The information below is an overview of the major changes in the class requirements and competition standards from the 2008 rulebook.   

TOP FUEL -

IHRA accepted safety shutoff controller mandatory.

All seats must include an energy absorbing material that is formed to the driver’s body.

CLUTCH:   Lock-up units prohibited.  The release bearing engagement / disengagement may not be controlled by any air, hydraulic, or pneumatic devices and must be controlled only by the driver’s foot.  All levers in the clutch assembly must be attached to the pressure ring. 2 Disc maximum on Supercharged entries. 

CUBIC INCH LIMIT:  870 cubic inches with a maximum of 5.300 bore center on nitrous oxide assisted entries.

ELECTRONIC 2 STEP:  permitted on all combinations.

FIREWALL:  Titanium firewall permitted provided it is not coated or painted and clearly identifiable by manufacturer / builder as to grade.

FUEL:  VP M-1 Methanol and C-23 will be the spec fuel for all events in 2009.  All vehicles will utilize the same fuel from the supplier in attendance at the events in the staging lanes prior to competition.  

REAREND RATIO:   4.30 to 1 maximum ratio permitted on Supercharged combinations.

SUPERCHARGER: 14-71 High Helix mandatory.  Accepted aftermarket cases permitted provided they meet current measurement restrictions. 

WEIGHT MINIMUMS:  Nitrous entries 2,375 lbs.  Supercharged entries 2,650 lbs. Accepted Nostalgia body styles may deduct 25 lbs from minimum weight. (Example. 53 Studebaker 55, 57 Chevy and Buick, 38 Chevy and  41 Willys) 

Turbocharged entries will be included in the 2009 format.  All entries will follow the Supercharged guidelines except for the following:  650 cubic inch maximum, 91 MM twin turbochargers maximum, 3 disc clutch permitted, 5 speed transmission maximum.

PRO STOCK

FUEL:  VP C-23 will be the spec fuel for all events in 2009.  All vehicles will utilize the same fuel from the supplier in attendance at the events in the staging lanes prior to competition.  
 
TOP SPORTSMAN

Maximum Dial in at National events is 7.60 ¼ mile and 5.30 1/8 mile.  Divisional events and Sportsman Nationals is 8.00 ¼ and 5.30 1/8 mile.

If a competitor is issued a black flag penalty during a qualifying pass the run will not count toward qualifying.  During eliminations the competitor loses lane choice if they are the winner.

TOP DRAGSTER

Maximum Dial in at National events is 7.40 ¼ mile and 5.00 1/8 mile.  Divisional events and Sportsman Nationals is 8.00 ¼ and 5.00 1/8 mile.

If a competitor is issued a black flag penalty during a qualifying pass the run will not count toward qualifying.  During eliminations the competitor loses lane choice if they are the winner.

SUPER STOCK

If 2 competitors are in the same class at the World Finals Tournament of Champions they will run off of a dial in.

A jacket and pants meeting a minimum of SFI 3.2A-5 and a 3.3 neck collar are mandatory on all entries going 9.99 or quicker1/4 or 6.40 1/8

A jacket and pants meeting a minimum of SFI 3.2A-1 are mandatory on all entries going 10.00 and slower ¼ or 6.40 and slower 1/8.

Engines may be a maximum of .075 overbore.

STOCK

If 2 competitors are in the same class at the World Finals Tournament of Champions they will run off of a dial in.

A jacket and pants meeting a minimum of SFI 3.2A-5 and a SFI 3.3 neck collar are mandatory on all entries going 9.99 or quicker ¼ or 6.40 1/8.

A jacket and pants meeting a minimum of SFI 3.2A-1 are mandatory on all entries going 10.00 to 11.49 1/4 or 6.40 to 7.50 1/8.

Engines may be a maximum of .075 overbore.

QUICK ROD

Competitors will be place on a ladder starting 2nd round.  Lane choice will be determined by coin toss or driver agreement starting 2nd round.

SUPER ROD

Competitors will be place on a ladder starting 2nd round.  Lane choice will be determined by coin toss or driver agreement starting 2nd round.

HOT ROD

Competitors will be place on a ladder starting 2nd round.  Lane choice will be determined by coin toss or driver agreement starting 2nd round.

If the entry does not have the OEM floor and firewall, a jacket and pants meeting a minimum of SFI 3.2A-5 are mandatory.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

Professional Entries:   If a winning competitor is issued a black flag penalty during eliminations the competitor automatically loses lane choice the next round.  This is in addition to the monetary and points penalties listed in the 2008 rulebook.