Rules question...
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Rules question...
Guys,
While I am waiting to get underway with my new motor, I have several things I would like to take care of. On that list is possibly to relocate my battery. I would really like to mount it way in the back up under the car, to the rear of the car, as far as possible, and outside it. Or I have heard of people moving it to the storage compartment behind the passengers seat. Here I would vent it etc regardless of the ruling. But my bigger question is, when is it required to have an outside the car shutoff switch. I hardly want to cut a hole in the rear of the car to make such a shutoff. Is the requirement for a shutoff based on ET or just moving the battery to a new location? We argued about this at the one track, and I went and asked the tech guy. He said you can put it anywhere you like so long as you are 10.00 and slower. At 9.99sec you need a shutoff regardless of the battery location.
You guys have any thoughts. Any experience with relocating the battery?
Thanks. :cheers:
While I am waiting to get underway with my new motor, I have several things I would like to take care of. On that list is possibly to relocate my battery. I would really like to mount it way in the back up under the car, to the rear of the car, as far as possible, and outside it. Or I have heard of people moving it to the storage compartment behind the passengers seat. Here I would vent it etc regardless of the ruling. But my bigger question is, when is it required to have an outside the car shutoff switch. I hardly want to cut a hole in the rear of the car to make such a shutoff. Is the requirement for a shutoff based on ET or just moving the battery to a new location? We argued about this at the one track, and I went and asked the tech guy. He said you can put it anywhere you like so long as you are 10.00 and slower. At 9.99sec you need a shutoff regardless of the battery location.
You guys have any thoughts. Any experience with relocating the battery?
Thanks. :cheers:
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Rules question... (ski_dwn_it)
Here's an answer tp part of your question from NHRA.com
I have a street car that I occasionally run at the strip. I've relocated the battery to the rear. What else do I need?
Any car with a relocated battery must be equipped with a master electrical cutoff, capable of stopping all electrical functions including ignition (must shut the engine off, as well as fuel pumps, etc.). The switch must be located on the rear of the vehicle, with the "off" position clearly marked. If the switch is of a "push / pull" type, then "push" must be the motion that shuts off the switch, and plastic or "keyed" typed switches are prohibited. Also, the battery must be completely sealed from the driver and/or driver compartment. This means a metal bulkhead must separate the trunk from the driver compartment, or the battery must be located in a sealed, metal box constructed of minimum .024 inch steel or .032 inch aluminum, or in an NHRA accepted plastic box. In cars with a conventional trunk, metal can simply be installed behind the rear seat and under the package tray to effectively seal the battery off from the driver. In a hatchback type vehicle the battery box is usually the easiest solution, since the alternative is to fabricate a bulkhead which seals to the hatch when closed. At present, Moroso is the only company which offers an NHRA accepted plastic battery box, part number 74050.
But I drive on the street. I don't want a big cut off switch hanging on the back.
This solution takes a little work, but it solves the problem. Install the master cutoff inside the vehicle, positioned "sideways" so that the toggle moves forward and back. Drill a hole in the toggle handle, and attach a steel rod that will run out the back of the car, through a hole drilled completely through one tail light assembly. Have a spare tail light assembly on hand, so when you come home from the drags, you remove the rod and put the cherry tail light back in for street cruising. Next time you plan on going to the drag strip, swap lights and reinstall the rod. Since the drilled light is for the strip only, you can also have it marked "PUSH OFF" in big letters so the Tech Inspectors will think you're cool.
Any car with a relocated battery must be equipped with a master electrical cutoff, capable of stopping all electrical functions including ignition (must shut the engine off, as well as fuel pumps, etc.). The switch must be located on the rear of the vehicle, with the "off" position clearly marked. If the switch is of a "push / pull" type, then "push" must be the motion that shuts off the switch, and plastic or "keyed" typed switches are prohibited. Also, the battery must be completely sealed from the driver and/or driver compartment. This means a metal bulkhead must separate the trunk from the driver compartment, or the battery must be located in a sealed, metal box constructed of minimum .024 inch steel or .032 inch aluminum, or in an NHRA accepted plastic box. In cars with a conventional trunk, metal can simply be installed behind the rear seat and under the package tray to effectively seal the battery off from the driver. In a hatchback type vehicle the battery box is usually the easiest solution, since the alternative is to fabricate a bulkhead which seals to the hatch when closed. At present, Moroso is the only company which offers an NHRA accepted plastic battery box, part number 74050.
But I drive on the street. I don't want a big cut off switch hanging on the back.
This solution takes a little work, but it solves the problem. Install the master cutoff inside the vehicle, positioned "sideways" so that the toggle moves forward and back. Drill a hole in the toggle handle, and attach a steel rod that will run out the back of the car, through a hole drilled completely through one tail light assembly. Have a spare tail light assembly on hand, so when you come home from the drags, you remove the rod and put the cherry tail light back in for street cruising. Next time you plan on going to the drag strip, swap lights and reinstall the rod. Since the drilled light is for the strip only, you can also have it marked "PUSH OFF" in big letters so the Tech Inspectors will think you're cool.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Rules question... (ski_dwn_it)
Mr.Mojo,
You saved me a bunch of typing.
ski_dwn_it,
According to the NHRA Rule book, it is an, either or, situation. The switch is required at 9.99 reguardless of where it's located. If the battery is relocated, the switch is required, reguardless of your ETs. As I've said a dozen times, different tracks interpert and/or enforce the the rules differently. Some, even have their own version of the rules for local competition. If your track will let you run with it relocated, good for you. There's not much of a chance *I'll"* be protesting you. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
You saved me a bunch of typing.
ski_dwn_it,
According to the NHRA Rule book, it is an, either or, situation. The switch is required at 9.99 reguardless of where it's located. If the battery is relocated, the switch is required, reguardless of your ETs. As I've said a dozen times, different tracks interpert and/or enforce the the rules differently. Some, even have their own version of the rules for local competition. If your track will let you run with it relocated, good for you. There's not much of a chance *I'll"* be protesting you. Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Rules question... (wheelsup)
I have seen remote cut off switches that do not kill the engine when switched off. It must be wired to the alternator.
RACE ON!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Rules question... (ski_dwn_it)
If I ever move mine to the back I've got a spare back-up light to mount the switch to.
