In an effort to minimize the escalating costs of using professional nitromethane, the NHRA is updating its policies on selected category vehicles—Top Fuel and Funny Car.

For the 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, which begins on February 5, professional nitromethane teams will be limited to four one-day test sessions, as opposed to being unlimited. All exhibitions, match racing, and licensing attempts will be covered by this new policy.

NHRA defines testing as: any run or attempted run conducted at any track whatsoever, whether or not it is an NHRA track or NHRA-sanctioned track.

If a team violates this testing policy, they will forfeit all NHRA Full Throttle points earned during the team’s next event or race. If a team demonstrates continual violation or flagrant disregard for the policy, the NHRA can extend punitive actions as deemed appropriate.

Late last year, motor sports experienced loss after loss. Many auto manufacturers backed away from their sponsorship contracts to save revenues. Depending on how the country handles the recession, motor sport rules and regulations might continue to change as we proceed through the year.