I'm hearing that all NHRA tracks will be enforcing the rule that any car running 10.99 or faster must have a diaper? It was in the 2011 rule book that it will be enforced starting 2012.

I figured they would enforce it at NHRA Divisional and National events but not at the local track events but I'm hearing they will be enforcing it at all events.

It's supposedly tied to insurance, if someone wrecks and the track submits the costs to the insurance company but they didn't have a diaper, they won't cover any of the costs and I guess they could loose their insurace coverage...

It would be hard to swallow for 9.99 and faster but 10.99 and faster is going to be very hard to swallow. When the sport is fighting to keep car counts up, I think this will cause some to give up the sport and a lot of others to travel to non-NHRA tracks.

I think you can get a diaper for $150 - $200 but that's the easy part, I can't imagine putting one on a big block A-Body... trying to keep it off the headers, dealing with the drag link...

For my wife's car, I'll just slow it down to run 11.teens or so and since I don't have stock K-member it won't be that big of a deal for me but I expect this to be a big deal for a lot of racers this year.

What are you guys hearing?

one of our race track's stated, 9.99 or quicker in 2012. you must have an engine diaper.

S/ST 10.90 cars must have a diaper this year,so expect the tracks to make any car running 10.90 or quicker to have a diaper.

Quote:

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I think you can get a diaper for $150 - $200 but that's the easy part, I can't imagine putting one on a big block A-Body... trying to keep it off the headers, dealing with the drag link...

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Well I am about to find out whatr its like in a 68 Dart with stock suspension and a big block....

Only thing I have going for me is fenderwell headers....

I certainly hope not... or that's going to severely restrict the # of tracks I'm going to bother to drive the MoPig to.

Gimme an I!
Gimme an H!
Gimme an R!
Gimme an A!

If this ends up the rule it will make my next engine alot cheaper!

All you guy pi$$ on moan about a diaper but when you toss a rod at the 1000' mark and drive thru your on oil, hit the wall or worse yet the guy in the other lane that 150.00 dollar diaper and the effort to install it will seem cheap. I think anything with slicks should have to have a diaper.

So you are saying its slicks that causes a car to drop a rod. The 13.50 car with slicks should have a blanket but the 13.50 car on street tires doesn't need one. Hmmm-interesting.

i know safety should be first, but how often are rods dropped. what about a flat at 1000'? u going to run runflat tires? seeya.

What I am saying is if it is a race car but a diaper on it.

If this is the case, anybody want to buy a iron headed 448 incher?

I have a 225/6 I can just build. Sure would be less hassle

per 2012 rule book for Super Street.

OIL-RETENTION DEVICE
All vehicles must utilize an NHRA-accepted lower engine oil-
retention device; may use a belly pan in lieu of a device attached to
the engine. If belly pan is used, must extend from framerail to
framerail and extend forward of the harmonic balancer and
rearward to rear-engine plate and must incorporate a minimum 2-
inch-high lip on all sides. A nonflammable, oil-absorbent liner
mandatory inside of retention device. See General Regulations 1:8.

per 2012 rule book for super pro/ pro/ sportsman

OIL-RETENTION DEVICE
All vehicles permitted to utilize an NHRA-accepted lower engine oil-
retention device. See General Regulations 1:8.

General Regulation 1.8

1:8 LOWER ENGINE CONTAINMENT DEVICE
In classes where specified, must utilize an NHRA-accepted lower
engine oil-retention device. SFI Spec 7.1 or 7.2 Lower Engine
Containment Device permitted. A properly fitting lower engine
ballistic/restraint device mandatory. The NHRA Technical staff can
accept or reject any device. Any device that fails to perform as
required must be replaced or repaired to the satisfaction of the
Technical staff prior to any further runs. When used, an SFI Spec
7.1 or 7.2 Lower Engine Containment Device must cover the sides
of the block and pan up to within one inch of the head mating
surface and extend to within 1 1/2 inches of the front and rear of the
cylinder case area. SFI Spec 7.1 devices must be
updated/recertified by the original manufacturer at one-year
intervals. In classes where specified, a belly pan may be used in
lieu of a device attached to the engine. The belly pan must extend
from framerail to framerail and extend forward of the harmonic
balancer and to the rear of the engine block and must incorporate a
minimum 2-inch-high lip on all sides unless specified in Class
Requirements. Minimum number of slots or holes in the walls to
clear frame, steering, or lines permitted. A nonflammable, oil-
absorbent liner mandatory inside of retention device.

From the 2012 NHRA rulebook (Available for download online at NHRA.com in the member section)

OIL-RETENTION DEVICE
All vehicles running 7.49 or quicker must utilize an NHRA-accepted lower engine oil-retention device; may use a belly pan in lieu of a device attached to the engine. The belly pan must extend from framerail to framerail and extend forward of the harmonic balancer and rearward to rear engine plate and must incorporate a minimum 2-inch-high lip on all sides. A nonflammable, oil-absorbent liner mandatory inside of retention device. See General Regulations 1:8.

General Regulations Section 20, page 8
1:8 LOWER ENGINE CONTAINMENT DEVICE
{read this carefully}In classes where specified, must utilize an NHRA-accepted lower engine oil-retention device. SFI Spec 7.1 or 7.2 Lower Engine Containment Device permitted. A properly fitting lower engine ballistic/restraint device mandatory. The NHRA Technical staff can accept or reject any device. Any device that fails to perform as required must be replaced or repaired to the satisfaction of the Technical staff prior to any further runs. When used, an SFI Spec 7.1 or 7.2 Lower Engine Containment Device must cover the sides of the block and pan up to within one inch of the head mating surface and extend to within 1 1/2 inches of the front and rear of the cylinder case area. SFI Spec 7.1 devices must be updated/recertified by the original manufacturer at one-year intervals. In classes where specified, a belly pan may be used in lieu of a device attached to the engine. The belly pan must extend from framerail to framerail and extend forward of the harmonic balancer and to the rear of the engine block and must incorporate a minimum 2-inch-high lip on all sides unless specified in Class Requirements. Minimum number of slots or holes in the walls to clear frame, steering, or lines permitted. A nonflammable, oil absorbent liner mandatory inside of retention device.


So a quick review of the book I found the following

Top Sportsman - required
Top Dragster - required
Super street - required
Super gas - required
Super comp - required
Comp - required

Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman - permitted - see gen. reg. 1.8

NOW for the fun part - Individual tracks can impose there own extra requirements for the season AND/OR special events. So if you you have a turbo car, NOS car, or small tire/overpowered car, I would recommend you look into a diaper for safety and to insure you meet possible rules.

It also looks like, unless your local track adds additional rules, as long as your not running division or national events you can run down to 7.50 without a diaper (not necessarily smart, but permitted).

LOL (Guess I was too slow)

The diaper is one of the NHRA safety rules I do agree with.

Lots of slower cars oiling down the tracks nowadays, ruining it for others.



Chris..

i would be interested in seeing pics if anyone has them on their car now

The only addition for next year will be S/ST. Many of the backhalfed cars that ran the class will be gone, reducing an already depleted car count.

Edgewater requires diapers for bracket cars faster than 6.40, Indy requires them for the Rage events.

Me too, as I'm running stock front end and going to a new wedge this year. I have the drag link throught the pan, how the heck does that work. Is it a special order type and does that mean lots of Anyone have pics of one on an A-body I would like to see. Thanks