Drag Race Rules/Regulations

DRAG RACING RULES AND PROCEDURES

Track Specifications:

Tracks will be measured to an exact 165’ long and minimum 20’ wide per lane.

Shut Down Area:

An additional shutdown area of 75 feet minimum shall extend beyond the finish line.

Starting Formats:

There are 2 starting formats that can be use in M-AB-A competition:

Pro Tree -

in which, following staging, three Amber lights will activate simultaneously, followed by the Green start light .400 seconds later for both lanes. All classes run Pro Tree start.

Bracket racing:

Bracket racing is a form of drag racing whereby boats of different performance levels can compete on a potentially even basis. The anticipated elapsed times are compared for each boat, with the slower boat receiving a head start equal to the difference of the two. With this system, virtually any two boats can be paired in a competitive drag race. The light tree will consist of three Amber lights of .400 seconds each followed by the Green start light. The first amber light for each lane will start at different times giving the head start allowed by the dial-in time difference.

General Qualifying:

All Airboats must start from start gate (no pushing allowed) in order to constitute an official qualifying attempt. Contestants are permitted one boat per class entered in any event. The Contest Director may permit a contestant to change boats under the following conditions:

1.) All previous qualifying times are voided.

2.) The contestant must re-qualify the new boat within the time period allotted in the event schedule for qualifying. No changes are permitted after qualifying has been completed.

3.) Once a contestant enters a class, he/she must remain in that class for the entire duration of the race.

Ladder Charts:
Competition pairings are based upon the established M-AB-A "ladder" charts. Qualifying elapsed times determine the ladder positions. In a 16 boat field for example, the ladder chart may look like this: 1 vs. 16; 2 vs. 15; 3 vs. 14, etc. Once the pairings are established, they are not changed unless the designated Race Officials determine there is sufficient justification. In situations where the field is not filled, the ladder chart type is determined by the number of contestants.
Single Passes:
A competitor is declared the winner of a Single Pass once the boat has staged and the Green start light is activated. If a competitor crosses a lane boundary during a Single Pass, the elapsed time is voided for lane choice determinations.

Additional Qualifying for Bracket Racing:
Dial In Times: Each boat will have three qualification runs. The participant will choose which of the three times is the appropriate “dial in” time to use for competing. This dial in time will determine the handicap for each heat. For example: boat "X" has recorded times of 17.78, 17.74, and 17.76, and the participant feels that a "dial-in" of 17.74 is appropriate. Meanwhile, boat "Z", has recorded times of 15.27, 15.22, and 15.26 during their qualifying runs, and has opted for a dial-in of 15.22. Accordingly, boat "X" will get a 2.5 second (17.75-15.25=2.5) head start over boat "Z" when the Tree counts down to each boat's starting green light.
Handicapping: Handicapping will be determined by comparing the margin between the two competitors’ individual dial in times, the same system used in bracket racing competition. Break- Out Rules: When competing under either Bracket format, a contestant who has an elapsed time below (quicker) than his/her predicted dial in is disqualified. The following exceptions apply:
1.) An opponent foul starts or crosses the center lane boundary or, at the discretion of the Contest Director, the outside lane boundary;
2.) They are on a Single Pass
3.) Both competitors run below their predicted dial in (in which case the competitor who runs below the dial in by the least margin is declared the winner); or
4.) If both competitors run below the dial in by the same margin, the competitor crossing the finish line first is declared the winner

Disqualification:
1.) Failure to report to the staging area as called.
2.) Intentional delay of a run
3.) Foul start (dual runs only).
4.) Crossing the center lane boundary (or contact with the outside boundary at the discretion of the Contest Director).
5.) Contact with any track-timing fixture.
6.) Un-Sportsman-like conduct, inappropriate or foul language, or conduct determined to be disruptive to the racing environment.
7.) Any condition deemed, unsafe, unfair, or out of order is considered worse than a foul start. (example: Crossing center line, hitting timing equipment, loss of boat control)
Staging and Lane Choice:
All airboats will start from a starting gate that will be opened by the driver with a foot switch.
1.) Competitors will have no more than 11/2 minute to stage their boats once their opponent has staged.
2.) No part of the boat shall extend forward of the starting gate when staged.
3.) Competitor with the lowest elapsed time in qualification will have lane choice. Ties are decided by MPH.
4.) Competitor with the lowest elapsed time in qualification will have radio frequency choice. Ties are decided by a coin toss.
5.) Competitors may not touch or assist their boat in any way once it has been staged and the tree has been activated.
6.) Once in position, Competitors may not leave the starting line area during elimination races without the permission of the Starter.
7.) An Airboat is considered pre staged when the driver or designated person releases the Airboat in the starting gate and returns to an upright position.
Bracket racing:
Competition in Bracket racing is decided as follows:
1.) The competitor who reaches the finish line first and has an elapsed time closest to their dial-in is declared the winner.
2.) The competitor who has an elapsed time under (quicker) than their dial-in automatically looses.
3.) When both competitors have elapsed times under their dial-in, the competitor closest to their dial-in is declared the winner.
4.) First round qualifying order will be determined by the closest to a .400 light.
5.) Competitors shall notify the Race Director of their desired dial-in BEFORE staging for an elimination round.
Break Downs/No Shows:
If the winning competitor cannot return for the next round due to mechanical or electrical breakage, the losing competitor does not advance. The competitor paired with the broken competitor shall receive a bye run. NOTE: The same rule applies in the case where an opponent does not show for any reason.

Enter supporting content here

RC Airboats the Ultimate Family Sport!

In God We Trust