I haven't raced at a strip for some 30 years, but will soon.
So, at an NHRA strip, how is a Lightning classified equipped as mine is with headers, chip and filter mod? That used to still fall in the stock category but don't know the rules now.
Next, what is the ET break for special equipment such as helmet, driveshaft loop and so on?
Thanks for your help
Bill

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99.5 Lightning
Build #247
PSP Chip/Filter
Bassani full system
White/normal options
Tamiya 1/10 scale Bolt
Several old trucks/cars
Thunder & Lightning
Rag Doll Cats
E-mail MOSTOYSINC@AOL.com
Kennesaw, Ga. (Atlanta)

 

Hey Bill,

If you're just going to race for fun, then most tracks don't put vehicles into "classes". If you're trying to race in an NHRA sanctioned event, then I have no idea what class you'd be in. Probably stock, but I bet the "stock" class index for a '99 Lightning would be in the mid-12s. Seriously! The way they run those Sportsman classes is pretty interesting.

But, if you're just going to make some runs, then there is no class. You may have to enter a bracket race, but just enter something with street tires.

As far as rules go... helmets are required at 13.99, and _technically_ so are driveshaft loops. A loop is required on ANY car (no matter the speed) if slicks are used. I don't think you'll have any problem with the loop issue, even if you run deep into the 13s. But, definitely get a helmet.

The next major ET break as far as rules go is 11.99.

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Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--586rwhp/587rwtq
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)--390rwhp/441rwtq
97 SHO
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)--362rwhp/444rwtq
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fsT/index.html

 

That would be fun, trying to install a rollcage....o/k

 

Is a rollcage required at 12.99 or faster or 11.99 or faster? I thought it was 12.99. Now I'm not sure.

 

Thanks Wes:
I have a Snell approved helmet left over from my Harley driving days, so am OK there.
Unless I am lucky, I doubt I would do better than mid 13's, particularly as I am just playing around and will not get drag radials etc. Surely, I don't want a roll bar!!!!
Bill

 

11.99 = roll bar.. I don't think anyones in danger of hitting this on this heavy of a truck... at least not without some major modifications...

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* 99.5 Black Lightning (The fastest color I don’t care what Christy Ann Thinks)
* Personal Best ¼ Mile 13.99 @ 97.75 Mph. (Bone stock)
* Ohio Plate SVT2GO
* Waiting on a chip and filter from Sal.. I wanna go faster!
* Factory CD Changer
* Class 3 Towing Hitch
* Factory Tonneau Cover
* 8" Bazooka Tubs
* Kenwood 80 watt *2 amp
* Viper 550 Alarm w/ remort start
* Often found in the bed: 98 Yamaha Banshee/Pro Design Cool head/ Toomey T-5 Chrome Racing Pipes/ Wiseco Power Pistons / Boyesen rad valves

Injection is nice, but I'd rather be blown. 99 Lightning, the best of both worlds!

 

SVT 2 GO is correct on the roll bar...its 11.99. 6-pt bar required. 9.99 or 135mph means you need an NHRA certified roll _cage_, as well as a bunch of other stuff.

Really there's nothing major til 11.99. Then you have to have the bar, SFI harnesses, SFI harmonic balancer, SFI rated flexplate, c-clip elminators for the rear axles, blowproof scattershield for stick cars. At 10.99 auto trans vehicles have to have a trans blanket.

I'm rambling...

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Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--586rwhp/587rwtq
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)--390rwhp/441rwtq
97 SHO
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)--362rwhp/444rwtq
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fsT/index.html

 

Hey Wes:

Is that 9.99 break and all that has to come after it the reason your 5.0 stopped at 10.69 and 134.7? Another type of bracket racing perhaps!
Bill

 

Haha...no Bill. Actually, every time I go to the track I run the thing all-out. No bracket racing for me. If I enter a bracket class, its b/c I am forced to...and if I do, I dial whatever I'm driving hard so I can run it the full 1/4mile. I have never hit the brakes ONCE in the 7 years I've been racing at the strip (doesn't mean I race a lot, but just that I've been doing it awhile). I just ran the 10.69/134 last month, actually.

The 9.99 rule would kill me, though. The car is completely street legal, and I drive it ~2000-2500 miles a year. I do NOT want to put a 10-pt cage in the car. I do not want to have to spend the $$/take the time to have the chassis NHRA certified as little as I race it at the strip. I would also have to get a competition license. More time/$$. I don't know exactly what else. The car has all the required safety equipment for my times (and then some) for sure. But, its a street car FIRST, and race car SECOND.

That's one reason it doesn't ET worth a darn for the trap speeds it runs. With more attention to making it a drag-oriented vehicle it would run 10.1s or better.

To be honest, I don't think the track officials would boot me if I ran 135+. 9.99 is definitely an issue with them, but my car will never hit that.

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Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--586rwhp/587rwtq
96 Cobra (12.63 @ 114.5)--390rwhp/441rwtq
97 SHO
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.3)--362rwhp/444rwtq
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fsT/index.html

 

Bill, I am planning on going to Commerce some time in the near future to run my 98GT on a Friday night - test and tune. We could convoy and maybe get some other members to go.

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99 F150 XLT Silver 2WD S/C 4.2 5-speed, Pioneer DEH P4000, Superchip, Flowmaster muffler // Rear door switch guards - check them out at http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/show/5031

[This message has been edited by Darin (edited 03-21-2000).]