Drag Racing Basics

A Beginner’s

Guide to Drag

Ra cing

Gainesville Raceway

11211 N. County Road 225

Gainesville, FL 32609

352-377-0046

www.GainesvilleRaceway.com

HOW TO

DRAG RACE

Drag Racing Basics...

Simply, Drag Racing is defined as an accelera-

tion contest between two cars. The cars race from a stand-

ing start down a precisely measured, straight-line track. A

drag racing event is a series of two vehicle, tournament

style eliminations with the losing driver of each race being

eliminated until only one is left standing.

There are two types of Drag Racing: Heads-Up and Handi-

capped Racing. In Heads-Up competition, both drivers start

at the same time and the fastest vehicle is the winner.

Handicapped Racing is a little more complicated. The object

of Handicapped Racing is to predict the amount of time it

will take for your vehicle to cross the finish line.

A race is started by means of an electric device called a

Christmas Tree, named so because of its multi-colored

lights. Each Christmas Tree has seven lights on each side:

two small lights, followed by three, larger, amber colored

LED lights, then a right light, and finally a green light (See

Diagram below).

The best way to get started is to attend a “test and tune”

session, normally held on Wednesday nights from April

through November. At a “test and tune” event you are given

the chance to practice your starting procedure, learn how

your car reacts to tuning adjustments, and make passes

down the track without the pressure of competition. A “test

and tune” also gives you a chance to observe other drivers

and ask questions about how you can improve. Most drivers

are eager to give pointers to fellow racers.

Drag Strip Diagram.. Getting Started…

1. Gate Entry: Pay & receive Tech Card for class you’re

running.

2. Pit Parking: You may park anywhere in the pits except

behind tow rigs.

3. Tech Inspection: Fill out card completely and clearly.

A track official will tech and give your vehicle a number.

4. Staging Lanes: After tech, proceed to staging lanes

(numbered lanes that get you to the starting line). Lis-

ten to PA (88.5FM) or ask a track official to find out

which lane to go to. At the head of the staging lanes,

you will be pulled out and stopped so your car number

can be recorded. Have all your safety equipment and

be ready to race. Do not leave your car unattended.

5. Burn Outs: You will be directed to the burn out box.

You can go through the water or around. Pay attention

to track officials at starting line. They will let you know

when to start your burn out and how to stage.

6. Staging: After burn out proceed to starting line. The

2nd set of yellow bulbs on the timing tree indicates you

are staged and ready to race. The starter will start the

tree and lights will start coming down.

7. Finish Line: Exit the drag strip at the gate in the right

side guard wall. Do not turn in front of another vehicle.

Do not back up or turn around on the track. Continue to

the end of the pavement and exit to the right.

8. Time Slips: After you exit the track, follow the road to

the time slip building. A track official will hand you your

time slip with your times.

Grand Stands

Pit Side Grand Stands

A B C D E F

Pit Side Grand Stands

G H J K L M

Burn Out Area

Pre-Staged Light Beam

Staged Light Beam/Starting Line

Guard Beam

MPH Light Beam

1/4 Mile Finish Line Light Beam

Shutdown Area

Emergency Turn Off Gate

First Turn Off Gate

Last Turn Off Gate

1/8 Mile

Finish

Line

66’

1/8

Mile

1/4

Mile

The Christmas Tree

Barn

Tech

Time Slips

** Not to scale

Gravel Trap

01/19/2012

BREAKOUT: Used only in handicap racing, refers to a con-

testant running quicker than he or she predicted. Usually,

the driver who breaks out loses. If both drivers break out,

the one who runs closest to his or her dial, or prediction, is

the winner.

BURNOUT: Spinning the rear tires in water to heat and

clean them prior to a run for better traction. A burnout pre-

cedes every run when using slicks or drag radials.

CHRISTMAS TREE: The Tree, as it is often called, is the

noticeable electronic staring device between lanes on the

starting line. It displays a calibrated-light countdown for each

driver.

DEEP STAGED: A driver is deep staged when, after stag-

ing, he or she rolls a few inches farther, which causes the

pre-stage lights to go out. In that position, the driver is closer

to the finish line, but dangerously close to a foul start.

DIAL-IN: The elapsed time you think your car will run, up to

hundredths of a second, used in handicapped racing. The

number must be written in liquid chalk on the upper-right

windshield, driver’s side window and upper-left rear window.

ELAPSED TIME (E.T.): The time it takes a vehicle to travel

from the starting line to the finish line.

FOUL START (RED LIGHT): The foul start is indicated by a

red light on the bottom of the Christmas Tree when a car

has left the starting line before receiving the green light, or

starting signal.

PRE-STAGED: When a driver is approximately seven inch-

es behind the starting line and the small yellow lights atop

his or her side of the Christmas Tree are glowing

REACTION TIME: The time is takes a driver to react to the

green starting light on the Christmas Tree, measured in

thousandths of a second. The reaction time counter begins

when the last amber light flashes on the Tree and stops

when the vehicle clears the stage beam.

SPEED TRAP: The final 66 feet to the finish line where

speed is recorded.

STAGED: A driver is staged when the front wheels of the

car are on the starting line and the small yellow lights below

the pre-staged lights on his or her side of the Christmas

Tree are glowing. Once a driver is staged, the calibrated

countdown may begin at any time.

Drag Racing Terms... Ground Rules...

SPEED LIMIT: 15 MPH anywhere in the facility for ALL vehi-

cles. Burnouts, trans-brake tests, etc. will not be tolerated in

the pits, or in the staging lanes.

FLUID DISPOSAL: All waste motor oil and solvents are to

be disposed of in the specified containers provided. Trash

barrels are for trash ONLY. Please contact track personnel if

you cannot locate a fluid disposal container.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES & DRUGS: Alcoholic beverages

are permitted for spectators only and are NOT permitted in

the staging lanes at any time. Use of alcohol or drugs by a

driver will result in automatic disqualification and possible

suspension of competition privileges.

P.A. & RADIO: Racers should monitor the track P.A. system,

which is simulcast on 88.5 FM radio, for instructions, lane

assignments, or changes and general information.

PIT VEHICLES: All vehicles, ATV’s, scooters, etc. will be

operated only by licensed divers (except for Jr. Dragsters).

Vehicles will obey all speed limits, parking regulations, and

other rules pertaining to vehicles. Vehicles must display the

competition number assigned to the driver’s vehicle. Pit vehi-

cles will be impounded if left in the staging lanes and the

driver may be disqualified. A designated area will be provid-

ed for these vehicles.

RESTRICTED AREA: Area beyond the competition line at

front of the staging lanes requires a Restricted Area

Pass/Wristband. Unauthorized transfer of pass/wristband will

result in ejection from property. All vehicles in this area must

have windows up, seat belt on, and A/C off.

TECH INSPECTIONS: Required for all vehicles prior to any

run on the track.

DIAL-INS: Dial-in time must be placed on right front and

tower side of all vehicles in bracket races. Dial-ins may be

changed between rounds; they may not be changed after the

vehicle has crossed the competition line at the front of the

staging lanes without approval of staging coordinator. The

driver accepts any dial-in displayed on the scoreboard once

the run has been initiated.

STAGING LANES: Drivers are to remain with the vehicle

when in the lanes. Failure to be prepared to run when in-

structed could result in a loss of time trial session or disquali-

fication.

BURNOUTS: Do not cross the starting line under power

during a burnout, except at direction of the starter.

Gainesville Raceway

Programs...

Race Class

Specifications...

*These are only references and is in no way intended to supersede

the General or E.T. requirements in the current NHRA rule book.

NHRA rule books are available at the track.

NON ELECTRONICS / FOOTBRAKE

 Long pants and full T-shirt (no nylon or nylon type), full

shoes and socks (no open toed shoes). No tank tops.

 Fire jacket required for 11.49 and quicker

 At 13.99 or quicker must have Snell 2005 or newer

helmet

 A roll bar is mandatory in any full-bodied car running

11.00-11.49 and convertibles running 11.00-13.49

 A roll cage is mandatory 10.99 and quicker; chassis

certified 9.99 and quicker

ELECTRONICS / PRO CYCLE

 All requirements above

 High top shoes or boots (leather) - cycles

 Full face helmet with clear face shield - cycles

 Full leathers meeting SFI spec 40.1/2 mandatory on all

motorcycles running 120mph and faster - cycles

 Fire suit 32A/5 & neck collar required 9.99 and quicker

 9.99 and quicker NHRA competition license and chas-

sis certification required

TRUE STREET / STREET CYCLE

 100% street legal

 Full face helmet, leather jacket, leather gloves, leather

shoes above the ankle, and long pants for cycles

 Full leathers meeting SFI spec 40.1/2 on all cycles

running 120mph and faster

 Ignition cut off switch with lanyard mandatory 10.99

and quicker - cycles

WEDNESDAY NIGHT TEST AND TUNE &

STREET LEGAL DRAGS

 $25 to Race, $5 to Watch

 Children Under 12 FREE

 Gates open at 6:30pm; Run 7:00 pm-10:30 pm

 1/4 Mile

SATURDAY DAYTIME TEST AND TUNE &

STREET LEGAL DRAGS

 $25 to Race, $5 to Watch

 Children Under 12 FREE

 Gates open at 11:00am; Run 11:30am-3:30 pm

 1/4 Mile

1/8 MILE SUMMIT ET RACING SERIES**

 Adult Spectators & Crew $10

 Children Under 12 FREE

 Electronic and Footbrake: $45 Car and Driver

 Street Cycle and True Street: $25 Car/Bike and Driver

 Junior Dragster: $25 Car and Driver

 Open Comp** $45 Car and Driver

**Schedule of race dates, racer payout and point system

information located on the website.

(www.GainesvilleRaceway.com)