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SFI Spec 2.7A helmet guard for dragsters
02/19/2002
As stated in the NHRA Rulebook under SFI Spec 2.7A, "A helmet guard of 1x.058-inch tubing must be installed all the way around the roll cage at a height approximately halfway between the top of the roll cage and the shoulder hoop(s), but not to obstruct vision. This is required for both five- and six-point roll cages."
This spec is designed only for dragsters, but SFI is currently working on specs for altereds and roadsters. Any first-time certification must meet these requirements, and all chassis recertifications done after Oct. 1, 2002, will need to conform to the specification.
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According to SFI President Arnie Kuhns, the label of helmet guard may be misleading. "Calling it a helmet guard [leads people] to think that it's something just to keep a head inside the roll cage," he said. "Though that in itself is a good idea, the real intent of this specification is to add some lateral support to the entire roll-cage assembly."
Chassis builder Murf McKinney, who serves as chairman of the SFI committee that developed these outlines, said, "If you take a four-foot beam and try to bend it, it tries to flex between the two ends. If you split that same beam with a support in the middle, it becomes two short beams that are harder to bend.
"Putting this one-inch tube in the cage follows the same philosophy," McKinney continued. "If the cage takes a hit on one tube on the roll cage, it will take more energy to alter the bar's position, thus improving driver protection. The cage can take a higher structural load with the additional support."
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The rule was developed based on information compiled from Top Fuel dragsters, which must have the bars in place for the 2002 season. Because dragsters, from Top Fuel to Super Comp, follow a similar chassis design, the specification was implemented at all levels.
"Everything is going so fast anymore, and everything is marching toward quicker speeds on all levels," said Kuhns. "We elected to put it in all six dragster specs (three front-engine, three rear-engine) because we felt the same potential for that roll cage to come apart exists in the so-called slower Super Comp classes as much as in Top Fuel. Many have the mind-set that Super Comp is a slow class, but in reality [those cars] are running faster than nearly any other racing body. In no book is running more than 165 mph slow."
McKinney agreed: "Even though the cars are going around 150, 160 mph, if a car was to come to an abrupt stop where all the load is placed on one bar, it will have the same devastating effect as if the car was going 300 mph. It is a simple deal that increases the integrity of the roll cage substantially, to the point where it doesn't matter what the speed is.
"It would be negligent for me, as a chassis builder, to not pass on this information or put it into a spec. It's like the rules going from just a lap belt to a five-point harness. In my book, it's that important to have this installed."
Racers who would like to comment on this ruling can send e-mail to
racerinput@nhra.com.
Return to 2002 Sportsman News Archive