Battery Shut Off

**Stangman701** · 09-02-2010, 01:12 PM

Just curious what the rules are when the battery has been relocated to the trunk. Is this needed even if the car is pretty slow(13-14 second range)? I just bought a car that was most likely fast before, but not so much now, lol. It's got an 8 point cage and the battery is in the trunk but the motor is a stock long block 5.0 with a cam.

**Steve-0** · 09-02-2010, 01:21 PM

Yes to run at the track, if the battery is in the trunk, you need a properly and clearly labeled shut off switch. Had to go through that with Tonys car when he did it.

**Steve-0** · 09-02-2010, 01:32 PM

Oh and where are the pics at??

**Mitternacht** · 09-02-2010, 02:04 PM

AFAIK if you turn quicker than 12.99, you need an external shutoff switch. I don't think one is mandatory just because the battery is in the trunk.

**Martin0660** · 09-02-2010, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Mitternacht

AFAIK if you turn quicker than 12.99, you need an external shutoff switch. I don't think one is mandatory just because the battery is in the trunk.

If the battery is moved to the trunk, a labeled cut off is required regardless of ET / MPH. Not only does it need to kill the battery, but it must also kill the ignition (shut car down).

**Mitternacht** · 09-02-2010, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Martin0660

If the battery is moved to the trunk, a labeled cut off is required regardless of ET / MPH. Not only does it need to kill the battery, but it must also kill the ignition (shut car down).

Huh, never knew it was mandatory.

**CobraII** · 09-02-2010, 03:29 PM

In addition to what Bob said, passenger compartment must be protected by a firewall of .024 thick steel or .032 thick aluminum. I believe the accepted battery boxes eliminate that requirement, though I can't get on IHRA's site at the moment to verify that. The IHRA rulebook is on the Competition page of www.ihra.com

**Stangman701** · 09-02-2010, 03:57 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I assumed I would need one regardless of speed, but I was just hoping there might be like a 12.99 stipulation like Mitternacht was saying. Guess I'll have to order some parts before I can get some baseline runs.

Originally Posted by CobraII

In addition to what Bob said, passenger compartment must be protected by a firewall of .024 thick steel or .032 thick aluminum. I believe the accepted battery boxes eliminate that requirement, though I can't get on IHRA's site at the moment to verify that. The IHRA rulebook is on the Competition page of www.ihra.com

I tried looking there, but I couldn't seem to find what I was looking for. You think a back seat(which I don't have right now) or a piece of plywood would do for the firewall?

Originally Posted by Steve-0

Oh and where are the pics at??

I'm gonna try to get some pics up later today or tomorrow. Here's a cell pic from today at lunch...

**Steve-0** · 09-02-2010, 04:09 PM

Is the battery just sitting back there? If it doesn't have a box, I would buy a battery box and shutoff switch kit. They are cheap enough.

**Stangman701** · 09-02-2010, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Steve-0

Is the battery just sitting back there? If it doesn't have a box, I would buy a battery box and shutoff switch kit. They are cheap enough.

It looks pretty securely mounted. It looks like whoever had the car before me knew how to weld pretty well or at least knew someone who did. It's got a custom 8 point cage and looks like they welded up a custom battery "frame"(it's like a little mini cage for the battery). The battery is exposed though. I'm thinking about getting a cheap battery disconnect that I can just put behind the plate so when/if I go to the track I'll just put the plate in the window and mount up the shutoff temporarily.

**CobraII** · 09-02-2010, 05:06 PM

http://www.mydigitalpublication.com/...on/?m=1203&l=1

is a direct link to the rulebook. At the contents tab at the top of the page, you want "General Regulations - All Classes".

I don't think a firewall made of a flamable material would pass. Same with just a back seat, also flamable. The box is your best bet... simple and effective, mimimal modifications needed. Something like this for the box:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1231/

Switch like this:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1432/

Still has to be wired correctly to shut the car off when the switch is turned off.

Larry DePretis is the tech director at PRP, and he can help answer specific questions for tech:

larry@pittsburghracewaypark.com

**Mitternacht** · 09-02-2010, 05:42 PM

Is that picture from the Pittsburgh Mills?

**Stangman701** · 09-02-2010, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by CobraII

http://www.mydigitalpublication.com/...on/?m=1203&l=1

is a direct link to the rulebook. At the contents tab at the top of the page, you want "General Regulations - All Classes".

I don't think a firewall made of a flamable material would pass. Same with just a back seat, also flamable. The box is your best bet... simple and effective, mimimal modifications needed. Something like this for the box:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1231/

Switch like this:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G1432/

Still has to be wired correctly to shut the car off when the switch is turned off.

Larry DePretis is the tech director at PRP, and he can help answer specific questions for tech:

larry@pittsburghracewaypark.com

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by Mitternacht

Is that picture from the Pittsburgh Mills?

Yep, went to Lowes at lunch to try and get a key made