Have a need-for-speed in your blood? Cannot resist revving your car at every signal? Feel like every car out there in your road is out to outtake you? Want to be the next Brian O’Conner, JDM or not? And finally, are you okay with the danger to your exhaust manifold? Well then, you are ready to be a drag racer.

But do have to be an illegal drag racer? Because racing illegally has some serious consequences. In movies like the F&F franchise and more, drag racing on the streets is a heroic thing to do. Going against the cops and authorities, managing to get away when the sirens blare, and getting the girl, of course, is one big testosterone rush.

Doesn’t happen that way in real life though. In real life, drag racing often ends in ugly consequences. The streets are not empty and while heroes in movies have perfect control over their vehicles, real life is gory. Cars crash, accidents happen as do injuries, and sadly, sometimes there are fatalities too. And not just for the drivers involved. And then, the law gets after you, if you are caught. And since you are not an undercover cop like Brian O’Conner was, you will be charged and accordingly taken to court.

The good thing is, there is a way to drag race legally, and it's cheap. Interested? Well, here go the details, for you to get your kicks safely, and legally…

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First, What Is Drag Racing?

Drag Racing Is A Simple Sport, And Runs For A Maximum Quarter-Mile And Sometimes Even An Eighth Of A Mile
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Drag racing is a simple straight-line race between two or more participants, who start at the same line. It is a simple sport, and runs for a maximum quarter-mile and sometimes even an eighth of a mile. And you can run street-legal cars, stock ones if you like, and race cars if you can handle them.

But remember, to make it legal, you need to go the legal way. Because when it comes to illegal street racing, the NHTSA has reported street racing as a factor in 135 fatal crashes in 2001 as opposed to the 72 in 2000.

Also remember, even if you are lucky enough to escape any accident or injury, there are other ramifications if you are caught. You can and will face punishment from the law including arrest as well as impounding of your vehicle. Depending on the state, you can face three months of imprisonment and a fine of $1,000, and your DL can be revoked as well. Your car insurance may also be canceled, and premiums can go sky-high.

But there’s no need to get disappointed because you can race legally, for cheap. So where do you begin? How do you keep yourself safe and keep your ride grounded? How does it work? It all sounds a bit daunting, but there is hope and a cool solution. And it lies with NHRA itself.

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Drag Racing Is A Simple Straight-Line Race Between Two Or More Participants, Who Start At The Same Line
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There are plenty of NHRA member tracks in every state, so the first thing you need to do is to find the list of legal drag racing tracks in your area. The best way to start is on the “test and tune” days, where you do not race against another competitor but the clock. So this is a good way to practice. But remember, the NHRA will inspect your car to make sure it's safe to race before allowing you to get on the track. So make sure your car has seat belts, the lug nuts are tight and in place, the hoses and clamps are all in their right place. And also, remove all loose items from the cabin or the trunk. You are planning to race at insane speeds, after all…

Bring along a helmet for safety, basic tools if you are handy with those, and make sure you have your spare tires and do carry some cash. There is an entry fee, but it's only $20-30, so there’s not much drain on your pocket. Do carry cash, because not all tracks accept a credit card.

$20 or even $30 for legal racing, and safe racing is peanuts, right?

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Why NHRA Drag Racing?

In Real Life, Drag Racing Often Ends In Ugly Consequences
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The main reason, and we would like to say this in capital letters, is because NHRA makes drag racing legal. There is all the thrill of racing, without any underlying fears of being caught and being arrested.

It's also a whole lot safer than street racing, for both you and anyone around, considering the track is free of traffic, and there are plenty of officials who can guide you into doing it right, especially if you have never been on a track before.

With NHRA, you get to know your speed and capability, and test out your car to its limits as well, and get an official report in the end, for little spend. You can take the friends and family along and turn it into a picnic as well, considering there is usually plenty of food and drinks at the tracks. All in all, it’s a safe and legal way to get your fix of your need-for-speed, without the risk of hurting anyone, including you.

Ultimately, if it can be done right, it should be done right...

Sources: Stop-Street-Racing.Org, NHRA.Com

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