Probably not, if they are DOT Drags. Tires are a wearable item, so I doubt they play into this rule. But in certain levels of auto crossing, changing the tire compound does move you from class to class. I don't see why it wouldn't play into account in NHRA racing.
NHRA rule change
- Thread starter firestang70
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Probably not, if they are DOT Drags. Tires are a wearable item, so I doubt they play into this rule. But in certain levels of auto crossing, changing the tire compound does move you from class to class. I don't see why it wouldn't play into account in NHRA racing.
SCCA has 3 classes of tire:
Street Tire = DOT & treadwear over 400
DOT Tire = any tire with a DOT rating (equivalent to a DR)
True slicks
I'm not a drag racer, I don't know if NHRA has a true street tire definition. I'm not sure how you'd distinguish between a DR and the tires that come on cars like the ZR1. The factory tires are almost slicks from the factory.
You can't just say that tech inspection will know it when they see it, you'd need a definition.
This leads me to believe that "unaltered" does mean chassis (firewall, wheel tubs, etc.). It could mean no power adders, but if a GT500 is safe @ 135, why wouldn't a GT with a blower?
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Street Tire = DOT & treadwear over 400
DOT Tire = any tire with a DOT rating (equivalent to a DR)
True slicks
I'm not a drag racer, I don't know if NHRA has a true street tire definition. I'm not sure how you'd distinguish between a DR and the tires that come on cars like the ZR1. The factory tires are almost slicks from the factory.
You can't just say that tech inspection will know it when they see it, you'd need a definition.
This leads me to believe that "unaltered" does mean chassis (firewall, wheel tubs, etc.). It could mean no power adders, but if a GT500 is safe @ 135, why wouldn't a GT with a blower?
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Marc s
NASA AIX
Tech will not look at the registration. It won't matter though. A stock 07 GT500 on stock rubber will never run quicker than 11.50.
Yesterday, I had the NHRA call me about some chassis certs so I asked him about this new rule. They said, the car has to be on OEM tires and be 100% stock.
So then basically, this is for the GT-R and the occasional Z06/ZR1 with some exotics sprinkled in. But I am thinking the main motivation behind this was the GT-R.
I've been around the 2013 GT-R a lot lately. It does not take much skill to get a bone stock one to run 10s. With it's ability to cut 1.5X 60's on its stock street tires. It's really cool how the car changes its torque bias from AWD on the launch, to pretty much strict RWD once it is in motion.
I think its going to be up to the tracks, in the end, on how they enforce it. At Irwindale the tech guys were saying as long as there are no modifications to the engine, on a DOT legal (not oem) tire. So while obviously you would be correct, as your info came directly from NHRA, my only point is it may be implemented differently depending on what track you go to.
OR--you go through tech on your OEM tires, then switch to a dr on a spare set of wheels in the pits after tech, then get in the lanes and I almost guarantee no one is going to be called out for that.
It'll be interesting to see how the tire issue works out.
What if OE tires aren't available when replacements are needed? What if the OE changes OE tires midyear? That happens often. Are tech inspectors supposed to know when this change was made and compare VIN to the tires?
Opens a big can of worms. NHRA is going to have to officially clarify what "unaltered" means, especially the tire issue.
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What if OE tires aren't available when replacements are needed? What if the OE changes OE tires midyear? That happens often. Are tech inspectors supposed to know when this change was made and compare VIN to the tires?
Opens a big can of worms. NHRA is going to have to officially clarify what "unaltered" means, especially the tire issue.
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On race days I know tech inspection is more anal. TnT days... be lucky if they even make sure your battery isn't loose at the tracks I run at.
Till manufacturers start putting tires like this on a car...
I don't think it's hard to tell the difference between that and a street tire, especially if you work at a track and see the stuff everyday.
I will be completely shocked, and actually dissappointed in the NHRA if "unaltered" means 100% stock down to the tires.
- Is a 10 second car safer on street radials than DR's? No way.
- Is a 10 second car, 100% stock, safer than a pulley/tune/suspension car on DR's? No Way.
If anything, suspension and Drag Radials will enable the racer to be more confident in his/her actions and be less prone to hitting the wall due to a crappy track. I have lost traction on the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts at a track on street radials, and it's NOT fun.....even in the 11 second cars I was driving...
- Is a 10 second car safer on street radials than DR's? No way.
- Is a 10 second car, 100% stock, safer than a pulley/tune/suspension car on DR's? No Way.
If anything, suspension and Drag Radials will enable the racer to be more confident in his/her actions and be less prone to hitting the wall due to a crappy track. I have lost traction on the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts at a track on street radials, and it's NOT fun.....even in the 11 second cars I was driving...
Not to mention, you don't want to be "that guy" who spins through the first few gears chewing up the track prep in the groove, lol. But again, most of us feel this rule was made for the GT-R, and that car has ZERO issue cutting 1.5X 60's on regular stock street tires. I can't go to a track outting and not see at least 2-3 of them there.
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Thats basically what I am saying. If you go to an NMCA event, chances are they are going to enforce the new rule to the letter.
On a regular TNT event--I am sure they are not going to care about a DR, and won't even check the rear suspension for OEM parts--but I can see them making you lift the hood just to make sure the engine is completely stock.
But, what I wouldnt understand is....how is an engine modification even being close to relevant when speaking of 10.00 or slower? (safety)
A stock 2008 GT500 with only a TVS upgrade w/ 14 psi is not going to be any more dangerous than a 2013 GT500, completely stock.
A stock 2008 GT500 with only a TVS upgrade w/ 14 psi is not going to be any more dangerous than a 2013 GT500, completely stock.
One is factory, with all of the engineering and testing and approvals behind it. The other is not. That is the only difference I can think of---as mentioned earlier in this thread.
Till manufacturers start putting tires like this on a car...
I don't think it's hard to tell the difference between that and a street tire, especially if you work at a track and see the stuff everyday.
I'm not saying that tech inspectors don't know what a DR is, or how to spot them. I'm saying that if they're not allowed, you have to define in the rule what a drag radial is.
There's also a huge difference between an NT555R and a Hoosier DR. Where would you draw the line?
ZR1s are available with Pilot Sport Cup tires from the factory. They're a competition tire, not a DR, but they're damn sticky, probably as good a drag tire as a 555R. I wouldn't be surprised in the future to see the GT500 or ZR1 come with a DR from the factory as part of a "drag pack" or something.
Marc s
NASA AIX
I agree with you 100%.
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