2009 Drag Race Rules & Information
This page contains rules and information that should help to explain specific rules of drag racing. As a general rule, RFR follows the NHRA Rulebook, with a very few exceptions. If you have a specific question or comment about the rules, please contact us at (715) 858-0170, (715) 879-5089 or email us at therock@rockfallsraceway.com
General Rules
1. Alcohol consumption by participating drivers is strictly prohibited.
2. No alcohol is allowed in staging lanes or starting line area.
3. No glass bottles are allowed on track premises.
4. The speed limit in pit area and return road is 10 m.p.h.
5. No skateboards or roller blades are allowed in pit area.
6. 4-wheelers, mopeds and bicycles are to be used for race support only.
NO JOY RIDING during the racing program.
7. Children under the age of 16 are NOT allowed to operate any motorized vehicle. This includes 4-wheelers and mopeds.
Race Procedures
All eliminators entered will be given a maximum of three (3) time trial sessions or qualifying runs. The number of time trials may, however, vary from time to time based on weather or other special circumstances.
Time trials will be run by eliminator, out of their designated lanes.
No driver may change vehicles once eliminations have begun.
A driver may change vehicles before eliminations have begun, as long as the vehicle is not entered in the same class.
Reaction times and intermediate times are given as a courtesy to the driver and no races will be re-run over disputed times.
A driver's dial-in must be on the vehicle for all racers, track personnel and spectators to see. The dial-in must be on the vehicle by the time he/she leaves the line in the front of each particular staging lane. The dial-in CANNOT be changed after a driver crosses this line.
It is the sole responsibility of the driver to check his or her dial-in before pre-staging. If you pre-stage your vehicle, you are accepting the dial-in on the board (right or wrong). AutoStart is used at Rock Falls Raceway and once one car has pre-staged and the other car has staged, the countdown for AutoStart is on and the second vehicle has 10 seconds to stage. If the 2nd driver does not stage within this 10 second time frame, the 2nd driver will be TIMED OUT!!! No re-runs will be made if this occurs. Once both cars have pre-staged, it is a race.
Point Series RulesEnrollment for the 2009 Gold Rush Point Series should be done prior to your competing in your 1st bracket race of the season. All RFR Members must have a NHRA competition number or a Rock Falls Raceway permanent number in order to earn points. Membership is just $30 for the year.
Drivers in all classes are advised to purchase a NHRA competition number and NHRA membership. If a driver chooses not to purchase a NHRA number, Rock Falls Raceway will assign you a permanent number once you have purchased your RFR membership.
A driver's points are earned according to the number displayed on the vehicle. Should a driver change vehicles during the season, his or her permanent number must be on the vehicle.
All numbers and dial-ins are to be displayed on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The numbers have to be dark and legible for the tower crew. Prior to pre-staging your vehicle, it is the responsibility of the driver to make a final check of his/her dial-in displayed on the scoreboard. If it is incorrect, the driver must get the attention of the starter or starting line official and indicate to them a wrong dial-in. Tower personnel are NOT responsible for a wrong dial-in and NO re-run will be given.
Points will be given in all eliminators including Super Pro, Sportsman, King of the Hill and Street Eliminator at all 9 Bracket Race events. Points are not given to these classes at Fun Races. The year end points total will be based on your best 7 of 9 races.
A driver may not drive more than 1 car in the same eliminator.
Points will be awarded to the driver and may not be transferred, even if the driver changes eliminator.
The 2009 points season will begin April 26, 2009 and end October 11, 2009.
E.T. Finals
Only racers who have a Rock Falls Raceway membership and are part of the Gold Rush Points Program will be eligible to attend the E.T. Finals in Topeka on September 18-20. Each racetrack may take a team consisting of 36 racers (including bikes) plus 4 high school racers. High School Racers will count for points for the Team. Team RFR will be chosen according to your ranking in points by combining the classes, and of course, if you have signed up and want to go. Points (for the E.T. Finals only) will be tallied until the last race in August and the team will then be chosen from there.
New to the ET Finals being held in Topeka on September 18-20, 2009, is the addition of two more Race of Champions positions. Instead of having just 1 car & 1 bike Race of Champions it has been changed so that each class will have their own Race of Champions. As such, each track can take a total of 4 Race of Champions Repepresentatives. One for each of the following classes: Super Pro, Motorcycle/Sled, Pro ET and Sportsman. These Race of Champion Representatives will be determined by the highest points in each of these classes. If for any reason, the racer with the highest points cannot go, the racer that is 2nd highest in points will be next in line for that position. The Race of Champions Representatives will be determined after the August 30, 2009 Bracket Race.
IMPORTANT TECH UPDATE: Effective 1/1/09 Snell K98 Helmets are no longer valid for use in drag racing. Also as a reminder, any of the Snell 95 Helmets which are still floating around are also no longer valid for use in drag racing. Please check your helmet and if you have a Snell K98 or a Snell 95 you will need to replace it prior to competing in any competition at any NHRA sanctioned racetrack. The Snell K98 and Snell 95 helmets are expired and no exceptions will be made for use of this model of helmet if you are running 13.99 and quicker in the 1/4 mile or 8.59 in the 1/8th mile. Acceptable helmets are the Snell 2000 and Snell 2005. Please also remind your fellow racers to check their helmets as well!! Thanks.
More Information is Always Being Added, So Please Check Back!!
Last Revised 2/17/09.