NHRA Amends Roll Bar/Cage Rules For 2008 And Newer Street Vehicles

Every year the NHRA makes amendments to many of its rules and regulations in hopes of further streamlining their events. Earlier today we got word of an important change to the 2012/2013 rulebook: the retraction of the roll cage or roll bar rule for 2008 and newer street vehicles running 9.99 to 11.49. That’s right, if you drive a 2008 and later factory equipped hardtop vehicle you no longer have to chop it up and add a cage. The amendment in the 2012/2013 NHRA rulebook reads:

“NHRA DRAGS: STREET LEGAL STYLE PRESENTED BY AAA (Page xiv) (5 paragraph)

 Additionally Requirements and specifications for Street Legal are the same as those for the Summit Racing Series with the following exception: Unaltered 2008 OEM model year and newer production cars running slower than 9.99 and 135 mph do not have to meet the requirements and specifications for the Summit Racing Series except for the following: Convertibles and T-tops must meet Summit Racing Series Roll Bar and Roll Cage requirements, All drivers must meet the Summit Racing Series Helmet and Protective Clothing requirements.”

The specifics of the rule and how it will be enforced are yet to be seen, but we still consider it a huge step forward in welcoming back street vehicles. Many enthusiasts with newer vehicles avoid the racetrack due to the expensive safety modifications required by the NHRA–after all, a stock ZR1 or ZL1 was (according to the old rulebook) already fast enough to need a cage. If the cost of adding the expensive safety equipment wasn’t a big enough deterrent, the fact the owner had to chop up a new car was! For some, a roll cage or roll bar will always make sense, but others certainly feel the extensive OEM safety equipment in their modern muscle cars is enough to hit the strip.

For a look at all of the 2012/2013 NHRA rulebook changes checkout http://www.nhra.com/