ADRL REINSTATES HARPER'S RECORD; ANNOUNCES NEW SAFETY RULES

Officials of the Flowmaster American Drag Racing League presented by the National Guard today announced they are reversing their May 10 decision that disallowed Billy Harper’s 3.917-second elapsed time in round two of Pro Nitrous eliminations at the 4th annual ADRL Hardee’s Georgia Drags at South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP), near Valdosta, GA. The reinstatement of the pass also means it (3.917) becomes the new, official ADRL Pro Nitrous E.T. record.
“First and foremost, we want to apologize to Billy Harper and his entire race team, sponsors and fans for the confusion and any negative reactions they may have experienced,” stated ADRL Vice President of Competition Bubba Corzine, the official who made the initial call. “We’re all human and in the heat of battle we sometimes make mistakes. This was one of those times.”
Following the event, ADRL officials visited Harper’s race shop in Paducah, Kentucky, to examine and take measurements of his 2001 Dodge Viper. In addition to its engine blanket, of particular interest was the car’s front wheel stagger, which measured less than one-inch difference, well within ADRL tolerances.
Series president Kenny Nowling added that he, too, wanted to apologize to Harper and his team.
“Our racers work far too hard and put too much on the line for our mistake to cost them the records or rewards they truly deserve,” he said. “Some people have encouraged me to just let the record stand as it is, but unlike some series in the past we want to remain open to examining and even reversing a decision if the situation calls for it. I firmly believe the only real mistake is the one you could correct but don’t make the effort, and this is one of those cases.”  
Nowling also took the opportunity to announce a rules change affecting all ADRL cars. Currently, a minimum three-inch ground clearance is required from whatever portion of the vehicle’s body or chassis breaks the staging beam to 12 inches behind its front axle centerline, with a minimum two-inch clearance for the remainder of the vehicle. Starting at next month’s ADRL national event at Martin, Michigan, a minimum two-inch ground clearance will be allowed from the car’s front axle centerline to its rear end.
“This should take care of any future problems in this area,” Nowling stated. “But it has been brought to my attention that although all competitors in all three ADRL door-car classes are required to have an engine containment system and have it installed for tech inspection, some teams have apparently chosen to make runs either in testing, qualifying or eliminations without the system installed. This will not be tolerated.
“Effective immediately ADRL officials will be doing random checks in the staging lanes during all on-track sessions to ensure these containment systems are in place. If any individual—with no exceptions—is found to have come to the lanes without the containment system installed and within the new two-inch ground clearance, he or she will be disqualified from the remainder of the event and will forfeit any points or purse from the event in question. The second time any individual has a similar infraction, he or she will be suspended from the remainder of the ADRL season involved.
“As far as we’re concerned, these engine containment systems are as important to a racer’s safety as their helmet, so there will be no warnings, no excuses and no exceptions,” Nowling declared. “You wouldn’t forget your helmet, so don’t forget the engine blanket.”  [5/16/2008]