What's Become of Drag Radial Rumors

[powerjames]

Originally Posted by Boweevil

......and some type of TCD running forward from the bottom center of the differential housing....Hmmmm! I don't see anything in the NMRA Drag Radial rules against that. "Aftermarket torque arms and coil-overs permitted." Straight from the rules.

It's defintely illegal in the NMRA drag radial rules... post the entire suspension rules you'll see where.

[DNRC]

Actually you need to show us where it's illegal in NMRA Drag Radial since I know of one being used in competition right now the rules state "Torque Arms are permitted".

3.4 SUSPENSION, REAR
REAR SUSPENSION: Stock type suspension required. Rear coil-over shocks permitted.
STOCK TYPE SUSPENSION: Stock type suspension may utilize aftermarket, direct replacement type suspension components including aftermarket replacement shocks, springs, and/or control arms. All stock type 3-link and 4 link suspensions must maintain stock lateral angles and attachment points, but may be moved up or down on rear axle. Aftermarket torque arms and coil-overs permitted.
3.4a) 3-LINK AND 4-LINK: Stock or stock-type direct-replacement 3-link and/or 4 links required. All stock type 3 or 4 link suspensions must maintain stock lateral angles and attachment points, but may be moved up or down on rear axle. Retrofitting and/or cross-breeding of 3-link and 4-link components prohibited.
3.4b) LADDER BARS: Prohibited.
3.4c) REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARMS: Replacement upper and lower control arms and permitted. Control arms may use any type bushing, bearing, or rod end. Control arms may be adjustable to any length.
3.4d) PANHARD BARS: Permitted. Panhard bars must be located aft of rearend housing. Panhard bars may be welded.
3.4e) SWAY BARS: Aftermarket or factory sway bars permitted. Aftermarket sway bars may be welded to both chassis and rearend housing.
3.4f) TORQUE ARMS: Permitted.
3.4g) REAR SHOCKS & SPRINGS: Any permitted, including coil over shocks and springs. Shocks must be stand alone and may not be adjustable during run via any means.
3.4h) TRACTION BARS: Bolt on traction bars permitted.
3.4i) TORQUE BOXES: The Wild Rides “S” Box has been deemed an acceptable OEM Fox-body torque box replacement when installed in the OEM location as per Wild Rides official instructions. The only acceptable control arm mounting location for the upper control arms is the middle hole on the “S” box, which is the same as the stock OEM mounting location.
3.6 WHEELIE BARS
WHEELIE BARS: All wheelie bars must have a non-metallic wheel. Wheels must turn freely at starting line. Wheel preload is prohibited. Using the wheelie bar as a “fifth wheel” sensing device is prohibited. Hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, etc. or any other adjustment or movement during run is prohibited.

[Boweevil]

Maybe you are reading some rules that we don't have. Besides the above quote directly from the published rules here is another quote. "3.4f) TORQUE ARMS: Permitted." How can they be permitted yet prohibited?

Heck here is the whole rear suspension section from the NMRA website. It says in two different places that not only are Torque Arms permitted but so are panhard bars.

3.4 SUSPENSION, REAR
REAR SUSPENSION: Stock type suspension required. Rear coil-over shocks permitted.
STOCK TYPE SUSPENSION: Stock type suspension may utilize aftermarket, direct replacement type suspension components including aftermarket replacement shocks, springs, and/or control arms. All stock type 3-link and 4 link suspensions must maintain stock lateral angles and attachment points, but may be moved up or down on rear axle. Aftermarket torque arms and coil-overs permitted.
3.4a) 3-LINK AND 4-LINK: Stock or stock-type direct-replacement 3-link and/or 4 links required. All stock type 3 or 4 link suspensions must maintain stock lateral angles and attachment points, but may be moved up or down on rear axle. Retrofitting and/or cross-breeding of 3-link and 4-link components prohibited.
3.4b) LADDER BARS: Prohibited.
3.4c) REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARMS: Replacement upper and lower control arms and permitted. Control arms may use any type bushing, bearing, or rod end. Control arms may be adjustable to any length.
3.4d) PANHARD BARS: Permitted. Panhard bars must be located aft of rearend housing. Panhard bars may be welded.
3.4e) SWAY BARS: Aftermarket or factory sway bars permitted. Aftermarket sway bars may be welded to both chassis and rearend housing.
3.4f) TORQUE ARMS: Permitted.
3.4g) REAR SHOCKS & SPRINGS: Any permitted, including coil over shocks and springs. Shocks must be stand alone and may not be adjustable during run via any means.
3.4h) TRACTION BARS: Bolt on traction bars permitted.
3.4i) TORQUE BOXES: The Wild Rides “S” Box has been deemed an acceptable OEM Fox-body torque box replacement when installed in the OEM location as per Wild Rides official instructions. The only acceptable control arm mounting location for the upper control arms is the middle hole on the “S” box, which is the same as the stock OEM mounting location.

So I am saying the Wolfe TCD is absolutely legal in NMRA Drag Radial. I sure hope so there is one going on my NMRA Drag Radial nitrous build. See ya about Joliet!!

[Boweevil]

You beat me to the punch...barely.

[DNRC]

Honestly the rules don't make a whole lot of sense to me. They allow the S-Box but don't allow you to use any of the holes other than the stock hole location but they allow the TCD which adds leverage besides it's other purpose. Then they allow Panhard bars?? Why?? A Mustangs design don't need one unless you move the upper bars parallel to the car.

[powerjames]

It's been a year since I was responsible for those rules, so it's highly possible I have it wrong. I don't consider the Wolfe TCD a torque arm, but you should e-mail the tech committee asap on the issue. I'll actually forward this to them for their response.

[Chevelle Rob]

Well they obviously allow the s box for reinforcement as the stock stuff can move or just plain rip out. the panhard bar has no advantage so it realy doesnt matter.

Im curiuos who is using a torque arm though. LOL I had no idea itwas legal there

[DNRC]

I was actually shocked to see the NMRA allowing a "torque arm " in Drag Radial since I always considered them one of the more "purist" type of organizations and the fact that they are a Mustang only organization. I mean considering they restrict turbo size and other items. Two NMRA competing customers of mine were discussing this recently and said we guess ORSCA is the only organization with a Drag Radial class that has the tightest restrictions. And even though a Panhard bar does nothing to improve performance or safety, it just seems out of place in a "stock suspension" Mustang.

[powerjames]

Originally Posted by DNRC

I was actually shocked to see the NMRA allowing a "torque arm " in Drag Radial since I always considered them one of the more "purist" type of organizations and the fact that they are a Mustang only organization. I mean considering they restrict turbo size and other items. Two NMRA competing customers of mine were discussing this recently and said we guess ORSCA is the only organization with a Drag Radial class that has the tightest restrictions. And even though a Panhard bar does nothing to improve performance or safety, it just seems out of place in a "stock suspension" Mustang.

Word from the NMRA is that the TCD is illegal:

From NMRA Tech Director Thom Bates:

"The Wolfe "Torque arm", or "TCD" is not a true torque arm, it's a single leg ladder bar. Ladder bars are prohibited. We had that issue once with Peter Champani's car back several years ago. The rules on this haven't changed."

[powerjames]

Originally Posted by Chevelle Rob

Well they obviously allow the s box for reinforcement as the stock stuff can move or just plain rip out. the panhard bar has no advantage so it realy doesnt matter.

Im curiuos who is using a torque arm though. LOL I had no idea itwas legal there

The issue with the S-Box is that you can move the control arm locations up or down