Licensing

[onebad5pto]

Quick question for you guys. I recently got my IHRA license to run 9's (or faster). Will I have to get my NHRA license if I run at an NHRA track or will they honor it? Thanks.

[swc]

Hi,

Quick question for you guys. I recently got my IHRA license to run 9's (or faster). Will I have to get my NHRA license if I run at an NHRA track or will they honor it? Thanks.

Call NHRA to be sure but, when I did my NHRA licence last year they would not honor an IHRA lic. at an NHRA sactioned track. I have been told that IHRA will honor an NHRA licence since the NHRA licence is more stringent.

HTH,

[onebad5pto]

Same thing I've heard. Thanks.

[Larry Geddes]

You will need the NHRA license for their track, etc.

I was told the the IHRA people do not require a physical. Is that true?

If true, what else is different?

[onebad5pto]

Larry, all I had to do was make 3 passes faster than 9.99. That's it! No physical, nothing. The track owner wrote in the time increments and signed it and all I had to do was send it in with the payment.

I have downloaded all the paperwork for the NHRA licensing, just gotta figure out how to go about doing it. I rarely go to any national events, so I'm assuming I'll have to hit a national event to get licensed, but do they want to take the time out to license someone?

In New York, as far as I know we have 2 NHRA tracks. One is an 1/8 mile track (I've heard it's closing this winter) about 40 minutes from me and the other is a 1/4 mile track about 3 hours from me, but you have to drive around the pot holes in that track, so that doesn't look inviting. Norwalk is 5 hours from me and Maplegrove is a little more so those tracks may be my only choices.

[Larry Geddes]

Bad,

It is a normal procedure for you to go to a local NHRA track for your licensing. They do it all the time, typically.

The track manager will assist you by putting you in a separate lane and bring your car out as you need to. You will need two licensed drivers to witness and sign for you. It usually isn't too hard to find them. The manager will help with that.

Remember the physical and proper safety clothing. It looks like they are requiring a full face helmet for this level in 2008.

I figure it is about a grand to do it all counting a physical, chassis cert, clothing and the sessions at the track. And don't forget the TWO years of signing up for the membership and your 102 issues of National Dragster.

Good luck. be safe

[swc]

Hi,



I rarely go to any national events, so I'm assuming I'll have to hit a national event to get licensed, but do they want to take the time out to license someone?

I have seen on occasion that if time permits (on an open test and tune) they will run a couple of licencing passes during an event but it is rare since it must be a single car on the track. I know when I called Maple Grove a couple of years ago and asked if I could make the passes during the event I was told no, due to the time required. I'd definetely call the track manager if you are planning that.

HTH,

[onebad5pto]

Bad,

It is a normal procedure for you to go to a local NHRA track for your licensing. They do it all the time, typically.

The track manager will assist you by putting you in a separate lane and bring your car out as you need to. You will need two licensed drivers to witness and sign for you. It usually isn't too hard to find them. The manager will help with that.

Remember the physical and proper safety clothing. It looks like they are requiring a full face helmet for this level in 2008.

I figure it is about a grand to do it all counting a physical, chassis cert, clothing and the sessions at the track. And don't forget the TWO years of signing up for the membership and your 102 issues of National Dragster.

Good luck. be safe

Larry, all the safety gear for me and the car is set. The cage is already NHRA certified (previous owner had it done), I have all my Simpson clothing, closed face helmet, 5 pt harness, SFI bellhousing, driveshaft loop, etc...

Well, hopefully I'll get it done in the spring. Thanks for all your input guys.

[swc]

Well, hopefully I'll get it done in the spring. Thanks for all your input guys.


The nice thing about it is, once you do it the first time, all you need to keep it current is the physical part--no passes,no signing again.

Later,

[Larry Geddes]

Regarding Maple Grove.............

The old grumpy, non customer friendly management is gone.:D

[turbo vert]

Dont mean to hyjack your thread/but do you think that we will need all of that to race at pinks at norwalk this coming june.

[swc]

Hi,

Dont mean to hyjack your thread/but do you think that we will need all of that to race at pinks at norwalk this coming june.

Of cource this is just guessing but................when I was running in the 9.99 to 9.90, I was never questioned about the licence and added sasety gear. Not sure how sticky the tech will be but since there are still several months before the race, I'd make myself legal. Having said all that, tech will usually give you a warning if you break into the 9.99 ET after the first pass...........do it again and you are likely OUT. Just my experiences.....way back when I was told NOT to return until I had all the safety things. YMMV

Later,

[onebad5pto]

Dont mean to hyjack your thread/but do you think that we will need all of that to race at pinks at norwalk this coming june.

That's why I started this thread - I'm hitting Pinks Norwalk and want to make sure I'm ok.

Even though there is 6 months until then, I don't like waiting until the last second. I already 9.70's and with the anticipated upgrades/improvements this winter, I hope to knock at least half a second off that.

It may all be a wash anyways. From what I've seen, it looks like you get 2 passes, that's it. If they don't pick the 'time group' you're running, you're out. So if I'm running in the 9.50's group, they may end up picking an 10 or 11 second group for all we know.

[Crazy Eddie]

Dont mean to hyjack your thread/but do you think that we will need all of that to race at pinks at norwalk this coming june.

Not to make anyone feel bad but I remember an episode where a guy in a mustang got sent home because he didn't have an Nhra liscence even though he had all the proper safety equiptment. What really sucked for him is he had even made it to a semi or final round.

[onebad5pto]

That's right, it was a black SN-95 Cobra, wasn't it?

[TurboLx1]

Yeah it was the Black sn95 one of the cars he was racing complained he didnt have the write safety stuff

[9sec95]

I also don't won't to try and steal your tread, and i know i am new to you all and i will have to earn your respect. Could someone please try and help me with a cpl of questions i have. Will i have to have my 9 sec license to run true street? Also will i have to have my chassis cert, I just had a 12 point chrome molly cage put in, and i ask the man who put it in if he could cert it and he said he can't cert his own work but he knew somebody who could... My question is what is the steps or what do you do if he looks at it and cert it...Is that all you have to do? I mean just a sticker on it or what. I appreciate any ones advice. I currently do have done to the car a window net, drive shaft saftey loop, c-clip eliminators, 5 piece harness, full face helmet, disconnect switch, SFI bell housing, triple layer pants and jacket... Thanks again,

[onebad5pto]

I also don't won't to try and steal your tread, and i know i am new to you all and i will have to earn your respect. Could someone please try and help me with a cpl of questions i have. Will i have to have my 9 sec license to run true street? Also will i have to have my chassis cert, I just had a 12 point chrome molly cage put in, and i ask the man who put it in if he could cert it and he said he can't cert his own work but he knew somebody who could... My question is what is the steps or what do you do if he looks at it and cert it...Is that all you have to do? I mean just a sticker on it or what. I appreciate any ones advice. I currently do have done to the car a window net, drive shaft saftey loop, c-clip eliminators, 5 piece harness, full face helmet, disconnect switch, SFI bell housing, triple layer pants and jacket... Thanks again,

If your car runs in the 9's or faster, you'll need the license - doesn't matter what class it is. Cage certification requires being inspected for bar size (the guy has a little tool he puts over each bar to make sure it is the right diameter), they check the welds and sometimes sonic test it. Everything else sounds ok.

[9sec95]

Thanks for answering my Question onebad5pto. If i read it right good luck at Norwalk on pinks.

[fairmontology]

I have downloaded all the paperwork for the NHRA licensing, just gotta figure out how to go about doing it. I rarely go to any national events, so I'm assuming I'll have to hit a national event to get licensed, but do they want to take the time out to license someone?

As others have stated, you cannot do this at a national event. Pick your track and go on a day when they will be open for quite a while. Make sure you have everything else done first before you make your license runs. Get your NHRA membership paid and get your Member Number. Once you have your member number you can fill out the license forms. On your application form you will circle the box that says "COMP-SC-ET-SG-SS-SST-SPTC-TS-TD; 7.50-9.99". This is the Class 4; Type B box. In the next box you will check which categories you will be racing. If just "ET" then check that one. If you might jump off into Super Gas then check ET and Super Gas. You get the idea.

Once you have all this filled out and get your physical then you can go to the track. Like I said, pick a day when the track will be open all day and evening. You might pick a day when they have a full day of bracket racing. If you know two individuals who have their competition license then ask them to go on the same day to witness and sign for you. First thing you do is park then go to the tower and talk to the track manager. Do not go to tech inspection until you and the manager have worked out the details of your six passes. If you do not have the necessary witnesses the manager should be able to help you find them as Larry stated. Once the procedures are worked out then go to Tech. Either the Tech guy or whomever is directing the Staging Lanes will let you know which lane you are to report to when you are ready to make your runs.

When making your runs be sure you follow the manager's suggestions. He has to sign off on your runs before the driver's sign off on your forms. Keep him happy! Half pass is just that. Go to the 1/8th mile and lift. For your moderate runs you will have to follow what the manager wants to see. Some of them will let you go flat out to the 1000' mark while others will want you to make your moderate runs gradually quicker to see if you can control the car. Full runs are self-explanatory. Once you have made all of your runs you will then go back to the tower and have the track manager review your runs and sign off on the timeslips and license forms. After that, get your two designated drivers to sign off on the forms. Once that is done, put the forms and timeslips together in a safe, secure large envelope and lock it in the truck. Open lots of beer and celebrate!

Once you get home make copies of the forms and timeslips for your records and mail the forms to your NHRA Divisional Director. If you use the Post Office be sure you mail them Certified/Return Receipt Requested. This is actually the best way. Give the office two weeks and call to see if it was received and how long it might take. BE NICE TO THESE PEOPLE!!!!!! They can make your wait veeeerrrrrrryyyyyy long if you piss them off. Before long you will have your shiny new NHRA Competition License and you can go to Pinks where they won't pick your time group and you get to watch. :p

But you're licensed. And that is something that is worth all the time, money, and work.