Nostalgia Funny Car

 

 

 

DESIGNATION

 

N/FC, preceded by number.

 

Reserved for pre-1980 Automobile bodied, nitro-burning Funny Cars built specifically

 

for all-out drag racing competition. Minimum weight at conclusion of run: 2,250

 

pounds, including driver.

 

.

 

Speeds of 250 mph and/or elapsed times in the 5.90-second range will require a

 

Re evaluation of performance restrictions.

 

 

 

REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS

 

ENGINE: 1

 

ENGINE

 

Any internal-combustion, OEM-type engine permitted. Maximum

 

cubic inches 500; maximum bore centre spacing 4.840 inches, must maintain bore

 

centres +/- .015-inch from stock. Blocks and cylinder heads must retain all physical

 

characteristics of stock-production components. Billet blocks permitted. Any new block

 

design must be submitted to NHRA Technical Services Department for acceptance.

 

Alloy and billet heads allowed. Accepted billet heads and block must remain as

 

manufactured. Machining of billet heads or billet blocks to reduce weight is prohibited.

 

OEM cylinder-head bolt pattern mandatory for all cylinder-head types. Cylinder heads

 

must retain stock OEM-valve angles.

 

 

 

LOWER CONTAINMENT

 

Engine must be equipped with an SFI Spec 7.1 lower-engine-ballistic/restraint device.

 

In addition it is advised that an engine oil-retention pan is utilised; minimum material .050-inch

 

aluminium or .040-inch carbon fiber/Kevlar. Pan must extend from framerail to

 

framerail and extend from the rear motorplate to minimum 1 inch forward of the front

 

face of the lower pulley and must incorporate minimum 4-inch-high vertical folded-up

 

walls on the sides and minimum 2 inches on front and rear. Front and rear walls must

 

be “coved” toward oil pan to assist oil in staying within the confines of the oil-retention

 

pan. Pan must be either a one-piece design or constructed as to be sealed as a

 

retention device to retain oil. Minimum number of slots or holes in the walls to clear

 

frame, steering, or lines permitted. A non-flammable, oil-absorbent liner advised

 

inside of retention device.

 

 

 

EXHAUST SYSTEM

 

Double-pipe insulated exhaust headers mandatory. Double tube must extend to start

 

of bend at bottom of body.

 

 

 

FUEL

 

Nitromethane and methanol permitted (65% minimum nitromethane). All other fuels prohibited.

 

 

 

FUEL SYSTEM

 

 

 

Single fuel pump mandatory. Fuel pump must be of an accepted design - accepted

 

fuel pumps: Enderle 1200, 1270, and 1380, Settles Nitro Gerotor, Waterman

 

320950N or 320950, and Rage Racing 1400N-FC. Fuel pumps must retain as-manufactured gear or

 

rotor outside diameter, depth, and tooth/lobe count. Fuel pumps with a second outlet

 

must have one of the outlets capped or routed back to the fuel tank or return system.

 

Fuel pump restricted to a total fuel delivery limited to 21.0 gpm at 4,000 rpm pump

 

speed measured through a 0.300-inch orifice.

 

Fuel tank and fuel lines must be within the confines of the frame and be protected

 

from coming in contact with the track surface. Fuel lines in the driver’s compartment

 

prohibited except for a fuel-pressure gauge; lines must be steel or steel-braided with

 

steel fittings.

 

Must have fuel shutoff operable from the driver’s seat. Fuel tank must be equipped with a

 

positive locking screw-on cap.

 

Maximum number of nozzles 24 (maximum 8 in injector hat, 16 in manifold). Y nozzles

 

may be used in lieu of individual nozzles in the manifold; limited to 16 nozzle

 

jets. Down nozzles prohibited. Maximum fuel injector air inlet opening: 45 square

 

inches measured at butterfly or throttle bodies, excluding cross shaft in fully open

 

position.

 

No composite materials (i.e., carbon fibre/Kevlar, graphite, etc.) can be used in injector

 

hat and/or scoop. Hat/scoop must be nostalgic in appearance, internal modifications

 

allowed. Scoops limited to 12 1/2 inches above throttle body as measured from

 

centreline of throttle shaft to top of scoop. The use of electric, pneumatic, or any other

 

automatic way of switching or sequencing of fuel system is prohibited. Fuel system

 

must operate on its own pressure as far as adding or subtracting fuel volume. Manual

 

high-speed fuel system allowed.

 

 

 

NITROUS OXIDE

 

Prohibited.

 

 

 

SUPERCHARGER

 

Restricted to Roots-type supercharger; rotor helix angle not to exceed that of

 

standard 71-series GM-type rotor. High-helix prohibited. Limited to a single, Roots-type

 

 6.71 blower.Specification limits: 15-inch rotor length, 18.250-inch case length, and 5.840-inch

 

rotor cavity diameter. Rotors must be driven from the front; both external drive and

 

internal gearing. Rotor helix angle limited to standard 71 series GM-type rotor (60

 

degrees). Maximum overdrive: 18.99 percent. Blower setback may not allow any

 

portion of blower to extend behind bellhousing mounting surface on cylinder block.

 

Spacer or components between top of supercharger case and bottom of fuel injector

 

hat restricted to 2-inch maximum. Supercharger restraint system meeting SFI Spec

 

14.3 mandatory. Aluminium studs required. Manifold burst panel meeting SFI Spec

 

23.1 mandatory. Manifolds are limited to a maximum manifold height of 8 inches as

 

measured from valley gasket surface to blower mounting surface. Supercharger belt

 

guard mandatory. Fuel and/or oil lines must be shielded wherever they pass the

 

supercharger drive belt. Either a belt guard or fuel/oil line guard permitted.

 

Turbochargers, screw-type superchargers, and centrifugal-type superchargers

 

prohibited.

 

 

 

THROTTLE

 

Throttle control must be manually operated by driver’s foot; electronics, pneumatics,

 

hydraulics, or any other device may in no way affect the throttle operation. Throttle

 

must incorporate a positive-action return system.

 

 

 

VALVE COVERS

 

Cast or fabricated metal valve covers using all attachment bolts mandatory. Carbon

 

fibre/composite valve covers prohibited.

 

 

 

VENT-TUBE BREATHERS

 

Vent tubes must be double clamped at each connection. Minimum diameter, 1 1/4

 

inches for all breather tubes. All quick connections in the system must have a

 

secondary locking system (tape, wire ties, etc. not allowed). Minimum catch-can(s)

 

capacity is an 8-quart sump. Catch can(s) must have adequate internal baffling to

 

prevent oil from being deposited on racing surface.

 

See General Regulations DRIVETRAIN: 2

 

 

 

CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL, FLYWHEEL SHIELD

 

Flywheel and clutch meeting SFI Spec 1.3 or 1.4 and flywheel shield meeting SFI

 

Spec 6.2 mandatory. Clutch management system prohibited. Maximum number of

 

discs three, maximum number of fingers six. Release of clutch must be the result of a

 

manual operation by the driver’s foot. No staged systems allowed.

 

 

 

DRIVELINE COVER

 

Driveline must be covered in .024-inch steel or .0625-inch aluminium 360-degree full

 

cover. Couplers mandatory. Rear cover must surround the coupler. Front cover must

 

surround the driveshaft from the back of the reverser to the end of the splicer sleeve

 

in the area of the driver’s leg. All covers must be securely mounted to frame, either by

 

a suitable crossmember or third member.

 

 

 

REAR END

 

Rear-end gear ratio minimum (numeric) 3.90:1. Aftermarket full-floating or live axle

 

assembly mandatory.

 

 

 

TRANSMISSION

 

Two-speed transmission and reverser required. Transmission must be planetary-type

 

design. OEM or Powerglide-type units prohibited. A ballistic shield covering all units

 

mandatory; must meet SFI Spec 4.1.

 

BRAKES & SUSPENSION: 3

 

BRAKES

 

Four-wheel hydraulic brakes mandatory. Application and release of brakes must be a

 

function of the driver; electronics, pneumatics, or any other device may in no way

 

affect or assist brake operation. Hand brake, if used, must be located inside body or

 

driver compartment. Steel brake lines mandatory, fireproof brake-line covering mandatory on all

 

(front and rear) flexible connection lines.  

 

 

 

STEERING

 

Conventional automotive-type rod ends must be a minimum of 3/8-inch shank

 

diameter and must be installed with washers to prevent bearing pullout. Removable

 

steering wheel, if used, must meet SFI Spec 42.1.

 

FRAME: 4

 

BALLAST

 

Permitted. Must be secured with minimum of two 3/8-inch, Grade 8 fasteners, per

 

100 pounds.

 

 

 

GROUND CLEARANCE

 

Minimum 3 inches from front of car to 12 inches behind centreline of axle; 2 inches

 

for the remainder of the car, except oil pan and headers.

 

 

 

PARACHUTE

 

Dual parachutes mandatory. Two separate shroud-line mounting points mandatory

 

with sleeved 1/2-inch-minimum Grade 8 steel bolts with self-locking nuts or with nuts

 

welded onto parachute brackets. Shroud-line mounting brackets must be constructed

 

of minimum 3/16-inch 4130 steel. Fire-resistant protective covers must be on all

 

parachute packs and unpacked shroud lines.

 

 

 

ROLL CAGE

 

Chassis must have manufacturer’s name, serial number, and date of manufacture.

 

Chassis must meet SFI Spec 10.1E. Plating of chassis prohibited; painting permitted.

 

Chassis must be inspected yearly and have serialized sticker affixed to

 

frame before participation. Roll-cage padding meeting SFI Spec 45.1 mandatory where

 

driver’s helmet may come in contact with roll-cage components. Additional padding,

 

mounted on flat stock and fastened to the roll cage on both sides of the driver's helmet,

 

advisory. Additional padding must be NHRA-accepted, securely mounted using bolts or

 

locking fasteners, and must include a flame-retardant covering. A current list of NHRA accepted

 

lateral head supports is available on NHRARacer.com. Pressurization of

 

framerails in lieu of air bottles is prohibited.

 

 

 

SUSPENSION

 

Rigid rear suspension mandatory. Front suspension optional.

 

 

 

WHEELBASE

 

Minimum: 112 inches; maximum: 125 inches, measured on long side. Maximum

 

wheelbase variation from left to right: 2 inches.

 

TIRES & WHEELS: 5

 

TIRES

 

Race-only spec tires on front mandatory. Size of rear tires limited to 34.6-inch

 

diameter x 17-inch wide.

 

 

 

REAR WHEELS

 

Must be either beadlock design or use of a liner mandatory on non-beadlock wheels.

 

Minimum SFI spec 15.1.

 

INTERIOR: 6

 

SHEET METAL

 

Driver-compartment interior, firewall, seat, etc. must be aluminium or steel.

 

Magnesium or carbon fibre prohibited.

 

 

 

UPHOLSTERY

 

 Minimum one-layer, flame-retardant-material mandatory as seat upholstery.

 

BODY: 7

 

BODY

 

Limited to 1965 to 1979 Automobile bodies. Bodies must resemble the original

 

mass-produced make and model. Corvette roadster and Jeep bodies permitted.

 

Bodies may be made of fiberglass or composite material. Body must lift off as a one

 

Piece unit. Minimum body width is 60 inches, measured at the centreline of the front

 

and rear axle. Maximum lowering of roof height: 2 inches. Front fender bubbles

 

allowed, maximum 2 1/2 inches. The body may be shortened or lengthened a

 

maximum of 15 percent of original dimensions. Opening for blower hat must have a

 

minimum 2.500-inch clearance between body and throttle linkage. Injector box in

 

windshield cannot exceed 50 percent of windshield height. Any modifications to body

 

not described are prohibited. Side windows prohibited. Exception: Vent windows

 

permitted, may not extend 2 inches rearward where the A-pillar meets the roof line.

 

Window must be perpendicular to the bottom of the side window frame.

 

A means of relieving excess pressure under the body mandatory, either a sufficient

 

opening in the area around the manifold burst panel is required or by means of a Body

 

(hood) burst panel, minimum 288 square inches, mandatory. Body burst panel must be

 

secured with plastic screws and two 1/8-inch stainless-steel wires, with body pad

 

bolted with plate on both sides of panel. Fireproof body undercoating required.

 

Body rear mount must be a quick release type operated by a “T” handle on the rear of the

 

car to aid body removal in the event of an accident.

 

 

 

ESCAPE HATCH

 

A working escape hatch must be installed in top of body to permit easy driver exit;

 

see-through types prohibited. Minimum size,18 inches x 17 inches. Roof hatch must

 

be permanently attached and hinged at front. Must have release mechanism,

 

operable from both inside and outside of car.

 

 

 

FIREWALL & FLOORS

 

Must be constructed of .032-inch aluminium or .024-inch steel, magnesium or composite

 

materials prohibited. Firewall must completely seal driver from engine compartment per NHRA

 

specs and be equipped with fire windows measuring no greater than 25 square inches on

 

either side of the firewall in the vicinity of the valve covers to warn driver of fire. Laminated

 

safety glass or fire resistant plastics such as Lexan or Plex70 mandatory.

 

 

 

SPOILER

 

Rear spoiler limited to roof height and body width (modern-type spoilers or spill plates

 

prohibited). Spill plates may not extend forward of the bottom of the rear window or

 

extend past the trailing edge of the rear deck lid. Spill plates cannot be above the roof

 

line. Front spoiler limited to overall overhang measurement of 40 inches, measured

 

from the centreline of the forward most front spindle. The front and rear spoilers are the

 

only aerodynamic devices permitted; any other wings, spoilers, or canards prohibited.

 

ELECTRICAL: 8

 

COMPUTERS

 

Computers prohibited.

 

 

 

DATA RECORDERS

 

Data recorders permitted. Cannot perform any function in fuel, clutch, or driver

 

management.

 

 

 

IGNITION

 

Single mag limited to point-type only and single coil (no electronic mags or mag amp

 

boxes allowed). Timing retard must be a function of the driver by mechanical or

 

pneumatic means only. A positive ignition shutoff within the reach of the driver is

 

mandatory.

 

SUPPORT GROUP: 9

 

FIRE SYSTEM

 

Fire extinguishing system must meet SFI Spec 17.1. Minimum 20-pound or more fire

 

extinguishing system mandatory. System must be divided so that a minimum of 15

 

pounds is directed into engine compartment by means of nozzled outlets placed in

 

front of each bank of exhaust headers. Remaining 5 pounds or more should be

 

dispersed in driver compartment by means of an atomizing nozzle placed at driver’s

 

feet. Must be installed per manufacturer’s specifications. Fire-bottle activation cables

 

must be installed inside framerail where cable passes engine/bellhousing area.

 

Carbon-fibre bottles prohibited.

 

 

 

JACKS AND JACK STANDS

 

No work may be done under any car in the pits while supported by a jack. No car may be

 

fired while on a jack. Jack stands are required while work is performed or while car is

 

being warmed up; a licensed driver must be in the seat anytime the motor is being run.

 

Jack-stand devices must provide a minimum ground clearance of 7 inches from bottom of

 

rear tire to ground while car is running.

 

 

 

WARM-UPS

 

When starting vehicle in the pit area, vehicle must be fully within the confines of the

 

assigned space. No part of the car may extend past the trailer.

 

DRIVER: 10

 

ARM RESTRAINTS

 

Mandatory.

 

 

 

CREDENTIALS

 

Valid MSA or equivalent license mandatory.

 

 

 

DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM

 

Minimum 5-point, 3-inch driver restraint system meeting SFI Spec 16.1 or FIA 8853/98b mandatory.

 

All belts and mounting points must be covered with a fire-resistant material. Restraint

 

systems must be updated at the specified year intervals from date of manufacture.

 

 

 

HELMET

 

Full-face helmet with shield meeting Snell SA2005 or SFI 31.2A, or 31.1/2005 Specs

 

mandatory. Helmet must meet applicable SFI and/or Snell specs, fresh air system

 

advised using compressed air only. Air can be supplied on demand or by constant

 

pressure.

 

 

 

HEAD AND NECK RESTRAINT DEVICE/SYSTEM

 

At all times that the driver is in the race vehicle, from the ready line until the vehicle is

 

on the return road, driver must properly utilize a head and neck restraint system, this can either be

 

a fully homologated FIA device or an SFI-approved head and neck restraint device/system, including

 

connecting the helmet as required for full functionality of the device. The device/system must meet

 

the appropriate FIA specification or SFI Spec 38.1 and must display a valid label. The head and neck

 

restraint device/system, when connected, must conform to the manufacturer’s mounting instructions,

 

and it must be configured, maintained, and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

 

 

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

 

Driver’s suit meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/20, gloves 3.2A/20 boots 3.2A/20 and head sock 3.3

 

mandatory. All jacket and pants or driver suits that meet SFI Spec 3.2A/20 must be

 

recertified on a five-year interval. A head sock is not mandatory when helmet is

 

manufactured with a skirt labelled as meeting SFI Spec. 3.3.