So I raced last Wednesday at the drag strip for the first time with my 2005 GT Vert. I have a Steeda CAI and Xcal2 tune in her and other then that she’s all stock. Well I did a really slow first few runs because I was getting used to the tree, the sounds, babying the car, etc. I was in and around 13.94 and 13.73 for my first 2 runs. Well on my third run I got the hang of launching, deflated my rears a few pounds on some advice, took out the spare and jack (ya ya shut up) and friggin gunned her. 13.39 was my time (I bet I could do better too if I kept at it). When I picked up the slip, they told me I couldn’t run anymore because my car did faster then 13.49, is a convertible, and I don’t have a roll bar. So now if I want to race anymore I need to get a roll bar lol. Is this common at all? I read it in the rules when I was thinking about signing up last week but I guess I didn’t think it would be an issue.

How much of a pain in the hiney is it to put in a roll cage and what is involved?

 

You are lucky, our track is 13.99 for verts.
luckily for me i only have a v6, coupe, stock, and still run around 15 :P

 

NHRA rules changed to 13.49 for verts and 11.49 for coupes last year I believe. Used to be 13.99 and 11.99 respectively. As far as adding a roll bar find a good chassis shop and get a weld in custom bar. There are many bolt in bars available but nothing will fit, look and work as well as a customer bar. If you post your location I might be able to reccomend a local shop

 

I'd give it a couple weeks then go back and run it again. They probably wouldn't remember you (I'm not even sure they would stop you if they did). Just remember you'll only get one good shot so let it all hang out because after you run faster than 13.49 you'll be finished for the night.

 

practice launches...come out of the hole like a madman and then sandbag it through the big end

 

hahaha btw i can imagine your time doing that.... 14.30's @ 25 mph

 

I live in Massachusetts just north of Beverly off of route 128.

 

Couldnt you just get a CDC rollbar.They look awesome.

 

The CDC bar is a light bar. It offers no protection in a roll over.

Safety is not a good thing to cut corners on. Sandbagging is just as dangerous. I saw an 03 Cobra flip at the track doing this. The car had 10 sec power and no equipment so he was slamming on the brakes 100 feet from the finish line. He lost control and hit the wall hard....you car is not insured when you are racing it either. I do not know of any shops in Mass but I will look around. You can check out www.rhodescustomauto.com under fab shop for some good bar installs. Here is a pic of an 05 they worked on. This bar is NOT NHRA legal as it sits. You would need rear and front bars added to it to equal 6 points of attachment to be legal

 

I wouldn't recommend sandbagging either. If there ever was that chance that the guy you're running were to wreck and come up on your rear while you're breaking. Going from 100mph to 40 while running at the track only increases the opportunities of the rear coming around on you. I just wish I had to have a roll bar!

 

The heck with it, retire while you are on top like MJ should have. "Hey man, let's go to the track".."Nah man I can't, I'm too fast"

Sean

 

I live in Nova Scotia, but I'll be down there this summer to see my Uncle who lives in Manchester by the Sea.