[ItBites]

bpete,

1. I do think a hardtop Cobra would be allowed down to 12.00 (like any coupe or sedan) with helmet. I do this with my 12.4 sec street Vette all the time (no roll bar).

2. The real issue is that it is very difficult to stage against a particular car and grudge race at the sanctioned tracks. Therefore tough to bet... That is the biggest reason the street racers take to the streets. Many of those cars would pass tech...

3. Convertibles always require a helmet, regardless of ET. Top up is also required, but this can be avoided if the car has no top.

Mikiec,

You are correct that a Cobra can run at the tracks. My comment that we cannot run without a 5-point was just assuming we all run under 14.00 (the limit for convertibles without 5-point cage).

Hardtop cars can run down to 12.00 without a roll bar (my 12.4 sec street Vette has no bar). In a coupe or sedan, you get down to 11.00 with a 4-point bar. Below that requires a cage of increasing complexity as ETs go lower...

Speedworld only lets us run in a "club" standing. They arbitrarily set the limit for us at 12.00 during these "club" events. This is still below the NHRA limit for convertibles without a 5-point cage. This is not the standard at Speedworld, however, it is the exception they make for "clubs". I think NHRA allows for this (and does not yank their sanctioning) as long as it is not the rule, but the exception.

Firebird has, in the past, let Cobras run under the "club" auspices. Run and Gun 95 was held at Firebird and we drag raced Cobras there. I do not think Firebird has any interest in exceptions any more.