IHRA Pro Fuel

Discussion in 'Pit Buzz' started by ticker, Nov 28, 2009.

  1. ticker

    ticker New Member

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    Does anyone know who will be running the class next year.
     
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  2. john348

    john348 Top Alcohol

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    I give it till June and IHRA will be no more
     
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  3. The Zone

    The Zone Member

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    Until I get the okay, I won't say the names, but that being said 6 of the 8 full time spots are filled and there are 5 alternates already, so every field will be 8cars. A few of the names may surprise you meaning they are pretty big A/Fuel names.
    How successful, the IHRA will be that is open to critism for sure. Don't like the change but do like the fact this is one of the new classes.


    Dean
     
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  4. tafccrewguy

    tafccrewguy New Member

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    This will be really cool to see. Im sure they cant wait to get the first 4 second A fuel timeslip.
     
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  5. Speedude

    Speedude Speed Demon

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    I imagine with the new changes IHRA has made Feld will give it a few years before they dump it. Feld is pretty efficient at putting butts in the seats.
     
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  6. AFD Team

    AFD Team New Member

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    Does Anyone know where to find the rules for Pro Fuel online.
     
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  7. Dale Finch

    Dale Finch Member

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    #7
  8. The Zone

    The Zone Member

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    Here are the rules for the class. THe IHRA Top Fuel rules are also part of the rules:
    Pro Fuel Dragster 11/20/2009

    5.00 lbs per cubic inch. (same as NHRA)

    2100 lb minimum weight.

    2.90 rear gear. (same as NHRA)

    Clutch management.

    Cold fuel. Only metal fuel cans to be used to cool the fuel in. (no plastic jugs)

    Insulated fuel tank and fuel lines to the fuel pump.

    Air bag in drivers helmet.

    Air push buttons on steering wheel to shut off the fuel, and deploy 1 parachute.


    Driver and all crew members must be members of IHRA, (for insurance reasons)



    There is another requirement to be in this class. Your car MUST have a name. As in, (Nitro Rocket Man, Laser Flash, Etc) This is strictly for "Fan recognition".


    DESIGNATION

    PFD, preceded by car number. Reserved injected nitromethane-burning dragsters built specifically for drag racing competition. All entries must incorporate a fan friendly theme in the appearance of the vehicle. Cars are weighed at conclusion of run, including driver. Weight break is 5.00 lbs per cubic inch. 2,100 lbs minimum.

    REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS

    The requirements and specifications are the same as Top Fuel with the following exceptions.
    ENGINE: 1
    CYLINDER HEADS
    Aftermarket billet heads permitted. Maximum two valves per cylinder; maximum two spark plugs per cylinder.

    FUEL SYSTEM
    Fuel lines must be isolated from driver compartment by a subfloor or housing where engine is located in rear and fuel tank is in front of driver. Pressurized fuel tanks prohibited. Fuel tanks must be mounted above bottom framerail. Fuel cells permitted. Maximum two fuel pumps. Electronic or electrically controlled fuel system prohibited, however the use of electronic or electrically activated switches to activate pneumatic components is permitted. The use of propylene oxide and/or nitrous oxide is prohibited. The tank and lines may be insulated only to the inlet of the fuel pump. Circulatory systems are prohibited from use on the car or in the pits as a method of cooling the fuel.

    INJECTOR SCOOP
    Maximum injector scoop opening of 1 square foot, with top of opening no higher than 24 inches above the top of roll cage. Scoop may not extend more than 18 inches forward of the center of the forward engine cylinder, may not extend more than 12 inches behind the center of the rear engine cylinder, and may not exceed 24 inches in width.

    VENT TUBE BREATHERS
    IHRA-accepted catch can/vent tube system mandatory. Double clamps are required on each end of all hoses used in the vent system, including the dry-sump vents. Minimum 1 1/4-inch inside diameter hoses are required from each valve cover to the catch can inlets and/or framerails and from each framerail outlet to both catch can inlets. Minimum catch can(s) capacity is an eight-quart sump.

    CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL, FLYWHEEL SHIELD
    Flywheel and clutch meeting SFI Spec 1.3 or 1.4 and flywheel shield meeting SFI Spec 6.2 mandatory on all cars.

    ROLL CAGE
    Chassis must meet SFI Spec 2.1 or 2.3, Plating of chassis prohibited; painting permitted. Chassis must be inspected yearly by IHRA and have serialized sticker affixed to frame before participation. Roll-cage padding meeting SFI Spec 45.1 mandatory where driver’s helmet may come in contact with roll-cage components. Additional padding, mounted on flat stock and fastened to the roll cage on both sides of the driver's helmet, mandatory. Additional padding must be IHRA-accepted, securely mounted using bolts or locking fasteners, and must include a flame-retardant covering. All wiring must be external of the framerails; routing of cables, hydraulic, or pneumatic lines inside the chassis is permitted. Pressurization of framerails in lieu of air bottles is prohibited.

    WHEELBASE & FRONT TREAD WIDTH
    Minimum 150 inches; maximum 300 inches on long side. Maximum wheelbase variation from left to right: 2 inches. Minimum front tread width 26 inches.
    TIRES & WHEELS: 5
    REAREND
    Full floating assembly mandatory. 2.90 Rear gear mandatory.



    TIRES
    Tires must be specified for racing use by manufacturer. Maximum rear tire: 18 inches wide x 118 inches maximum circumference. Minimum rear tire circumference: 108 inches. Tires are to meet size requirements when installed and ready to run at manufacturer’s recommended operating pressures.

    WHEELS
    Beadlock rear wheels meeting SFI Spec 15.3 mandatory; maximum width: 16 inches. Wire wheels prohibited. Rear-wheel discs or covers prohibited
    CAL: 8
    ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    Electrical and electronic components are restricted to ignition systems, data recorders, electrical gauges or indicators, engine shutoff and parachute release systems only. The use of electrical/electronic timers to control clutch management system is permitted.

    Electrimotion shutoff controller part number SB001AFD mandatory on all entries and must be installed as per manufacturers specifications.

    CREDENTIALS
    Valid IHRA PFD or ND license mandatory. All drivers must be actively involved in our fanfest activities at the Nitro Jam events.


    dean
     
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  9. AFD Team

    AFD Team New Member

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    Is that with Clutch management and 100% nitro.
     
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  10. tad2155

    tad2155 Member

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    pro fuel

    yes boys & girls, even if it don't last as several racers has said of IHRA, ride the ride as long as u can, it is at least an attempt to think outside the box
    unlike other suits

    Bama Boys :D
     
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  11. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
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    devils advocate here

    Ok guys and gals, let me play a little devils advocate with you.

    First off let me say I applaud the effort by Bob Otto and the rest of the teams to get this where it is.

    BUT, remember who your business partner in this is, the IHRA.

    I said business because most of you involved are businessmen of some sort.

    Let's say a company rep walks into your place of business and promises big orders, pay open invoices on the 1st and 15th and is worried if they are going to be able to get enough of your product. You're just what their looking for. Business has been slow for you, so this is a welcome account.

    If you're drag racing, obviously you're successful, so you probably have some of that 'gut' feel or can put a deal through a smell test...

    Well, as much as you want and need this account, there's this little voice in the back of your head. Is it paranoia or your gut telling you there's something wrong?

    You can't afford to get screwed, so you do a little digging on this new account. You have some connections that used to work at a few of your competitors they did business with before.

    When you ring him up, it's just what you didn't want to hear. They're slow payers, horrible about getting orders in a timely fashion. Hard to deal with and unprofessional. On top of it all, to keep their business, they demand you have a large amount of product ready in inventory to meet their needs. They won't sign a long term contract, but assure you they'll keep you on.

    Then you hear stories of how they've screwed other companies around.

    You don't want to believe all of this because this was once a fine upstanding company built on high morals and quality service. But you soon find out after several buyouts, they are far from that today.

    To top it all off, several informed sources say the company is in financial trouble and on it's last legs.

    So what do you do. Do you go in with blinders on and hope for big profits? Do you take the account with caution? Or do you realize the account is going to be more of a pain in the ass than what the intial business may be worth?

    Depending on your situation, most smart business people will land somewhere between the last two.

    These guys have a track record of dropping classes at a whim. With it's own set of rules, it's not like you're going to just load her up and head to the track like any other NHRA race. You've got clutch management to invest in, among other changes for 100%. Not that all of that is bad, I'm just saying your going to have a decent chunk of money invested in running IHRA, I mean Nitro Jam.

    The management team has run what was a legitimate alternative to NHRA into the ground. Instead of procuring sponsors, they wait for deals to fall in their lap.

    I wish the class the best, but I'm going to call a spade a spade, and I'm going to piss some people off with this, but this is the classic trying to make a situation something it's not.

    These guys have a track record of screwing racers over. Just know what you're getting into, and please don't do it with rose colored glasses.
     
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  12. Ken Sitko

    Ken Sitko Super Comp

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    I agree Will, I would be very cautious.
     
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  13. Barry Ferriolo

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    The amount that they are they going to pay per pass will be a big factor in determining the longevity of the class.I heard a ridiculously low number - like $250 per pass. Does anyone else have information on this?
     
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  14. ticker

    ticker New Member

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    Does anybody remember Pro Stock Truck., Oh that was thr great NHRA. Happens everywhere.

    Also about sponsership ask Kurt Johnson. The sponsers have been dropping like flys with this economy.

    They needed to change the way were doing things to survive, just like a lot of businesses
     
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  15. tad2155

    tad2155 Member

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    pro fuel

    Like we ain't never got screwed by NHRA on parking & qualifying, and i never got all my so call sticker money on winnings, , don't invest in clutch mgmt(no lost) take a upper class team like Bill & boggs, conway and others they could run in the 4's, at the pace their at, also to run 100% correct me if i am wrong change head gaskets & jets timing, 1st round looser in Divisions what $600 bucks with the exceptions of Divisions a regular screwing with the suits at nationals i am just saying it is worth a try, if u loose all the races in pro fuel the worst is $2500 -- $9000 to the winner many of us aint running this gigg as a business it is cause we love to race if we got the money, u r forgetting Will@(NHRA) we r sportsman we don't get to even run at the sportmans nationals but hey i'm just a optimist & i don't trust any suits

    GK
    :eek:
     
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  16. Will Hanna

    Will Hanna We put the 'inside' in Top Alcohol
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    longevity

    Guy,

    I don't think anyone will argue NHRA is perfect or a saint when dealing with the alky cars, but TAD/TAFC has never been threatened to be dropped since it's inception in '81. Before that it went back to '74 in Pro Comp.

    There's no doubt the money sounds better in that deal.

    I'd rather see the modified Chicago format used for three runs rather than quick winners. 8 cars run the first run, quick 4 come back and run the 'semis' then the winners come back for the final. You could do something with the slow 4 cars in the second round.
     
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  17. tad2155

    tad2155 Member

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    fuel

    Will, i agree on format i wish it was regular qualifying and maybe a gurantee on cars that would show up, but there is always room for twicking and
    inproving, after loosing $283k on customers filing chapter 11 on me this year i don't trust any business unless contract in place with recourse language
    i am just gald to get to race at any level & any event, by the way i think if it wasn't for Lucas NHRA would drop us alkys/fuels in a minute

    gk:)
     
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  18. The Zone

    The Zone Member

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    It's prudent to be cautious in any business venture. Not many racers in the PM Comp or alky classes are doin it to make money. In fact every NHRA div event a TA racers goes to they lose 2-3k minimum. At a national it is the same. I guy I know who raced at 5 nat'l and 6 divisionals spend over 100k this year and won a less than 15k. (it is a 5.30 racer so it is a quality car).
    Where is the issue Will and others. Nothing ventured nothing gained. It is not going to cost you any more money to go the those ten races than any ten in the NHRA and you are guaranteed about 20k for being the loser in each and every round. Remeber it is the tracks that pay the purse not the IHRA. If the 'I" was to fold, those tracks would still be there and they would decide if they want to continue their show or not.
    The IHRA sucks due to their current mismanagement, but this class has the potential to be awesome.
    Dean
     
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  19. nitromilt

    nitromilt New Member

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    Ya...283K....no big deal if ya own a trucking company............ya right
     
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  20. tad2155

    tad2155 Member

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    yea

    i got 1 for sale if ya want it, whats left
     
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