Any questions regarding what is expected when you show up to the track?

Most race tracks have a tech section on their website, you can find some general rules there.


Before you attempt to race your car ,make sure you inspect it preferably on a hoist.

-Make sure rad hoses and coolant lines are on tight . Check the hose clamps. Normal cruising is far different from running at a high RPM, the water pump will be pushing the coolant around faster and harder than normal.

-Brake lines- these are very important. Every inch needs to be inspected as unlike normal cruising, trying to stop the car from a high rate of speed quickly will result in higher than normal line pressure. If you have a bad line it will find it.
Also any front drum brake cars, make sure they are adjusted really well, test this at a slower speed before you make a pass and make sure you are holding on to the steering wheel before you hit the brakes.

lets discuss tires,

screwed, glued, or not....whats the best option and when should we worry about this?

and metal valve stems of course, right?

Ted, I think you may be jumping ahead a little... I don't think the entry level guys this thread seems to be aimed at need to worry about screwing or gluing their tires, and metal valve stems aren't required until 11.99.

I'd like to think that most guys coming out to the track would know to give their cars a once over. Maybe concentrate on things that someone who's never had a car at the race track before wouldn't know... things like what track tech will be checking on their car and the safety requirements that affect all cars at the track.

When mounting the tires use some type of adhesive. Make sure the rim surface where the bead sits is NOT painted/smooth, it needs to be rough as well as a light sand to the bead of the tire. This will allow for the adhesive to get the teeth it needs to do the job. Use metal valve stems.

If you are using used tires Make sure they have adequate tread. look ofr any cracks in the sidewall or the treads. If the car has been sitting there might be one area that has more cracks related to a flat spot. Make sure they are balanced.

The reality IS these cars are not teched by the tracks to their potential ET and SPEED.

The standard rules are available to the general public.And will be listed here.
It is the responsibility of the the car owner to make sure their car is safe to operate ,to protect them-self and others around them.

With a title like "Safety REQUIREMENTS" I'd think this thread would be more about what track tech would require.
I disagree with the need to use adhesive on a street tire, at least on cars 12 seconds and above, and it certainly isn't "required". Again, NHRA does not require metal valve stems until 11.99.

I'd think there would be mention of things that anyone has had a car at the track at all would know- things like the cooling system should be water only, anti-freeze is one of the slipperiest and hardest to clean things you can dump on the track. Things like there should be 2 throttle return springs on the carb, etc., etc.

Neutral safety switch
I got hit(me!) by a car at Orlando speed world with no neatral safety switch(automatic car). that wasnt fun/ At least i stopped the POS from hitting the car in front of him...MINE

and a whole big list....

Overflow bottles for radiator......

Yes, a working neutral safety switch is a requirement. Sorry to hear of your run in with a runaway, hope you escaped injury.

A radiator overflow tank is also a requirement.

Andrew, how about roll bars....arent they a requirement?

Maybe some instruction for those that need them but dont have them yet.

Rollbars aren't required until 11.49 in a coupe, your centre caps and trim rings have to be removed or if you want to keep them on they have to be mechanically attached so they dont come off and become a projectile.

Ted, has the official Supercar position on roll bars changed since this thread from last year?
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=454

i have a bar, because i have a hard top thats quicker than 11.50 and i also choose to for many other reasons, including my kids!

you seem like a smart guy who knows the rules, but no bar and much quicker than the convertible rule of 13.50.....yet your bent on busting on a guy you dont even know , when he brings discussions of safety to the table, for our education/ entertainment!

whats the problem......

Ted, I have not said a negative word in this thread. In fact, I steered it towards it's supposed intended purpose.

I told you and Ralph that I would not bring up the roll bar issue again. You brought it up and all I did was ask if there had been an official change in the Supercar position since last year. Please tell me where I posted anything negative?

So seriously, I really do want to know- has there been a change in the official position since last year?