Get Involved - Advice For the Entry Level Drag Racer

So you have the car and the desire but you currentlyelapsed time and mile per hour of your vehicle will
lack the right direction in where to show off your hotdictate specific rule requirements.
rod. Pointing newcomers in the right direction isFor racers entering a test 'n tune at an NHRA
something I can assist with. However, the desire tosanctioned track, their car will be expected to meet
put forth an effort and build a suitable car that youspecifications set forth for the Summit Racing Series.
enjoy is truly in your hands. Assuming you alreadyThe Summit Racing Series is NHRA's regular weekly
have the race car, then you are right on your waybracket series held at NHRA member tracks. The
to being ready to make your drag strip debut.Summit Racing Series consists of four primary
Making the choice to take your car to the drag stripclasses: Super Pro (7.00 - 11.99-seconds ET), Pro
is a wise one. The alternate, illegal street racing is just(9.00 - 13.99-seconds ET), Sportsman (12.00 -
that: illegal, reckless, and deadly. Driving on public19.99-seconds ET), and Motorcycle (7.50-seconds ET
roads is a privilege, not a right. So always considerand slower). Depending on the track, a High School
the consequences of driving reckless on the streetsonly category may be contested.
and understand you put your and innocentAssuming you intend to bring your street legal vehicle
bystanders' lives at risk.to the drag strip, your car will most likely only need
The National Hot Rod Associate (NHRA) wasto comply with NHRA Summit Racing Series
founded over 50 years ago to combat an epidemicsportsman and pro class requirements and
that existed then and still remains a serious issuespecifications.
today. NHRA's original motto was and still continuesSo you've thought about it and finally have chosen to
to be their "dedication to safety." Organized dragtake your street vehicle to the drag strip to get a
racing meets sprouted up throughout southernfirst-hand sense of what the drag strip is really all
California in the early 1950s with a reason. Raceabout. Don't feel obligated to shell out your hard
organizers worked with law enforcement to createearned cash on a top notch race only drag car right
an alternative for speed hungry gear heads. Ratheraway. Simply taking your street vehicle to a test 'n
than spend time and resources trying to catch andtune will give you a feel for the drag strip and help
arrest illegal street racers, sanctioning bodies beganyou decide if this is something you really want to get
hosting drag meets, offering a safe and legalinvolved in. For many racers, one blast down the drag
environment to race their cars.strip commits them for life, as they instantly become
Today, young tuners and hot-rodders are offeredaddicted. That's a good thing. Yes, it is an expensive
the same opportunities. Test 'n Tunes are the easiestsport, hobby, or profession but you can spend your
way to break into the sanctioned drag racing scene.money, time, and effort in far worse ways.
They are inexpensive, safe, and enjoyable. TypicalSo you have your bone stock street vehicle and the
test 'n tune events cost approximately $15-20. Yes,desire to drag race. Now what? Well, it is pretty
that abandoned country road is free, but justsimple at this point: go drag racing! Well, almost. Let's
consider that for only $15 you can race on atake a quick look at the driver credential
professionally prepared and well lit racing surface thatrequirements.
the pros race down, collect data on your car withAll drivers at any level racing on an NHRA-sanctioned
time slips, and meet a bunch of fellow racers withdrag strip are required to have a state or
your same interests.government issued drivers license that exceeds a
Taking your car to the track for the first time is anlearner's permit. If, however, you plan to compete at
exciting experience. Cruising through the pits, makingan NHRA divisional or national level event, you will
laps down the track, and showing of your set ofneed an NHRA membership and an NHRA competition
wheels is fun and rewarding. NHRA/IHRA sanctionedlicense. There are also required licenses for drivers
drag strips require strict, although reasonable technicalwho run 9.99-seconds or quicker. There are four
specifications for the cars in competition. So beforelicense-Types: Type-A: Longer than 125" wheelbase
you get too lost in your drag strip day dreams, be(typically dragsters), Type-B: 125" wheelbase or
certain you are brining a race ready car that is legalshorter (funny cars or door cars), Type-C: Pro Stock
for on track activities.and Pro Modified classes, and Type-D: Reserved for
First, buy the latest NHRA rulebook. Non-NHRAmotorcycle or all-terrain type vehicles. To each license
members can pick up a hardcopy of the 2010type are various classes signifying what specific
rulebook for $10. NHRA members have the option ofclasses or ETs that license permits the driver to run.
downloading the free online E-Book or spending $7 onFor all specially licensed drivers running 9.99-seconds
a hard copy. To participate in your local tracks'or quicker, a physical is required before licensing can
weekly bracket program or test 'n tunes DOES NOTbegin.
require a membership with that sanctioning body. TheAs suggested in the NHRA rulebook, novice racers
rulebook will serve as your guide to race car andare invited to seek advice in getting started by calling
safety gear requirements. Generally, the quarter-mileNHRA headquarters, (626) 914-4761.