The DragRacingOnline.com AA Funny Car Challenge returns for its eighth season after a one-year hiatus.

DRO AA/FC Challenge to allow 44-amp magnetos

 

The DragRacingOnline.com AA/FC Challenge series strictly adheres to the NHRA Heritage safety rules and most of their other rules. The only exception has been that DRO uses a go/no-go gauge to verify the fuel pumps legality.

 

Today DRO AA/FC Series administrator, Jeff Burk, announced that effective at the Sept. 8-9 DRO AA/FC Challenge at the Funny Car Nationals at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, MI, the 44amp magneto will be legal.

 

“I decided to make this change for the following reasons.,” explained Burk. “First the old style points mags have problems when in RPM ranges above 9000 engine rpm. NHRA Heritage rule makers recognized that issue when Top Fuel cars originally limited to a points mag had major engine problems traced to the points mag at engine RPM above 9000 rpm. They made the 44-amp mags legal and saved the class.

 

“Second,” Burk continued, “today 9500-10,300 shift points for AA/FC teams aren't uncommon and now the Funny Car teams are having the same issues that the Top Fuel racers were having.

 

“And finally, the DRO series has had some issues getting eight-car fields especially this year. At the DRO race at Cedar Falls I talked to every AA/FC team owner and tuner in attendance and to many team owners at home after the event and to a man they wanted the 44amp mag.”

 

REVISED IGNITION RULES FOR DRO AA/FC CHALLENGE SERIES effective Sept. 8, 2017

 

• One MSD  44-amp generator
• One MSD points box
• One MSD or FIE coil
• No Battery and no electrical connection between generator and point box
• No crank trigger devices and no use of MSD "Grid"
• Advance and Retard of magneto must be done mechanically/pneumatically

GENERAL RULES FOR 2017

 

NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series rules apply except that the fuel pump does NOT have to be certified and flowed by K.J. Crawford. It MUST be an approved part number.

 

The Challenge is an open eight-car or six-car qualified field. The NHRA Sportsman ladder is used (1 vs. 5, 2 vs. 6, etc.) In a six-car field, the quickest first-round loser comes back.

In qualifying, racers with highest number of points get first choice of when they will run.

 

NHRA Heritage rear-tire rules apply.

 

NHRA safety rules apply. Front carbon fiber brakes not required unless car goes faster than 250 mph. If your car goes faster than 250 mph you will be allowed to finish the event with steel brakes, but carbon fiber brakes must be installed before competing in the next DRO event.

 

RULES

 

• One points-type magneto with a single coil. NO dual coils are allowed.
• 6:71 supercharger, maximum of 18.9 percent overdrive allowed.
• Single 21-gpm fuel pump. Must have NHRA-approved parts number per Heritage rules.
• Minimum weight: 2250 lbs.
• Break rule: From the semifinals on you must start the car, stage and take the green light in order to earn that rounds money. Break in qualifying and the alternate goes in and you get first round loser points and money.
• Winner and runner-up at each event must allow their fuel pumps to be disassembled and checked with a Go/No-Go gauge by Series Administrator, Jeff Burk, or Race Director, Jok Nicholson, in order to receive DRO series points and prize money for that round.
• No entry fee. Driver plus five crew members are admitted free. Additional family or crew will be charged regular track admission price.

 

POINTS AWARDED

 

Win – 100

Runner-up – 90

Semi-finals – 80

First round – 70

 

Thirty (30) points will be awarded for setting a speed or ET record. ET must be backed up at event by second run within one percent to qualify as a new record. NHRA rules will apply for setting a record. Only one speed or ET record can be set per event.

 

QUALIFYING POINTS

 

1. 10 points

2. 9 pts

3. 8 pts

4. 7 pts

5. 6 pts

6. 5 pts

7. 4 pts

8. 3 pts

 

PAYOUT (per event)

Winner: $5,000

Runner-Up: $3,750

Semifinalists: $2,500

First-round losers: $1,750

Numbers 9, 10 qualifiers: $500

 

QUARTER-MILE RECORDS

 

ET: 5.6876 by Richard Hartman, Martin, Michigan, Sept. 12, 2015

 

MPH: 259.82 by Richard Hartman, Martin, Michigan, Sept. 12, 2015

 

EIGHTH-MILE RECORDS

 

ET: 3.818 by John Hale, Kennedale, Texas, April 27, 2013

 

MPH: 196.07 by John Hales, Kennedale, Texas, April 27, 2013

 

DRO National Championship Points after the San Antonio Event

 

1.  Paul Romine, Indiana 108

2.  John Hale, Texas      100

3.  Ronny Young, Texas     89

4.  Fred Farndon, Oklahoma 87

A couple more racers have added their cars to the list for the DRO AA/FC Challenge on July 14-15 at Cedar Falls, Iowa.

 

The “Iowa Punisher” of Anthony Bronge and “Down-Under Thunder” driven by Bazz Young will be among the cars vying to knock San Antonio winner, Paul Romine, out of the points lead in the second event of the season.

 

Other cars confirmed for this event include Romine and his “Man O’ War” Mustang, John Hale in the “One Bad Texan”, Ronny Young driving the “Blue Max” Plymouth Arrow, and Fred Farndon in “Play It Loud.”

 

Vic Tiffin in “Gold Digger” and Kevin Lennon are also expected to attend.

 

The nitro cars will be running on the quarter mile at Cedar Falls Motorsports Park under the lights with qualifying set for 7 and 9 p.m. on Friday and elimination rounds on Saturday at 6, 8, and 10 p.m.