As some of you may have heard, there were some grumblings that NHRA has taken to adding some new rules in 2020 for the Pro Mod class. Now, before everyone get’s all up in arms, NHRA, even before taking over the class, was essentially the rule makers for the class. So below you will find a list of changes that have already dropped for the 2020 season.

First, they are now allowing centrifugal superchargers in for the 2020 season. That means companies like Procharger will be allowed to play with the big boys & girls on the national stage. It appears at this time that Procharger is the only centrifugal blower combo allowed. The initial rules have them set at 2600 lbs.

For Centrifugal Supercharger: Procharger F3R/X-140 head unit (PC314A140/PC316A-140), 4CD-BAE-3-1.40,4CD-TFX-3-1.40,4CD-NON-3-1.40,4CDBBC-3-1.40 gear drive units, and AF006A-027 inlet bell mouth only. Must be unmodified and factory sealed. Intercoolers prohibited.

Next, NHRA, in an effort to increase nitrous-assisted entries, has determined that the 959 engine combination will be allowed in. A max of 960 CID with a weight of 2575 lbs versus the 903 combinations at 2500 pounds. We aren’t sure how many will make the switch at that weight, but it is a move in the right direction.

Third, the max bore spacing on the turbo Hemi combos has been increased from the previous 4.800 to a new 4.840 inches. All other turbo entries will still be allowed up to a 5” bore space.

Fourth on the list of changes has to do with the rear springs on the pro mod entries. The rules now read as follows:

Digressive spring devices and digressive springs permitted.

The fifth, and might be a big one for some addresses new panel placement and the date in which chassis’ built before or after must follow. Since there is an entire paragraph explanation, I have attached it below so that you can review it for yourself.

A panel of .032-inch aluminum, .024-inch steel, or carbon fiber must be installed on the inside portion of the roll cage anywhere the driver’s legs can come into contact with the cage (chassis tubing). Panels must be installed in the front and lower portion of the driver’s-side X brace. Panels must attach to the interior side of the tubing. Panels must not be attached to rocker bar (7A), Windshield/Roof bar (12A) or Main Hoop (10). Optional padding may be attached to the panels. An additional panel(s) of .032-inch aluminum, .024-inch steel, or carbon fiber must be installed in the roll cage roof area. The panel(s) must, at a minimum, extend from the driver’s side roof bar to the centerline of the vehicle. For any car built after January 1, 2020, panels must be attached with tabs that are a minimum of 1/8 inch below the top of the roll cage roof tubes. The panel(s) in the Funny Car cage area must be removable for proper chassis certification inspection.

The sixth rule, and I am not sure if this was a change or addition is regarding helmet shrouds. Specifically, those that use a funny car style stroud.

If a Funny Car style helmet shroud is used, all bolts retaining panels to the roll cage need to be a 1/2- inch hex-style head that is easily accessible with the door open. Any portions of the paneling that are not accessible with the door open must be of tongue and groove or similar style retention in order to allow removal once accessible front hex head bolts are removed.

Next, we have window nets. No longer allowed are the seat belt buckle attachment style window nets that most are used to.

. Window net system must be NHRA-accepted. See NHRA Accepted Products on NHRARacer.com for a list of accepted window net systems. Mechanism for release must have red label and in visible sight for track officials to use externally

The next regulation is something that I am surprised wasn’t addressed a long time ago, and in my opinion, should have been. That is a master cutoff switch that is an unobstructed view from the rear of the vehicle. A good call on NHRA’s part in my opinion.

Master cutoff must be configured as shown in diagram on www.NHRARacer.com. Rear bumper switch must be located on the driver’s side of the lower rear tail panel. The push button of the specified switch must be placed in such a manner as to give a safety official an unobstructed view of the button from the rear of the vehicle.

Fresh air system mandate. If you ask most outlaw radial racers, they will tell you that fresh air systems are becoming the norm. I believe a lot of this rule came after Erica’s terrible top-end fire earlier this year.

A 120 psi normally open-air switch must be installed to prevent the car from starting if system air pressure is below 120 psi. In the event the car is losing air pressure during a run, the switch must open when system air pressure goes below 120 psi. The switch must run in series with the ignition “run enable” wire. The switch may also trigger the fuel shutoff but is not mandatory. The switch must be wired to not remove power from the Electrimotion Safety Device at any time.

And lastly, and update to driver restraint systems in the pro mods. No longer will you be able to use a 6 pt harness system. The new requirements are for a 7 pt harness to be used. I don’t see any issue there. It is a safety aspect. Though I do still not agree with the two year SFI checks.

A minimum seven-point driver restraint system meeting SFI Spec 16.1 or 16.5 mandatory. Restraint system must be updated at two-year intervals from date of manufacture. See General Regulations 10:5.