NHRA News: NHRA to institute alcohol-class oildown penalties (03/27/2002)

NHRA to institute alcohol-class oildown penalties

03/27/2002

Following an extensive study of alcohol-class oildowns at the K&N Filters Winternationals and the Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals, the NHRA Competition Department has found it necessary to implement penalties for flagrant offenders at NHRA national events.

Earlier this year, NHRA gave notice to Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car racers that the situation would be monitored at the first two events in which the classes were competed this season. NHRA then monitored the effectiveness of the new oiling-system rules revisions implemented this season as well as the efforts of the teams to prevent fluid spillage at the first two events.

"It was extremely disappointing to discover that we experienced a significant increase in downtime this year over last year," said NHRA Senior Vice President-Racing Operations Graham Light. "As a result, effective immediately, we will implement penalties for TAD and TAFC oildowns at national events."

Because alcohol racers have a different points structure that does not require them to claim points at every event that they attend, the penalties will differ from those imposed in the Pro classes, where points are deducted and monetary fines are assessed for repeated oildowns.

A warning will be issued for the first oildown, and a second will result in a $250 fine and a forfeited elapsed time - in qualifying, the e.t. will not count toward making the field or potential national records; if it occurs during eliminations, the e.t. cannot count toward a record or lane choice for the following round. A third oildown will lead to disqualification from the event. If the third oildown occurs during eliminations, the racer will forfeit the round and receive money and points accrued up to that round. The penalties will be in place for the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals in Las Vegas.

"We are taking these steps for a number of reasons, including maintaining the quality of the show for the fans, racers, and sponsors," said Light. "Also, these events feature television coverage - including coverage of the alcohol classes at the 16 events in which they take part - that require us to remain on schedule to hit our airtimes. We hope that these penalties will encourage teams to take the steps necessary to help us prevent delays caused by oildowns."

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