National Hot Rod Association
Encyclopedia
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is a drag racing
governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and host events all over the United States
and Canada
. With over 80,000 drivers in its rosters, the NHRA is considered one of the largest motorsports sanctioning bodies in the world.
The association was founded by Wally Parks
in 1951 in the State of California
to provide a governing body
to organize and promote the sport of drag racing
. The first nationwide NHRA sponsored event was held in 1955, in Great Bend, Kansas. (Typical for the era, this race was held on a World War II-constructed training air field.) The "Nationals", which now comprise 22 events each year, are the premier events in drag racing that bring together the best car
s and drivers from across North America
. The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
are now held at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Clermont
, Indiana
and are officially called the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Winners of national events are awarded a trophy statue in honor of founder Wally Parks
. The trophy is commonly referred to by its nickname, a “Wally
”.
Second are the fire suits, or "Simpson Suits", that all drivers must wear. These suits are full body coveralls and made with seven layers of Nomex
fabric, which makes them resistant to fire. The term Simpson Suit refers to the main manufacturer of the suit, Simpson Performance Products
. The predecessor to the Simpson Suit actually came to the NHRA from NASCAR
in the mid 1960's after the death of NASCAR legend Edward Glenn "Fireball" Roberts
, who burned to death in a fiery car crash.
Another NASCAR transplant, which was brought into use after the death of Roberts, was the fuel cell. This bladder is placed into the fuel tanks of all non-nitromethane fueled vehicles to prevent fuel leaks, and explosions.
Third is the use of the HANS device
, a requirement for any driver in any category. This device limits the movement of the head and neck in the event of an impact and has been a mandatory device within the NHRA since 2004. The device was an option that started in 1996 after Top Fuel
driver Blaine Johnson
was killed during qualifying at the MAC Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Since the death of 2003 Rookie of the Year Darrell Russell
at the Craftsman Nationals, the device has been a mandatory part of the safety gear that must be worn at all times.
Fourth is the titanium shield that must be placed behind the head of all Top Fuel drivers. This is to prevent any debris from entering the cockpit and becoming a missile hazard to the driver. Only the Top Fuel division has this as a mandatory device, since only Top Fuel cars have the engines mounted behind the driver. However, several team owners in the Funny Car division have adopted it as well.
Fifth is the on board fire extinguishing system that all cars must be equipped with. These systems are directed onto the engine itself and are activated instantly when the engine catches fire, reducing the chance for the car to completely catch fire and endanger the driver. The driver also has a manual activation control available. This has been in place on all cars since 1983, when an engine explosion and fire came very close to killing then-Funny Car driver Mike Dunn.
Sixth is the roof escape hatch that is in place on all Funny Cars since the founding of the division in the early 1970s. This device allows Funny Car drivers a safe means of exit during an engine fire rather than falling out of the car between the frame and fiberglass body, and possibly running the risk of being run over by the rear tires.
Seventh are the long bars at the end of all cars, also known as "wheelie bars". These long struts prevent the car from flipping over during the launch phase. Prior to the 2006 season, the only division that did not use wheelie bars was the Top Fuel Division, but the constant threat of blowovers caused the NHRA to make wheelie bars mandatory on Top Fuel cars as well.
The rear tires of the car, which are called slicks due to the fact that there is no tread on them, are specified with safety considerations in mind. These tires are made from a much harder compound than in previous years so that the tire is resistant to disintegration. This also came about after the death of Russell. The tires are not allowed to be inflated under 7 pound per square inches (48.3 kPa) for any race at any time.
A safety requirement peculiar to the Funny Car class is the fireproof engine blanket which surrounds the engine block and contains debris in case of an engine explosion.
In the wake of Eric Medlen
's 2007 death, the roll bars in a Funny Car must be padded. They are padded with thick insulation and coated with seven layers of Nomex to prevent the padding from catching fire during an engine explosion.
Another often overlooked safety device is the large sand pit at the end of the track past an area of the track known as "the shutdown area". This 40 feet (12.2 m) sand pit, also known as a "sand trap", has been placed to either slow or completely stop a car to keep it from running off track. In the wake of Scott Kalitta
's death at Englishtown, NJ in 2008, the sand traps have been made longer and deeper, going from three feet deep to six feet deep and from 40 feet (12.2 m) long to 80 feet (24.4 m) long.
Some of the newest safety features deal with the tracks themselves. In the wake of Kalitta's death, there are now heavily padded retaining walls at the end of the sand traps. These walls are able to withstand the impact of a vehicle traveling at well over the usual speed of any division within the NHRA's professional category, the fastest (Top Fuel
) being in excess of 330 miles per hour (531.1 km/h). These retaining walls take the place of the old rubber polymer safety nets that were once held up with concrete posts.
Prior to the late 1980s, fans could station themselves up to the guardrails so they could be closer to the action. However, in the wake of several rather dramatic accidents on track, where spectators have been injured or killed, fans are no longer allowed within 75 feet (22.9 m) of the guardrail, and there are now 10 feet (3 m) fences in place to keep on-track debris from finding its way into the stands.
A major safety rule in place states that nitrous oxide
in any form or in any type of delivery system is not tolerated. Mixing nitrous oxide with nitromethane
can sometimes result in massive explosions, and in the Pro Stock
division, it is considered an unfair advantage. The last suspension due to nitrous oxide was in 1997, when Pro Stock driver Jerry Eckman was ejected and and suspended two years for using nitrous oxide during a race (Although Eckman was in the pits when his car's engine exploded, he was still among the drivers that had qualified for the race).
One of the newest safety requirements came after a near fatal crash at Texas Motorplex
in Ennis, Texas
, when 14-time Funny Car Champion John Force
's car experienced a severe case of tire shake which, coupled with the release of his parachutes, ripped his car cleanly in two directly behind the engine. This rule now states that chrome moly
tubing can no longer be used when building the framework for any Top Fuel or Funny Car.
Another safety modification that was placed was a direct result of Kalitta's death. The NHRA began installing a sensor that constantly checks the car's engine, and should the car backfire at anytime during the race, or if the burst panel (on a Funny Car) be blown off by an engine explosion, the fuel pump shuts off and the parachutes are deployed automatically. Although several drivers in the Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions have stated their dislike for the new sensor, they do admit that it should cut down on any fatal crashes similar to Kalitta's. This device was developed by Funny Car driver Kenny Bernstein
, 14 time Funny Car Champion John Force, and six time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher, along with NHRA racing development, and NHRA track safety. It was implemented at the start of the 2009 season. The sensor is used only within the Funny Car, and Top Fuel divisions, Pro Stock doesn't use nitromethane in their engines, and are, therefore, at less of a risk of the massive explosions that are most often seen in the nitromethane-fueled cars.
The 2010 season brought a new safety device to Top Fuel and Funny Car classes. Should the driver be rendered unable to perform the normal shutdown sequence at the conclusion of a run, a pair of redundant transmitters, placed 400 feet (121.9 m) and 600 feet (182.9 m) past the finish line, will signal an on-board receiver to automatically shut off ignition power and fuel to the engine and deploy the parachutes. The transmitters are designed and placed so as to avoid inadvertent triggering of the automated shutoffs. These transmitters and the receivers that are placed on all cars were designed by NHRA's Track Safety Committee and constructed by Electrimotion, and are a direct result of Kalitta's death.
s on hand at any event on the schedule at any given time. These EMTs are usually from the city or county the track is located in, and are compensated by the NHRA for their time and efforts. Aeromedical services are also on hand at the track for airlifting severely injured persons to local hospitals or trauma centers if necessary.
The original 'Drag Safari' began their tour across America in 1954. Included were four original members: Bud Coons, Bud Evans, Eric Rickman and Chic Cannon.
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and host events all over the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. With over 80,000 drivers in its rosters, the NHRA is considered one of the largest motorsports sanctioning bodies in the world.
The association was founded by Wally Parks
Wally Parks
Wallace Gordon Parks was instrumental in establishing drag racing as a legitimate amateur and professional motorsport. He was the Founder, President, and the Chairman of the Board of the National Hot Rod Association, better known as NHRA...
in 1951 in the State of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to provide a governing body
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
to organize and promote the sport of drag racing
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
. The first nationwide NHRA sponsored event was held in 1955, in Great Bend, Kansas. (Typical for the era, this race was held on a World War II-constructed training air field.) The "Nationals", which now comprise 22 events each year, are the premier events in drag racing that bring together the best car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
s and drivers from across North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is an NHRA-sanctioned drag racing event. The U.S. Nationals are considered the most prestigious drag racing event in the world. The distinction stems from the U.S. Nationals being the oldest, largest, and richest drag racing event worldwide...
are now held at Indianapolis Raceway Park in Clermont
Clermont, Indiana
Clermont is a town in Pike and Wayne townships of Marion County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,356 at the 2010 census. It has existed as an "included town" since 1970, when it was incorporated into Indianapolis as part of Unigov. It is legally part of Indianapolis, while retaining a...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
and are officially called the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. Winners of national events are awarded a trophy statue in honor of founder Wally Parks
Wally Parks
Wallace Gordon Parks was instrumental in establishing drag racing as a legitimate amateur and professional motorsport. He was the Founder, President, and the Chairman of the Board of the National Hot Rod Association, better known as NHRA...
. The trophy is commonly referred to by its nickname, a “Wally
The Wally
The Wally is the trophy awarded to winners of an NHRA national event. They have been handed out at national events starting with the 1969 NHRA race season. With an antique brass plating over a standard metal mix and a solid walnut base, the "Wally" is 18 inches tall and weighs 12 pounds...
”.
Series
- NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing SeriesNHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing SeriesThe NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series is the top competition division of the NHRA. It consist of four classes, Top Fuel Dragster, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle.-History:...
- The Top Division of the NHRA. It consists of four classes.
- Top Fuel DragsterTop FuelTop Fuel racing is a class of drag racing in which the cars are run on a mix of approximately 90% nitromethane and 10% methanol rather than gasoline or simply methanol. The cars are purpose-built for drag racing, with an exaggerated layout that in some ways resembles open-wheel circuit racing...
- Funny CarFunny CarFunny Car is a drag racing car class. In the United States, other "professional" classes are Top Fuel, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Funny cars have forward-mounted engines and carbon fiber automotive bodies over the chassis, giving them an appearance vaguely approximating manufacturers'...
- Pro StockPro StockPro Stock Drag Racing is a class of drag racing featuring 'Factory Hot-Rods'. The class can be known as "all motor," as the cars cannot use artificial induction such as turbocharging, supercharging, or nitrous oxide, and there are very strict rules governing the modifications allowed to the...
- Pro Stock MotorcyclePro Stock MotorcyclePro Stock Motorcycle, formerly known as Pro Stock Bike is a drag racing class that is the two-wheeled equivalent of Pro Stock. It has been a feature of NHRA drag racing since the 1980s when it was added to the professional class structure and has since spread around the globe. Their 1st Points...
.
Sportsman classes
There are more than a dozen Sportsman Classes. The classes contested at NHRA Divisional races include Snowmobile, Motorcycle Classes, Super Street, Super Gas, Stock Eliminator, Super Stock, Competition Eliminator, Super Comp, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car and Top Alcohol Dragster. All classes except Snowmobile and some Sportsman Motorcycle classes are regularly contested at NHRA National Events. NHRA promotes mainly the Professional Classes at National Events, however, the majority of its participants are Sportsman Racers. Sportsman Class Racers must be dues-paying members of NHRA before they are allowed to enter and participate in any NHRA event. NHRA claims to have 80,000 members, of which 95% are non-professional. NHRA uses this figure of 80,000 members on promotional materials and on its website to market its services. Indeed Sportsman Classes fueled the birth of NHRA in 1951 and continue to be the backbone of Drag Racing. As per the official NHRA Rulebook, NHRA.com, HD Partners documentation, PSTA vs. NHRA documents. Included in these sportsman events are the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, The Summit Racing Equipment Racing Series and the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League.Champions
| Year | Top Alcohol Dragster |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Rick Santos |
| 2001 | Rick Santos |
| 2002 | Arthur Gallant |
| 2003 | Alan Bradshaw |
| 2004 | Mitch Myers |
| 2005 | Steve Torrence |
| 2006 | Bill Reichert |
| 2007 | Bill Reichert |
| 2008 | Bill Reichert |
| 2009 | Bill Reichert |
| Year | Alcohol Funny Car Funny Car Funny Car is a drag racing car class. In the United States, other "professional" classes are Top Fuel, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Funny cars have forward-mounted engines and carbon fiber automotive bodies over the chassis, giving them an appearance vaguely approximating manufacturers'... |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Brad Anderson |
| 1987 | Pat Austin Pat Austin Pat Austin is a retired American drag racer. He competed in the National Hot Rod Association . He won four NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car championships between 1987 and 1991. He was the first driver to win eliminator titles at the same event when he won the Top Fuel and Alcohol Funny Car classes at... |
| 1988 | Brad Anderson |
| 1989 | Pat Austin Pat Austin Pat Austin is a retired American drag racer. He competed in the National Hot Rod Association . He won four NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car championships between 1987 and 1991. He was the first driver to win eliminator titles at the same event when he won the Top Fuel and Alcohol Funny Car classes at... |
| 1990 | Pat Austin Pat Austin Pat Austin is a retired American drag racer. He competed in the National Hot Rod Association . He won four NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car championships between 1987 and 1991. He was the first driver to win eliminator titles at the same event when he won the Top Fuel and Alcohol Funny Car classes at... |
| 1991 | Pat Austin Pat Austin Pat Austin is a retired American drag racer. He competed in the National Hot Rod Association . He won four NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car championships between 1987 and 1991. He was the first driver to win eliminator titles at the same event when he won the Top Fuel and Alcohol Funny Car classes at... |
| 2000 | Frank Manzo |
| 2001 | Frank Manzo |
| 2002 | Frank Manzo |
| 2003 | Frank Manzo |
| 2004 | Cy Chesterman |
| 2005 | Bob Newberry |
| 2006 | Frank Manzo |
| 2007 | Frank Manzo |
| 2008 | Frank Manzo |
| 2009 | Frank Manzo |
| Year | Comp Eliminator |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Jerry Arnold |
| 2001 | Don Stratton |
| 2002 | Mike Saye |
| 2003 | Dean Carter |
| 2004 | Dean Carter |
| 2005 | Jeff Taylor |
| 2006 | Bo Butner |
| 2007 | Frank Aragona |
| 2008 | Dan Fletcher |
| 2009 | Bruno Massel |
| Year | Super-Stock |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Peter Biondo |
| 2001 | Dan Fletcher |
| 2002 | Anthony Bertozzi |
| 2003 | Peter Biondo |
| 2004 | Larry Stewart |
| 2005 | Hugh Meeks |
| 2006 | Peter Biondo |
| 2007 | Darren Smith |
| 2008 | Ricky Decker |
| 2009 | Jimmy DeFrank |
| Year | Stock |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Edmond Richardson |
| 2001 | Kevin Helms |
| 2002 | Kevin Helms |
| 2003 | Kevin Helms |
| 2004 | Lee Zane |
| 2005 | Peter Biondo |
| 2006 | Randy Wilkes |
| 2007 | Michael Iacono |
| 2008 | Lee Zane |
| 2009 | Edmond Richardson |
Safety
The NHRA mandates several different safety devices in the cars run in sanctioned events. First is the five point safety harness that all vehicles must have, which holds the driver secure in the seat, and is equipped with a quick release latch which can be released in less than a second should the driver need to leave the car due to fire or explosions.Second are the fire suits, or "Simpson Suits", that all drivers must wear. These suits are full body coveralls and made with seven layers of Nomex
Nomex
Nomex is a registered trademark for flame resistant meta-aramid material developed in the early 1960s by DuPont and first marketed in 1967.- Properties:...
fabric, which makes them resistant to fire. The term Simpson Suit refers to the main manufacturer of the suit, Simpson Performance Products
Simpson Performance Products
Simpson Performance Products is an American motorsports parts supplier. It supplies gloves, helmets, restraints, driver's suites, HANS devices, and shoes to racers at local tracks to international teams. It was started by Bill Simpson as Simpson Drag Chutes....
. The predecessor to the Simpson Suit actually came to the NHRA from NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
in the mid 1960's after the death of NASCAR legend Edward Glenn "Fireball" Roberts
Fireball Roberts
Edward Glenn Roberts, Jr. , nicknamed "Fireball", was one of the pioneering race car drivers of NASCAR.-Background:...
, who burned to death in a fiery car crash.
Another NASCAR transplant, which was brought into use after the death of Roberts, was the fuel cell. This bladder is placed into the fuel tanks of all non-nitromethane fueled vehicles to prevent fuel leaks, and explosions.
Third is the use of the HANS device
HANS device
The HANS device is a safety item compulsory in many car racing sports...
, a requirement for any driver in any category. This device limits the movement of the head and neck in the event of an impact and has been a mandatory device within the NHRA since 2004. The device was an option that started in 1996 after Top Fuel
Top Fuel
Top Fuel racing is a class of drag racing in which the cars are run on a mix of approximately 90% nitromethane and 10% methanol rather than gasoline or simply methanol. The cars are purpose-built for drag racing, with an exaggerated layout that in some ways resembles open-wheel circuit racing...
driver Blaine Johnson
Blaine Johnson
Blaine H. Johnson was a professional drag racer.Blaine, along with his life-long crew chief and brother, Alan, were competitors in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Series, a series which they entered in 1988...
was killed during qualifying at the MAC Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Since the death of 2003 Rookie of the Year Darrell Russell
Darrell Russell (drag racer)
Darrell Russell was an NHRA drag racer. He was the 2001 NHRA Rookie Of The Year. At the time, he was only the third driver to win in his Professional debut....
at the Craftsman Nationals, the device has been a mandatory part of the safety gear that must be worn at all times.
Fourth is the titanium shield that must be placed behind the head of all Top Fuel drivers. This is to prevent any debris from entering the cockpit and becoming a missile hazard to the driver. Only the Top Fuel division has this as a mandatory device, since only Top Fuel cars have the engines mounted behind the driver. However, several team owners in the Funny Car division have adopted it as well.
Fifth is the on board fire extinguishing system that all cars must be equipped with. These systems are directed onto the engine itself and are activated instantly when the engine catches fire, reducing the chance for the car to completely catch fire and endanger the driver. The driver also has a manual activation control available. This has been in place on all cars since 1983, when an engine explosion and fire came very close to killing then-Funny Car driver Mike Dunn.
Sixth is the roof escape hatch that is in place on all Funny Cars since the founding of the division in the early 1970s. This device allows Funny Car drivers a safe means of exit during an engine fire rather than falling out of the car between the frame and fiberglass body, and possibly running the risk of being run over by the rear tires.
Seventh are the long bars at the end of all cars, also known as "wheelie bars". These long struts prevent the car from flipping over during the launch phase. Prior to the 2006 season, the only division that did not use wheelie bars was the Top Fuel Division, but the constant threat of blowovers caused the NHRA to make wheelie bars mandatory on Top Fuel cars as well.
The rear tires of the car, which are called slicks due to the fact that there is no tread on them, are specified with safety considerations in mind. These tires are made from a much harder compound than in previous years so that the tire is resistant to disintegration. This also came about after the death of Russell. The tires are not allowed to be inflated under 7 pound per square inches (48.3 kPa) for any race at any time.
A safety requirement peculiar to the Funny Car class is the fireproof engine blanket which surrounds the engine block and contains debris in case of an engine explosion.
In the wake of Eric Medlen
Eric Medlen
Eric Medlen , son of John and Mary Medlen and brother of Eryn Medlen, was an NHRA Fuel Funny Car driver...
's 2007 death, the roll bars in a Funny Car must be padded. They are padded with thick insulation and coated with seven layers of Nomex to prevent the padding from catching fire during an engine explosion.
Another often overlooked safety device is the large sand pit at the end of the track past an area of the track known as "the shutdown area". This 40 feet (12.2 m) sand pit, also known as a "sand trap", has been placed to either slow or completely stop a car to keep it from running off track. In the wake of Scott Kalitta
Scott Kalitta
Scott Kalitta was an American drag racer who competed in the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes in the National Hot Rod Association Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. He was killed at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, after an accident during qualifying...
's death at Englishtown, NJ in 2008, the sand traps have been made longer and deeper, going from three feet deep to six feet deep and from 40 feet (12.2 m) long to 80 feet (24.4 m) long.
Some of the newest safety features deal with the tracks themselves. In the wake of Kalitta's death, there are now heavily padded retaining walls at the end of the sand traps. These walls are able to withstand the impact of a vehicle traveling at well over the usual speed of any division within the NHRA's professional category, the fastest (Top Fuel
Top Fuel
Top Fuel racing is a class of drag racing in which the cars are run on a mix of approximately 90% nitromethane and 10% methanol rather than gasoline or simply methanol. The cars are purpose-built for drag racing, with an exaggerated layout that in some ways resembles open-wheel circuit racing...
) being in excess of 330 miles per hour (531.1 km/h). These retaining walls take the place of the old rubber polymer safety nets that were once held up with concrete posts.
Prior to the late 1980s, fans could station themselves up to the guardrails so they could be closer to the action. However, in the wake of several rather dramatic accidents on track, where spectators have been injured or killed, fans are no longer allowed within 75 feet (22.9 m) of the guardrail, and there are now 10 feet (3 m) fences in place to keep on-track debris from finding its way into the stands.
A major safety rule in place states that nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or sweet air, is a chemical compound with the formula . It is an oxide of nitrogen. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic...
in any form or in any type of delivery system is not tolerated. Mixing nitrous oxide with nitromethane
Nitromethane
Nitromethane is an organic compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest organic nitro compound. It is a slightly viscous, highly polar liquid commonly used as a solvent in a variety of industrial applications such as in extractions, as a reaction medium, and as a cleaning solvent...
can sometimes result in massive explosions, and in the Pro Stock
Pro Stock
Pro Stock Drag Racing is a class of drag racing featuring 'Factory Hot-Rods'. The class can be known as "all motor," as the cars cannot use artificial induction such as turbocharging, supercharging, or nitrous oxide, and there are very strict rules governing the modifications allowed to the...
division, it is considered an unfair advantage. The last suspension due to nitrous oxide was in 1997, when Pro Stock driver Jerry Eckman was ejected and and suspended two years for using nitrous oxide during a race (Although Eckman was in the pits when his car's engine exploded, he was still among the drivers that had qualified for the race).
One of the newest safety requirements came after a near fatal crash at Texas Motorplex
Texas Motorplex
The Texas Motorplex is a quarter mile drag racing facility located in Ennis, Texas. Built in 1986 by former funny car driver Billy Meyer, the Motorplex was the first National Hot Rod Association "super track." It annually hosts the NHRA O'Reilly Fall Nationals each September, when hundreds of...
in Ennis, Texas
Ennis, Texas
Ennis is a city in Ellis County, Texas, United States, and a southeastern suburb of Dallas. The population was 16,045 at the 2000 census.In 1871, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad purchased of land in Ellis County at a price of , establishing the line's northern terminus. On May 8, 1872,...
, when 14-time Funny Car Champion John Force
John Force
John Harold Force is an NHRA drag racer, a 15-time Funny Car champion driver, and a 17-time champion car owner. Force owns and drives for John Force Racing. He is one of the most dominant drag racers in the sport with 133 career victories...
's car experienced a severe case of tire shake which, coupled with the release of his parachutes, ripped his car cleanly in two directly behind the engine. This rule now states that chrome moly
41xx steel
41xx steel is a family of SAE steel grades, as specified by the Society of Automotive Engineers . Alloying elements include chromium and molybdenum, and as a result these materials are often referred to as chromoly steel or CRMO...
tubing can no longer be used when building the framework for any Top Fuel or Funny Car.
Another safety modification that was placed was a direct result of Kalitta's death. The NHRA began installing a sensor that constantly checks the car's engine, and should the car backfire at anytime during the race, or if the burst panel (on a Funny Car) be blown off by an engine explosion, the fuel pump shuts off and the parachutes are deployed automatically. Although several drivers in the Top Fuel and Funny Car divisions have stated their dislike for the new sensor, they do admit that it should cut down on any fatal crashes similar to Kalitta's. This device was developed by Funny Car driver Kenny Bernstein
Kenny Bernstein
Kenny Bernstein is an American drag racer and former NASCAR and IndyCar team owner. He is nicknamed the "Bud King" for his success in the Budweiser King dragster, he has also been nicknamed "The King of Speed," because he was the first driver to break 300 miles per hour in the standing-start...
, 14 time Funny Car Champion John Force, and six time Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher, along with NHRA racing development, and NHRA track safety. It was implemented at the start of the 2009 season. The sensor is used only within the Funny Car, and Top Fuel divisions, Pro Stock doesn't use nitromethane in their engines, and are, therefore, at less of a risk of the massive explosions that are most often seen in the nitromethane-fueled cars.
The 2010 season brought a new safety device to Top Fuel and Funny Car classes. Should the driver be rendered unable to perform the normal shutdown sequence at the conclusion of a run, a pair of redundant transmitters, placed 400 feet (121.9 m) and 600 feet (182.9 m) past the finish line, will signal an on-board receiver to automatically shut off ignition power and fuel to the engine and deploy the parachutes. The transmitters are designed and placed so as to avoid inadvertent triggering of the automated shutoffs. These transmitters and the receivers that are placed on all cars were designed by NHRA's Track Safety Committee and constructed by Electrimotion, and are a direct result of Kalitta's death.
Safety Safari
Within the safety requirements, there is also a full crew of safety personnel, called the Safety Safari, whose job is to attend to any fires, clean up the track of debris after an accident on the track, and attend to the drivers prior to the arrival of any medical personnel. The Safety Safari has been in place since the late 1960s, after a rash of on track accidents caused several promising drivers to retire early. Since that time the chance of fatal injuries has been decreased but not eliminated. There is also a full staff of EMTEmergency medical technician
Emergency Medical Technician or Ambulance Technician are terms used in some countries to denote a healthcare provider of emergency medical services...
s on hand at any event on the schedule at any given time. These EMTs are usually from the city or county the track is located in, and are compensated by the NHRA for their time and efforts. Aeromedical services are also on hand at the track for airlifting severely injured persons to local hospitals or trauma centers if necessary.
The original 'Drag Safari' began their tour across America in 1954. Included were four original members: Bud Coons, Bud Evans, Eric Rickman and Chic Cannon.
Recent Fatalities
Although there are several safety procedures in place to prevent fatal accidents, no amount of safety can completely prevent fatalities on the track.| Name | Location | Year |
|---|---|---|
| John Hagen | Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd International Raceway is a road course, dragstrip and kart track near Brainerd, Minnesota, USA. The raceway hosts the National Hot Rod Association Nationals.-History:... |
1983 |
| Lee Shepherd Lee Shepherd Lee Alan Shepherd was an American drag racing driver . He began racing for car owners Reher & Morrison in 1978. The team campaigned Chevy Camaros through most of their career. The Arlington, Texas native won the National Hot Rod Association's Pro Stock championship in four consecutive seasons from... |
Ardmore, Oklahoma Ardmore, Oklahoma Ardmore is a business, cultural and tourism city in and the county seat of Carter County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 24,283, while a 2007 estimate has the Ardmore micropolitan statistical area totaling 56,694 residents... |
1985 |
| Blaine Johnson Blaine Johnson Blaine H. Johnson was a professional drag racer.Blaine, along with his life-long crew chief and brother, Alan, were competitors in the NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Series, a series which they entered in 1988... |
Indianapolis Raceway Park O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis is a racing circuit complex in Brownsburg, Indiana... |
1996 |
| Elmer Trett | Indianapolis Raceway Park O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis is a racing circuit complex in Brownsburg, Indiana... |
1996 |
| Carry Joe Neil | Poway, California Poway, California Poway is a city in San Diego County, California. Originally an unincorporated community in San Diego County, Poway officially became a city in December 1980. Even though Poway lies geographically in the middle of San Diego County, most consider its relative location as north county inland... |
1997 |
| John Lingenfelter John Lingenfelter John Lingenfelter was an NHRA driver, engineer and legendary tuner.... |
Pomona Auto Club Raceway at Pomona Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, formerly known as Pomona Raceway, is a racing facility located in Pomona, California that features a quarter-mile dragstrip. The dragstrip is most famous for hosting the NHRA's Winternationals event since 1961, the traditional season opener, as well as the seasons last... |
2002 |
| Darrell Russell Darrell Russell (drag racer) Darrell Russell was an NHRA drag racer. He was the 2001 NHRA Rookie Of The Year. At the time, he was only the third driver to win in his Professional debut.... |
Gateway International Raceway Gateway International Raceway Gateway Motorsports Park is a race track in Madison, Illinois, USA, just east of St. Louis, Missouri. After being shuttered by former owner Dover Motorsports Inc., on Nov. 3, 2010, it was announced Sept. 8, 2011, that the facility would re-open and host an NHRA Full Throttle Series event Oct. 5-7,... |
2004 |
| Shelly Howard | Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa, Oklahoma Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's... |
2005 |
| Eric Medlen Eric Medlen Eric Medlen , son of John and Mary Medlen and brother of Eryn Medlen, was an NHRA Fuel Funny Car driver... |
Gainesville Raceway Gainesville Raceway Gainesville Raceway is a quarter-mile dragstrip just outside Gainesville, Florida. It opened in 1969 and is most famous for hosting the NHRA's prestigious Gatornationals event since 1970... |
2007 |
| John Shoemaker | Bakersfield, California Bakersfield, California Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively.... |
2008 |
| Scott Kalitta Scott Kalitta Scott Kalitta was an American drag racer who competed in the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes in the National Hot Rod Association Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. He was killed at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, after an accident during qualifying... |
Englishtown, NJ Old Bridge Township Raceway Park Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, originally known as Madison Township Raceway Park, is an American auto racing facility. It is located on 230 Pension Road in Old Bridge Township, near Englishtown, New Jersey, just off of County Route 527... |
2008 |
| Neal Parker | Englishtown, NJ Old Bridge Township Raceway Park Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, originally known as Madison Township Raceway Park, is an American auto racing facility. It is located on 230 Pension Road in Old Bridge Township, near Englishtown, New Jersey, just off of County Route 527... |
2010 |
| Mark Niver | Pacific Raceways Pacific Raceways Pacific Raceways is a mixed-use road racing facility near Kent, Washington. The race track was constructed in 1959 and opened in 1960. The track was originally named Pacific Raceways, then became known as Seattle International Raceways in 1976... |
2010 |
See also
- American Hot Rod AssociationAmerican Hot Rod AssociationAmerican Hot Rod Association, also known as AHRA, and most recently AHRA Motorsports. In late 2008 Rod Saint restarted the AHRA and brought onboard Jim Tice, son of the late Jim Tice Sr., and Troy Moe, nephew of Orville Moe. 2010 was to be the beginning of a new era and season with the 'reunion...
- International Hot Rod AssociationInternational Hot Rod AssociationThe International Hot Rod Association, also known as IHRA, is the 2nd largest drag racing sanctioning body after the NHRA.-The Carrier Era:The IHRA was formed in November 1970 by businessman Larry Carrier. Throughout this period the organization was operated primarily in the south-eastern United...
- National Electric Drag Racing AssociationNational Electric Drag Racing AssociationThe National Electric Drag Racing Association , a Special Chapter of the Electric Auto Association, and exists to increase public awareness of electric vehicle performance and to encourage through competition, advances in electric vehicle technology...
- United States Hot Rod AssociationUnited States Hot Rod AssociationThe United States Hot Rod Association is an organization owned by Feld Entertainment that markets various motorsports. These include monster trucks as well as motocross, quad racing and others...
External links
- Official website
- Official NHRA Drag Racing Podcasts
- Drag Race Central The Latest NHRA News and Analysis