Not really a "problem" but kind of annoying at times...

If I want to jab the brakes hard at the finish line the front end noses down and takes the stripe instead of my tires. Now I'm not doing this all the time but sometimes when I have it has caused me to break out and lose.
So far the only two options we have come up with are making a "stripe taker" so that the front end always takes the stripe. Or somehow set the car up so the front end doesn't nose down when I jab the brakes.
I personally would prefer the car just didn't nose down, because I feel like I would have to find a new spot on everybody if I was trying to wheel race with a stripe taker. I just don't know enough about the suspension to know if it's possible to prevent the front end from doing that.
Also with a stripe taker, I wouldn't know how far to make it hang down because my front end sits up higher going down the track than it does when it's just sitting still...I think it's the rear squatting down which is causeing the front to be higher.

All suspension on the car is stock except for an aftermarket torque arm and subframe connectors.

Thanks for any advice

All cars will nose down when you jab the brakes hard. Third gens just happen to have a long nose that can trip the finish line beams easier.

Two options. Find some way to fabricate a stripe taker that's legal and won't affect normal driving OR don't hit the brakes until after you cross the finish line.

If you have to hit the brakes hard before crossing the finish line, you're sandbagging and have no excuse for losing by breaking the beam early. Dial in hard and run it out every time.

Actually, there's a third option. Install front end limiters so that the nose of the car wont extend. From a stationary position, limit the front end travel to 1 to 1-1/2"

One last option is to remove the ground effects. It won't look like a Z28 but also won't have stuff hanging down that will trip the beam if the nose drops.

In bracket racing, the brakes are a necessary tool for competition.

I would say longer bumpstops, but if your car wheel stands, you will also effect how it lands, possibly hurting something if you limit travel.

Stiffening the car or changing suspension travel will also effect the launch, so this may work against you.

Put a wire tie on the front strut shaft so you can measure the actual suspension travel. I would then compress the front suspension & measure to see what is tripping the beams.


If you can get away with a plate under the car to trip the beams consistently, this would be your best bet.

I think the NHRA rule book says the lowest the front end can be is 3 inches so a something hanging down would need to be at least 3 inches with the car at rest.