Word On the Street
MM&FF Presents Tremec Transmissions True Street
True Street star Randy Seward...
True Street star Randy Seward hangs the fronts during the Spring Break Shootout in Bradenton, Florida.
True Street was created by the MM&FF staff to represent true street/strip Ford vehicles, and the NMRA has worked diligently to ensure this. Though not a points-based or championship-eligible class, it has been gaining popularity in recent years. And although tech has become increasingly demanding and stringent, True Street cars just seem to get faster every race. In fact, lately it is common to see some competitors in the 8s.
True Street is geared toward attracting local drivers and is open to non- members of NMRA. The class is open to '64-to-present Ford vehicles powered by Ford-based engines, and each vehicle must be street-certified and able to drive over 30 miles on the street. All vehicles must me registered, licensed, and insured, any number or type of power adders are permitted. Tires must be DOT-approved, and windows must be functional.
After all the cars are checked for eligibility and pass tech inspection, the class gathers for a brief meeting to discuss rules. Once all the cars are lined up and the hoods are closed, they are led on a 30-mile cruise on highway and city streets. After the cruise begins, competitors are prohibited from opening their hoods until after the competition is complete. The cruise ends back at the track, where the cars are lined up in the staging lanes for a cool-down period. No refueling or tire changing is allowed, but competitors adjust tire pressures after the cruise during cool-down.
New True Street Director Gene...
New True Street Director Gene Bergstrom addresses the competitors at the NMRA Houston race.
Once racing begins, each competitor makes three back-to-back timed runs. Tire pressure may be lowered, but drivers cannot add air once they have made their first pass. Though both lanes are usually used, drivers are only scored based on the average of the three runs. The fastest average is the winner, second fastest is the runner-up. There are also awards presented to the fastest 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, and 15-second averages.
There were big hopes for a 7-second average in 2011, but Texas' Angel Padilla fell just short in Joel Cura's LX coupe in Bradenton with an 8.04 average. The 7-second- capable car was sold shortly after and hasn't made another appearance—and so the record still stands. However, there are rumors flying of nearly a half-dozen 7-second True Street cars showing up at the season opener in March.
So come out and compete this season in the True Street competition when NMRA comes to your town. And as always, check out MM&FF for full True Street coverage.
2012 NMRA Keystone Event Schedule
March 1-4, 2012
18th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA Spring Break Shootout, presented by Steeda
Bradenton Motorsports Park
Bradenton, Florida
April 12-15, 2012
4th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals
Atlanta Dragway – Commerce, Georgia
May 4-6, 2012
11th Annual NMRA Ford Nationals, presented by Downs Ford Motorsport
Maryland Int'l Raceway – Mechanicsville, Maryland
June 15-16, 2012
9th Annual NMRA Ford Nationals
Milan Dragway – Milan, Michigan
July 12-15, 2012
7th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing, presented by Miller Welders
Route 66 Raceway - Joliet, Illinois
August 31 - September 2, 2012
34th Annual NMRA Ford Expo
National Trail Raceway – Columbus, Ohio
October 4-7, 2012
14th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA All-Ford World Finals
Beech Bend Raceway – Bowling Green, Kentucky
November 9-11, 2012
3rd Annual Nitto Tire NMRA/NMCA Lone Star Shootout
Royal Purple Raceway – Houston, Texas
For more info on the NMRA Ford Nationals, visit www.nmradigital.com or call 714/444-2426.