2023 Kies Auto Show NHRA Safety Requirements

NHRA Drag Racing Safety Requirements for the Kies Autoshow

The Street Legal category is reserved for foreign and domestic OEM production type automobiles, motorcycles, and trucks. All vehicles must be street driven and drivers must carry a state issued proof of registration and valid insurance information. All vehicles must also display a valid license plate(s). Vehicles participating in Street Legal events must be able to pass all state highway safety requirements for the state in which the vehicle is registered and retain all OEM safety features. 

NHRA STREET LEGAL RACING STREET LEGAL (™)  

Additionally, requirements and specifications for Street Legal competitors and other local NHRA member track events are the same as those for the Summit E.T. Racing Series with the following exceptions: 

***2008-2013 OEM model-year production cars are permitted to run no quicker than 10.00 (*6.40 eighth-mile) and/or no faster than 135 mph. 

***2014-Current OEM model-year production cars are permitted to run no quicker than 9.00 (*5.65 eighth-mile) and/or faster than 150 mph. 

Dress requirements

Drivers in vehicles running slower than 11.50 (*7.35 eighth-mile) and/or slower than 135 mph are required to wear full-length pants (no shorts); shirt- or long-sleeved shirt (no tank tops); closed shoes (no open-toe or open-heel shoes or sandals); socks and a helmet. See General Regulations 10:7 for helmet requirements. 

Drivers in vehicles running quicker than 11.49 (*7.35 eighth-mile) or slower than 9.00 (*5.65 eighth-mile) or faster than 135 mph or slower than 150 mph are required to wear a minimum SFI 3.2A/1 jacket; full-length pants (no shorts); closed shoes (no open toe or open-heel shoes or sandals); socks and a helmet. See General Regulations 10:7 for helmet requirements. 

HELMET 

For all 10.00 to 13.99 closed-bodied cars, either an open-face or a full-face Snell: M2015, M2020, SA2015, SA2020, SFI: 31.1/2015, 31.1/2020, FIA: 8860-2010, 8860-2015 or 8860-2018 helmet with or without a shield is mandatory. 

For all 10.00 and slower dune-buggy-type vehicles and all 10.00 to 13.99 open-bodied front-engine or rear-engine supercharged, turbocharged, nitrous, or naturally aspirated cars, a full-face Snell: M2015, M2020, SA2015, SA2020, FIA: 8860-2010, 8860-2015 or 8860-2018 helmet and shield mandatory (goggles prohibited). 

For all 9.99 and quicker closed-bodied cars, a full-face Snell: M2015, M2020, SA2015, SA2020, FIA: 8860-2010, 8860-2015 or 8860-2018 helmet mandatory; shield permitted (goggles prohibited). 

For all 9.99 and quicker open-bodied front-engine or rear-engine supercharged, turbocharged, or nitrous cars, a full-face Snell: SA2015, SA2020, FIA: 8860-2010, 8860-2015 or 8860-2018 helmet and shield mandatory (goggles prohibited). 

For all 9.99 or quicker open-bodied front-engine or rear-engine naturally aspirated cars, a full-face Snell: M2015, M2020, SA2015, SA2020, FIA: 8860-2010, 8860-2015 or 8860-2018 helmet and shield mandatory (goggles prohibited). See General Regulations 10:7. 

NECK COLLAR 

Neck collar meeting SFI Spec 3.3 mandatory in all cars running 9.99 (*6.39) or quicker or cars exceeding 135 mph. A head and neck restraint device/system may be used in lieu of a neck collar. See General Regulations 10:8.

Car Safety Feature Requirements

Unaltered OEM, anti-lock brakes, airbag functions, stock frame\ unibody construction, including floors and firewall, as well as all other OEM safety-related systems, must be functioning as per manufacturer’s specifications. Tires used may be other than OEM, but they must be DOTapproved. Convertibles quicker than 13.49 (*8.25 eighth-mile) and T-tops quicker than 11.49 (*7.35 eighth-mile) must meet Summit Racing Series roll-bar and roll-cage requirements. 

GROUND CLEARANCE Minimum 3 inches from front of car to 12 inches behind centerline of front axle, 2 inches for remainder of car, except oil pan and headers. See General Regulations 4:5. 

NHRA license requirements

NHRA Level 7C license is available but not required for drivers running slower than 9.99 (*6.39 eighth-mile) or slower than 135 mph. NHRA Level 6C license is required for drivers running quicker than 9.99 (*6.39 eighth-mile) and slower than 9.00 (*5.65 eighth mile) or faster than 135 mph or slower than 150 mph). 

Additional requirements for cars running greater than 135 mph and T-tops/ convertibles

PARACHUTE 

Mandatory on any car that runs 150 mph or faster. See General Regulations 4:8. 

ROLL BAR (for cars outside of the exceptions years listed above 2008 or newer)

Roll bar mandatory in all cars (including T-tops) running 11.00 (*7.00 eighth-mile) to 11.49 (*7.35 eighth-mile), in convertibles running 11.00 (*7.00 eighth-mile) to 13.49 (*8.25 eighth-mile), and in all dune-buggy-type vehicles running 12.00 (*7.50 eighth-mile) seconds and slower. Permitted in all cars. See General Regulations 4:10, 10:6. 

ROLL CAGE (for cars outside of the exceptions years listed above 2008 or newer) 

A roll cage is mandatory in cars running 10.99 (*6.99 eighth-mile) or quicker or any car exceeding 135 mph. In full-bodied cars, with unaltered firewall, floor, and body (from firewall rearward, wheel tubs permitted), running between 10.00 (*6.40 eighth-mile) and 10.99 (*6.99 eighth-mile), roll bar permitted in place of roll cage. In convertibles running 10.99 or quicker or exceeding 135 mph, roll cage mandatory. See General Regulations 4:4, 4:11, 10:6. 

ROLL-CAGE PADDING (for cars outside of the exceptions years listed above 2008 or newer) 

Roll-cage padding meeting SFI Spec 45.1 mandatory on any vehicle running 9.99 (*6.39 eighth-mile) and quicker. Padding must be used anywhere driver’s helmet may come in contact with roll-cage components. See General Regulations 4:11, 10:6.

****Any vehicles not 2008 or newer, or running quicker times or faster speeds than listed above must see the NHRA 2023 Rule book for additional requirements under Summit ET Racing Series****