Track Rules

SAFETY

For the safety of all spectators and drivers, this track abides by NHRA guidelines and licensing requirements.  All persons entering the facility agree to abide by all rules and safety & licensing requirements set forth by NHRA.  In addition, the following rules must be adhered to:

 

FOOD AND BEVERAGES

We have a full concession stand at US19 Dragway.  You can view the menu by clicking on the FAQ’s button on the main page of the website.  You may also bring in coolers and grills for your own tailgate party.  For your convenience, you may purchase bags of ice in the main concessions building.  For the safety of others, please do not:

 

JUNIOR DRAGSTERS

Junior dragster drivers must be at least 8 years old and may race junior dragsters until the end of the calendar year in which they turn 18.  All junior dragster drivers must have a current NHRA competition license and full safety equipment.
All cars must have at least one working tail light.

 

SPORTSMAN CLASS

In the Sportsman Class, the vehicle may not be lightened and must have a complete interior.  You must have mufflers and have current tags and insurance.  Vehicles must run 8.20 or slower in the 1/8th mile.  Drivers must have a valid driver’s license.  All cars must have at least one working tail light.

 

PRO CLASS

In the Pro Class, you may not run faster than 6.0 in the 1/8th mile.  If you run between 6.0 and 6.399, you must have a current NHRA competition license and all safety equipment for the car and driver.  The car must be certified.  If you run in the Pro class at 6.40 or slower, you do not need an NHRA competition license and your vehicle does not have to be certified.  Drivers must also have a valid driver’s license.  All cars must have at least one working tail light.

 

SUPER PRO CLASS

In the Super Pro Class, you may run between 4.40 and 7.99.  All drivers in this class must have a current NHRA competition license.  All cars must have at least one working tail light.
MOTORCYCLES/ATV’s

Drivers of motorcycles/ATV’s in any class must wear all safety equipment; helmet, leather gloves, leather boots or shoes above the ankle, leather jacket and long pants.   Drivers going under 120 mph must have a valid drivers license (not a learners permit).  Drivers exceeding speeds of 120 mph must wear full leathers and have a current NHRA competition license and have a valid driver’s license (not a learner’s permit).  All bikes/ATV’s must have at least one working tail light.

 

PURSES

Purses vary depending on the class and the event.  In the Super Pro and Pro classes, a minimum 32 car field will be necessary to pay the advertised purse for Bracket points races.  If there is less than a 32 car field, the two fields may be combined at the discretion of US19 Dragway to run a Top Eliminator Race or may be 100% payback of entry fees.  For the Sportsman class points races, a minimum 16 car field will be necessary to pay the advertised purse for Bracket races.  If there is less than a 16 car field, then there will be 100% payback on entrance fees.  For the Junior Dragster points races; if there is less than a 10 car field, then the race will be a trophy race at the discretion of US19 Dragway.  For the Budweiser Super-Pro & Pro Shootout May 3 & 4, 2008, the field is based on a 90 car count in each class each day.  The Super-Pro High Roller Race May 3, 2008 is based on a 32 car field.  For lower car counts, the purses may be adjusted accordingly.

For Sunday Heads-Up Races, generally events are based on an 8 car field in each class.  If there is less than an 8 car field, the purse will be 100% payback on entry fees.   If there are 16 or more cars in a field then the purse will double.  For larger heads-up weekend events such as the “World’s Fastest Auto Pro Mods & Extreme 10.5 Cars” including the 6.0 & 7.0 Unlimited classes purses are based on a 32 car field.  Purses may be adjusted down at the discretion of US19 Dragway for fields less than 32 cars.

Please note, it is our desire to always have full fields and pay the advertised purses.  If a field is a couple of cars short we will not automatically cut the purse.  This policy is in place solely for serious shortages and careful consideration will be given before making any changes to advertised purses.  For high car count races; bonuses may be given at the discretion of the track for furthest distance traveled, perfect light, perfect package, random tech card drawing, etc.

 

TIME TRIALS/DIAL-IN FOR DOLLARS

Before each race begins, there will be one time run and one Dial-in for Dollars run.  Dial-in for Dollars entry fee is $10.  Proceeds from the Dial-in for Dollars run for each class will be split 50/50 with the driver running closest to his/her dial in.  The Dial-in for Dollars run will be optional and only those drivers wishing to participate may enter the Dial-in for Dollars run.  Drivers not wishing to enter the Dial-in for Dollars run may have a second time run.  In case of a tie in the Dial-in for Dollars run, the winner will be the one with the best reaction time without red lighting. 
BYE RUNS

The driver with the best reaction time in the first time trial will have the bye run for first round.  In the case of an even number of cars in any class in round one; the drivers with the bye run in each class will have lane choice.  Bye runs will not be carried over to subsequent rounds in the event of an even number of cars.  If you had a bye run in which there were an even number of cars (you received lane choice only) and you have the best reaction time in a subsequent round, you will receive the bye run again.  You may not have single car bye runs more than one time unless all of the cars in the field have also had a single car bye run.  In this case, the driver with the best reaction time in the previous round will have the bye run.

In order for a single run to be counted as a win, the car must break the beam under its own power.  Cars may not be pushed into or past the beams by a crew member.
BUY BACKS

If you lose in the first or second round, you will not buy back into the race and continue racing.  Buy back fees vary depending on the class and event.  Buy back fees will be posted in advance on the event flyers.  Buy back fees must be paid at the front gate before the class is called into the lanes again.  If you lost in the prior round and run again and win without first paying your buy back fee, you will be disqualified from the race and your opponent will advance to the next round.

Note:  on some events or classes, drivers may buy back in the first AND second round at the sole discretion of US19 Dragway.

 

STAGING LANES

Once you pass the red line in the staging lanes, you cannot change lanes.  Single file cars will be paired by the staging official as follows:
 

 

BURN OUTS

Burn outs may only be performed in the burnout box.  For the safety of spectators and other drivers, absolutely no burn outs may be performed in the pit area or on the return road.  Violators will be immediately ejected from the track.  No vehicle’s rear tires may pass the orange line in the burnout box to start their burnout.  It is not a violation for a door car to break the beam after completing his/her burnout.  However, it is a violation for door cars to perform a burnout through the starting line.  At times, the starter may authorize all cars to perform a burnout past the starting line due to track conditions.

 

STARTING LINE

Due to a recent car explosion in the starting line, only one crew member may accompany the driver of a dragster; drivers of cars with blower motors and junior dragsters past the yellow gate into the starting line.  The crew member must be 20 feet behind the dragster/car after it trips the pre-stage light.  All crew members and drivers entering the starting line must have an event arm band (if issued for that race) and have signed the Release and Waiver of Liability.

 

DIAL-INS

Dial-Ins cannot be changed once you cross the yellow line at the yellow gate.  It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that their dial-in is shown correctly on the scoreboard before they stage.  Once the first bulb is lit, the driver has accepted the dial-in as shown on the scoreboard.  No re-runs will be granted due to incorrect dial-ins after the pre-stage bulb is lit.

 

COURTESY STAGING

US19 Dragway observes “courtesy staging”.  You may only trip one bulb and then must wait for your opponent to trip one bulb before you may trip your second bulb.

 

CROSS-TALK

Cross-Talk is not currently used at US19 Dragway.  It will be installed in February 2008. 

 

FOULS

The driver will “foul” and loose the race under the following conditions:

 

SKIDDING OR SMOKING TIRES

Skidding or smoking the front tires at the finish line is prohibited as it is extremely dangerous and could cause the driver to loose control of the car.  One warning will be given and thereafter you will be disqualified from the race giving the win to the other driver.

 

RETURN ROAD

The speed limit on the return road is 5 MPH.  Drivers MAY NOT drive off the asphalt on the return road to go around a junior dragster.  Every attempt will be made to have the juniors clear of the return road before the next class runs.  PLEASE do not pass a junior dragster on the return road.  One warning will be given and then drivers violating this rule will be disqualified from the race.

 

HAVE FUN!

Drag racing is all about the family time, fellowship with other drivers and seeing friends with a common love – drag racing.  By adhering to the track rules as well as the NHRA regulations & guidelines, every race will be accident free.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.