4:2 BALLAST
As permitted in Class Requirements. Any material used for the
purpose of adding to a car’s total weight must be permanently
attached to the car’s structure and must not extend in front of or
behind the rear of the car’s body or above the rear tires. No liquid or
loose ballast permitted (i.e., water, sandbags, rocks, shot bags,
metal weights, etc.). Discovery of loose or disguised ballast will
result in disqualification from the event, regardless of whether
infraction occurs during qualifying or eliminations. Additional
penalties may be imposed in the sole and absolute discretion of
NHRA. Weight boxes (two maximum) made of 1/8-inch material may
be constructed to hold small items such as shot bags, lead bars,
etc., as long as box and contents do not weigh more than 100
pounds or as outlined in Class Requirements. The box must be
securely fastened to the frame or crossmember with at least two 1/2-
inch-diameter steel bolts. Any liquid other than engine fuel being
used, located behind the front firewall (on a front-engine car), is
considered ballast and is prohibited, except for intercooler tanks that
contain water and/or ice only. Tank must be securely mounted to
frame, frame member, or OEM floorpan. To permit “making a class”
due to a difference in scale calibration, a maximum removable
weight of 100 pounds (or as outlined in Class Requirements) is
permitted. Removable weight must be securely mounted to the
frame or frame structure by a minimum of two 1/2-inch-diameter
steel bolts per 100 pounds, or one 3/8-inch steel bolt per 5 pounds;
all other weight bars, pucks, etc. must use minimum 1/2-inchdiameter
SAE grade 8 bolts for attachment. Hose clamps, wire, strapping, tape, tie wraps, etc. for securing weight or ballast
prohibited. Acceptable forms of ballast are 1) Heavier gauge steel
floors (i.e., 16- or 18-gauge, heavier gauge and/or plate steel
prohibited); 2) Frame reinforcing cross members; or 3) the addition
of protective equipment such as roll bars, flywheel shield, etc. If
additional ballast is needed and is permitted by Class
Requirements, it must be permanently attached to frame, bolted with
two 1/2-inch-diameter bolts per 100 pounds, with nuts welded to
bolts. Maximum amount of removable and/or permanent ballast,
unless otherwise stated under Class Requirements, is 500 pounds.
Cars running 8.49 and quicker are limited to 250 pounds maximum,
per SFI chassis specification.
