BPG Event cage/roll bar NHRA rules STRICTLY enforced!

[Brad Conley]

I was told last year by the Track mgr that NHRA still owned NTR?

Chris,
This is true. NTR is owned by NHRA. The point I was trying to make is that Norwalk is NOT owned by the NHRA but is rather a member track of the NHRA. Brian's statement made it seem like both tracks were NHRA owned and the BPG was being the bad guy enforcing safety rules. As you know, nothing could be further from the truth. The owner of each facility makes the rules they can live with concerning safety for all of their guests, racers and spectators alike. What may fly at Norwalk may not at NTR.

If someone has real concerns concerning the application of safety rules while at the BPG Nationals, they should contact Jim Layton at NTR. I am sure he would be more than happy to tell you exactly what will and will not fly at his facility. He is a really good guy to work with.

 

[T-TyPe86]

Cages on low 11 limited production cars?

Hi guys I'm new to the Buick world and was planning on coming down to national trail to race my car for the event. I've only had he car for about a
month. When I bought my 86' T-type it was all stock the reason I purchased the car was because how much performance you can achieve with little money and work. Also for the fact that it is a limited production car
and there not very common. I've been planning on racing with stricly bolt-ons I planned on runnin mid to low 11's and now I'm reading the cage rule will be strickly enforced so now I won't be able to race . What a shame! Well I guess I'm one more guy that won't be there

 

[turbobuick]

Hi guys I'm new to the Buick world and was planning on coming down to national trail to race my car for the event. I've only had he car for about a
month. When I bought my 86' T-type it was all stock the reason I purchased the car was because how much performance you can achieve with little money and work. Also for the fact that it is a limited production car
and there not very common. I've been planning on racing with stricly bolt-ons I planned on runnin mid to low 11's and now I'm reading the cage rule will be strickly enforced so now I won't be able to race . What a shame! Well I guess I'm one more guy that won't be there

??? You want to run mid 11's and NHRA doesnt require a cage till 9.99. At 11.49 you'll need a roll bar so if mid 11's is all you are looking for I don't see how you will have an issue?

 

[turbobuick]

Chris,
This is true. NTR is owned by NHRA. The point I was trying to make is that Norwalk is NOT owned by the NHRA but is rather a member track of the NHRA. Brian's statement made it seem like both tracks were NHRA owned and the BPG was being the bad guy enforcing safety rules. As you know, nothing could be further from the truth. The owner of each facility makes the rules they can live with concerning safety for all of their guests, racers and spectators alike. What may fly at Norwalk may not at NTR.

If someone has real concerns concerning the application of safety rules while at the BPG Nationals, they should contact Jim Layton at NTR. I am sure he would be more than happy to tell you exactly what will and will not fly at his facility. He is a really good guy to work with.

Jim is a good guy and would be a good person to contact but shouldn't the race director handle that and be the one in contact with the track mgr concerning these issues? I don't think Jim would appreciate a bunch of people calling there about tech questions concerning the event??

 

[Brad Conley]

OK Chris, I agree and I understand how you feel. I am a show guy and know just enough about racing to get myself into trouble, so I'll shut up about this stuff.

Ask any race related questions on the BPG site ( BPG Nationals Racing Rules - Buick Performance Group Forum ). Answers will be given there.

 

[Nick Micale]

Im almost positive any car with a full cage needs the cert even if it runs slower than 9.99/135. So according to NHRA an un-certed cage is useless since you arent legal to run.

A roll bar does NOT need a cert, so if you have a full cage with no cert, but meets the roll bar requirements, it is good to 10.0.

NHRA does not penalize you for having more safety than required.

 

[ReneeM]

Jim is a good guy and would be a good person to contact but shouldn't the race director handle that and be the one in contact with the track mgr concerning these issues? I don't think Jim would appreciate a bunch of people calling there about tech questions concerning the event??

C'mon guys, most of you know whether your call is legal or not. If it's not legal, either make it legal or leave it at home. If you have tech questions that you can not find answers to, either grab a NHRA rulebook or you can contact me at gs1970455@aol.com (put BPG in the subject) and I WILL get answers for you. I'm sure that Jim Leyton is a busy guy and I would rather you ask me and I'll make a call to him with the "questions of the week".

These are not our rules, these are the rules of the NHRA. If you want to chance it and bring it, then that's your decision. If you get kicked out, then that was your decision. We don't want to see anyone turned away, but we are also not putting ANYONE at risk. Safety comes first no matter how stupid some of the rules seem.

Thanks

Renee Moore
BPG Race Director

 

[Limited87]

Brian have you raced at Norwalk lately? I HIGHLY doubt they would let you make a 9 second pass without at least a roll bar. They are pretty strict these days with tech since becoming an NHRA track.

Chris, I was up there with Buschur two weeks ago and we almost got into the 8s (9.04@159) with his NON roll bar/cage street Evo. I would have been at Norwalks event if the new turbo had been released in time. I will be heading back up there in the next week or two with the Buick to turn the car up and see what it will do.

Chris,
This is true. NTR is owned by NHRA. The point I was trying to make is that Norwalk is NOT owned by the NHRA but is rather a member track of the NHRA. Brian's statement made it seem like both tracks were NHRA owned and the BPG was being the bad guy enforcing safety rules. As you know, nothing could be further from the truth. The owner of each facility makes the rules they can live with concerning safety for all of their guests, racers and spectators alike. What may fly at Norwalk may not at NTR.

Sorry if I made it sound that way. That wasnt my intentions. As you said each OWNER makes the rules concerning safety.

Hi guys I'm new to the Buick world and was planning on coming down to national trail to race my car for the event. I've only had he car for about a
month. When I bought my 86' T-type it was all stock the reason I purchased the car was because how much performance you can achieve with little money and work. Also for the fact that it is a limited production car
and there not very common. I've been planning on racing with stricly bolt-ons I planned on runnin mid to low 11's and now I'm reading the cage rule will be strickly enforced so now I won't be able to race . What a shame! Well I guess I'm one more guy that won't be there

I think he meant he has to cut/drill the car up to install a roll bar atleast. The list will keep adding up. How about these newer ZO6 Corvettes being 100% BONE STOCK that are all over youtube with NOTHING more than drag radials bolted onto them running 10.80s@130? I can just see evey new Corvette owner running out to there new 70k dollar car, cutting and drilling holes and stuffing a roll bar in it. It doesnt hardly happen.

These cars are very similar other than price. Takes little to push them into the deep 10s. Ask Tim Stockwell. Guys arent rushing out to drill/cut on these limited production cars. Once its butchered theres no coming back. Come out to Norwalk, BG or Reynolds and enjoy your car bud.

Brian

 

[ijames]

........"a lower engine containment" which is required at most West Coast NHRA tracks for ALL cars quicker than 10.0 or faster than 135 MPH.

This is an engine "diaper" or belly pan per the 2009 rule book.

That rule went into effect May 1 of this year at all local tracks and I believe also in Vegas, and is strictly enforced.

May be a good idea to check that out with National Trails?

Nick, when the diaper rule first came out I think the local tracks here in MD were told it was 10.0 or quicker, but then they said that the NHRA division made a mistake and it is only 7.49 or quicker that requires the diaper. At least Capitol Raceway's website says that (http://www.capitolraceway.com/index.htm), and then goes on to say that for cars quicker than 10.99 without a diaper they will keep track of oildowns and after the third one the driver will be fined $100 . Not sure about the fine part, but I know Cecil Co also doesn't require a diaper in the 8's since Avon runs both tracks and doesn't have one. NTR's in a different division so that's one question that definitely needs an answer from the track.

 

[ReneeM]

The diaper issue is on my list of questions. I will be in contact with the track either Monday or Tuesday and post back their official answer.

 

[turbobuick]

The diaper issue is on my list of questions. I will be in contact with the track either Monday or Tuesday and post back their official answer.

Please let us know this is something that will greatly impact the heads up classes if they are going to enforce it. None of the TSM TSO racers I know of have one and I don't think is possible to even add one to one of these cars.

I am heading out today for the Outlaw race at Milan. I believe they are also a NHRA track and they will be hosting some seriously fast cars tonight. I will check and see what they are doing concerning this. Again I haven't seen it enforced anywhere but you never know if you get the wrong tech guy. I had one at NTR last year that didn't want to let me race since my aluminum (metal) fuel cell didn't have a ground strap

 

[Limited87]

Please let us know this is something that will greatly impact the heads up classes if they are going to enforce it. None of the TSM TSO racers I know of have one and I don't think is possible to even add one to one of these cars.

I am heading out today for the Outlaw race at Milan. I believe they are also a NHRA track and they will be hosting some seriously fast cars tonight. I will check and see what they are doing concerning this. Again I haven't seen it enforced anywhere but you never know if you get the wrong tech guy. I had one at NTR last year that didn't want to let me race since my aluminum (metal) fuel cell didn't have a ground strap

Dont worry Chris. NTR will pick and choose what rules they want to enforce and which ones they dont. When no cars in the field have one it will get let go. Im not gonna argue that a diaper is a bad idea at all. Obviously you unload something on the track and it gets on your tires you could take yourself and someone else out. As alot of these guys have posted and eluded too, its about the money for the majority of these rules and equipment and keeping the safety companies busy with business.

Seat belts, jackets, exc, exc replaced every 2 years reguardless of wear is just plain bs. Worn once of a thousand times doesnt matter, you buy new every 2 or stay home.

 

[gnxtc2]

........"a lower engine containment" which is required at most West Coast NHRA tracks for ALL cars quicker than 10.0 or faster than 135 MPH.

This is an engine "diaper" or belly pan per the 2009 rule book.

That rule went into effect May 1 of this year at all local tracks and I believe also in Vegas, and is strictly enforced.

Nick, how is the progress going with you coming out with a "diaper" for the our cars?

Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com

 

[gbsean]

I am sure that NTR may or may not pick and choose what rules they wish to enforce. which is why I referred you to the NHRA Rules about Bars and Cages in regards to the question that was asked...

It would of been nice after our last set of e-mails if you could of told me you were going to post this. It would of made it easier for Renee our Race Director to address this issue. Or better yet to post a link to the BPG website so that the questions could of been addressed there. I did make a post on the BPG site in the BPG Event Section in regard to Safety like you suggested.

As far a Safety in concerened we have had this discussion and have agreed to disagree....thanks for you comments and hope that you still stop by and say hello....

 

[Limited87]

I am sure that NTR may or may not pick and choose what rules they wish to enforce. which is why I referred you to the NHRA Rules about Bars and Cages in regards to the question that was asked...

It would of been nice after our last set of e-mails if you could of told me you were going to post this. It would of made it easier for Renee our Race Director to address this issue. Or better yet to post a link to the BPG website so that the questions could of been addressed there. I did make a post on the BPG site in the BPG Event Section in regard to Safety like you suggested.

As far a Safety in concerened we have had this discussion and have agreed to disagree....thanks for you comments and hope that you still stop by and say hello....

Sean, I didnt try to post this behind your back. It a public forum you are a member of. Thats how I located you to ask questions. I am not a member of the BPG website to post this. I only posted here so guys like myself who had been planning to come to this event and race our cars dont drive all the way up and get booted for going to fast where its allowed at ALL the other Buick events. God forbid people have the info.

I deff still planned on coming up and watching as are many friends. We understand the bottom line that our cars will have to stay home and sit this event out. I was looking forward to meeting you. If you are upset that I brought this topic up and have a problem with me...say the word and I will stay home.

 

[HighPSI]

The host track will make the decision on that and that issue. The TSO rules state the competitor MUST pass host track safety requirements, this has been discussed before and is an issue even at Norwalk and Cecil which are also NHRA tracks and are pretty strict on safety requirements. This is nothing new Cal?

My reason for concern was because of this thread. I don't believe any other points series race had this discussion, so ASSumed they were going to be more strict than other venues. It's a long drive from FL, just trying to get an idea what to expect.

 

[kerfman]

....thanks for you comments and hope that you still stop by and say hello....

so now your threatening him for posting the info about the rules and requirements your gonna run this race by?????? nice.

 

[gbsean]

not upset.... you do not need to be a member of the BPG in order to post....just sign up like you did here... It is just easier to address BPG event issues on the BPG Board where the appropriate people can veiw the threads and respond to questions thats all...that way issues with the event are centrally located and you do not have to visit 14 different boards to figure out what is going on. Which is why I post links to hotel information..race rules..schedule....

 

[gbsean]

so now your threatening him for posting the info about the rules and requirements your gonna run this race by?????? nice.

where do you see a threat......

 

[gbsean]

My reason for concern was because of this thread. I don't believe any other points series race had this discussion, so ASSumed they were going to be more strict than other venues. It's a long drive from FL, just trying to get an idea what to expect.

Call the issue here why all this started was the thread poster contacted me and said he had a high 9sec Regal without a Cage or even a Bar and would he have a problem running at NTR... I said yes he would have a problem....based on the information that was provided to me by the TRACK that they follow NHRA Safety rules and that they would be enforced...I relayed that information as it was told to me....Now if I had replied "sure bring your car no problem" and the track says sorry you ran an 11.20 and you have no bar your done...who is the bad guy...Me...not the track but me and the BPG... The track says NHRA Rules will be enforced then you should expect they might check anything and everything from valve stems to NHRA Medical Certs for the speeds and times your running. Other tracks have other Rules....

Once again the internet strikes to make an issue bigger than it really is