THE BASICS OF DRAG RACING
1.1 WHAT IS A DRAG RACE? Two separate performances are monitored for each run: the elapsed time and the speed. On an elapsed-time run, the bike first leaves the starting line, breaking the beam that activates the electronic timer. As the bike continues through the course, the timer records the elapsed seconds and fractions of seconds until the bike breaks the finish line beam and stops the timer. Top speed is determined by the bike breaking an additional light beam at the finish line. Virtually anyone can compete in drag racing. Riders are required to have an AMA Dragbike Competition License and must be capable of the safe operation of the vehicle. The vehicle must meet basic safety criteria (i.e., have good brakes, tires, etc.). This applies to most street-type vehicles. Faster, all-out race bikes must meet more stringent requirements as outlined throughout this Rulebook, and riders of all vehicles quicker than 9.99 seconds in the quarter mile, must hold the appropriate AMA Dragbike Competition License. Prime responsibility for the safe condition and operation of a vehicle in a competition rests with the vehicle owner and rider. The track operator’s main concern is to provide a place to conduct events. Everyone associated with the sport, however, must share responsibility for drag racing’s progress. Close observance of the standards set forth in this Rulebook is an important fundamental. A drag racer’s primary objective is to become the overall winner of the category of competition in which his/her bike is classified. A series of two-bike, tournament style eliminations is conducted. The losing vehicle in each race is eliminated, and the winning riders progress into succeeding rounds of competition. This series of races continues until one winning rider remains. That rider is declared the category winner. 1.2 THE START AMA DRAGBIKE NATIONAL EVENT STARTING LINE SYSTEM
Meet “The Christmas Tree.” The start is the key to drag racing’s uniqueness, because all races start from a standstill. Today’s modern starting system is a product of continued development, designed to provide each competitor with the fairest start possible. In order to ensure fair, equitable starts, the old starting flag was replaced years ago by a series of lights on a vertical column, with a set for each rider’s lane. This “Christmas Tree” system features a vertical series of lights, displaying a visual countdown for each rider. Each light signals the rider, indicating position on the track near the starting line, when to launch a run, and when a rider has fouled. Understanding the language of the lights is an essential first step in drag racing. See the illustration, and compare it with the descriptions that follow. PRE-STAGE INDICATOR LIGHTS: Round amber bulbs warn riders that they are approaching the starting line and the “staged” position. STAGE INDICATOR LIGHTS: The second set of round amber bulbs signals riders that they are on the starting line and ready for a run. These amber bulbs are turned on when the front wheels of the race bike interrupt the beam from a light source to the photocells. These photocells also trigger the timing equipment when the bike leaves the light beams. THE THREE-AMBER STARTING SYSTEM: THE PRO TREE: At the Professional and Sportsman levels, the start is signaled by a “Pro Tree” system. In a “Pro Start” or “Pro Tree” system, all three amber floodlights in a rider’s lane flash simultaneously before the green light comes on. The “Pro Start” system runs with a 0.4-second interval between the amber and green lights. A “perfect” pro start reaction time is therefore .400 seconds. THE FULL TREE: Racers running in handicap categories get a countdown of one amber light at a time until the green light comes on. This is called a “Sportsman Start” or “Full Tree” system. The handicap or Sportsman system runs with a 0.5- second delay between each of the bulbs. A “perfect” Full Tree start reaction time is therefore .500 seconds. Some non-national event tracks still use a five-amber-light countdown for handicap racing. GREEN LIGHT: This is the one that makes it
all happen. Once the green light flashes, the rider in the lane is free to
make a run down the track. Any time a green light is shown in a rider’s lane
it indicates that a fair start was accomplished. Most riders try to initiate
their run in the very brief moment between the last amber light illuminating
and the green light coming on. Consequently, the reaction time is measured
from the moment the last amber light illuminates until the bike leaves the
line. When you are racing, if you see the green light, you have probably
already lost the race. 1.3 HANDICAP RACING While some racers choose to race vehicles they build to certain specifications to fit into a certain AMA Dragbike class (outlined elsewhere in the Rulebook), an ever-growing number of racers choose to race at the local level in categories divided on the basis of performance or E.T. (elapsed time) Brackets. This is known as E.T. Handicap racing. This form of drag racing offers a good starting point for the novice wishing to become involved in the sport. However, thousands of drag racers enjoy E.T. Handicap racing so much that they participate in it for many years. In this form of racing, two vehicles of varying performance levels can race on an even basis. The anticipated elapsed times for the vehicles are chosen and displayed by the riders (the “dial-in”). The slower bike receives a head start equal to the difference between the two predicted elapsed times. With this system, virtually any two vehicles can be pairs in a competitive drag race. Example: Bike “A” has been timed at 12.78, 12.74 and 12.76 seconds for the quarter-mile, and the rider feels that a “dial-in” of 12.75 is appropriate. Meanwhile, the rider of bike “B” has recorded elapsed times of 10.27, 10.22 and 10.26 on the same track and has opted for a “dial-in” of 10.25. Accordingly, bike “B” will get a 2.5-second head start over bike “A” when the Tree counts down to each bike’s green starting light. If both vehicles cover the quarter-mile in exactly the predetermined elapsed time, the win will go to the rider who reacted quickest to the starting signal. That reaction to the starting signal is called “reaction time.” Each lane is timed independently, and the clock does not start until the vehicle actually moves. Because of this, a vehicle may sometimes appear to have a mathematical advantage in comparative elapsed times, but will actually lose the race. This fact makes starting line reflexes extremely important in drag racing. Should a rider go quicker than his/her predetermined E.T. (“dial-in”) it is a “breakout” and grounds for disqualification. In the case of both vehicles making their runs under their dial-ins, the win goes to the rider who breaks out the least. Another form of disqualification is a foul start or “red-light.” This happens when the rider reacts to the Tree too quickly and rides away from the starting line before the green “go” signal. Should dual infractions occur, say, a red-light and then a break-out; the red-light would be classified as the worst infraction. 1.4 HOW TO USE THIS RULEBOOK 1.4 HOW TO USE THIS RULEBOOK The 2009 AMA Dragbike Rulebook provides guidelines and minimum standards for the construction and operation of vehicles used in AMA Dragbike competition. As a general rule, unless optional equipment or modification is specifically permitted by this Rulebook, it is prohibited. Intent: The intent of a specific rule will override a competitor’s interpretation of a rule; to be determined by AMA Dragbike officials. If any rule is unclear or determined to be a gray area by a competitor, the competitor is advised to get approval in writing prior to making any modifications that are not clearly defined. The Rulebook divides these guidelines into two basic groups: General Regulations and Procedures (Sections 2 & 3): Guidelines that concentrate on general areas of construction or operation of a vehicle. Many guidelines in the Rulebook are applicable to many or all categories. General Regulations provide a central location for the description of those guidelines. Classes and Technical Guidelines (Section 4): The specific standards that differentiate the various categories of competition vehicles. Both Classes & Technical Guidelines and General Regulations are further divided into 10 subcategories: 1- Engine, 2-Drivetrain, 3-Brakes & Suspension, 4-Frame, 5-Tires & Wheels, 6-Fuel, 7-Body, 8-Electrical, 9-Support Group and 10-Rider. In many instances, the Technical Guidelines for a particular class will reference a General Regulations section. For example, on page 51, section 4.2.3.1.1 Engine, the paragraph ends with the sentence (See Oil Blanket 2.1.5). By turning to the General Regulations, Section 2.1.5, Oil Blanket, you will find additional information about what is required to prevent oil downs. Because this information applies to virtually all categories, it would be a waste of time and space to reprint it in each individual category’s Technical Guidelines. It is, nonetheless, important information to the competitor and/or builder. (An index of General Regulations is listed under Section 2) If after reading the Rulebook you still have questions, consult page 4 for contact information for technical advisors. Remember, it is your responsibility to follow the standards set forth in this Rulebook that pertain to your vehicle. |
