JUNIOR DRAGSTER PROGRAM



NHRA announces Jr. Dragster program rules changes for 2008 - Dec 12, 2007

The 2008 NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing league Rulebook, which was scheduled to ship to all JDRL
members in December, includes several changes from last year's edition. Following is a summary of notable
changes for the 2008 season. As always, racers should read the new book from cover to cover to ensure
compliance with all rules.

Protective Clothing
All JDRL drivers are required to wear a jacket and pants meeting SFI Spec 3.2A/1 plus shoes, socks and gloves.
Nylon or nylon-type gloves and socks are prohibited. Open-toe shoes are prohibited. As with all rules,
enforcement  of these requirements will be strict, including at the NHRA O'Reilly auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing
League Eastern and  Western Conference Finals. where all drivers will be required to present their pants and
jackets at technical inspection.

Helmet Bars
During the off-season, there was some speculation about helmet bars being added to roll cages in Jr. Dragsters.
Helmet  bars will only be required on cars where the driver's helmet may protrude through the upper roll-cage
members. When helmet are required, a 3/4-inch x .058-inch chromoly or .083-inch mild steel bar is required.
Such bars are permitted on all cars.

Driver Compartment
In the lower portion of the roll cage, driver containment is also being addressed: With the driver in the normal
driving  position, the driver's lower extremities, including the knees, must be below the top of the upper framerail.
A steering  crossmember (3/4-inch x .058-inch chromoly or .083-inch mild steel) must be installed or a plate or
net must be installed across the upper framerails so as to retain the driver's feet/legs in case of upset/incident.

Wings
Wings, if used, must be bolted to the frame structure, and wing supports must attach to the framerails at least
12 inches behind the driver. Ball lock pins and other quick-release fasteners are prohibited.

Clutch Guard
The wording in the rulebook regarding clutch guards has been changed to read in part: "Clutch cover/guard that
provides 180-degree coverage over the top of the entire clutch plate, cover, hat, arms, springs, etc... mandatory."

Clutch Support
If the support bracket and bottom plate are built using a .500-inch-thick material, it will be allowed to have a
pocket/cavity with a minimum thickness of bracket being .250-inch at its thinnest point.

Buttons/Switches
The button on the cockpit that is not the mandatory cutoff can be used for anything except a transbrake or
downtrack stutter. Timed ignition-interruption devices (stutter boxes) or any action that causes ignition
interruption is prohibited.

Taillights
Taillights must be permanently mounted to the car in the manner that batteries are also secure; tie wraps,
wire ties, hose clamps, etc. are prohibited.

Seat Belts
Where belts are wrapped around the frame members, they must be secured from sliding along the axis of the
tube/frame member either by a tab or additional tubing.

Fuel System
A maximum limit of one fuel tank on Jr. Dragsters has been added, and air filters must be properly mounted per
manufacturers' instructions.

Birth-Certificate Requirement
Jr. drag racers sending in material for participant membership or those renewing who have never sent in a birth
certificate may now include a notarized copy of their birth certificate -- a copy taken off a copy machine in the
presence of a notary --instead os an official government-certified copy. For additional information on the birth
certificate requirement and changes to the minor release and liability waiver, click here.

Jr. Comp
In Jr. Comp. it is now required that all fuel lines be metallic, steel-braided, or NHRA-accepted woven or
woven-pushlock. Also, an engine shield is mandatory between the engine block and exhaust system,

If a non-centrifugal clutch is used, the clutch handle may be mounted on the steering or may be operated through
use of a clutch pedal. If a clutch pedal is used, a hand brake is mandatory.

Transmissions are permitted and may be shifted with a preset rpm-activated electrical, mechanical, pneumatic,
or hydraulic device only. RPM-based automatic shifters may not have a time delay incorporated into the device.
Torque converter belt assembly units permitted in lieu of a transmission.

As always, two rear-mounted disc brakes are mandatory, but now with a total car weight of 1,000 pounds or less,
and a one-piece rear axle, a single rotor may not be used with dual calipers. A hand brake is now permitted. If
used, it must be located inside the body or driver compartment.

Timed ignition-interuption devices (stutter boxes) are prohibited. However, two-step devices are legal unto
themselves but are not allowed to be altered or installed so as to function as a downtrack rpm controller. All wiring
associated with the ignition system must be fully visible, labeled, and traceable.

Other
No blinders of any description are permitted on Jr. Dragsters,

The use of any portable or handheld electronic devices (e.g. MP3 players) is
prohibited in the staging lanes or on the racetrack.