NHRA Reverses Delay Box Ruling In Pro Modified

As the use of torque converter-equipped automatic transmissions in Pro Modified and in the ADRL spreads like wildfire, so too has the use of delay box devices, which are generally thought to be used solely for bracket racing purposes. But with the inherent ability to react quicker then a similar clutch-equipped car, the use of said delay boxes has become a bit of a saving grace for some red-light happy converter racers, and those with turbocharged combinations in particular.

When the 2011 NHRA Rulebook was released last December, in Section 5, Subsection 8 under Pro Modified, the use of delay box devices in the category was expressly prohibited. But on April 25, just prior to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Spring Nationals in Houston – the third event of the Get Screened America Pro Mod Series season – that mandate was omitted from the rulebook.

“A transbrake is always going to be faster than a clutch. And if you’ve got a combination that easily goes red, then you’ve got to do something to slow that down,” explains Marty Chance at Neal Chance Racing Converters. “Whether it’s a delay box or you’re slowing down the transbrake release. Getting rid of the delay box isn’t going to change the way racers are capable of modifying how quick their transbrake release is, it just makes it a lot easier; a lot less work. These are high-tech race cars today and delay boxes are a long way from being high-tech, so I don’t see why there would even be a controversy.”

Given the flip-flop on the ruling from NHRA, it’s a safe bet that at least one prominent racer, and perhaps others, were and are utilizing delay boxes in their automatic-equipped cars. In the ADRL, where rules are few and far between, their use is much more prominent. Despite that common knowledge, however, everyone in the pits remains tight-lipped on the subject.

In the seasons first two races, only one legitimate red light occurred during eliminations in Pro Modified, that being Danny Rowe’s scant -.007 reaction time in the second round in Las Vegas.

Delay boxes: they aren’t just for bracket racing anymore.

About the author

Andrew Wolf

Andrew has been involved in motorsports from a very young age. Over the years, he has photographed several major auto racing events, sports, news journalism, portraiture, and everything in between. After working with the Power Automedia staff for some time on a freelance basis, Andrew joined the team in 2010.
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