ISRA Safety Pick Program

2011 Iowa Safety Inspectors

The Safety Pick Program is designed as an incentive to ISRA members to get their vehicles inspected. Due to the nature of this sport, many of the vehicles are modified to some extent and many others are totally constructed from the ground up. That'swhy we feel it is very important to understand that you need somoene to check them over periodically for safety-related items.

That's why we work with the National Street Rod Association to have their inspection team with their minimum safety requirements inspect our member cars. Once a vehicle has passed the 16-point required inspection (23 recommended) it will be eligible at any of the ISRA safety pick events.

There is no charge for the SPP as it is offered to the members for their own safety and well being. Please consider this program for the upcoming season.

Interstate 35 & Highway 30 are the dividers for each Iowa Region.

NW Region Rep—Steve Rosenberg, xlssteve@mchsi.com

NE Region Rep—Rich Redix, rjredix@yahoo.com

SW Region Rep—Gerd Johnston, gerd4@q.com

SE Region Rep—Ron Spurgeon, rmspurgeon@hotmail.com

NSRA State Safety Inspector—Darrel (Ding) Hansen, ding.1939@hotmail.com

Safety Pick Guidelines

Any current ISRA member/vehicle is eligible if their vehicle has a current NSRA safety sticker.

If you have not yet had your vehicle inspected you should get to the event early and coordinate a time with the Regional Rep or the Safety Inspector for an inspection. One street rod through 48 and one cstom 49 to current will be chosen from those that are eligible.

NOTE: An owner/vehicle combination may win only one safety event for the year. Safety pick winners will not be eligible for competition in the following year.

Vehicle Safety Requirements

The 16 items that follow are REQUIRED for participation in the ISRA Safety Pick program. If the vehicle being inspected satisfies all of the items outlined below, the NSRA State Inspector will affix an annual NSRA Safety Inspection Verification Sticker to the vehicle's windshield. This annual inspection certification sticker will be honored through May of the following year.

Horn. An electrically operated horn, which can be heard at a distance of at least 200-feet in front of the vehicle, is required. A switch (horn button) used to engage the horn must be easily accessible to the driver when operating the vehicle.

Speed Indicator. A working speedometer or tachometer is required. If a tachometer is used, a mark indicating 55-mph is required.

Rear View Mirror. One required on either the inside of the vehicle or outside on the driver's side. Mirror must be security mounted with no cracks.

Glass. Safety plate, Lexon, or tempered glass required. No cracks that intrefere wityh the driver's vision or allow one piece of glass to be removed. No exposed sharp edges allowed. No stone chips larger than 1-inch in diameter. all openings designed for glass must have glass installed unless vehicle is modified to elimate window openings. If vehicle doesn't have identification markings on glass (AS-2, safety plate, etc.), use an object such ads a pencil to a check for a double image. Plexiglass not allowed.

Lighting. Two headlights required. All headlights must be equipped with two-position dimmer switch that will lower and raise the candlepower of the headlights. Rheostate type switch allowed. Vehicle must be equipped with a taillight, brake light and a license plate that illuminates the license plate. Two taillights and two brake lights are recommended.

Windshield Wiper. Vehicle must be equipped with at least one electric or vacuum operated wiper located in front of driver. Hand operated wiper is not acceptable. Clamp on electric wiper is acceptable on open vehicles only if wiring and clamp mechanism is well engineered. Clamp on wiper not allowed on convertibles with folding tops and closed vehicles. Wiper assembly may be installed in removable top. Suction cups and magnetic devices not allowed. Wiper arm and blad must be installed at time of inspection. Blad cannot be damaged.

Automatic Transmission Lockout. Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission must be equipped with a neutral safety switch that allows the vehicle to start in either neutral and/or park only.

Tires. D.O.T. MARKING REQUIRED. Must have 3/32-inch minimum tread depth. Should not rub body or frame of vehicle. No sidewall cuts, cracks, or tread cuts which expose tire cord. Slicks not allowed.

Steering. Two-inch play in steering wheel allowed. Three-inches of play allowed in vehicles equipped with flexible steering coupler (rag joint). The steering box and column must be mounted in a manner that allows only minimum flex or movement of the steering box or column when pressure is applied to the system. The steering system cannot have any bind in it or come in contact with tires, headers, radius rods, etc., when turned to the entire right or left. Unconventional steering components are not allowed (Example: chain drive, sprockets, electrical solenoids, etc.). Steering components must be produced for automotive use.

Throttle Linkage. Vehicle must be equipped with an accelerator control system that returns the vehicle's throttle to an idle position when the driver removes the actuating force (generally the foot) from the accelerator (gas pedal). Check to make sure the linkage does not travel past center of the carburetor in a fully depressed position. Accelerator pedal and linkage must be securely attached. Check so there are no obstructions that would cause the accelerator pedal to stick in an open position. If the vehicle is equipped with cruise control, the device cannot interfere with the normal operation of the throttle linkage. Dual return spring recommended.

Fuel System. No leaks allowed. If fuel tank is located in trunk or interior of vehicle, the tank must be vented to the outside of the vehicle, and have a sealed inlet (filler) pipe. Check venting of the fuel tanks on T-buckets, which is usually installed in the bed area along with the battery. Clear plastic fuel lines not allowed unless the lines have braid showing through the plastic. Copper tubing and neoprene allowed.

Exhaust System. No leaks allowed. The system must be mounted in a safe and secure fashion so as not to interfere with the operation of the vehicle. No part of the exhause system may pass through the passenger-carrying compartment of the vehicle. Tail pipes cannot end before the rear edge of the front door and must exit exhaust away from vehicle.

Self-aligning Rod Ends. Check for cracks and fractures in housing. This check will also include checking tie rod ends for fractures and excessive.

Shock Absorbers. One automotive-type shock absorber per wheel required. Shocks should have a minimum of two-inches of travel in each direction. Smashed or severely leaking shocks (not slight dampness) are cause for rejectoin. If vehicle is depressed, it should stop vertical motion in two cycles.

Brakes. Four-wheel hydraulic brakes required. Dual master cylinder recommended. Check brake pedal travel in both directions. Rod to master cylinder must not fall out when pedal is pulled back, and adequate pedal must remain when pedal is depressed. No leaks. All brake lines must be steel or equivalent. No copper tubing allowed. Check for damp spots on lower edge of backing plate and on disc rotors. Check length and condition of flexible brake lines when front wheels are turned to extreme right or left. All flexible brake hoses must have a bracket installed between the flexible line and the steel line. This bracket must be securely mounted to the body, frame, or another part of the vehicle such as the differential housing.

Scrub Line. On both the front and rear suspension of the vehicle, stretch a taut string from the bottom of each wheel rim to the bottom of each of the other three tires at the road surface. If any part of the steering, suspension, or chassis is below this string, the vehicle will fail scrub line. Allow an additional 1/4-inch assuming the tire will not come off the rim if the tire should go flat. Items exempt from scrub line check will include body sheet metal, bumpers, exhause system, oil and transmission pan.

The 7 items the follow are RECOMMENDED. If the vehicle being inspected satisfies all of the items outlined above and all of those that follow, a "SAFETY 23" pin will be awarded to the vehicle owner in addition to the NSRA Safety Inspection Vehicle Sticker.

Windshield. Must be safety plate. AS-1 recommended.

Shift Pattern. Shift pattern must be visible within area of shift lever. A permanently attached plate is recommended. Masking tape or equivalent not allowed. Not required on 3-speed manual transmission equipped vehicle.

Fuel Lines. Should be safely mounted and routed. If the fuel lines need an additional clamp or can be moved without any major problems, the vehicle will pass. However, if any fuel line is leaking or is mounted in such a manner that it comes in contact with the exhaust system or any moving part of the vehicle and cannot be moved, the vehicle will fail.

Parking Brake. Place vehicle in drive or slip clutch. Parking brake should keep the vehicle from moving at engine idle. Line Loc is not recommended because it uses the primary braking and electrical systems.

Self-Aligning Rod Ends. All rod end bearings that have any misalignment should have 1/8 to 1/4-inch spacer on ech side of the ball. Misalignment should not exceed 10 degrees. Rod ends and 4-bar parallel radius rod system rubber bushed rod ends should have a safety washer at least the same outside diameter as the housing or larger.

Brake Lines. Should be safety mounted and routed. If the brake lines need an additional clamp or can be moved without a major problem, the vehicle will pass. If the brake line is leaking, crushed, or mounted in such a manner that it comes in contact with the exhaust system or any other moving part of the vehicle and cannot be moved, the vehicle will fail inspection.

Chassis Fasteners. All chassis fasteners should have some type of locking device (lockwashers, cotter pins, self-locking nuts, or safety wire) installed. A minimum of at least one thread should be exposed. If NyLoks are used, thread should pass through the plastic and be exposed. Loctite not accepted because it is impossible to prove it has been used.

The following items are not part of the NSRA Inspection Program, but should be considered for your safety: Fire extinguisher (in driver/passenger compartment), seat belts, third brake light, dual master cylinder.

3 Part Series of NSRA safety inspection coming to your August, September and October Newsletter:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

ISRA Safety Pick Shows for 2012:

SW July 28

9^th Annual Car Show

Swan Lake State Park

Carroll, IA

Contact: Paul Baumhover, 712-792-4046 or 712-790-3026

SE Aug. 26

12th Annual Cruise to the Carousel Car Show