As part of the ongoing effort to keep pace with current trends in the high-performance automotive industry, the NHRA has made several changes to its Street Legal program, the sanctioning body announced. Among the changes include allowing a broader range of vehicles to be eligible for participation.
“Updating and improving the Street Legal program couldn’t come at a more crucial time for our industry and sport,” said Matt DeYoung, Tucson Dragway Track Manager. “We continue to see manufacturers make faster vehicles available right off the showroom floor while increasing features that couldn’t be overlooked anymore. NHRA along with the help and input of NHRA Member Tracks across the country have worked to improve and grow the experience and sustainability of this program for our Street Legal customers. We believe our racers will embrace these changes and it will grow our grudge racing and Street Legal Program while helping prevent faster OEM cars taking to the streets.”
Changes to the Street Legal program will allow racers with 2014 and newer OEM model-year production cars to run as quick as 9.00-seconds and/or 150-mph (5.65-eighth mile). In addition, racers with 2008-2013 OEM model-year cars will still be permitted to run as quickly as 10.00-seconds and/or 135-mph (6.40-eighth mile).
Unaltered OEM installed antilock brakes, OEM airbag functions, OEM stock frame/unibody construction, including OEM floors and firewall, as well as all other OEM safety-related systems must be functioning as per manufacturer’s specifications, the NHRA said. Tires used may be other than OEM, but they must be DOT-approved. Convertibles quicker than 13.49(8.25) and T-tops quicker than 11.49 (7.35) must meet Summit Racing Series roll-bar and roll-cage requirements. An NHRA Level 6 license is required for drivers running quicker than 10.00 (*6.39) or faster than 135 mph. A level 7 competition license is also available to racers whose elapse times are above 10.00/6.40.
NHRA will recognize racers at an NHRA Member Track for their on-track performance with unique Street Legal decals, the organization said. Street Legal decals will be available for racers at a quarter-mile facility who break the 13, 12, 11, and 10-second benchmarks and at an eighth-mile facility who break the 9, 8, 7, and 6-second benchmarks.
Racers who break into the 9’s in a quarter-mile or 5’s in an eighth mile at an NHRA Member Track and submit to NHRA a license application will receive an exclusive decal, only available with the Street Legal NHRA competition license, the organization said.
The Street Legal category is reserved for foreign and domestic OEM production-type automobiles and trucks. While the use of aftermarket parts is accepted, all vehicles must be street driven, and drivers must carry state-issued proof of registration and valid insurance information. All vehicles must also display a valid license plate(s), the organization said.
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