Post by Toymaker on Dec 26, 2009 2:38:34 GMT -5
After playing with our HAMB Dragster for a couple years (still enjoying it) I'm considering stepping up to another project. The HAMB Dragster (HA/GR) was a blast to build and race with the ANRA group, not to mention the field of 4 racing heads up at Eagle Field last October. But with its treaded tires and manual transmission it's not as consistant as we want for my son Lee to compete with in the ANRA Open Wheel (bracket racing) category as he is very competitive.
My answer to the problem is to build an C/GD (Cool/ Gas Dragster) Front Engine Dragster using some rules I made up as guidelines to follow. I know that the rules are restrictive for a bracket car but it would keep the cost down and allow racers who build the cars to race at ANRA events in the Open Wheel Category and Eagle Field heads-up since we don't have or plan to use clocks or a tree! The way I wrote the rules a competant car guy, maybe with his buddies or a club could build one for next to nothin' like we originally built our HA/GR ($1100) for.
My thinking is use a small CID "pick your part" engine under 325 CI, use a 600 cfm vacuum secondary carb or 3 Stromberg's, Holley 94's on an aluminum intake. The ignition allowed would be your standard part that is collecting dust on a friends shelf, Dual Point, Single Point and throw a Petronix in it. Stock cylinder heads would be required (standard dia. springs) with angle plug chevy heads not allowed. Inside the engine restrictions would be limited to Hydraulic Flat Tappet cams, stock rockers, flat top pistons and Zoomie Headers to keep the exhaust easy.
Both automatic and manual transmissions would be allowed and required to meet NHRA rules. The converters will be restricted to 10" or larger and a 3500 max stall speed.
The great equalizer at Eagle Field will be the tires. I'm thinking an 8 or maybe 9" "spec" M&H tire. Bakersfield seems to always have the teeth needed for traction but at Eagle Field we run on an UNTREATED surface and I think the C/GD's would put on a tire spinnin show. I wouldn't have a problem policing the rules at Eagle Field, most all your circle tracks have similar rules and pumping an engine CI couldn't be that hard. Check out the rules and let me know what you think. Rocky
COOL GAS DRAGSTER (C/GD) RULES
These rules are written to build a race car to compete in the ANRA Open Wheel Category and an Eagle Field heads up category. They are only guidelines to build an affordable Dragster which could be built by any competent Do It Yourselfer with inexpensive parts found at wrecking yards and garages.
THESE ARE GUIDELINES AND WRITTEN USING THE 2008 NHRA RULE BOOK
FOR CARS 10:00 AND SLOWER
Please check current NHRA rule book when building a car
1. Frames allowed are 3 x 2 by .118 wall (or larger) rectangular tube, 3 round tube or "Open Space" with both Slingshot and Altered style chassis allowed. . Chromemoly materials allowed Minimum wheelbase of 90" SEE NHRA 4:12 , Maximum 150 C/GD rule. Minimum weight will be decided as class progresses. REMEMBER that ANRA races is at an NHRA track and NHRA rules apply.
2. Front suspension optional on cars weighing 2350 lbs or less with 100 inch or longer wheelbase. SEE NHRA ET Handicap racing, Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Suspension, Altereds, Dragsters Also SEE NHRA 3:2, 3:4
3. All cars must have a (5 point min at ANRA events, 3 point and some nostalgia designs allowed at Eagle Field) roll cage of minimum NHRA Tubing requirements. SEE NHRA 4:11
4. Narrowed rear ends allowed and aftermarket axles required on cars running quicker than 10.99 and all cars with spool. Rear end must be equipped with an anti rotation device SEE NHRA 2:11, 2:2, 2:4, 4:9 Brakes 3:1. Drum or Disc Brakes allowed.
5. A minimum of .120 Steel plate u-joint cover to protect driver in case of failure.
6. Cars must have cowl/body and floor boards, belly pan sufficient to prevent drivers legs from exiting vehicle unintentionally Minimum .032 Aluminum or .024 Steel. SEE NHRA 7:5 Sub flooring independent of car body is mandatory in Dragsters that allow drivers legs to rest on Belly Pan or Chassis. SEE NHRA ET Handicap Racing A minimum .032 Aluminum or .024 Steel firewall is mandatory. SEE NHRA 7:4 Windscreen 7:7
7. Cars must be equipped with an engine mounted starter and be self starting at NHRA tracks. Eagle Field will allow Vintage engines to use remote batteries.
8. Batteries must be securely mounted using modern safety standards and separate from drivers compartment. SEE NHRA 8:1
9. Cars must have a master battery cutoff switch accessible from rear of the car. SEE NHRA 8:4
10. Cars must have at least one red rear running light for night racing.
11. Manual and 3 speed Automatic transmissions (NO 2 Speeds) allowed. SFI certified clutch, flywheel and bell housing required on cars quicker than 11.50. SEE NHRA 2:3 2:5 2:6 2:10 Eagle Field C/GD are require to have an SFI Certified Clutch assy and Flywheel. Scattershield are required, if a scattershield is not available for you engine one can be fabricated as per NHRA Rules. Automatic equipped cars require a shifter with reverse lockout and neutral safety switch, cars must be manually shifted, no air or electronic shifters allowed. Transmission lines must be metallic or NHRA accepted high pressure type hose. Cars running quicker than 10.99 or faster than 135 MPH must be equipped with a transmission shield meeting SFI Spec 4.1. Trans brakes not allowed Torque Converters may not stall over 3500 RPM. Floorboard required unless trans shield and 3.2A/15 driving suit are used.
12. American made small block V-8 or 6 cylinder (325 cid or smaller) engine only, no overhead cams allowed. Engines must be naturally aspirated. No superchargers, turbos, nitrous oxide or fuel injection. Stocks cylinder heads only, NO Canted valve (example Ford Boss 302) or Angle Plug small block Chevy. OEM dimension valve springs only, "Roller" rockers not allowed, stock rocker arms only. Aluminum heads are ONLY allowed on Flat Head Fords and OE equipped engines. Pistons are restricted to Flat Top or less design, NO KICKER or POP-UP. Camshaft must use hydraulic lifters, unless engine is considered "Vintage" (Ford Flat Head, Ford Y-block, Buick Nail Head etc) otherwise NO solid or hydraulic roller cams allowed. No Dry sumps, external oil pumps (except when OE equipped", Pan Evacuation systems other than PCV.
18. Zoomie headers only
13. No electronic ignition boxes (MSD etc), Only single and dual point distributors allowed. Conversions in the manner of Petronix that fit within a stock dist cap are allowed. Aftermarket magnetos ONLY allowed on Vintage engines.
14. Pump gas/racing gas only. No Methanol, nitromethane, or alcohol.
15. One Holley #1850 or Edelbrock Performer 1405 or 1406 600 cfm vacuum secondary carb allowed. 3 Multiple (4 allowed on Ford Flat Head and other "Vintage engines") 1bbl or 2bbl Carter, Stromberg, or Holley 94 carbs allowed. Aluminum intakes allowed (no tunnel ram type manifolds) Flash Shield or Scoop Required SEE NHRA 1:4
16. Fuel lines shall have no more than 12" total of rubber line. SEE NHRA 1:5
17. Cooling system or water tank must use a radiator cap and overflow/catch can system. SEE NHRA 1:7 NOTE: Most tracks require a cooling system and do not allow tow cars. ANRA and Eagle Field DOES NOT require a cooling system and allows tow cars in the Open Wheel category.
19 Slicks may be NO wider than 9"
20. Drivers must wear up to date NHRA acceptable full face helmet with shield (Snell M2000, M2005, K2005, SA2005, SFI 31.2A or 41.2 SEE NHRA 10:7 & ET Handicap Racing). SFI 3:3 Neck Collar or SFI 3:3 Head Sock or Skirted Helmet Required. SEE NHRA 10:8 3.2A/5 two layer fire retardant jacket & pants or suit required when transmission is covered with a floorboard, SFI 3:3 Gloves required on all open bodied cars. SEE NHRA 10:10 Leather Driving shoes 3:3A/5 & Arm Restraints required SEE NHRA 10:3
21. Five point NHRA approved safety harness required. SEE NHRA 10:5
22. No electronic/pneumatic drivers aids including rev limiters.
Shift light Tachometers are allowed
22. Cars are required to be Self Starting at NHRA tracks
Revisions made,
Chromemoly materials allowed
Minimum weight will be decided as class progresses.
Drum or Disc Brakes allowed
All cars must have a (5 point min at ANRA events, 3 point and some nostalgia designs allowed at Eagle Field) roll cage of minimum NHRA Tubing requirements. SEE NHRA 4:11
Name change, C/GD Cool / Gas dragster
NO canted Valve heads like the Boss 302 Ford
Magnetos allowed on Vintage engines
Only single and dual point distributors allowed. Conversions in the manner of Petronix that fit within a stock dist cap are allowed.
Solid Lifter allowed on vintage engines
Eagle Field will allow Vintage engines to use remote batteries.
Aluminum heads are ONLY allowed on Flat Head Fords and engine OE equipped
Eagle Field C/GD are require to have an SFI Certified Clutch assy and Flywheel. Scattershield are required, if a scattershield is not available for you engine one can be fabricated as per NHRA Rules.
External oil pumps allowed when originally equipped
3 Speed Automatic Transmissions ONLY No Powerglides
The name change is primarily to save Butch at ANRA the grief of having to answer a bunch of questions that he probably won't have the answers to. The ANRA Series is awesome, GREAT fun and GREAT group of people and I thought I would give the series some exposer never thinking of the consiquences. O'well Butch can handle it :)HEHEHEHE. Vintage engines like the Ford Flat Head, Ford Y-Block, Buick Nail Head and others which I will address as need will be allowed solid lifter cams and magnetos. I really don't think a Mag is a big advantage but I will also allow these combinations to run without a battery on board at Eagle Field, helping them be a little lighter. The last thing to mention is the 9" rear tire will help equalize the cars when we race at Eagle Field.
I'm currently working on chassis ideas and will post on that as I get more info. Rocky
My answer to the problem is to build an C/GD (Cool/ Gas Dragster) Front Engine Dragster using some rules I made up as guidelines to follow. I know that the rules are restrictive for a bracket car but it would keep the cost down and allow racers who build the cars to race at ANRA events in the Open Wheel Category and Eagle Field heads-up since we don't have or plan to use clocks or a tree! The way I wrote the rules a competant car guy, maybe with his buddies or a club could build one for next to nothin' like we originally built our HA/GR ($1100) for.
My thinking is use a small CID "pick your part" engine under 325 CI, use a 600 cfm vacuum secondary carb or 3 Stromberg's, Holley 94's on an aluminum intake. The ignition allowed would be your standard part that is collecting dust on a friends shelf, Dual Point, Single Point and throw a Petronix in it. Stock cylinder heads would be required (standard dia. springs) with angle plug chevy heads not allowed. Inside the engine restrictions would be limited to Hydraulic Flat Tappet cams, stock rockers, flat top pistons and Zoomie Headers to keep the exhaust easy.
Both automatic and manual transmissions would be allowed and required to meet NHRA rules. The converters will be restricted to 10" or larger and a 3500 max stall speed.
The great equalizer at Eagle Field will be the tires. I'm thinking an 8 or maybe 9" "spec" M&H tire. Bakersfield seems to always have the teeth needed for traction but at Eagle Field we run on an UNTREATED surface and I think the C/GD's would put on a tire spinnin show. I wouldn't have a problem policing the rules at Eagle Field, most all your circle tracks have similar rules and pumping an engine CI couldn't be that hard. Check out the rules and let me know what you think. Rocky
COOL GAS DRAGSTER (C/GD) RULES
These rules are written to build a race car to compete in the ANRA Open Wheel Category and an Eagle Field heads up category. They are only guidelines to build an affordable Dragster which could be built by any competent Do It Yourselfer with inexpensive parts found at wrecking yards and garages.
THESE ARE GUIDELINES AND WRITTEN USING THE 2008 NHRA RULE BOOK
FOR CARS 10:00 AND SLOWER
Please check current NHRA rule book when building a car
1. Frames allowed are 3 x 2 by .118 wall (or larger) rectangular tube, 3 round tube or "Open Space" with both Slingshot and Altered style chassis allowed. . Chromemoly materials allowed Minimum wheelbase of 90" SEE NHRA 4:12 , Maximum 150 C/GD rule. Minimum weight will be decided as class progresses. REMEMBER that ANRA races is at an NHRA track and NHRA rules apply.
2. Front suspension optional on cars weighing 2350 lbs or less with 100 inch or longer wheelbase. SEE NHRA ET Handicap racing, Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Suspension, Altereds, Dragsters Also SEE NHRA 3:2, 3:4
3. All cars must have a (5 point min at ANRA events, 3 point and some nostalgia designs allowed at Eagle Field) roll cage of minimum NHRA Tubing requirements. SEE NHRA 4:11
4. Narrowed rear ends allowed and aftermarket axles required on cars running quicker than 10.99 and all cars with spool. Rear end must be equipped with an anti rotation device SEE NHRA 2:11, 2:2, 2:4, 4:9 Brakes 3:1. Drum or Disc Brakes allowed.
5. A minimum of .120 Steel plate u-joint cover to protect driver in case of failure.
6. Cars must have cowl/body and floor boards, belly pan sufficient to prevent drivers legs from exiting vehicle unintentionally Minimum .032 Aluminum or .024 Steel. SEE NHRA 7:5 Sub flooring independent of car body is mandatory in Dragsters that allow drivers legs to rest on Belly Pan or Chassis. SEE NHRA ET Handicap Racing A minimum .032 Aluminum or .024 Steel firewall is mandatory. SEE NHRA 7:4 Windscreen 7:7
7. Cars must be equipped with an engine mounted starter and be self starting at NHRA tracks. Eagle Field will allow Vintage engines to use remote batteries.
8. Batteries must be securely mounted using modern safety standards and separate from drivers compartment. SEE NHRA 8:1
9. Cars must have a master battery cutoff switch accessible from rear of the car. SEE NHRA 8:4
10. Cars must have at least one red rear running light for night racing.
11. Manual and 3 speed Automatic transmissions (NO 2 Speeds) allowed. SFI certified clutch, flywheel and bell housing required on cars quicker than 11.50. SEE NHRA 2:3 2:5 2:6 2:10 Eagle Field C/GD are require to have an SFI Certified Clutch assy and Flywheel. Scattershield are required, if a scattershield is not available for you engine one can be fabricated as per NHRA Rules. Automatic equipped cars require a shifter with reverse lockout and neutral safety switch, cars must be manually shifted, no air or electronic shifters allowed. Transmission lines must be metallic or NHRA accepted high pressure type hose. Cars running quicker than 10.99 or faster than 135 MPH must be equipped with a transmission shield meeting SFI Spec 4.1. Trans brakes not allowed Torque Converters may not stall over 3500 RPM. Floorboard required unless trans shield and 3.2A/15 driving suit are used.
12. American made small block V-8 or 6 cylinder (325 cid or smaller) engine only, no overhead cams allowed. Engines must be naturally aspirated. No superchargers, turbos, nitrous oxide or fuel injection. Stocks cylinder heads only, NO Canted valve (example Ford Boss 302) or Angle Plug small block Chevy. OEM dimension valve springs only, "Roller" rockers not allowed, stock rocker arms only. Aluminum heads are ONLY allowed on Flat Head Fords and OE equipped engines. Pistons are restricted to Flat Top or less design, NO KICKER or POP-UP. Camshaft must use hydraulic lifters, unless engine is considered "Vintage" (Ford Flat Head, Ford Y-block, Buick Nail Head etc) otherwise NO solid or hydraulic roller cams allowed. No Dry sumps, external oil pumps (except when OE equipped", Pan Evacuation systems other than PCV.
18. Zoomie headers only
13. No electronic ignition boxes (MSD etc), Only single and dual point distributors allowed. Conversions in the manner of Petronix that fit within a stock dist cap are allowed. Aftermarket magnetos ONLY allowed on Vintage engines.
14. Pump gas/racing gas only. No Methanol, nitromethane, or alcohol.
15. One Holley #1850 or Edelbrock Performer 1405 or 1406 600 cfm vacuum secondary carb allowed. 3 Multiple (4 allowed on Ford Flat Head and other "Vintage engines") 1bbl or 2bbl Carter, Stromberg, or Holley 94 carbs allowed. Aluminum intakes allowed (no tunnel ram type manifolds) Flash Shield or Scoop Required SEE NHRA 1:4
16. Fuel lines shall have no more than 12" total of rubber line. SEE NHRA 1:5
17. Cooling system or water tank must use a radiator cap and overflow/catch can system. SEE NHRA 1:7 NOTE: Most tracks require a cooling system and do not allow tow cars. ANRA and Eagle Field DOES NOT require a cooling system and allows tow cars in the Open Wheel category.
19 Slicks may be NO wider than 9"
20. Drivers must wear up to date NHRA acceptable full face helmet with shield (Snell M2000, M2005, K2005, SA2005, SFI 31.2A or 41.2 SEE NHRA 10:7 & ET Handicap Racing). SFI 3:3 Neck Collar or SFI 3:3 Head Sock or Skirted Helmet Required. SEE NHRA 10:8 3.2A/5 two layer fire retardant jacket & pants or suit required when transmission is covered with a floorboard, SFI 3:3 Gloves required on all open bodied cars. SEE NHRA 10:10 Leather Driving shoes 3:3A/5 & Arm Restraints required SEE NHRA 10:3
21. Five point NHRA approved safety harness required. SEE NHRA 10:5
22. No electronic/pneumatic drivers aids including rev limiters.
Shift light Tachometers are allowed
22. Cars are required to be Self Starting at NHRA tracks
Revisions made,
Chromemoly materials allowed
Minimum weight will be decided as class progresses.
Drum or Disc Brakes allowed
All cars must have a (5 point min at ANRA events, 3 point and some nostalgia designs allowed at Eagle Field) roll cage of minimum NHRA Tubing requirements. SEE NHRA 4:11
Name change, C/GD Cool / Gas dragster
NO canted Valve heads like the Boss 302 Ford
Magnetos allowed on Vintage engines
Only single and dual point distributors allowed. Conversions in the manner of Petronix that fit within a stock dist cap are allowed.
Solid Lifter allowed on vintage engines
Eagle Field will allow Vintage engines to use remote batteries.
Aluminum heads are ONLY allowed on Flat Head Fords and engine OE equipped
Eagle Field C/GD are require to have an SFI Certified Clutch assy and Flywheel. Scattershield are required, if a scattershield is not available for you engine one can be fabricated as per NHRA Rules.
External oil pumps allowed when originally equipped
3 Speed Automatic Transmissions ONLY No Powerglides
The name change is primarily to save Butch at ANRA the grief of having to answer a bunch of questions that he probably won't have the answers to. The ANRA Series is awesome, GREAT fun and GREAT group of people and I thought I would give the series some exposer never thinking of the consiquences. O'well Butch can handle it :)HEHEHEHE. Vintage engines like the Ford Flat Head, Ford Y-Block, Buick Nail Head and others which I will address as need will be allowed solid lifter cams and magnetos. I really don't think a Mag is a big advantage but I will also allow these combinations to run without a battery on board at Eagle Field, helping them be a little lighter. The last thing to mention is the 9" rear tire will help equalize the cars when we race at Eagle Field.
I'm currently working on chassis ideas and will post on that as I get more info. Rocky
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