NHRA announces rule changes effective prior to next national event

[Jerome]

For anyone who cares, seem that some changes are coming after the tragic loss of Darrell Russell. This is just the beginning as others are in the works. What they are could be small, or large changes. But whatever they may be, they will be for safeties sake.

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6/30/2004
NHRA officials notified Top Fuel and Funny Car teams June 30 of two rule amendments effective immediately. The first race after this change will be the Mopar Mile-High Nationals, July 16-18 at Bandimere Speedway near Denver.

The rule changes include specifying a new tire for Top Fuel and Funny Car competitors and requiring roll cage shielding for all Top Fuel dragsters.

The cause of last weekend's tragic accident at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis is still under investigation and no conclusions have been reached. These rule changes are interim steps that NHRA believes are appropriate to take at this time. NHRA will evaluate additional steps as the investigation continues

[Denny Wagner]

Shut the gate after the cow is out!!!

[Boiler]

I hope these rules are effective because if IRP is as bad as it was for the Good Guys drag racing I would hate to see one of the pros wreck and get hurt. Normally IRP is one of the best kept tracks in the country and these guys were all over the place hutting the bumps and what not.

[Jerome]

Originally Posted by RT/10 Denny

Shut the gate after the cow is out!!!

But situations like this can't always be predicted. A man lost his life and now others will hopefully be safer after the things learned from this. Cruel as it may be, some good will come out of this tragedy.

If and when I get another SC Dragster, I know that it will have all the plates surrounding the cage the NHRA wants, and then some.

Next may be smaller fuel pumps to slow them down some.