ANDRA Drag Racing for beginners The Basics of Drag Racing
In the simplest terms, a drag race is an acceleration contest between two vehicles racing from a standing start over a straight, precisely measured quarter-mile or eighth mile course. The main object for each competitor is to reach the finish line ahead of his or her opponent, either directly, or on handicap. A typical drag racing event is comprised of a series of individual races and involves a wide variety of vehicles which are divided into classes and categories according to weight, engine size, allowable modifications, fuel type and so on. Because of the vast difference existing between cars and motor-cycles competing in drag racing, it is necessary that a large number of classes are maintained. ANDRA has provided over 70 different classifications for use at drag strips around Australia.
Since drag racing is a sports activity in which there is a constant influx of newcomers, some with little or no racing experience, it is essential that official classification systems afford a reasonable chance of winning in your own category. The procedure for determining elimination bracket winners is quite simple and follows a long-established pattern known as tournament-style eliminations. Under this method, cars or motorcycles in each category are paired off and race two at a time. The loser is eliminated from further competition while the winner progresses into the next round of competition against another opponent until one remains unbeaten. He or she then becomes that category's Eliminator or overall winner.
ANDRA provides fifteen Eliminator categories, and the use of the tournament-style elimination procedure makes it possible to accommodate a multitude of entries at each event while offering a practical means for including cars or motorcycles of many types and varieties, according to the owners individual taste.
ANDRA has divided its fifteen Eliminator categories into four sections, Group One, Two, Three and Four.
All seven Group One categories compete with "heads-up" or even starts. Group Two categories, which each involve a variety of classes, utilise the handicap start system where cars or motorcycles from a slower class are given a head start when racing cars or motorcycles from a faster class. This handicap is based on the difference between the respective class indexes of the vehicles concerned. Group Three categories also utilise the handicap system, with the essential difference being that handicaps in this section are based on times nominated by the racer. This is known as "Dial Your Own" racing. Group Four categories compete on a "heads-up" or even start, but employ a fixed ET index which may not be bettered.
John's Class History:
S/S - Best 12.86 at 113mph in 1981. S/S - Best 12.75 at 121mph in 1982. AA/Gas - Best 9.11 at 151mph in 1984.. AA/Gas - Best 7.98 at 174mph in 1987. AA/Gas - Best 7.63 in 1990. BB/Altered - Best 7.36 result in 1990. AA/Altered Production - Best 6.78 at 214.28mph in 1992. Exhibition T/D - Best 6.54 at 218mph in 1995. T/A - Best at 6.16 at 227mph in 1996. AA/FC - Best at 6.21, best of 234mph. AA/AP- Best at 6.42 at 219.5mph in 2001 T/D - Best at 6.161 at 236.22mph in 2003
The sophisticated electronic starting system features a vertical series of lights that signal a visual countdown for each competitor until the green light flashes.
The system is called a "Christmas Tree" because of its range of coloured lights. Located in the centre of the track, about six metres down the strip from the starting line, the tree has staging bulbs at the top which illuminate when a car in each lane is in it's correct starting position. When a vehicle's front tyre centres in the light-beam the stage light stays on. Once both cars are properly staged and both bulbs are lit, the starter activates the amber countdown lights which flash in sequence, at four-tenths of a second intervals for handicap starts, or once in unison for Pro-Starts ('heads-up"). As the last of the tree's amber countdown lights goes off, the green light flashes and the race begins. Most racers try to make their move between the last amber and the green, which takes a great deal of practice. If the car moves before the green light comes on, a red light immediately below the green flashes on, indicating a foul and probable disqualification.
Most trees are also equipped with a Pre-stage light in addition to the staging light. This indicates that the front wheels are approaching the stage beam.
Technique in staging and starting is one of the most important skills involved in drag racing. Since many races are won or lost right at the starting line, care, practice and consistency will pay off.
How Handicaps Are Determined
In all Group One categories, heads-up or even starts are used and there is no handicap since all vehicles are theoretically equal. Vehicles entered in an event must qualify for the pre- designated number of starting positions open to their particular category and this is done on Elapsed Time (ET) rather than Terminal Speed (TS) and an order is established from quickest to slowest.
In Group Two categories, qualifying runs are also used to determine the fields for the brackets, and handicap starts are employed because of the wide variety of classes.
The handicap system affords those competitors in classes with lower performance levels a head start over their faster opponents. The respective National Class Indexes. For example a vehicle with a National Class Index of 11.00 will receive a half-second head start over a vehicle with a 10.50 index. The National Class Index is reviewed by ANDRA periodically, and reflects the performance aggregate of each class nationally.
Handicaps are quickly computed as each pair of vehicles approaches the start line and the time difference is entered into the system so that the amber count-down lights in the slower vehicle's lane will begin flashing ahead of those for the faster vehicle.
In Group Three, handicaps are once again used, based directly on the ET predicted by each racer - this is the "dial-in" time. To prevent racers from nominating a "soft" time and then running quickly in competition, a break-out rule is enforced, which disqualifies a racer running below his "dial-in" in competition.
In Group Four, all vehicles within an eliminator use the same "dial-in" (or index) and break- out if they run quicker than the common dial-in. Heads-up starts are used.
Timing Methods - Elapsed Time and Speed
Two separate records are kept for each competitor from every run - the Elapsed Time(ET) mark and the Terminal Speed(TS) mark. Only the Elapsed Time is utilised in determining handicaps, break-outs or qualifying positions. The Terminal Speed records provide an added measure of performance.
A vehicle activates the timer when it first moves from the stage beam (start line) on a run - not when the green light comes on. As the vehicle reaches the finish line, the system stops the timer and records the Elapsed Time(ET) down to one thousands of a second.
A separate system is used to measure Terminal Speed(TS). A separate pair of photo-electric or infra-red beams located at the finish line measure the time taken to cover a set distance (either 66 or 132 feet). This is converted to the average speed attained by the vehicle through that set distance and is recognised as the Terminal Speed attained at the finish line. More and more tracks are installing incremental timers at 60, 330, 660 and 1000 feet to give racers a better idea of where their vehicle is gaining or loosing performance during the run. This information can be invaluable to racers to assist with tuning their engines.
ANDRA Championship Drag Racing
The purpose of ANDRA Championship Drag Racing is to determine Champions at Division and National levels, for the approved Eliminators listed in ANDRA's current Rule Book.
In order for an official ANDRA Championship to be determined, or for ANDRA National Records to be reset, the following requirements must be met.
Racing must be over the Timed Distance of one quarter of a mile (not 400 metres), or one eighth of a mile with special approval from the ANDRA NCC(National Control Council).
Racing must be electronically timed by certified equipment and measured, for qualifying purposes, to one thousandth of a second. Elapsed Times and Terminal Speeds must be quoted to two decimal places for record setting, and three decimal places in order to determine qualifying order.
The "Chrondek" style four tenths of a second Christmas Tree must be used as a starting device. Where readouts displaying the handicap for each run are not utilised, the tree must be run down, displaying the difference in handicaps prior to staging.
ADRS
The Australian Drag Racing Series (ADRS) was introduced in 1975, to provide a points based national championship for all classes in Groups Two, Three and Four. Since then it’s grown into the most comprehensive national competition in Australian motorsport, with more than 500 racers scoring points each season. The ADR Series consists of seven rounds between Perth in the west to Townsville in the north-east. The Australian Nationals event is part of the series, and the grand finals for all categories are part of the Konica Winternationals each June. Participants may score points at any round, but only the two best results from the first six rounds may be carried into the final round. The six Australian Group One Championships run on a slightly different schedule and points system. Series winners in all categories may display the Number 1 on their vehicle until the end of the following season.
Australian National Drag Racing Records for elapsed time or terminal speed may be set or broken at any ANDRA Championship event or in any eliminator that is being staged as part of an ANDRA Australian Championship. Vehicles in Top Fuel and Funny Car may also set Australian National Drag Racing Records at any event run at the National level, during bona-fide qualifying or racing. Vehicles in Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Top Bike, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle may set Australian National Drag Racing Records at any time during the relevant event. Group Two and Three vehicles may use one qualifying and one competition performance, or two competition performances to establish records. Group Three competitors must notify the appropriate ANDRA Officials of the relevant qualifying performance prior to eliminations.
Records will only be allowed provided the ANDRA Stewards certify that;
Down strip wind assistance is less than 10mph (16km/h) at the time of the runs.
Fuel and weight compliance are correct immediately after the record run and engine capacity (where applicable) is certified after the vehicle’s last run in competition.
All new records are backed up with another run within one per cent during the periods eligible for record setting at the same event. A run that is faster but outside the one per cent figure, can be used as a back-up for a record, the record then being the slower figure.
ANDRA National Records may only be held by those in possession of a permanent ANDRA Drag Racing Licence.
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