Bracket Talk
LH Steer Roadster Definition
September 11, 2025, 12:25 PM
Mike AllredLH Steer Roadster Definition
I’m refurbishing a LH steer street roadster to run in the local ET footbrake class. I’m thinking about removing the front fenders and running boards. Is a fenderless LH steer roadster permitted? The XHRA rule books are no help.
Mike Allred
Mike Allred
September 11, 2025, 12:30 PM
CURTIS REEDI run a roadster in footbrake also and have been doing so for years. It does however have the fenders and running boards on it.
We have had guys that ran cars without them and it was no problem. Usually local brackets are ruled by the tracks management but using xhra safety rules. I don't see how removing the fenders changes anything because you are still left of the center line.
These days if you have entry money that is usually all it takes. LOL
September 11, 2025, 02:54 PM
Lenny5160That's almost certainly going to be a 'Track Rule' rather than an 'HRA Rule'.
Around here, I've raced against many center-steer altereds and dragsters in No Box/Pro ET, even at the NHRA ET Finals.
Tony Leonard
September 11, 2025, 03:20 PM
Big SteveWe have a few center steer altered's that run in no box / footbrake and they dont have fenders or running boards so I don't see why it would make any difference if you have a left hand steer with no fenders or running boards.
Like others have said, if you have entry money they will gladly take it
September 11, 2025, 03:55 PM
RPROGASPay the $50 entry and run it, where we race no one cares.
Bob
ps: I have a really nice left hand steer '27 Davis roadster with a 582 for sale. Car, trailer and equipment.
September 11, 2025, 04:51 PM
CURTIS REEDquote:
Originally posted by Big Steve:
We have a few center steer altered's that run in no box / footbrake and they dont have fenders or running boards so I don't see why it would make any difference if you have a left hand steer with no fenders or running boards.
Like others have said, if you have entry money they will gladly take it
I ran Ardmore’s big money race last weekend and there were 2 altereds in Footbrake that were fast. One was running 5.teens
September 11, 2025, 07:11 PM
Mike AllredThat’s encouraging feedback guys. I’ll keep the fenders in the rafters if they’re needed. This thing should look pretty raw and retro with everything exposed. Should run high 5s in the eighth. Hitting the track next spring.
Thanks for the replies!
Mike Allred
September 11, 2025, 07:31 PM
Big Stevequote:
Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
quote:
Originally posted by Big Steve:
We have a few center steer altered's that run in no box / footbrake and they dont have fenders or running boards so I don't see why it would make any difference if you have a left hand steer with no fenders or running boards.
Like others have said, if you have entry money they will gladly take it
I ran Ardmore’s big money race last weekend and there were 2 altereds in Footbrake that were fast. One was running 5.teens
That would be Billy Simpson
September 11, 2025, 07:46 PM
wideopen231quote:
Originally posted by Big Steve:
We have a few center steer altered's that run in no box / footbrake and they dont have fenders or running boards so I don't see why it would make any difference if you have a left hand steer with no fenders or running boards.
Like others have said, if you have entry money they will gladly take it
Never understood the lh steer restriction. What is difference in driver in left or in center? Then never understood why nho dragster in footbrake. Not like advantage. Hell if anything only 2wheels with brakes has to be disadvantage.
Looks like to me with falling numbers letting anyone who want to run race. As long as box ,no box or footbrake requirement is met.
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September 12, 2025, 06:28 AM
CURTIS REEDquote:
Originally posted by wideopen231:
quote:
Originally posted by Big Steve:
We have a few center steer altered's that run in no box / footbrake and they dont have fenders or running boards so I don't see why it would make any difference if you have a left hand steer with no fenders or running boards.
Like others have said, if you have entry money they will gladly take it
Never understood the lh steer restriction. What is difference in driver in left or in center? Then never understood why nho dragster in footbrake. Not like advantage. Hell if anything only 2wheels with brakes has to be disadvantage.
Looks like to me with falling numbers letting anyone who want to run race. As long as box ,no box or footbrake requirement is met.
In an altered you don't have anything restricting your view to the left or right. When you are offset in a roadster the width of the car to the right makes things look different like a regular car.
Where I race motorcycles, dragsters and altereds are all good to go in footbrake.
September 12, 2025, 09:33 AM
sr4440If you want to run super gas or super rod, you will need the fenders, if not, just send it.
Without data, you’re just another guy with an opinion.
September 12, 2025, 10:28 AM
CURTIS REEDquote:
Originally posted by Big Steve:
quote:
Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
quote:
Originally posted by Big Steve:
We have a few center steer altered's that run in no box / footbrake and they dont have fenders or running boards so I don't see why it would make any difference if you have a left hand steer with no fenders or running boards.
Like others have said, if you have entry money they will gladly take it
I ran Ardmore’s big money race last weekend and there were 2 altereds in Footbrake that were fast. One was running 5.teens
That would be Billy Simpson
Don't know what was up on Sunday late but he got me and he dialed 5.80 so I ran him way down and dropped him. Broke him out pretty bad.
September 13, 2025, 04:47 AM
wideopen231quote:
Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
quote:
Originally posted by wideopen231:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Big Steve:
We have a few center steer altered's that run in no box / footbrake and they dont have fenders or running boards so I don't see why it would make any difference if you have a left hand steer with no fenders or running boards.
Like others have said, if you have entry money they will gladly take it
Never understood the lh steer restriction. What is difference in driver in left or in center? Then never understood why nho dragster in footbrake. Not like advantage. Hell if anything only 2wheels with brakes has to be disadvantage.
Looks like to me with falling numbers letting anyone who want to run race. As long as box ,no box or footbrake requirement is met.
In an altered you don't have anything restricting your view to the left or right. When you are offset in a roadster the width of the car to the right makes things look different like a regular car.
Where I race motorcycles, dragsters and altereds are all good to go in footbrake.[/QUOT
Asking why not allowed to run one in some class' while other is not. View of race does not seem to be reasonable for restricting one over the other.Then lot of **** does not seem reasonable now days.
America home of free. Brought to you by 2nd amendment.
September 22, 2025, 09:42 PM
moparacerThe left hand steer thing was done years ago to keep the dragsters out of footbrake.
Since footbrake has pretty much ceased to exist, which is a shame, it really doesn't matter as much anymore.
If they did let dragsters in "no box" or "bottom bulb" or whatever they want to call it, it would just hurt car counts IMO.
September 22, 2025, 10:11 PM
B KINGquote:
Originally posted by moparacer:
If they did let dragsters in "no box" or "bottom bulb" or whatever they want to call it, it would just hurt car counts IMO.
We had surprised visits from dragsters showing up at the Fling Million in "no box or bottom bulb" one year. It was supposed to be door cars only, but they were hurting for the quota & allowed them in. Not sure if they're still allowed but we sent them packing early. I don't think I've seen any since.
I'm a decent bottom bulb guy & probably a better top bulb guy. I don't really care if I race up to a race vehicle or tree advantage. I just want to know up front, so I can prepare for the round/race.
2BKING

1980 Camaro
Taking the Best Working Small Tire Shyt Box & making it Greater Than Before!
3000 lbs.
Pump Gas 436
September 22, 2025, 10:29 PM
Big SteveWe have a dragster that runs no box, BBC, tunnel ram with Enderle hat MFI. Odd combo but goes rounds
September 23, 2025, 06:48 AM
CURTIS REEDAround here it's all real Footbrake. The manual starting line throttle controls aren't even allowed but dragsters are.
The last one I raced in Footbrake I spotted him. It was weird going past the guy and driving up to his front wheels. No, I didn't get there. LOL Thought I did but nope.

September 23, 2025, 07:19 AM
moparacerquote:
Originally posted by Big Steve:
We have a dragster that runs no box, BBC, tunnel ram with Enderle hat MFI. Odd combo but goes rounds
I ran a dragster from 2001-2005. Fooling around one day I tried footbraking it. I immediately realized I could leave at a fast idle, and kill the tree. I did it just to know I had a backup if I lost the box or transbrake. But being a long time old school footbraker, I would never try to run a dragster in footbrake.
Dragsters are meant for Super Pro.
September 23, 2025, 07:25 AM
Curly1quote:
Originally posted by B KING:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by moparacer:
I don't really care if I race up to a race vehicle or tree advantage. I just want to know up front, so I can prepare for the round/race.
2BKING
I also want to know what payout, rules etc and want them to stick to it.
There was one track who was terrible, They would say No Box payout $1,000, no buybacks and then after first round they say "BuyBack window is open and pay out is $750" You are already there, you have paid your money and ran first round, now what are you going to do? Or just at end of race payout was supposed to be $1500 they give you a check for $900 and when you complain they say that is what it is take it or leave it. They are now out of business.
I really do not care too much what the rules are just let me know and stick to it so I can make my plan with in the rules. I do not care if I run a dragster, roadster, door car or what ever but I do want to know so I can plan on it. Sometimes I will have a different strategy if they are considerably faster or slower.
I think NHRA considers a Roadster with left hand steer and fenders as a door car. But what ever track you race at can make their own rules on that if it is allowed or not.
https://postimg.cc/gallery/np3zpruo/"Dunning-Kruger Effect"
-a type of Cognitive bias where people with little expertise or ability assume they have superior expertise or ability. This overestimation occurs as a result of the fact that they do not have enough knowledge to know they don't have enough knowledge.
Before you argue with someone ask yourself, "Is this person mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of a different perspective?" If not there is no point to argue.
4X NE2 CHAMPION. 2020 TDRA NE2 Champion
September 28, 2025, 07:35 AM
wideopen231quote:
Originally posted by moparacer:
quote:
Originally posted by Big Steve:
We have a dragster that runs no box, BBC, tunnel ram with Enderle hat MFI. Odd combo but goes rounds
I ran a dragster from 2001-2005. Fooling around one day I tried footbraking it. I immediately realized I could leave at a fast idle, and kill the tree. I did it just to know I had a backup if I lost the box or transbrake. But being a long time old school footbraker, I would never try to run a dragster in footbrake.
Dragsters are meant for Super Pro.
Made my point on why not let them run if want to. They have zero advantage and two wheel brakes are big disadvantage. Hey if they want to contribute to the pot why not take them in?
I do not see the view from center or left hand being a big difference, Then have not figured out why everyone says I will not be able to see other car with high side panels on FED. Hell I have 20 feet of clear frontal side view. If I do not see other guy he is not in the game and probably broke on the line.
While I see rules for fenders and all in some aspects. Mainly it is a rule and thier sandbox. I like both looks. On left hand steer I think finders look cool with center steer both cool. No finder has to have lot less air drag.
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