On Aug. 19, the NHRA Technical Department released additional 2024 Rule Amendments for Funny Car teams in regard to parachutes.
The new requirements in relation to parachutes are listed below:
Manual Parachute Levers:
Parachutes must deploy when the manual parachute lever reaches half travel.
Parachute Air Cylinder:
The air cylinder cannot be mounted directly to the manual parachute lever; both must operate independently. All air lines must be flame resistant and minimum ¼” diameter. If using Teflon-lined braided AN line, must be 3AN or larger.
The air cylinder and lever cannot be mounted to the A, B, or C Pillar or inside the driver’s compartment roof. The air cylinder must be securely mounted at both ends of the cylinder. If mounted to the tinwork, a reinforcement plate on top and bottom of tinwork (same thickness, steel/aluminum/carbon) is required, extending 2″ beyond all mounting centerlines. The air cylinder can also be mounted to the rear tree, rear chassis tree, or chassis.
Parachute Cables:
Parachute system cables must have reinforcements at the ends of the wire (thimble, eyelet, etc.).
Crimps must be properly clamped with the manufacturer’s specific tool. Any wire passing through an opening in the body or tinwork must be protected by a permanently installed device.
The next race on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series schedule is the 70th annual Toyota U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Aug. 28-Sept. 2.
Following Indy, the six-race Countdown to the Championship begins with the Pep Boys Nationals in Reading, Pa., Sept. 12-15.
