OnPoint

Hey guys, I thought I'd post this up as I just got an email from the Texas Mile, and they highlight a couple rules changes that could impact folks:

• HELMETS: ALL SNELL 2005 AND M2005 HELMETS WILL NO LONGER BE APPROVED.
o HELMETS ACCEPTED: SNELL 2010-2015, M2010-M2015
• TIRES: LAND SPEED RACING TIRES (LSR) WILL NO LONGER BE APPROVED DUE TO LIFE SAEFETY PURPOSES.
o DRAG RADIALS- WILL BE APPROVED ONLY AT THE HOUSTON ½ MILE EVENT. WE WILL NOT MAKE ANY EXCEPTIONS AT ANY OTHER TEXAS MILE OR U.S. MILE EVENT.


Looks like I'm gonna need a new helmet.

AzDave47

Most of the major organizations update their helmut specs once the latest spec helmet is readily available. It is interesting they accept Snell M spec helmets as many organizations only accept SA (racing) helmets.
Mojave Mile/Magnum hasn't posted their 2016 requirements, but may accept the same update. Fortunately, my latest is a Snell SA2010.

Mojave is not accepting LSR tires any more either.

OnPoint

I grabbed mine just to double-check it. Mine is a Snell.SA. But I've had it/used it for 9 years or so.

Their rules don't seem to speak specifically as to my Snell.SA. I might send an email to their tech guy. Hate to buy a new helmet when mine is fine - and fits perfectly. On the other hand, I'd hate to get to the event just to dq tech cuz of my hat.

Bah - they just left the SA out of the description. Mine's out. Will be getting a new one.

AzDave47

Yes, but your head is worth it right? Think of it as $30-60 per year.

OnPoint

Yeah, you're right. Small price to pay.

Mine's spec wasn't an issue for so long, I frankly got the point of not even thinking about it. Never looked at at hpde's. In fact TM and 1/4 mi track is the only place it got looked at. And mine fit like a glove.

Oh well, time to upgrade.

They are tightening things a bit on the tires, too, but that one has been visible for a couple years as a closing gap.

dvandentop

not surprising they are not letting drag radials run anymore due to i am sure they get squirrely at high speeds most likely.

I wonder where the hoosier a7 and r7 fall under?

OnPoint

Drag radials and land speed radials are specifically excluded. Outside that you have to have a DOT tire with a speed rating exceeding what you'll be running.

AzDave47

DOT speed ratings only go to (Y) which is for 186+ continuous so unless the manufacturers specify how much + the DOT rating doesn't help. The organizations specify how high they will let the tires go.

For the Mojave events, they allow (Y) tires to get tech'd for 200 and a 5 MPH breakout allowance.

OnPoint

Here are the specific tire requirements:

5.6 TIRES: DOT-approved tires in good condition are required to be used. The tire speed rating must exceed the speed rating that the car is attempting to achieve. For more info on speed ratings: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=35. In order for the tires to be approved, the tires must be (Y) rated, or a competition road race tire unless a letter from the tire manufacturer is submitted and approved by the Chief of Tech before registration that the tire can be run over 190 MPH. Tire manufacture recommendations for number of runs on the tire should be taken seriously. Please contact your tire manufacturer for more details. High horsepower cars, in order to reduce wheel/tire slip – please consider the use of “bead lock” wheels. Have tires installed by a professional shop without using soap.

5.6.1 All tires must have an equal (or greater) Load Carrying Rating and Speed Rating than the original (OEM) manufacturer’s requirement.
5.6.2 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: The use of tires with better ratings than OEM is recommended.
5.6.3 Drag radials (DOT spec) are not approved. *Drag radials are approved ONLY at The Houston ½ Mile. 14 J&S Matus Motorsports, Inc. DBA The Texas Mile And North America Project Integrators, Inc. DBA The U.S. Mile
5.6.4 Drag racing (DOT-spec) “skinnies” or front runners are not approved.
5.6.5 Land Speed Tires are NOT approved without the approval of the Chief of Tech or The Race Director.