I am sure that many others have done the same thing, even in their personal vehicles with the reel devices in the seats. Again why air bags do work well in crashes if they trigger properly.

That being said, production vehicles "fold up", Race cars seem to be built like tanks to not fold up, but, the "ball" inside the "cage" takes a heck of a beating internally.
That is assuming that the "ball" is not punctured by a seat back retention mount.
(IE BIG CHIEF and his crash in his white lemans). Lucky that he is alive and not crippled.)

Tom V.

I think the helmet deal is more of the possible foam deterioration over time and the effectiveness of it under impact, and they figure 10 years is good enough. And i'm ok with that.

I think the 2 years on the seatbelt is ridiculous. Maybe for a roundy round racer that pressure washes his car and soaks the belts every weekend. But the 2 yr shouldn't be pushed across the board for all types of racing, should be at least 5 years. Especially for cars like ours , the belts never get wet or long exposures to sun.

Ironically circle track belts are good for a longer time than drag cars.... Atleast they used to be

Here is a link to the rules for the 2021 SCCA events.

SCCA Time Trials

A. All vehicles must provide factory original (or better) seats that are securely mounted.
B. All vehicles must have seat belts with a minimum of three (3) mounting points mounted in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations when applicable (SFI or FIA rated are recommended).
C.


Full Safety Rules - SCCA Time Trials
https://timetrials.scca.com › pages › full-safety-rules
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A Newcomer's Guide to SCCA General Competition Rule ...
https://dk1xgl0d43mu1.cloudfront.net › original
PDF
For most cars you will need a competition seat, competition belts, a window net and fire extinguisher. The basic requirements from the GCR are: Racing seats.

2021 SCCA ROAD RACING GENERAL COMPETITION RULES
https://www.scca.com › downloads


5 point, 6 point, 7 point seat belt systems, helmet rules, lots of rules on competitor and spectator behavior.

And the rules apply even if you are campaigning a Volkswagon on the track.
A co-worker did just that. He raced against Triumps, Volvos, etc.

The info is much more geared towards SAFETY for the Vehicle and the Driver vs the Rubber Stamp most Drag Race tracks use.

Tom V.

Assistant Regional Executive, one year, National Scrutineer (Tech Inspector) 14 years, Sound Chief 3 years.

Not sure if it was mentioned, it's more about the stitching on the belts. Stitching weakens over time, the actual fabric of the belt will last a while.

I was at Gateway when Darrel Russell died. Racing community has to learn the hard way sometimes. Eric Medlen,, Blaine Johnson, Darrell Gwynn, Scott Kalitta...

Hi Eric, I sent you a PM

We were doing good for a while. I learned one of the costs of campaigning a Funny Car.
Thanks Eric and Mike.

JMO, Since a few of the charter members of the NHRA have passed away, it just doesn't have the same "Feel" when you went to the track. Maybe that is why some tracks are closing. The land is worth a lot of money for the Real Estate guys.

If the Waterford Racing people had not been the Charter Members of that area, the Housing guys would have legislated them out of their track years ago. But Waterford follows the Racing Rules, Like Helmets. strictly. All they need is a personal injury lawsuit and the track is gone.

Tom V.

...and yet open-face helmets are fine for 1/4 mile. What ET triggers RQMT for Full-Face Helmets?

9.99 and quicker need full face.
I think possibly convertibles may need it also?


:confused:

From NHRA rulebook 2020


http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1630070570




:)

This right here. ^^^^^^ It's all a G---Dam money racket, always has been, always will be.

Post #51 should answer Slowbird's question. About "drag racing".

I read NOTHING in that RULE, in that DRAG RACING rule book, in PRINT about running 1/8th mile track events and Helmet rules. So basically you could run 130 in the 1/8th and not need a helmet period. Must be a adjustment to the NHRA rule book in the TRACK RULES.

Tom V.

SCCA mandates the safety rules when you are tech inspected at the track, not by the speed or lap times.

At bottom of the pic:

See General Regulations 10:7

:)

This section pertains to ET racing. Read the full Rules Book if one wants specific classes regulations that may be different (stricter).

:)

Posting a portion of the rule or a specific page, is like adding two numbers
8 and 8 with the answer being 16, and on your answer sheet writing the number 6
and you want to get full credit for the answer.

How about posting the answers to both 1/8 and 1/4 helmet information.

Tom V.

Easier to 'RTFM' if one wants to get the complete rules?

Anyway:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1630090126

:rolleyes:


To the original poster, it would be wise to call the track and ask about their helmet rules. Our track (at that time) required ALL racers to have a helmet. Quicker than 9 seconds (1/8th mile track) to have updated helmet.
P.S. Our track also had some extra helmets for racers to use for the day if they didn't have one.


:)

Assuming the OP is in Division 3, maybe this will help. And anyone else who doesn't have access to an NHRA rulebook.
Class Specific Rules
Please note: For Summit ET Series bracket classes, we will follow rules as listed on www.nhradiv3.com.
Any rule changes throughout the season will supercede this rulebook. Please note: Helmets are required
in any vehicle faster than 13.99 (8.59) 1/8th equivalent. This helmet much meet NHRA standards as set
in their rulebook, must be SNELL SA/M2010, or newer or SFI equivalent. See NHRA rules for specific
permitted helmets. NOTE: SNELL SA2010 and M2010 helmets expire 1/1/2022 and will not be
permitted after this season.

Thank You OGR.

Tom V.

This talk of expiring belts and helmets reminds me of the same BS with body armor.

Apparently my vest is good right up until the date on the tag, then all of a sudden it's dangerous and should be discarded.