I’m wondering at what trap or et do you normally get kicked off the track for not having a cage. I don’t think i’ll be near that but i just want to make sure since I won’t be running a cage.
Not sure if there is an exact answer man, I’ve seen helmet and cage rules vary by track, 10.99 and lower is a definite cage where I’m at. You have to wear a helmet even if your cars runs the 1/4 mile in 25s. Figure out what track u are gonna run and call them. Just FYI you can run a time and break the rules once, but then they will pull you. Just play dumb if you run too fast.
iirc rollbar is anything in the 11’s, cage is anything in the 10’s… NHRA and IHRA should have it in their rulebooks
11.49 or quicker, 135mph or faster is a cage. 13.99 is helmet.
almost right.
11.49 roll bar
10.99 full cage
there are some jacket/glove rules too
thanks for the replies everyone.
I guess I’ll be a little upset if I don’t get kicked off the track 
So technically the MRC/TTS’d RS4 needs a roll bar? Whoa.
some tracks are lax, some are super strict (New England Dragway is super strict in my experience),
also to note ihra rules are different
that’s a badge of honor. This was funny
http://www.streetfire.net/video/vast-performance-gt-600-track-vid_142286.htm
This is pretty thorough. From another forum, posted by a regular driver.
13.99 1/4-mile (8.59 1/8-mile) or quicker:
-A driveshaft safety loop is required when you run slicks (not drag radials or street tires). With street tires or drag radials, no loop is required until 11.49 1/4-mile (7.35 1/8-mile) and faster.
-A helmet (closed face or open) is required with a minimum Snell K98 or M2000/SA2000 rating. Helmets last 12 years from their rating date (example a Snell 2005 would be good until 2017). Shield is not required.
11.99 1/4-mile ( 1/8-mile) or quicker:
-Metal screw-in valve stems required on tubeless tires on all wheels.
11.49 1/4-mile (7.35 1/8-mile) or quicker:
-A 5-point minimum roll bar on a fixed roof car (t-tops okay as well if in place while racing) from 11.49 to 11.00 (7.00 1/8-mile). If the hardtop / t-top car has un-altered floors, firewall and frame rails (wheel tubs are okay), then the 5-point roll bar is good til 10.00 1/4 mile (6.40 1/8-mile). Convertibles require the 5-point bar from 13.49 (8.25 1/8-mile to 11.00 (7.00 1/8-mile).
The rollbar must be constructed of a minimum o.d. mild steel or chrome moly tubing (moly can be a smaller o.d and is lighter but more expensive), see diagram below for specs.
The roll bar can be bolted or welded to the floor, see diagram below for specs.
Roll bar must be padded anywhere the driver’s helmet may contact it while in the driving position, see diagram below for specs.
The 5-points are:
Main hoop; 2 “down bars” (bars that go from the main hoop rearward to the trunk floor/hatch area. These can be straight or bent like a “package tray” style, search for photos); Welded crossbar for belts (can’t be removable), see rulebook for exact location. Driver side door bar (can be a swing-out. Many put a passenger’s side bar in as well (6-point) because it strengthens the car on both sides, but if you have subframe connectors the difference may be minimal).
-Protective Clothing (SFI jacket with a 3.2A/1 rating, no expiration date)
-5 point harness (up to date, they must be replaced or re-certified every 2 years; You can re-cert by shipping the belts to the manufacturer, or buy new ones. I usually buy new ones and sell the old ones on EBay (street racers and dune buggies buy 'em).
-SFI-approved flywheel and/or clutch (no expiration date)
-Screw-in valve stems
-No tint allowed on window except factory
10.99 1/4-mile (6.99 1/8-mile) or quicker:
-5-point roll bar is still okay to 10.00 1/4-mile (6.40 1/8-mile) in hardtop / t-top with un-altered floors, firewall and frame rails (wheel tubs are okay). If the floor and/or firewall has been modified, then a full roll cage is required beginning at a 10.99 e.t. or any vehicle running 135 mph or faster (regardless of e.t.). The roll cage must be constructed of a minimum o.d. mild steel or chrome moly tubing (moly can be a smaller o.d and is lighter but more expensive), see diagram below for specs. Roll cage must be padded anywhere the driver’s helmet may contact it while in the driving position, see diagram below for specs.
-Convertibles require full roll cage at 10.99 and quicker.
See diagram below.
-aftermarket axles with positive retention (c-clip eliminators)
-Transmission shield SFI Spec 4.1 at 10.99 and quicker or 135 mph and quicker (blanket is okay, no expiration date)
-Harmonic Balancer SFI Spec 18.1 (no expiration date)
9.99 1/4-mile (6.39 1/8-mile)/ 135 mph or quicker:
-Roll cage is required on all vehicles at 9.99 and quicker or any vehicle running 135 mph or faster (regardless of e.t.). The roll cage must be constructed of a minimum o.d. mild steel or chrome moly tubing (moly can be a smaller o.d and is lighter but more expensive), see diagram below for specs. Roll cage must be padded anywhere the driver’s helmet may contact it while in the driving position, see diagram below for specs. Roll cage must also be certified by NHRA every 3 years and have a serialized sticker affixed prior to participation. This style of cage is good til 8.50 1/4-mile times, then a funny car style cage is required.
See diagram below.
-Window net required (can be ribbon or mesh, no altering allowed unless done by manufacturer. 2009 NHRA rule book states mesh nets carry a manufacturer date and a 2 year expiration/re-cert, while ribbon are good forever. Check with your local track or division).
-NHRA competition driver’s license required, done by car designation (dragster, door car, etc). A physical, 2 NHRA licensed drivers to witness/sign your forms and a minimum of 6 runs are required. For NHRA license form click here: www.nhra.com/contacts/forms/licenseapp.pdf, for NHRA physical form click here: www.nhra.com/contacts/forms/physical01.pdf
-Flexplate SFI 29.1 and shield SFI 30.1 required (no expiration dates listed, but I believe the shield is 5 years)
-Protective Clothing (SFI jacket and pants with a 3.2A/5 rating, gloves and neck collar, no expiration date)
-Battery cutoff (regardless or whether battery is still up front or relocated to rear of vehicle). The cutoff switch must shut down everything electrical when off; see here for pictures and a wiring diagram: www.ls1tech.com/forums/drag-racing-tech/733951-battery-disconnect-switch.html
-A full-face helmet is required with a minimum Snell K98 or M2000/SA2000 rating. Helmets last 12 years from their rating date (example a Snell 2005 would be good until 1/2017). Shield is permitted, and modifications to helmet or shield are prohibited. This rule posting is as it applies to cars like ours (closed body type). For open cars a different helmet ruling is required.
-A engine diaper is required at NHRA national and divisional races, local races vary, check with your division or track.
Parachutes:
-Required at 150 mph no et restriction
So if someone claims a low 11s cat then they should have some extras in there…
or a track that looks the other way. Happens all the time. The TTS car, if you’ll notice, ran a bunch of 12 second times on the weekend. Then they ran 11.42, then ran 12 something again. So it’s quite possible they were just sleeping (track folks)
First time I went to the strip my track told me to put a helmet on after running a couple of 13.30-13.40 times. The next time I was there, I was 13.2 and they never said boo. The time I ran 12.9 they told me I would have to put the helmet on if I kept running in the 12s.
So who knows lol. They’re NHRA certified now, so not sure they’ll be so lax.
Santa Pod is IHRA I believe.
yep they willl do that. They will hold a slip from you if you dont play nice.
Ill be honest. If your in a audi your going to be able to get away with a little more then most. Most tech guys don’t even know what to look for on a audi. Most Domestic guys know how fast most cars are and they know what to look for.
If you go 130 you need a scatter sheald and a trans blanket in most cases. Both of those don’t exsist for a audi so its going to be tough. I found that most people I know with ligit fast audis are just held to the cloths. Notice how in jays 10sec run he had his jacket on yet no cage. Most tracks are like that they will let stuff slide.
The NHRA changed a few rules due to the zo6 vets stock Technically requiring a cage Stock. So its lacks on some of the stuff. If you show up riced out expcect to be teched out and kicked out if you go tto fast
yeah, the dragstrip is a welcome home to the domestic guys…the euros are barely accepted guests…and the ricers are full on drunken lout gatecrashers who are treated as such by tech, the announcer and many of those in the crowd. It’s hilarious.
Car will look very stock… I should be good if i get it on video then.
Maybe hide the nitrous bottle inside a sub enclosure, lol.
haha
I would just make sure someone with an HD camera comes with you and films…and zooms in on the clocks because you may not get a timeslip out of it if you’re really under the minimum safety.
yeah, i gotta pick up a gopro to run in the car too.