[ FAQ ] Drag Racing Etiquette and Basics
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[ FAQ ] Drag Racing Etiquette and Basics
Here are some common mistakes made by first time drag racers. Let's try to practice NOT making them.
1. If your car does not have slicks or drag radials (and no, bald street tires are not drag radials), don't drive through the water box. If you do, with normal radials you will simply drag water up to the starting line, making traction difficult for you, as well as for the next few guys behind you. Normal street radials should only require a few turns in the dry to remove debris and rocks as well as to bring them up to proper temperature. Yes, this applies to front as well as rear wheel drive cars.
2. Please don't bring your car onto the track if it's not in good operating condition. Fluid leaks are a big no no, so if you have a leaky radiator, don't race your car.
3. No air conditioning in the staging area or on the race track. Using a/c condenses water, which drops onto the ground, thus ruining the launch area for everyone. If you're running it on the track, you could cause a potentially dangerous situation for some of the higher powered guys. But most of all, a/c causes a drain to the system, and thus you will not be running at your best - which is the whole point of coming to the track, isn't it?
4. Be prepared to race when it's your turn. Don't leave your car in the staging lanes. This causes a delay if the line moves and you aren't there. Before you get in the staging lanes, make sure you have your race card turned in, your car tech'd (if applicable), and the number on your car (make sure it's legible!). Before you pull up to the line, roll up your windows, close your sunroof, have your seat belt on, and your radio off. Doing these things will help you prepare mentally and people won't think you are a newb.
5. Night racing: Head lights off, except when you've completed your run, and are navigating the return road to the ticket booth and back to the staging lanes. So, if you're in the staging line, starting line, and during the race, please keep your head lights off. This is a courtesy.
6. Night racing2: keep your parking lights on during racing. This is for safety reasons.
7. Breakage: Should something go wrong during your run, stop the car as quickly as possible and move it off to the side of the track. Don't try to finish your run! This prevents fluid leaks and "spare parts" from getting on the track, and aids in clean up time. Fellow racers will respect you much more for that, and above all, this is the safest thing you can do for you. The track officials will also thank you, and assist you in removing your car from the track. Finally, you can prevent further damage to your vehicle in this way.
8. Burnouts: Supposing you do have the proper tire to be doing one (see rule 1), please be respectful of your fellow racers and mindful of the track officials. Do not begin your burn out until the racers in front of you have left the starting line, or until the the track official gives you the go ahead to do so.
9. Courtesy Staging: Before you pull into the first set of the staging beams/lights make sure whoever you are racing is ready to run. In other words if you are ready and the other guy is still doing a burnout or has not started yet wait until they are done and then light up the first set of bulbs. Then after the other guy lights up the first set of bulbs you are set to roll into the next set of beams.
Some tracks or some events will actually make you back out of the lights and re-stage if you light both sets before the other guy does.
1. If your car does not have slicks or drag radials (and no, bald street tires are not drag radials), don't drive through the water box. If you do, with normal radials you will simply drag water up to the starting line, making traction difficult for you, as well as for the next few guys behind you. Normal street radials should only require a few turns in the dry to remove debris and rocks as well as to bring them up to proper temperature. Yes, this applies to front as well as rear wheel drive cars.
2. Please don't bring your car onto the track if it's not in good operating condition. Fluid leaks are a big no no, so if you have a leaky radiator, don't race your car.
3. No air conditioning in the staging area or on the race track. Using a/c condenses water, which drops onto the ground, thus ruining the launch area for everyone. If you're running it on the track, you could cause a potentially dangerous situation for some of the higher powered guys. But most of all, a/c causes a drain to the system, and thus you will not be running at your best - which is the whole point of coming to the track, isn't it?
4. Be prepared to race when it's your turn. Don't leave your car in the staging lanes. This causes a delay if the line moves and you aren't there. Before you get in the staging lanes, make sure you have your race card turned in, your car tech'd (if applicable), and the number on your car (make sure it's legible!). Before you pull up to the line, roll up your windows, close your sunroof, have your seat belt on, and your radio off. Doing these things will help you prepare mentally and people won't think you are a newb.
5. Night racing: Head lights off, except when you've completed your run, and are navigating the return road to the ticket booth and back to the staging lanes. So, if you're in the staging line, starting line, and during the race, please keep your head lights off. This is a courtesy.
6. Night racing2: keep your parking lights on during racing. This is for safety reasons.
7. Breakage: Should something go wrong during your run, stop the car as quickly as possible and move it off to the side of the track. Don't try to finish your run! This prevents fluid leaks and "spare parts" from getting on the track, and aids in clean up time. Fellow racers will respect you much more for that, and above all, this is the safest thing you can do for you. The track officials will also thank you, and assist you in removing your car from the track. Finally, you can prevent further damage to your vehicle in this way.
8. Burnouts: Supposing you do have the proper tire to be doing one (see rule 1), please be respectful of your fellow racers and mindful of the track officials. Do not begin your burn out until the racers in front of you have left the starting line, or until the the track official gives you the go ahead to do so.
9. Courtesy Staging: Before you pull into the first set of the staging beams/lights make sure whoever you are racing is ready to run. In other words if you are ready and the other guy is still doing a burnout or has not started yet wait until they are done and then light up the first set of bulbs. Then after the other guy lights up the first set of bulbs you are set to roll into the next set of beams.
Some tracks or some events will actually make you back out of the lights and re-stage if you light both sets before the other guy does.
