Tech Question - Nitrous Oxide

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:34 am

Since it is not mentioned in the tech guide, what is the policy on nitrous injection systems for track use? An NHRA/IHRA legal system, not some 'nitrous in a bag'. Thanks.

BretLuter · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:49 pm

Rich Anderson wrote:

Since it is not mentioned in the tech guide, what is the policy on nitrous injection systems for track use? An NHRA/IHRA legal system, not some 'nitrous in a bag'. Thanks.

Oh Lord, someone please stop him before he hurts himself!!!!!
:wink:

Bret.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:04 pm

BretLuter wrote:

Rich Anderson wrote:

Since it is not mentioned in the tech guide, what is the policy on nitrous injection systems for track use? An NHRA/IHRA legal system, not some 'nitrous in a bag'. Thanks.

Oh Lord, someone please stop him before he hurts himself!!!!!
:wink:

Bret.

Too late...

Matt Nicholson · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:24 pm

I'll still beat you at Rockingham.....

Ashraf Farrag · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 9:37 am

I would have to say "no" given the information I have at hand.

All you should need to do is remove the bottle from the vehicle at the event provided none of the rest of the system falls under the "unusual modification" category.

--Ashraf

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:04 am

Ashraf Farrag wrote:

I would have to say "no" given the information I have at hand.

All you should need to do is remove the bottle from the vehicle at the event provided none of the rest of the system falls under the "unusual modification" category.

--Ashraf

What information do you have at hand that would make you say no? Would you ban a car that comes OE with nitrous? (Yes there is one and there might be more sooner rather than later.)

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

The Saleen Focus has the lines, but doesn't have it completely set up. Doing so voids the warranty automatically.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:47 am

Wes Eargle wrote:

The Saleen Focus has the lines, but doesn't have it completely set up. Doing so voids the warranty automatically.

Makes perfect sense. :roll:

Kind of like buying a Cobra-R factory built race car that can't be raced w/o voiding the warranty.

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:48 am

Wes Eargle wrote:

The Saleen Focus has the lines, but doesn't have it completely set up. Doing so voids the warranty automatically.

And your point is? Putting a supercharger on the car does the same thing. We don't ban those. M3 LTW parts voided their warranty, and those are not prohibited.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:55 am

Rich Anderson wrote:

Wes Eargle wrote:

The Saleen Focus has the lines, but doesn't have it completely set up. Doing so voids the warranty automatically.

And your point is? Putting a supercharger on the car does the same thing. We don't ban those. M3 LTW parts voided their warranty, and those are not prohibited.

None of those parts are prone to detonation when heated or mishandled.
If you insist on pointing out that there is no rule prohibiting it, one will be written. It's that simple. The only timed THSCC event where you'll be allowed to use it will be at the track across from Rockingham speedway, and that will just be a "fun" event.

Scott

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

My point is this: Yes there exists a car that comes with a nitrous bottle from a tuner. However, if one actually hooks up said bottle, it voids the warranty. This is different from the HPDE discussion, and I doubt that we'll see the market flooded with N2O fitted cars in the future.

Ashraf Farrag · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:50 pm

Rich,

Rich Anderson wrote:

What information do you have at hand that would make you say no?

Information at hand = my interpretation of the spirit of the safety regulations as well as a recollection (which is why I am checking up on this) that nitrous is not allowed at our events. We will have an official policy on this since you brought it up and it is a legitimate concern since we do have all sorts of street vehicles running our HPDE events.

Add to the flammabilty issue that it is a compressed gas and as I understand, a breakage of the valve may send the cylinder flying (inferring from my welding safety knowledge to anchor gas cylinders)...I'm not sure what pressures the nitrous cylinders run at, though...

--Ashraf

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:00 pm

Ashraf Farrag wrote:

I'm not sure what pressures the nitrous cylinders

1000 PSI minimum the way I've read it.

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:48 pm

scottjohnson wrote:

None of those parts are prone to detonation when heated or mishandled.
If you insist on pointing out that there is no rule prohibiting it, one will be written. It's that simple. The only timed THSCC event where you'll be allowed to use it will be at the track across from Rockingham speedway, and that will just be a "fun" event.

Scott

When did I insist on anything? Take it down a notch, Scott. If N2O isn't allowed, I'll run with other people. No big deal. I am big enough that I will survive switching to different groups and THSCC is big enough to survive the loss of one instructor.

Ashraf Farrag wrote:

Information at hand = my interpretation of the spirit of the safety regulations as well as a recollection (which is why I am checking up on this) that nitrous is not allowed at our events. We will have an official policy on this since you brought it up and it is a legitimate concern since we do have all sorts of street vehicles running our HPDE events.

Add to the flammabilty issue that it is a compressed gas and as I understand, a breakage of the valve may send the cylinder flying (inferring from my welding safety knowledge to anchor gas cylinders)...I'm not sure what pressures the nitrous cylinders run at, though...

They run at 1000-1200 psi (about the same as you brake fluid under use, hence the use of similar hoses). However, pressure containment is not a major worry if you have (as I specified) an IHRA legal system which incorporates a pressure relief valve or disc. This will vent excess pressure well before the bottle has a chance to rupture. As for the breakage of the valve, I think that same would be true of the pressurized containers that are part of a fire system, ot in fact, any fire extinguisher.

Rich Anderson · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 2:08 pm

Ashraf, once last thing. If you do decide to categorically ban nitrous oxide systems (which I obviously hope that you do not), you will have to append the reciprocity of NASA and SCCA logbooks as both those sanctioning bodies do permit its use.

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Tech Question - Nitrous Oxide

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