NEWTOWN DRAGWAY
RULES, REGULATIONS AND RACE PROCEDURES
GENERAL RACE REGULATIONS
ALL VEHICLES MUST PASS TECHNICAL INSPECTION BEFORE ANY RUNS ARE MADE
1. The procedures and regulations set forth in this document shall be followed in all racing events. These are a guide toward a universal racing goal, and interpretation will be made by event director. It is the racers responsibility to be aware of the contents of this document. The event director’s decision shall be final in all cases.
2. Sand Drags, unlike asphalt drags, are not designed to be run on hard surfaces. In building or preparing a vehicle to race, a competitor should keep in mind that there may be holes at the stating line and also ridges, ruts and uneven surfaces down track. These are not intended to make the race more difficult, but are part of the sport. Every reasonable effort to maintain the racing surface to its optimum level will be taken.
3. Drivers must be at least 16 years of age and have proper identification at the time of competition.
4. All points awarded are the property of the driver or team and cannot be transferred under any circumstances; neither are points transferable from one category to another.
5. Time between rounds shall be set by the event director.
6. In cases of dual infractions on a competitive run, the vehicle making the worst infraction will be disqualified. If infractions are of an equal rank, the first infraction shall be disqualified.
7. In the event of a duel red start, the first, not the worst, to red light will be disqualified.
8. In cases where both opponents in a race, or a driver on a single run should have mechanical difficulties prior to the start, every effort will be made to determine a winner and a loser of the contest. When possible, this will include the allowance of a reasonable time period for the contestants to make repairs and to complete the race. However, if both vehicles break down or do not finish the race, both will be disqualified.
9. On any run of a handicap eliminator, if both vehicles break out, the vehicle breaking out the least will be declared the winner. If both vehicles break out the same amount, the first to finish will be declared the winner.
10. No refueling is permitted once the engine has been started for a competitive run.
11. All machines will be called to the staging area by the announcer. Only one call is required. Five minutes after the first call, any machine not appearing in the staging area will be subject for disqualification. If you are experiencing difficulties getting to the staging lanes, please notify an official and we will allow an appropriate amount of time for you.
12. Any vehicle left unattended in the staging lanes may be disqualified.
13. Odd number lanes will be pulled for the left lane, even for the right. In the event of more vehicles in one lane, lane choice will be determined by coin toss.
14. Bye-runs will be determined by draw of cards. In the event of even number of vehicles in a round of competition, the vehicle pulled for the bye-run will have lane choice.
15. Once a vehicle reaches the front of the staging lanes for a run, it must be prepared to start and race. A vehicle must stage under its own power. No dial-ins may be changed after vehicle has left the head of the staging lanes. After proper staging, it is not allowed to restage for a second attempt.
16. Failure to stage when so instructed by the starter, over staging or leaving the starting line before the timing system is activated will result in no E.T. for that run and disqualification.
17. If a vehicle is properly equipped with starter, battery etc., but will momentarily not start, one chance will be given to start the vehicle in the lanes; however, it must be repaired before the next round.
18. All vehicles must line up straight with the strip when making a run. No angled starts.
19. Any vehicle classified wrong must be reclassified before class eliminations or be disqualified.
20. During eliminations, any vehicle starting a run before the tree is activated will be automatically disqualified. Except, if both leave early, it will constitute a re-run.
21. Any machine touching any marker line during the measured race will be disqualified.
22. In determining lane boundary crossing violations, it is considered a disqualification when any portion of a tire touches the painted line surface. Contact with guard railing, barriers, or any other track fixture (i.e. “Christmas Tree,” Timing Equipment, Cones, etc.) is grounds for disqualification.
23. In situations where a driver is making a single run in eliminations, he is considered the automatic winner once he stages under power and receives the start. Lane boundary line crossing and red light disqualification rules do not apply on single runs.
24. No machine will be permitted to use the strip for return purposes. Violation will result in disqualification.
25. All contestants must turn off at the end of the strip and keep their speed to a minimum on the return road and in the pit area. Violation will result in disqualification.
26. Don’t leave vehicles unattended while running.
27. If an official observes any inadequacy in a competitor’s race vehicle, equipment, or conduct, the official may take whatever action he deems necessary to correct such inadequacy.
28. Competition regulations are presented in a positive manner. Final translation and rule changes are completely the option of the event director.
29. It is the racers’ responsibility to keep his vehicle legal and correctly classed, at all times. If a vehicle passes tech entry inspection it is not automatically declared legal.
30. There will be no consumption of alcohol by any driver of any vehicle until that person has completed competition for that day!!
31. Event director may waive, amend or modify any rule at any time for any single occurrence, for any good cause.
32. These rules and regulations are intended as a guide for the conduct of the sport and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death to participants or spectators. These rules express no implied warranty or safety in any way.
33. In the event that a situation arises that is not covered in this abbreviated rule book, we will use an IHRA or NHRA rule book to find a rule that most closely parallels the situation at hand.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
A VEHICLE CAN ENTER ONLY ONE CLASS PER EVENT
NO DELAY BOXES ALLOWED ON ANY COMPETITION VEHICLE
STREET
1. Competition numbers must be on front and right of vehicles, dial-ins on the right.
2. Street legal vehicles only.
3. D.O.T. tires.
4. Closed exhaust with mufflers.
5. No CO2 or electric actuated shifters.
6. No Trans Brakes and/or two steps
7. Front wheel line locks permitted on manual transmission vehicles to prevent rolling on starting line only.
8. No cut up vehicles.
9. 5.50 seconds and slower.
SAFETY REGULATIONS
1. Drivers must wear shirts, shoes and safety belt.
2. Vehicles must be equipped with a neutral safety switch.
3. A street vehicle may carry one passenger. The passenger must comply to the same rules
and regulations as the driver. The passenger is the responsibility of the driver, any infraction committed by the passenger could result in disqualification of the driver.
MODIFIED
1. Competition numbers must be on the front and right of vehicles, dial-ins on the right.
2. 6.49 seconds and faster.
SAFETY REGULATIONS
1. Drivers must wear shirts, shoes, long pants, safety belts and Snell approved helmets.
2. Vehicles must be equipped with a neutral safety switch and drive shaft safety loop.
3. Drivers of vehicles running 4.99 seconds and faster must wear a fire jacket.
4. Drivers of vehicles with no windshield must wear appropriate eye protection.
5. Vehicles equipped with a trans-brake must have a trans-shield, blanket or SFI certified aftermarket transmission case.
6. All vehicles that have altered and/or no longer retain the stock steel cab structure, must be equipped with a roll bar or roll cage and shoulder harness. All open bodied vehicles must be equipped with a roll cage, shoulder harness and arm restraints. All vehicles running 4.99 and faster must be equipped with a roll bar or roll cage and shoulder harness. The role bar/cage must meet the approval of the Tech Inspector and protect the driver from all angles and must be of adequate strength to support the weight of the vehicle.