Thread: Drag Racing 101 please

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Hey guys, tried going to NHRA site and seeing what they had that could get me understanding it all, couldn't find my answers and KNOW that you gents have them.

1. the one I'm most curious about first: what do the a/gas, b/gas and so on stand for? I cannot find this on the NHRA classes information.

2. I see a class for cars that retain almost all original stuff, and class for cars that have lots of mods but original block, and unlimited running at 10.9 IIRC. Where does the aforementioned /gas groups fall?

3. all this tech inspection stuff, wow, where is the complete list?

4. what do the safety harnesses attach to?

I am asking all this as my uncle just bought us another project, which is an almost running 70 nova with full roll cage, bbc, t400, currie 9" etc. has a bucket seat out of some car it looks like. We have no plans, currently, of taking it to the track, just having fun, cruising to the hamburger stand etc.

BUT I would like to do things with the future in mind, I'd like to eventually start going to the track and hopefully give my daughters a chance when they're older (3 and 2 now, lots of time left).

5. do they really make you tear down the engine after a win? I think I'd rather not win if I had to do all that work.

6. do tracks have a practice time where you can practice the burnout, staging and start? so you don't look like an idiot when it comes time to really race?

Red

Best way to learn is hook up with a local guy that races and hang out, go to the track with them, ask lots of questions, and have some fun while you learn!!!!!!

Thanks Dave, I do plan on doing that, but right now with things the way they are I barely get time to work on the stuff, let alone get out of town for the races (no track in Fresno).

I see on summit that the harnesses attach to the roll cage, BUT, the crosspiece of the roll cage is lower than the shoulders of the seat. I'm guessing you want the harness attached higher, does it attach to the top hoop?

Red

The mount point of the shoulder harness would be the crossbar behind the driver's seat, at a point below the shoulders--don't remember the exact spec on it right off.... This way the shoulder belts hold you back in the seat, and not pull down too much or let you slide out of the seat if there's an impact.... Believe me, when there's an impact you do move around a bunch in the seat even with a 5 or 6 point harness!!!!!

Better yet, Dago---come back my way next summer and me and you will go along with the boys a couple weekends!!!!! That is if you don't mind a bit of partyin' thrown in with your drag race education!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave if there was no partying it wouldn't be a very good education!!!! That's a fantastic offer, if I can find a way to make that happen I will. Are there any tourist traps in South Dakota? My wife and I are planning to take a trip next summer, maybe I can find a reason for SD to be on the list of choices.

Red

here is a pic of the cage.

The roll bar looks good, but the seat doesn't quite do it for me.... I prefer a regular aluminum racing seat with slots for all the belts.. Does look like the car has been "back halfed", good sized wheel tubs and some aluminum panels..... Would sure be the start of an excellent bracket racer, if nothing else!!!!!



PS--Lots of tourist traps back here... Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills, plus bunches of good fishing places along the Missouri River....

It was back halved, pics look like real nice aluminum work. after we get it in hand I'll take more pics (I actually have about 15 now) and post them. I don't like that seat either. u-g-l-y. I do want one that is actually covered though, summit has some not too expensive.

I'll talk to my wife, road trip was something I was thinking. take the girls with us. we don't want to deal with flying till they're older.

Fresno is centrally located for both Famoso, down in Bakersfield, and Sacramento Raceway up north. Check out A.N.R.A. They run a brief series of races at Famoso with bracket (timed launch), and A-E gas. E-gas being a 11.6 index. If your car runs 12's or slower, you could run in Sportsman Bracket. Faster than 12, then you would be in Hot Rod Bracket. Also, they run nostalgia front engine classes, and open wheel. Lots of fun. You can also do test and tune races at both Famoso and Sac Raceway. They have an annual New Years race up at Sac, for a winter fix! Both are drivable in one day from Fresno, as you know. Your car is older than '73' so you can run in ANRA. I think your car has a BBC, so you have lots of flexibility for what classes you could run.
Tech is not to hard to figure out. Get an nhra rulebook. PM me here in FAT.
I know a guy here that is a tune wizard. Get your wallet out though!
Rad

Dago,

As Rad said make a trip to a track Famoso is only about 100 miles or so from Fresno and is one of the most historic drag strips in the world. http://www.famosoraceway.com/. Check the schedule and make a trip out there. Most tracks have test and tune days and street tire, closed exhaust fun drags. Those are great times to get a feel for what goes on at a race. If you want to know specifics, pick up and NHRA rule book and read about what is required. It will tell you exactly where you need to mount your belts. www.nhra.com.

Have fun! Be safe!

Pat

Thanks a lot guys!!!

Rad your tune wizard is probably out of our budget! but I am glad to see another member here from Fresno. After first of the year maybe we can meet up some time.

I've heard of famoso, I'll make it down there after new year, I had no idea they had one in Sac. I go up there for business sometimes, I'll start checking their schedule with my work schedule and see if the two can't overlap somehow. You guys are a great resource for information, I really appreciate it.

here's a new question: I see all the rules, helmets for this, suits for this speed etc. But if we've never run the car before, the first time at a test and tune, how do we know what all we need?

Red

Get the rule book. I think you can order it on the NHRA website. Your car will be under 135 miles per hour. So tech is relatively simple. For test and tune, or fun drags, minimum equipment is needed. Some hard mount stuff is required like a trans shield, driveshaft loop, and relatively straightforward modifications. Your cage looks good, and I bet the car is set up pretty good already. I am going to be in Mexico over the New Years. We can hook up after that. Rad

I will order the book. I hope yo have a blast in Mexico. I've been down there many times and recently learned a lesson I didn't think I needed. never use already cut limes out of a bowl. yeah, montezuma's revenge. oh well. my mexican friend that was with me and has spent a great deal of time there made the same mistake.

Red

Sacramento Raceway is very active with races 2 or 3 days a week. Wednesday night is fun drags, Friday night or Saturday test and tune and frequent feature races on Sundays. Also Infineon Raceway in Sonoma is a great track, very high quality and they have several active programs as well.

Pat