An Amateur "Day at the Races"

While the professional and other faster classes get all the attention on TV and in the press, there are far more casual and weekend racers for whom it's just an enjoyable hobby. Many potential first-time amateur drag racers are put off by their lack of knowledge as to what to do. Assuming a 13.0 second or slower car (most unmodified road cars), it is relatively easy to have an enjoyable day at the track.

Getting Ready

The first requirement is locating a nearby drag strip. Despite this being a predminantly US sport, the UK provides its own raceways located in Poddington, Northants; Stratford-upon Avon and York. Contact these racing venues to find out what dates/times they put on races for street cars, and the cost to race. Watching is of course cheaper so be sure to mention you'd like to race your vehicle. Also, be sure to get the two most important times - the time they open and the time racing starts (usually 2-3 hours later). The difference is so amateurs can have "practice runs" to determine what times their cars will be capable of achieving.

There are two reasons to try to arrive just as the track is opening. First, the "pit area", where all cars that will race initially congregate, offers better spots (closer to the track) early on. Secondly, there is a greater opportunity to get more practise runs in.

What to Bring

An automobile racing crash helmet and white shoe polish in an applicator-type container (discussed later). Alcoholic drinks are not allowed. Snacks and some beverages are acceptable. Many people bring a camera to capture the action. Many amateur enthusiasts enjoy bringing friends, especially in another vehicle, to enjoy the racing with and to assist with picture-taking. Earplugs are also a wise choice, as are glass cleaner and paper towels.

When you First Arrive

Depending on the track, you may need to have the car inspected (known as "teched"). Gate attendants (where you enter and pay) are used to this question, and know whether a street car needs to be inspected or not. If your car does not require an inspection, you can simply head staright for the pit area. If however an inspection is required, you will need to allow an official to look over the car to ensure that is meets the necessary requirements (for example, seat belts, a correct helmet, street-legal tires, a correct exhaust, and other street-legal items). If your vehicle passes inspection, the official will then use his white shoe-polish (or other substance) to paint an identifying number on your upper-passenger windshield, and also possibly on a side window. You may then proceed to the pit area. Be sure to save the stub and/or inspection pass presented, since you will be asked for it before being allowed to race.

The Pit Area

Unlike NASCAR in the US, the pit area in amateur drag racing is a huge parking lot. If your car didn't need require inspection, you will need a number on your windshield. Although most tracks have an official who will supply the number, not all do. Use the shoe polish up high on the passenger side, then draw a line under it (explained later). Arriving early, as mentioned, means you can get in line to do a few practise runs down the track. During these runs, it's only practice so you could conceivably be paired up with a much faster car. The object here is not to win, but to simply get a feel for how your car performs. All tracks have a place back around the pits where you can get a "timeslip" after a run.

The Timeslip

Years ago, timeslips were written out by hand, but now they are computerised. A quarter mile is a fair amount of distance, and after slowing down, the car will need to turn around, not on the track, but on the available roads leading back to the pit area. Aside from winning or losing, practice runs are the same as the real thing. You'll get your ET (elapsed time), your average speed through the final 66 feet of the track (MPH at finish), and your reaction time. Most tracks also include your time at various intervals on the way down the track. One of the most common is known as the "60 foot" time. The 60 foot time is a good indication of how quickly you got off the line. Of course, the reaction time is very important. Drag racers who fall asleep at the line when the light turns green rarely win.

Dialing In

Before actual racing begins, drag racers will need to dial-in, or put their estimated time on their windshield underneath the ID number. The time is to the hundredth, as in "14.55". After a couple of practise runs most racers have an idea of how their vehicle is going to perform. It is worth noting that the time you put up is an estimate of the fastest time your car will go, since going faster than your dial-in will result in disqualification. You are allowed to change this number as many times as you like, right up until you actually stage for the race. Shoe polish is easily removed with windex and a few paper towels. A common ego trip for many weekend drag racers is to paint a ridiculous dial-in (say, 8.5) on a slow car that can barely do 17 seconds and watch as people walk by and wonder what you have under the bonnet.

Eventually, the loudspeakers will begin calling various classes to line up for the race. There will likely be 3 or 4 lanes to line up in. Be sure to know what class you are running in. As a rule, one class at a time is called. Everyone else comes to watch, to take pictures, or tweak their cars until their turn arrives. When your turn does arrive to get in line, the adrenalin will start. A track official will point to the two cars he or she wants on the line, and the racing process begins. One or two lanes are kept empty for winners to re-line up in. After the first round, the winners race again. This goes on until someone wins the class and receivces either a trophy or a cash prize. Some tracks are generous and award trophies to anyone who simply wins a single race. Other tracks require the racer to win the whole competition before getting anything. Most fall in between.

After the Race

If you wait until the very end, the pit area will likely be almost empty, since most people just leave after they lose. If you win, that's when the celebrations should really start.