Projects Eagle Field A Gas Dragster Class Build

After playing with our HAMB Dragster for a couple years (still enjoying it) I'm considering stepping up to another project. The HAMB Dragster (HA/GR) was a blast to build and race with the ANRA group, not to mention the field of 4 racing heads up at Eagle Field last October. But with its treaded tires and manual transmission it's not as consistant as we want for my son Lee to compete with in the ANRA Open Wheel (bracket racing) category as he is very competitive.
My answer to the problem is to build an C/GD (Cool/ Gas Dragster) Front Engine Dragster using some rules I made up as guidelines to follow. I know that the rules are restrictive for a bracket car but it would keep the cost down and allow racers who build the cars to race at ANRA events in the Open Wheel Category and Eagle Field heads-up since we don't have or plan to use clocks or a tree! The way I wrote the rules a competant car guy, maybe with his buddies or a club could build one for next to nothin' like we originally built our HA/GR ($1100) for.
My thinking is use a small CID "pick your part" engine under 325 CI, use a 600 cfm vacuum secondary carb or 3 Stromberg's, Holley 94's on an aluminum intake. The ignition allowed would be your standard part that is collecting dust on a friends shelf, Dual Point, Single Point and throw a Petronix in it. Stock cylinder heads would be required (standard dia. springs) with angle plug chevy heads not allowed. Inside the engine restrictions would be limited to Hydraulic Flat Tappet cams, stock rockers, flat top pistons and Zoomie Headers to keep the exhaust easy.
Both automatic and manual transmissions would be allowed and required to meet NHRA rules. The converters will be restricted to 10" or larger and a 3500 max stall speed.
The great equalizer at Eagle Field will be the tires. I'm thinking an 8 or maybe 9" "spec" M&H tire. Bakersfield seems to always have the teeth needed for traction but at Eagle Field we run on an UNTREATED surface and I think the C/GD's would put on a tire spinnin show. I wouldn't have a problem policing the rules at Eagle Field, most all your circle tracks have similar rules and pumping an engine CI couldn't be that hard. Check out the rules and let me know what you think. Rocky
COOL GAS DRAGSTER (C/GD) RULES
These rules are written to build a race car to compete in the ANRA Open Wheel Category and an Eagle Field heads up category. They are only guidelines to build an affordable Dragster which could be built by any competent Do It Yourselfer with inexpensive parts found at wrecking yards and garages.
THESE ARE GUIDELINES AND WRITTEN USING THE 2008 NHRA RULE BOOK
FOR CARS 10:00 AND SLOWER
Please check current NHRA rule book when building a car
1. Frames allowed are 3 x 2 by .118 wall (or larger) rectangular tube, 3 round tube or "Open Space" with both Slingshot and Altered style chassis allowed. . Chromemoly materials allowed Minimum wheelbase of 90" SEE NHRA 4:12 , Maximum 150 C/GD rule. Minimum weight will be decided as class progresses. REMEMBER that ANRA races is at an NHRA track and NHRA rules apply.
2. Front suspension optional on cars weighing 2350 lbs or less with 100 inch or longer wheelbase. SEE NHRA ET Handicap racing, Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Suspension, Altereds, Dragsters Also SEE NHRA 3:2, 3:4
3. All cars must have a (5 point min at ANRA events, 3 point and some nostalgia designs allowed at Eagle Field) roll cage of minimum NHRA Tubing requirements. SEE NHRA 4:11
4. Narrowed rear ends allowed and aftermarket axles required on cars running quicker than 10.99 and all cars with spool. Rear end must be equipped with an anti rotation device SEE NHRA 2:11, 2:2, 2:4, 4:9 Brakes 3:1. Drum or Disc Brakes allowed.
5. A minimum of .120 Steel plate u-joint cover to protect driver in case of failure.
6. Cars must have cowl/body and floor boards, belly pan sufficient to prevent drivers legs from exiting vehicle unintentionally Minimum .032 Aluminum or .024 Steel. SEE NHRA 7:5 Sub flooring independent of car body is mandatory in Dragsters that allow drivers legs to rest on Belly Pan or Chassis. SEE NHRA ET Handicap Racing A minimum .032 Aluminum or .024 Steel firewall is mandatory. SEE NHRA 7:4 Windscreen 7:7
7. Cars must be equipped with an engine mounted starter and be self starting at NHRA tracks. Eagle Field will allow Vintage engines to use remote batteries.
8. Batteries must be securely mounted using modern safety standards and separate from drivers compartment. SEE NHRA 8:1
9. Cars must have a master battery cutoff switch accessible from rear of the car. SEE NHRA 8:4
10. Cars must have at least one red rear running light for night racing.
11. Manual and 3 speed Automatic transmissions (NO 2 Speeds) allowed. SFI certified clutch, flywheel and bell housing required on cars quicker than 11.50. SEE NHRA 2:3 2:5 2:6 2:10 Eagle Field C/GD are require to have an SFI Certified Clutch assy and Flywheel. Scattershield are required, if a scattershield is not available for you engine one can be fabricated as per NHRA Rules. Automatic equipped cars require a shifter with reverse lockout and neutral safety switch, cars must be manually shifted, no air or electronic shifters allowed. Transmission lines must be metallic or NHRA accepted high pressure type hose. Cars running quicker than 10.99 or faster than 135 MPH must be equipped with a transmission shield meeting SFI Spec 4.1. Trans brakes not allowed Torque Converters may not stall over 3500 RPM. Floorboard required unless trans shield and 3.2A/15 driving suit are used.
12. American made small block V-8 or 6 cylinder (325 cid or smaller) engine only, no overhead cams allowed. Engines must be naturally aspirated. No superchargers, turbos, nitrous oxide or fuel injection. Stocks cylinder heads only, NO Canted valve (example Ford Boss 302) or Angle Plug small block Chevy. OEM dimension valve springs only, "Roller" rockers not allowed, stock rocker arms only. Aluminum heads are ONLY allowed on Flat Head Fords and OE equipped engines. Pistons are restricted to Flat Top or less design, NO KICKER or POP-UP. Camshaft must use hydraulic lifters, unless engine is considered "Vintage" (Ford Flat Head, Ford Y-block, Buick Nail Head etc) otherwise NO solid or hydraulic roller cams allowed. No Dry sumps, external oil pumps (except when OE equipped", Pan Evacuation systems other than PCV.
18. Zoomie headers only
13. No electronic ignition boxes (MSD etc), Only single and dual point distributors allowed. Conversions in the manner of Petronix that fit within a stock dist cap are allowed. Aftermarket magnetos ONLY allowed on Vintage engines.
14. Pump gas/racing gas only. No Methanol, nitromethane, or alcohol.
15. One Holley #1850 or Edelbrock Performer 1405 or 1406 600 cfm vacuum secondary carb allowed. 3 Multiple (4 allowed on Ford Flat Head and other "Vintage engines") 1bbl or 2bbl Carter, Stromberg, or Holley 94 carbs allowed. Aluminum intakes allowed (no tunnel ram type manifolds) Flash Shield or Scoop Required SEE NHRA 1:4
16. Fuel lines shall have no more than 12" total of rubber line. SEE NHRA 1:5
17. Cooling system or water tank must use a radiator cap and overflow/catch can system. SEE NHRA 1:7 NOTE: Most tracks require a cooling system and do not allow tow cars. ANRA and Eagle Field DOES NOT require a cooling system and allows tow cars in the Open Wheel category.
19 Slicks may be NO wider than 9"
20. Drivers must wear up to date NHRA acceptable full face helmet with shield (Snell M2000, M2005, K2005, SA2005, SFI 31.2A or 41.2 SEE NHRA 10:7 & ET Handicap Racing). SFI 3:3 Neck Collar or SFI 3:3 Head Sock or Skirted Helmet Required. SEE NHRA 10:8 3.2A/5 two layer fire retardant jacket & pants or suit required when transmission is covered with a floorboard, SFI 3:3 Gloves required on all open bodied cars. SEE NHRA 10:10 Leather Driving shoes 3:3A/5 & Arm Restraints required SEE NHRA 10:3
21. Five point NHRA approved safety harness required. SEE NHRA 10:5
22. No electronic/pneumatic drivers aids including rev limiters.
Shift light Tachometers are allowed
22. Cars are required to be Self Starting at NHRA tracks
Revisions made,
Chromemoly materials allowed
Minimum weight will be decided as class progresses.
Drum or Disc Brakes allowed
All cars must have a (5 point min at ANRA events, 3 point and some nostalgia designs allowed at Eagle Field) roll cage of minimum NHRA Tubing requirements. SEE NHRA 4:11
Name change, C/GD Cool / Gas dragster
NO canted Valve heads like the Boss 302 Ford
Magnetos allowed on Vintage engines
Only single and dual point distributors allowed. Conversions in the manner of Petronix that fit within a stock dist cap are allowed.
Solid Lifter allowed on vintage engines
Eagle Field will allow Vintage engines to use remote batteries.
Aluminum heads are ONLY allowed on Flat Head Fords and engine OE equipped
Eagle Field C/GD are require to have an SFI Certified Clutch assy and Flywheel. Scattershield are required, if a scattershield is not available for you engine one can be fabricated as per NHRA Rules.
External oil pumps allowed when originally equipped
3 Speed Automatic Transmissions ONLY No Powerglides

The HAMB Dragsters are a blast and perfect fit for Eagle Field but I would like to build a more versitile Dragster

We built this car in 45 days for about $1100

This is my "Concept"

 

Toymaker, That not only looks very affordable but also one heck of a lot of FUN !

41 Dave

 

Thanks 'Dave, here are some frame ideas I've been kicking around. The Dragster frames........picture thread http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=230419 is a great thread for inspiration.

Open Space Frame

REC or RD Tube Frame

Elmer Snyder at Eagle Field Hot Rod Gathering

 

Here's one that a friend just picked up that he plans on putting a Flat Head in, PERFECT!

 

It might not be what you are thinking but I came up with this before I ever knew about HAMB. I run it in brackets and have a lot of fun. I though avoided going V8. I put a 260 cu inch limit and inline only. Tires are as you wish. By limiting cubes and to a six you level the playng field pretty well. I use 10.5 MTs myself. Automatics allowed. I didnt use the 3 inch bottom rail rule. While i like that style i couldnt understand why it would be a rule.
By the rule book 1/8 wall X 1 5/8th mild steel tubing as a minimum but certainly would allow 3 inch if someone wanted it. Weight will wind up in the 1400 range in most cases. WIth a nostalgia type class I feel safety is no 1. Fun no 2 and broad enuf rules to allow everyone to play. One also has to be careful if one imposes say a 350 cu in rule then it becomes essentially a chevy dragster class. Same for a 6 cyl class. By making it up to 260 cubes it includes all. From the lowly /6 to the 258 AMC. I like your idea though. Anything that puts the fun and affordablity back in racing is good. People seem to enjoy watching mine run. I get asked to stay sitting in it for photos when at the track after I get back from a run. I am sure the Hamb guys also find that so.
Don

 

Rocky I'm glad you went with the auto trans as that's what I intend to use on the flatmobile, will look over the rest of your plans but they look good to me I probably will have to add the extra roll bar hoop but that's doable easily nay way will keep you up to date on whats up.......Carl

 

Good points Don, our HAMB dragster is very popular at the track but alot of people want to run a V-8. The 325 CI rule will eliminate the Bad A$$ Chevy 327 and bigger engines, 305 Chevys, 302 Fords and 318 Mopars are fairly easy to come by at the local "pick ypur parts" around here. I need to clarify the chassis rule, single tube frame rails are req. to be 3x2 or 3" round tube, "open space" frames are allowed and need to be built per NHRA rules.. Thank you for your input, Rocky

 

Sounds like fun. All the best with it.
I am starting buying some tube for a new chassis in the morning. Maybe a 120 incher this time. Finished the last project (HE_EP), time for a new one.
Don

 

looks cool

 

I've had somthing like this in mind for some time now. I hope to get started soon, Y-Block powered of course so it will have solid lifters and external oilpump but I imagine that will pass. Right?

 

Rocky are you going to require a battery start with battery on board or can we use an outboard battery???? wanted to tow her up to the line with the ICT and use a outboard to start er and a MC battery for ign......Carl

 

One more thing maybe keep the tires to 8.5 or 9 in max slicks keep the flathead guys in this........

 

That car is friggin badass. I really dig it.

 

I'm thinking the Y-Block would be an "antique" engine Tim Just keep it under 325.

 

Carl I reccomend the 5 point cage but at Eagle Field I'll allow the Nostalgic style cages (3 PT, Dragmaster etc.). I allowed our friend Elmer and welcome him back! HOWEVER if you want to run ANRA or any NHRA tracks you know the drill

 

Exactly! I have talk to John with M&H and they have a 9 x 28 x 15 I will run.

 

No, The way I wrote the rules the battery ign guys will need a battery but the Antique engines are allowed Magnetos thus eliminating the wieght and helping their performance against the modern engines. I tried a Motorcycle battery on my Dragster years ago and it developed an ign miss.

This was the first outing in my dragster, note it had 9x28x15 I put on it

 

They made them till 1964, the same year I was born. I guess that makes me an antique too.

 

These cars are really cool and built by fellow HAMB'r 58fed.
I would allow these at Eagle Field but I dont think ANY NHRA Track will let them run here locally.

 

Roll cages built like this are not acceptable anywhere, note the weld in the red circle

 

hey rock...
just a note...
when i talked to NHRA div. 7 tech a few years ago regarding HA/GR, there was no "SFI Spec" for a slingshot on rect. tubing main rails. that was a problem. altereds... (like joel gruzen's) no problem, but not FEDs. might wanna run it by papa joe and see what he has to say. if it will fly, me and plan9 got something fo' ya!

 

Thanks Mitch!

 

so what would you have to do instead of welding that.. bend it? just wondering

 

I wondered about these. A couple more helmut bars and some more driver protection they should be allowed but who knows? I always liked that look. Are they not legal because of the shopping cart style roll bar or because the bracing and driver protection isnt there as per the rules? Nor it the bottom crossbracing yet (but I am sure it is coming as it is a works in progress) for the chassis. It wouldn't take much to make it right if that basic style of roll bar could be allowed. It is probably a fairly safe bar anyway. I really really like the look of these style of cars. In fact I want to make one.

Don

 

Yep, the hoop is req to be one piece/ no splice as I understand.

 

I revised a couple things again. Cars racing at ANRA Events are required to be self starting, battery on board. Also I want to stress again that at Eagle Field we can run the more nostalgic cage and chassis designs with the 1/8 mile track BUT at all NHRA tracks be prepared! Get the rules, I'm going to do some research and make sure we can take our car anywhere since we are building from scratch. Rocky

 

I AGREE! These are cool and I also am curious about the design, I am going to do some research.

 

This car belongs to fellow HAMB'r Creeper Larry, pretty cool!

 

"All cars with clutches must run a stamped steel bell housing with SFI certified clutch, flywheel and bell housing required on cars quicker than 11.50."

It is near impossable to get a "cheep" stamped steel bell for a Y-Block, they are out there but they are pricey and you have to cut down the flywheel and use a different starter, can I build with a cast bell and a steel scatter shield?

This is how we did it in the "Yellow Brick" it passes tech at El Mirage and Bonneville.

 

I was wondering what tools you needed for that.. I was thinking that would be cool for me and a friend to build