NHRA Unleashed 2011 Rulebook Released

Better late than never, they say. The NHRA this week unleashed – pun intended – the NHRA unleashed rulebook for the 2011 season for the three heads-up categories and multiple index classes that will be contested this season. Returning for a second season will be the new headlining and popular category of Outlaw 10.5 along with Limited Street, while the wild new X275 eliminator will join the fray for it’s freshman season as an NHRA class.

To read the 2011 NHRA Unleashed Rules Supplement in its entirety, click here.

Much as the rules are written in other venues, Outlaw 10.5 will play host to a horde of different engine combinations, fourteen to be exact, from small blocks to big blocks, centrifugal, roots, and screw blowers, single and twin turbos, nitrous oxide, and of course naturally aspirated. Cars will be required to utilize back-half chassis wrapped in OEM-produced bodies and limited to 10.5W tires.

Limited Street will feature eight different engine and power adder combinations, even including the use of V6’s for those up to the challenge. These cars run on full automotive-type rear suspensions in the rear with stock front frame rails and suspension required up front. Like Outlaw 10.5, the cars must use an OEM produced body with the stock fire wall, stock body lines and the works. Also as with Outlaw 10.5, some provisions are made for the use of fiberglass and carbon fiber although to a lesser extent, including the hood, bumpers, doors, deck lid, and inner fenders.

The newest of unleashed classes, X275, has been all the rage across the Eastern United States and the NHRA is surely hoping to capitalize on that interest. The mot restricted of the heads-up eliminators, X275 may also be one of the more complicated. The rules list 19 different possible combinations and five addition/deduction notes, separated by small blocks and big blocks, varying sizes of turbo and superchargers units, and different cylinder heads designs. Engines are limited to 588 inches, and the cars must retain completely stock chassis with stock suspension front and rear.