A new car can be driven in as little as 9.0 seconds, but the driver must have a competition license.
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), has updated its rules to allow modern performance car owners to drag race without fear of being disqualified. People with a Tesla Model S plaid or Dodge Challenger Demon are able to breathe a sigh at the track.
The change is that 2014 model year and newer vehicles can now run as quick as 9.0 seconds in the quarter-mile and/or a 150-mile-per-hour (241-kilometer-per-hour) trap speed without being disqualified. Previously, NHRA safety regulations required that drivers had a competition license. They also had to install extra safety gear if they ran faster than 9.99 seconds or had a trap speed of more than 135 mph (217.3 kph).
This rule was a problem after the Dodge Challenger SRT Demond debuted. It was capable of running sub-10 second quarter-mile times on a track that was prepared. The Tesla Model S Plaid was also capable beating the, resulting in track personnel expulsion of drivers who were too fast. The NHRA has been changing this rule before. The time required to obtain a competition licence was 11.5 seconds for decades. In 2012, the governing body established the 9.99 second limit.
Vehicles from 2008-2013 model years are also affected by the new NHRA rules. They can now travel as fast as 10.0 seconds, and/or as fast as a trap speed of 135 mph (217.3 km/h).The model must meet all safety standards in order to compete in street-legal vehicle events of the NHRA. Aftermarket parts can be used, but tires must be DOT-approved. Lonnie Grim, NHRA’s National Tech Director, stated in the rules announcement that “these limitations are not limited when it comes to using aftermarket bolt-on product and other modifications.” This simply means that cars racing under Street Legal guidelines must meet the OEM safety requirements. As a bonus, NHRA Member Tracks will give special decals out to drivers who exceed the 13-, 12- and 11-second benchmarks. A special sticker is given to anyone who does a 9 second run and submits an NHRA competition licence application.