Open headers?

[71montecarlo]

Is there a rule against running open headers?
Also what are some suggestions about helmets? What kind is approved? What kind is best to wear for an event like this (full face, 3/4, half)?

[otter]

Is there a rule against running open headers?
Also what are some suggestions about helmets? What kind is approved? What kind is best to wear for an event like this (full face, 3/4, half)?

Snell certified M95 or better. 3/4 or full face.

As for noise, I can't say for sure, but I doubt there's a noise rule, being a dragstrip and all.

[04DetroitLS]

Email from Oreilly

For the helmet rule call Mark, our drag manager at 317-858-9500 as he
can better answer that.


From their website

All drivers running vehicles 13.99 or quicker MUST have a full face helmet meeting the SNELL k98, 2000 or 2005 rating.

[04DetroitLS]

Otter, beat me while i was looking for the email LOL, and I think Monte was asking about class rules for exhaust, not wether the track allows it ;)

[otter]

Otter, beat me while i was looking for the email LOL, and I think Monte was asking about class rules for exhaust, not wether the track allows it ;)

It's okay, I only gave the autocross helmet requirements, didn't think about what the strip requirements would be :lol:

Oh, and I do have a spare XL M2000 open face helmet I can bring, and there's usually a few loaner helmets that whomever is putting on the autoX brings.

[EcotecFiero]

So DOT helmets are not enough for auto-x? crap

[Faster]

As long as the exhaust exits past the front wheels, it's A-OK. :rockon:

[otter]

So DOT helmets are not enough for auto-x? crap

Nope, must be Snell certified.

[Smokedmustang]

Just grab a "loaner" helmet from the autox bucket. You can't use a spare helmet from Otter though, or you would have to use New York City size phone books to shim the helmet tight on your head. Lol. Jk Rob- however you did "trophy" in that catagory!

[Bobzilla]

Oh, and I do have a spare XL M2000 open face helmet I can bring, and there's usually a few loaner helmets that whomever is putting on the autoX brings.

You wouldn't want to part with that would you????? Been lookingfor an open face cheap.

[EcotecFiero]

Hmm maybe I will try and find one, I used to work a go-kart track with loaner helmets..... what happened to those helments cannot be spoke of lol, havent ever used another helmet since. But I guess if I have too....

[Ziggi]

You wouldn't want to part with that would you????? Been lookingfor an open face cheap.

i have a spare too but it's for my passenegers.

[nallen00]

Let's see those helmets (http://www.wingedwarrior.net/forum/showthread.php?t=980) :popcorn:

[otter]

You wouldn't want to part with that would you????? Been lookingfor an open face cheap.

Sure, bring beer. ;)

[dflwrx]

I've mentioned this in other threads, but if you still have functional airbags you should not be using a full face helmet. If you choose to use one it's worth considering pulling the fuse for your airbags. Airbag discharge into a full face helmet can cause fairly serious mandibular fractures... Always something to think about...


Are full face helmets actually required for the drag strip? I've never heard that before...

[need4speed255]

I've mentioned this in other threads, but if you still have functional airbags you should not be using a full face helmet. If you choose to use one it's worth considering pulling the fuse for your airbags. Airbag discharge into a full face helmet can cause fairly serious mandibular fractures... Always something to think about...


Are full face helmets actually required for the drag strip? I've never heard that before...

How is an airbag any different than smashing your helmet into the steering wheel or something else in a forward motion? Or even a motorcycle wreck?

[71montecarlo]

So is it okay to run open headers at the WW event as long as it is past the front tires? I am cornfused!

[otter]

How is an airbag any different than smashing your helmet into the steering wheel or something else in a forward motion? Or even a motorcycle wreck?

Speed difference. Your seatbelt will stop you before your head reaches the steering wheel. However, an airbag is made to keep you back in your seat, and comes at your face and 1.5 billion MPH. It's harsh enough to burn/bruise your bare skin. If it explodes against your helmet, you then have the front of your helmet coming at your jaw at 1.5 billion MPH, and your jaw won't win.

That said, it's not a big deal at an autocross, because there's next to nothing to hit that would cause the airbags to pop. Road courses are a different story, though.

[otter]

So is it okay to run open headers at the WW event as long as it is past the front tires? I am cornfused!

Your exhaust has to exit behind the front tires. So that means no having the exhaust exit out the side of the front bumper.

[71montecarlo]

the headers extend beyond the front tires underneath the car so i am good right?

[Faster]

In a word, yes.

[04bluesrt4]

The drag strip rules have always said full face, but I have been using a open face for years with no problems, and they have checked it many times on Street nights.

[jhew84]

Speed difference. Your seatbelt will stop you before your head reaches the steering wheel. However, an airbag is made to keep you back in your seat, and comes at your face and 1.5 billion MPH. It's harsh enough to burn/bruise your bare skin. If it explodes against your helmet, you then have the front of your helmet coming at your jaw at 1.5 billion MPH, and your jaw won't win.

That said, it's not a big deal at an autocross, because there's next to nothing to hit that would cause the airbags to pop. Road courses are a different story, though.

Actually it's less about the airbag crushing the helmet in on your face, and more about it rotating your chin into your chest because the helmet sticks out further at the bottom. At least this is what the SCCA came up with after conducting a study on running full face helmets with airbags. I think they also reported a risk of spinal damage as well, although not as prevalent as jaw injuries.

Not to say what Otter mentioned isn't something to consider, airbags pack one hell of a punch and I would hate to put something between it and my face. Think Mike Tyson with a plastic boxing glove right to the chin :lol:... ouch?

Skip to like 3:50 and watch what the ford airbag does...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOWZGLue_B8

[concealer404]

Your exhaust has to exit behind the front tires. So that means no having the exhaust exit out the side of the front bumper.


Wait.... shit. Is this an archaic noise rule, or is there some sort of safety reason for this?

This sucks. I physically do not have room to run an exhaust past my front wheels due to packaging restraints. It's a turbo car, so it's not half as loud as most people i saw compete last year... does that even matter?

[dflwrx]

I believe the "behind the front axle" rule only applies for rear exit or turn down style exhausts. IF the exhaust actually exits the bodywork ahead of that point (like a bumper cutout) I think that would be ok. I'm NOT totally sure of this, and I'm not the one making the rules, but based on the number of vehicles (even true race vehicles) with the exhaust exiting through bumper cutouts I'm pretty confident this must be the case if it's any kind of NHRA or national level regulation. If not, it's a pretty ridiculous rule that is violated all the time on tracks all over the country.

[Smokedmustang]

Aaronsbig16g had his colt with an exhaust hanging out in front of the front wheel a few years ago at WW, and he still competed. It was a question if it should be hanging like that, or actually thru the fender and secured. I can't remember the ruling on that, but he competed anyway. I will have to check though, you should be fine.

[concealer404]

Yeah, i checked the NHRA rules, and per those, i'm legal. :)

[dflwrx]

I suspect that was the source of the rule (Winged Warrior Admins. will have to comment on it) , but I think it's because most tracks try to comply with the NHRA rules :)

[Faster]

Aaronsbig16g had his colt with an exhaust hanging out in front of the front wheel a few years ago at WW, and he still competed. It was a question if it should be hanging like that, or actually thru the fender and secured. I can't remember the ruling on that, but he competed anyway. I will have to check though, you should be fine.

Actually, we made him change it. He had to drive back to Anderson, and switch out downpipes to one that dumped behind the front tires.

It's not a NHRA rule, it's a MVSCC rule, IIRC.

[dflwrx]

Ahhh, bummer...

[concealer404]

Actually, we made him change it. He had to drive back to Anderson, and switch out downpipes to one that dumped behind the front tires.

It's not a NHRA rule, it's a MVSCC rule, IIRC.

Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club? How did they get into the mix?

[Faster]

Miami Valley Sports Car Club - they run the AutoX portion of our event. :)

[concealer404]

Oh. That makes sense. :) Any idea who i would contact to get a final ruling? To make matters worse, as of today, there's a very good chance i'll be moving to an HX40, which is REALLY going to make a true "downpipe" next to impossible. I mean, i guess i could do something like this: ;)

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/12/2009/12/lol09-saab99.jpg

[concealer404]

Alright... this is what i'm working with. Verdict? :nervous:

[Liqquid]

I couldn't say on your side exit exhaust, but I will say that Saab is teh hotness!

[Faster]

I couldn't say on your side exit exhaust, but I will say that Saab is teh hotness!

Saab? I think that's a Celica...

[concealer404]

Saab? I think that's a Celica...

The car in front of the red MX6 is a Top Gun Celica, yes... :lol::rockon:

The ugly badass thing with the exhaust going over the roof is an old Saab. ;)