Drag Boat Racing 101
Are you a new fan of drag boat racing or would you like to know
more about it? If so, it might seem a bit confusing at first. You’re
thinking, “OK, there are two boats out there and one of them beat
the other across the finish line, so, that guy won, right?” MAYBE
NOT!
Here are the first two things you need to learn:
1. RACER AND TIME CLASSES
|
Racer Class |
Target Time |
| PWC –
Personal Water Craft |
N/A |
| RR – River
Racer |
12 Seconds |
| SE – Stock
Eliminator |
11 Seconds |
| ME –
Modified Eliminator |
10 Seconds |
| TE – Top
Eliminator |
9 Seconds |
| PE – Pro
Eliminator |
8 Seconds |
| Pro Comp
Eliminator* |
See Below |
| PM – Pro
Modified |
7 Seconds |
| Blown
Alcohol Flat |
As fast as
they can go! |
| Blown
Alcohol Hydro |
As fast as
they can go! |
| Top Fuel
Hydro |
As fast as
they can go! |
* Pro Comp Eliminator – This class combines the three
previous classes above it. Each racer pre-determines and reports
to the race officials his time bracket (usually slower than 8
seconds). They each then run a staggered start according to the
times they have chosen. The racers then have to run their exact
time (or closest to it) to win without breaking out (see
BreaklOut below)
Hint on Racer Class: Look at the boat number on each boat.
Example: PE # 888 means it is a PRO ELIMINATOR and that team races
in the 8 second class.
RACER GOAL: Cross the finish line at exactly the amount of time
listed for their class.
2. RESPONSE TIME (STARTER TREE)
|
Blinking Amber Light |
30
Seconds |
| Solid
Amber |
10
Seconds |
|
Digital clock begins at 9 and
counts down to zero in ½ second increments |
The goal of the racer is to pass the start beam exactly at ZERO!
Passing the start beam before ZERO is called a RED LIGHT
(First Foul)
Passing the finish beam faster than their TIME CLASS is
called a BREAK- OUT (Second Foul)
If two racers both BREAK-OUT but one of them also had a RED
LIGHT, the racer with the RED LIGHT (or FIRST FOUL) lost the
race.
ENJOY THE RACES!
|
