Per NHRA/IHRA rules do I still need a cut-off switch for a trunk mounted battery if my trunk does not need a key to open it? My trunk basically opens like a hood on a car with an external trunk latch so access is probably even easier than the hood on most cars at the track which now use an internal lever. I figured the argument for the external cut-off was you needed a key to open the trunk to access the battery. We are not talking a ten second car here just a street car with a very mild engine.

Yes you still need an external cut off switch. What if the trunk lid gets jammed in a crash. Rules are created to cover all kinds of odd happenings. There may not be time to open the trunk.

If that is the justification why do you not need a cut-off switch if the battery is mounted in the engine compartment? Hood could be smashed shut also.

Because the gas tank isn't under the hood and there is a fire wall between the battery and the interior. You must have either an enclosed battery box vented to the outside or a panel separating the trunk from the interior with the battery in the trunk. Section 8 of the NHRA rules. It's for your safety as well as the track workers.

and don't the new challengers as well as some others have the battery in the trunk from the factory ?

I think they are in a rear enclosed compartment separate from the trunk.

There is a fiber board and carpet cover between the battery and the trunk. However, the battery should be vented to the outside from the factory.

but shouldn't the new iron also have a battery cutoff ? I certainly understand about the box being covered/insulated from the passenger compartment and vented to the outside.

I use a marine case for my trunk mounted battery. But I also have a sheet of 1/8" thick metal right behind the rear seat back so it closes and seals the trunk off from the interior which is needed by the rules anyway. I drilled a few holes in the bottom of the box near the four corners that just go thru to the outside under the car to vent the battery. Works fine for me. I like the metal battery boxes that Jegs and others sell but I got this marine battery box free as the metal ones are not cheap as I believe they are over $100 dollars. But the metal ones are really nice. You can see the rod for the cutout switch also as the cutout switch is bolted to the battery box and I drilled a hole in the taillite lens to go thru to the outside. That way the only thing it changed was a small hole in the lens. If I ever took it out all I have to do is put a new lens in. Ron

Here is the handle on the rod for the cutout switch. I was not going to drill any holes in my 63 so drilling a hole in the taillite lens was the best thing to do in my opinion that worked and did no damage by drilling a hole in the body. Ron

if you read the rule it says if the battery is moved from factory location.

Thanks. I finally found that.

I guess that means even if I relocate the battery under the front hood to gain clearance say for an engine swap then technically I have to run a cut-off switch to the back of the car????

There is also a ET/speed break.

Faster than 9.99 or 135, needs a cut off regardless of battery location.

Unless they changed the rule since 2012.