It would be hard to argue that there has been a more influential grassroots motorsport movement than drag racing. Born on the abandoned WWII airstrips and dry lake beds of California, drag racing was America's contribution to the sport.

Dating back to the late '40s, drag racing has remained one of the most accessible ways to enter the world of motorsport. Since the formation of the National Hot Rodding Association (NHRA) in 1951, enthusiasts have been able to bring their car builds to a safe environment with the freedom to race one another, or simply test and tune your project.

But you're going to need more than just a car. With many factors to consider like: which track or dragstrip is best for you, passing inspection to ensure safety, knowing where to line up, and even how to behave on the track, it can be more intimidating than just driving your car in a straight line. This is a starting point for things to consider when drag racing for the first time.

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Drag Racing For Beginners: Finding A Dragstrip

Drag Strip
Via: YouTube

Long gone are the days of lining up at the streetlight and punching it when the light turns green. Whether it's a result of safety, or the introduction of CCTV, street racing is an outdated form of the sport that poses more of a threat to those around you, than the driver itself.

The NHRA provides a complete guide to locating your local dragstrip, providing racers the space and precautions necessary to enjoy the sport. Broken up into seven divisions across the United States, Canada, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE, there is a track just about anywhere motorsport takes place.

Drag Racing For Beginners: What You'll Need To Pass The Inspection

Inspection-Drag-Race
Via: Pinterest

Another commitment to the organization of the sport, the NHRA requires all drivers and cars to meet certain requirements to minimize any possible variables that could end in disaster. Expect the minimum requirements to be:

  • Valid driver's license, registration, and insurance
  • Working seat belts
  • Tires with good tread
  • Properly secured battery
  • Radiator overflow reservoir
  • Neutral safety switch
  • A uniform of: long pants, close toed shoes, and a shirt

Rules and regulations will vary across regions, making it best to contact your local track with any questions you might have. The NHRA also provides a list of requirements all street cars must adhere to. Based solely on quarter-mile time, the list gets pretty intensive the quicker your car becomes.

Don't expect this to be Race Wars 2001, if you're running a 10-second car expect to provide inspectors with an NHRA competition license, dressed in your full racing helmet, jacket, and pants.

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From Entering The Gates, To Finishing Your First Run: What To Expect When Arriving At The Track

Lambo Drag Car
Via: YouTube

Covering everything from initial arrival, to leaving with time slip in hand, every driver can expect the following seven steps to be uniform across all NHRA sanctioned dragstrips:

Paying The Entry Fee

Before participating, all drivers must pay the required entrace fee.

Receiving Your Tech Card

All contestants fill out a form stipulating their car's characteristics. This card will cover everything from the year, make, and model, to the protective clothing you're wearing.

Arriving At The Inspection Area

After completing the tech card, drivers will head to the inspection area. Here, the crew will take the tech card, and begin the inspection to ensure all safety precautions have been met.

Driver Registration

After passing inspection, drivers will proceed to te registration area. All participants must sign a release form and share their driver's license information at this time.

Making Your Way To The Staging Lanes

Once registration is complete, drivers will join the rest of their class in line. You're moments away from racing, at this point.

The Race Begins

The official will motion you forward when you are next in line. As you are staging, this will be the time for any burnouts, if your car permits. Once both drivers are ready, the tree will begin the lighting sequence. Once the run is complete, slow down and exit the strip immediately, yet cautiously.

Finishing Up At The Timing Booth

After completing the run, drivers' final stop will be the timing booth. Here race officials will hand you your timing slip indicating information such as: reaction time, first 60 feet, how well you shifted gears, quarter-mile time, and your max speed.

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Drag Racing Etiquette: Don't Be That Guy

Miata Drag Car
Via: YouTube

As with any other organized sport, there is a right way and a wrong way to behave on the track. Improper etiquette will not only alienae you from the rest of the community, it could result in a catastrophic event. A few things to remember in order to finish promptly and safely regarding:

Staging Lanes

Always confirm you are in the correct staging lane with race officials, and that your car is running in the correct vehicle class. Like any educational experiences, ask questions if you are unsure about anything; it's the race official's job.

Never pass the car in front of you while in the staging lane, unless instructed by a race official.

Burnouts

The favorite pat time of dragsters everywhere, there is a proper time and place for a good, old-fashioned burnout. That is, only if race officials indicate you can, and if your car is running slicks. Burnouts on regular tread tires can trap water between the tread, spilling water all over the track. A sure fire way to get an earful from your fellow drivers.