Tech Inspection Guidelines

Prime responsibility for the safe condition and operation of a vehicle in competition rests with the vehicle owner, driver, and crewmembers.  NHRA produces guidelines based on experience and circulates information to help perpetuate the sport of drag racing.  Close observance of the standards set forth in the 2011NHRA Rulebook is required by all participants. 

The 2011 NHRA Rulebook provides guidelines and minimum standards for the construction and operation of vehicles used in NHRA Championship Drag Racing and at member-track events.  Additional safety equipment or safety-enhancing equipment is always permitted and the levels of safety equipment stated in the Rulebook are minimum prescribed levels and do not prohibit the individual racer from using additional safety equipment.

Vehicles 7.50 Seconds or Slower

• Valid driver's license beyond a learner’s permit level. 

• Must be 16 years or older. 

• Seat belts required. 

• Long pants and full T-Shirt (no tank tops) and shoes (no sandals).  

• Helmets are required in all classes.   All Helmets must be Snell or SFI Approved  The helmet must be labeled, on the inside of the helmet, or sewn into the helmet strap, on some models.  Must have Snell M2000, M2005, M2010, SA2000, SA2005, SFI 31.1A, 31.1/2005,31.2A, 41.1A, 41.1/2005, or 41.2A helmet with or without shield.

• Doors must be functional from both inside and outside. 

• All cars must be self starting. 

• Good tires. 

• Hub caps and trim rings removed. 

• Safe windshields. 

• Brakes in good working order. 

• Must have one functional tail light.  No flashing or blinking lights permitted. 

• Must have neutral safety switch and reverse lock out device. 

• Radiator catch can overflow, at least one pint. 

• Carburetor inlet must not be openly exposed. 

• Roll bar mandatory in all cars running 11.00-11.49 seconds. 

• Roll cage mandatory in all vehicles running 10.99 and quicker or any car exceeding 135 mph.

• If car has T-tops or is a convertible, the driver must have Snell M2000, M2005, M2010, SA2000,SA2005,SFI 31.1A, 31.1/2005,31.2A, 41.1A, 41.1/2005, or 41.2A helmet with or without shield.

• Neck collar mandatory in all cars running 9.99 and quicker or exceeding 135 mph. 

• Convertibles must have roll bar if running 13.49 and quicker. 

• Automatic transmission lines must be high pressure type. 

• Pressurized containers (for example, air bottles) must be DOT approved. 

• Hood scoops may not extend more than 11 inches above original hood surface. 

• Mechanical throttle linkage, if altered, must have toe loop on pedal. 

• Dual carb return springs. 

• All holes in floor, firewall, and rear must be plugged with .024 steel or 032 aluminum. 

• Fuel block or regulator must be 6 inches from firewall. 

• No more than 12 inches of rubber hose in fuel system from tank to carb. 

• No fuel lines in drivers compartment. 

• Retention strap mandatory with traction bars and ladder bars. 

• Drive shaft loop required 13.99 and quicker and all cars using slicks, including DOT slicks. 

• Three inch driver restraint system (seat harness) SFI Spec 16.1 mandatory in any car required to have roll bar or roll cage. 

• Batteries must be securely mounted and may not be located in the driver compartment.  If battery is relocated, vehicle must have master cutoff switch at rear of car clearly marked on/off. 

• Master cutoff mandatory on any car running 9.99 and quicker or exceeding 135 mph. 

• Jacket meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/I required at 10.00 to 11.49. 

• Jacket and pants meeting SFI Spec 3.2 A/5 and gloves meeting SFI Spec 3.3/1 required at 7.50 to 9.99 or any vehicle exceeding 135 mph. 

• Only factory tint on windows. 

• Must have metal valve stems 11.99 and quicker. 

• 9.99 and quicker cars must be chassis certified and have NHRA license.

• If using nitrous oxide system: All bottles must be securely mounted, stamped with minimum DOT 1800 lb. rating and identified as nitrous oxide. If bottle is in driver's compartment, it must be equipped with a relief valve vented outside of driver's compartment. System must be commercially available and installed per manufacturer's recommendation.

• Parachute required on cars 9.99 and quicker and all cars exceeding 150 mph. 

Motorcycles

• License for 9.99 or quicker.  

• Leather jacket and gloves.  Gloves must be Kevlar lined or equipped with slide buttons. Synthetic leather not allowed. 

• High top shoes or leather boots.  

• Full leathers or SFI Spec. 40.1/2 suit mandatory at 120 mph. or quicker.  

• Full face helmet meeting Snell M2000, M2005, M2010, 2SA2000, SFI 31.2A or 41.2A specs mandatory. Shield permitted (goggles prohibited)

• Clear face shield.  

• Chain guard.  

• Ignition cut off switch attached to the rider with a lanyard for 10.99 and quicker, yet recommended on all. 

• Rear fender.  

• Must have snap-back throttle.  

• Fuel shut-off valve mandatory.  

• Delay boxes are permitted. 

• Pressurized containers (for example, air bottles) must be DOT approved and properly mounted.  

• All engines must be self starting.  Push or rolling starts prohibited.  

Junior Dragster

• Participants must be 8 - 18 years old.

• Must have NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League participant card and NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League membership.

• 1 3/4" driver restraint system (seat harness) SFI Spec. 16.1 mandatory.

• Arm restraints are mandatory.

• Helmet meeting Snell 2000,2005, M2010, or  SFI 24.1, 24.1/2005, 31.1, 31.1A, 31.2A, 31.1/2005, 41.1, 41.2, 41.1A or 41.2A  or 41.1/2005 specs mandatory.  Full face helmet mandatory.

• Either a full-face helmet, shield. (goggles prohibited)

• Neck collar is mandatory.

• Jacket meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/1, full length pants, shoes, socks, and gloves.

• Positive throttle return spring.

• Chain guard, as specified in the rule book, mandatory and shall be constructed of .060-inch steel or .090-inch aluminum.

• Clutch guard mandatory. 

• Clutch & crank supports, as specified in the rule book, mandatory on cars running 9.99 or quicker.

• Brakes - single steel rotor - 7" dia. - .228 min. thickness or dual steel rotors - 6" dia. - 3/16" min. thickness or single aluminum - 11" dia. - .228 min. thickness.

• Deflector plate - 1/16" aluminum - between roll cage and engine mandatory.

• Positive ignition shutoff located inside driver's compartment mandatory.

• Secondary ignition shutoff located and labeled "On/Off" on deflector plate mandatory.

• 6" wire tie must be attached to the spark plug wire 1" within spark plug.

• One functioning taillight mandatory.

• Bright colored or fluorescent flag mandatory during towing.

• Driving junior dragster in pit area prohibited.