I have been thinking I may eventually get an NHRA license to run at New England Dragway in the future. If my car runs a 9.50 for instance what class would my car be considered? The car in question is my 71 Cutlass with no tubbs and the cage and other safety equipment would obviously meet all requirements. I just get confused with so many different groups that I see guys running in!

 

Super gas or sportsman is my guess! Get a NHRA rule book and you will know what class your car falls into.

 

You have several choices... do you plan to run Division and National events or will your racing be geared more toward weekend bracket racing or test n tune days? Any car running under 10 flat falls under a different, more stringent set of rules for the driver and vehicle, than those running 10 flat & slower. If you haven't already, join the NHRA and the rule book is available online free to members and you will also find the procedure necessary to receive a license there. I would also suggest that you approach some of the drivers that are running in the same class that you're considering and ask questions, look at their cars and safety gear. Meeting the requirements for bracket racing will be easier than going through tech at a Div. or Nat'l event. Good luck!


-David
Current NHRA license holder;
471 Pro Stock
471 Top Sportsman
471 Super Comp
471 Super Gas

 

Thanks Lonestar. I currently do have a rulebook but I get confused as I think the rulebook could be set up to be a better read. To me it bounces around a lot.

I personally would be more of a weekend bracket racer/test n tune kinda guy. I guess if I really like it enough to try and compete during the week I might but that's a tough call as of right now. My focus is right now is more of the fun side and getting the car together with the right equipment as you suggest! Thanks for your imput!

 

madmax442, another option would be to ask your local track tech guy what you need to comply to run the ET's you're predicting.

 

For bracket racing follow rules for ET class-- specifically Pro and/or Super pro . NHRA class would most likely be Super Gas { 9.90 index } most everyone runs faster and dials their car back a bit to run on the index .

 

Just had another thought that may influence your decision. If you run Super Gas at an NHRA divisional or national event , the entry fee is $ 165 . It's the same fee for all NHRA sportsman classes in the Lucas Oil Drag Race Series . I run stock eliminator but only do it a couple times per year . Otherwise, I run it in Pro ET bracket racing .

 

$165!!!?!
Wow. I had no idea. That must put some pressure on ya!

I run IHRA Summit Super Series- Pro(no box)
It's $60 a race, 12 races each season. A bit more affordable.
There's no real limit time wise. there's cars that would go 9's and Cars that would barely make 20!
It's fun. Easy to get into.

Last year I finished tied for 5th.
This year...not so good. I'm currently 14th out of about 50.

-pete

 

I run the Summit Series at Sacramento Raceway in Pro ET . $ 55 entry and usually 10 races per season . We have as many as 80 cars sometimes in the summer . Finished top ten in points a couple seasons . Have taken this season off, as I'm freshening up the 455 and looking to try a couple new things that will help me go quicker when I run it in Stock again . Our Pro class is 7.50-13.99 w/ no electronics .

 

You now...it could be 10... Or maybe ours is best 10 out of 12.
It rains a lot here in the evening so they plan on a lot of canceled races.

We have a guy in an 83 escort that run 12.80's...in the 1/8!!!
I wish we had limits.
It's really rough giving that guy almost 6 seconds head start.
But it's a fun class to run regardless.
-Pete

 

I ran in Pro class for NHRA and Modified or Super ET in IHRA now they are IHRA at Cordova again Modified class is 0-13.99 no box 75.00 entry and Super ET is 11.50 - 13.99 if you are faster than 11.50 you have to run in Modified or Top eliminator top is 0 - 11.49 with box allowed.

 

Thanks for the info guys! I just got my car on the road for the first time ever under my ownership yesterday. Current setup is bbc 502/TH-400 but and switching to BBO Olds power after Cutlassefi (Mark Remmel) gets my new motor built in a few months!

 

That's rough.
I wouldn't want to consistently go up against box cars.
Personally, 11.49 seems like a high cut off.
I can't believe how many cars show up at the track with big tires, full electronics, race gas, dedicated, trailered race cars that run low 11's and high 10's.
They're over chassis-ied, under engined consistency machines.

just my opinion.

-pete

 

....and that's why they do it!