After an extensive review process involving the Divisional Councils, the National Rules Committee, Australian Drag Racing Promoters Association and the ANDRA Operations Committee, the ANDRA Board have ratified the rule amendments to be included in the 2015/16 ANDRA Rulebook.
Below is a summary of the 2015 Rule Changes:
Introducing Top Sportsman eliminator
Top Sportsman is for full bodied cars running between 5.80 and 8.49 (1/4 mile) regardless of engine combination. Superchargers, turbochargers, nitrous oxide, four cylinder, six cylinder or rotary – they’re all welcome here. Super Sedan becomes a bracket with a lower elapsed time cut-off of 8.50 and an upper cut-off of 10.999, with the long term plan being that from 2016/17 Super Street will be amalgamated into Super Sedan with an upper cut-off of 11.999.
Frontal Head Restraint systems
The use of Frontal Head Restraint systems (FHRs) will be made mandatory for cars quicker than 7.99. This follows on from an announcement by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport in April this year making the use of FHRs mandatory in all International and National level race events. This also follows in the footsteps of the NHRA who made FHR use mandatory in 2007.
Though unlike many other forms of motorsport, ANDRA is not mandating the HANS device specifically. The new requirement calls for the use of a device certified to either SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858 standards meaning the number of devices for competitors to choose from is much larger.
The use of a Frontal Head Restraint system is RECOMMENDED from January 1 2015 and will be made MANDATORY from July 1 2015 for drivers of all cars quicker than 7.99 regardless of class or group.
Competition Bike
Competition Bike eliminator is set to receive a shake up with nitrous oxide combinations being placed into their own specific classes. The existing ‘double letter’ Comp Bike classes remain for combinations utilising mechanical supercharging or turbocharging, and those utilising nitrous oxide injection will compete under their own National Class Index and National Record.
Super Compact
In Super Compact Eliminator the four cylinder and twin rotor vehicles are being split to their own respective /SC classes. The creation of DD/SC allows the 13B combinations to compete on their own National Class Index and National Record without fear of a four cylinder combination dominating the class.
Factory Xtreme
Fans of late model, high-tech racers can also look forward to Factory Xtreme running in their own Heads-up Pro Tree Exhibition category. The sleek, powerful turbocharged cars have been running at various events around the country for a number of years now and put on a great show at the 2014 Fuchs Winternationals.
Competition Eliminator
Competition Eliminator is also set to receive a boost with alloy blocks being allowed into Dragster, Funny Car and Altered classes. AA Dragster, AA Funny Car and AA Altered are permitted to run billet, forged or cast aluminium blocks, while BB and CC classes are permitted to run cast aluminium or iron blocks.
Super Stock
Racers in Modified Sedan and Modified Production classes will for the first time be permitted to use aftermarket and lightweight panels. As parts for the older body styles become harder to find, allowing these cars to use fibreglass or composite panels will help keep them on the track longer.
Electronic Fuel Injection
Those racing in the Street Bike classes in Competition Bike Eliminator will be permitted to retrofit Electronic Fuel Injection onto older bikes. This is a logical follow on as newer bikes have been able to swap to carburettor induction, so allowing older bikes to update to current technology will hopefully keep some of the older bikes competitive longer.
Boost Levels
Those running in the turbocharged classes in Super Stock or Competition Eliminators now have a choice when it comes to monitoring boost levels. In addition to the previously required Boost Limiting Valve, competitors can choose to fit a maximum pointer gauge to the intake manifold. The gauge is a sealed unit that Stewards will monitor and reset during post-race checking. For further details please contact ANDRA Technical.
Top Doorslammer
The most visual change in Group One is the revision of some of the body rules in Top Doorslammer. With the local manufactures in a sunset phase, the current model Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger will be allowed to compete, and if the rumour mill is correct, a number of cars have already commenced construction!
Supercharged Outlaws
There has been much talk about a handicapped Pro Tree start in Supercharged Outlaws eliminator, and while not supported at this stage for a wholesale rollout across the country, the idea has been well received in the bracket and will be investigated further.
There will be a release in the coming days in regards to the 2015/16 Rulebook possibly being in place until June 2016. However ANDRA Technical with the use of ANDRA Rules and Operations Committees will maintain the flexibility to make changes as required with the appropriate notices through the ANDRA website and Motor Mail.