Bass Race Highlights

• Simple rules.
• Contestants must play music (instead of tones, sweeps, etc.)
• Contestants are classified by the performance of their system (as opposed to equipment, cost, experience, etc.)
• Contestants are required to skillfully control the operation of their sound system. (This added dimension adds excitement to the contest.)

A Bass Race competition is comprised of two parts… Qualifying & Eliminations.

Qualifying

During qualifying, each contestant’s sound system is measured with an SPL (Sound Pressure Level) meter. This meter measures the average SPL of the contestant’s sound system in dB over a period of 30 seconds. (Remember, you can only use music CD’s while competing. In addition, all doors, windows, and other openings to the vehicle must be closed.) At the end of the 30 second measurement period, the contestant will be placed into one of six Bass Race classes based upon the contestant’s score.

The classes are:

• 120.0 dB to 129.9 dB
• 130.0 dB to 139.9 dB
• 140.0 dB to 149.9 dB
• 150.0 dB to 159.9 dB

This method of classification groups contestants with similar scores in the same class. The result is a contest that is fair for the contestants and exciting for everyone!

Eliminations

After everyone has had an opportunity to qualify, the 8 loudest contestants in each class will be randomly paired against one another in the quarter-final elimination bracket. Each pairing of competitors will compete against one another in a head-to-head fashion. The winner will advance to the next round of eliminations and the loser will be eliminated from the contest. This form of competition will continue (semi-finals and finals) until there is a winner for each class.

The elimination rounds are where things get tricky. The following violations will result in a score of ZERO.

• Red Light – Playing your sound system BEFORE the 30 second clock begins.
• Over Shot – Exceeding your classes’ maximum score at any time during the run. (Example: A contestant scoring a 132.0 at any time during an elimination run in the 120.0 – 129.9 class would result in a score of ZERO.)
• Over Rev – Revving the motor in excess of 2000 RPM’s.
• Venting – Opening a door, trunk, hatch, sun-roof, window, etc. during the run.
• High Freq – Playing a bass note in excess of 80 Hz to obtain a maximum average score.
• Test Tones – Using test tones or sine sweeps for program material.

Tie Breaker

In the case of a tie, the following steps will take place to determine the winner…

·First Tie-Breaker – Re-run the round.
·Second Tie-Breaker – Shut down the engines and re-run the round.
·Third Tie-Breaker – Shut down the engines and re-run the round by operating the system from outside the vehicle.

Although the rules for Bass Race may seem simple, a certain amount of practice will be required to become proficient. The following section will help you improve your score.



DB Drag RACING:


dB Drag Racing is an auto sound competition format where competitors compete against one another to see who has the loudest car stereo system.