. Don't do anything to risk a track or it's owner. They are closing fast enough.

 

[StealBlueSho]

I've raced the last 6 years for 2 different track owners. One that so so cared about safety and the current one that actually does. It's night and day. Especially this year in which he had to crack down on safety equipment and rules. I have good racer friends that have had to spend money on cages, gear because of the track owner.

This crack down is because of the insurance carriers. I know this cause my wife now works in the office at the track I run at. It's been very eye opening to say the least.

Tracks stream events now, and let me tell you. The insurance carriers ARE watching. If they see something wrong, they are calling the office Monday if not sooner. This is no joke.

This is why I did this post, was because of all the talk on weight reduction.

If your going to do it, just do it safely. That's all I ask. Don't do anything to risk a track or it's owner. They are closing fast enough.

+1 to all of this.


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[bpd1151]

Thank you BAM_SHO for highlighting the issues you've presented.

Especially with your better half working in/on the office side(s) of things. All of what you've brought up, is excellent info that should be digested and acted upon accordingly.

I'd hate to see tracks get shut down prematurely, and that's all it will take before the track owner's in turn, start clamping down on individual owners.

Happy (& safe) racing to all.

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[802SHO]

This is another scenario where rules are inconsintently enforced. But regardless we have all passed track tech at each of our own tracks. Bringing out the rule book lol! I've had to go buy pants before...if that means anything. Jordan's quarter mile times are all valid times. Mine are all valid. I think tech gets more serious depending on the event and who's there....but to each his own track and rules. My tech checks my ignition, seat belt and looks over my engine, checks my helmet, makes sure I have a fire jacket and that's about it. I'm paying to run their track ....I wouldn't expect to get my balls busted too much...I won't come back then. If it was free then I guess I'd have to comply with whatever they asked. I've heard ppl get called back to tech before. I think the tech at my track does an excellent job.

 

[SM105K]

Yep, my track (which holds NRHA National Events) does a regular safety check. They wouldn't bat an eye if I showed up to track with an aftermarket race seat and if I was missing my dash. I really dont like the fact that I have an airbag in my seat as well.

 

[802SHO]

Yep, my track (which holds NRHA National Events) does a regular safety check. They wouldn't bat an eye if I showed up to track with an aftermarket race seat and if I was missing my dash. I really dont like the fact that I have an airbag in my seat as well.

Aftermarket seats are so common and so many cars not utilizing OEM parts I would be in shock if a race seat didnt pass. I'll find out lol! But like you I already know they won't bat an eye at it.

 

[SM105K]

I mean...my ST came stock with Recaro's.....

 

[Kevin81]

Its Good info to have, though. I modified the suspension on my old car, and since it didn't use the oem mounting points, that bumped me up to a different class. I literally couldn't drive my car at Limerock until I got a new licence, and qualified. And then got to be humiliated because I ended up having to GIVE time to cars WAY faster than I was.

Research first, modify later. Saves a ton of time and money.