Drag racing basics web sites?

For someone who knows nothing about drag racing, is there a good site that explains things in simple terms and has some actual pictures of what the christmas tree looks like, what the various lights are for on it and other track equipment and shows a basic run procedure from burnout to finish line, etc.?

I did a google search and although there are a lot of "Drag Racing Basics" sites, I couldn't find one that had decent pictures (hell, any pictures at all for that matter) that *showed* you whats going on. Most were really more for someone who has already been to a drag race and is considering racing their own car.

I have a couple business associates that I'm taking to the upcoming IHRA World Finals at Rockingham Dragway and they know nothing about it and I just don't have the time to explain it all to them and I would like them to have SOME idea of what they are going to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

Check out Mike Beard's site: http://www.staginglight.com/

I appreciate the link. I've already checked out his site, but it's mainly geared toward E.T. racing, which is fine but much of the race that we will be watching will be heads-up. If we watch some of the sportsman classes I can quickly explain the handicap start format for them.

I know someone at one point had a real nice and simple guide with pictures and diagrams on their site. I just can't remember it... :confused:

Will this help?

http://www.nhra.com/basics/dayatdrags.html

Will this help?

http://www.nhra.com/basics/dayatdrags.html
That's what I ended up giving them Saturday afternoon. Don't know how much of it they'll wade through though :confused:

I wrote a brief intro to drag racing which you can read at www.kennedysdynotune.com

Click on the "Tech Tips" link at the bottom of the left hand menu.

Rich

I appreciate the link. I've already checked out his site, but it's mainly geared toward E.T. racing, which is fine but much of the race that we will be watching will be heads-up. If we watch some of the sportsman classes I can quickly explain the handicap start format for them.

At least 90% of all drag racing will be ET racing. Even Stock/SuperStock is ET racing unless 2 cars in the same class are against each other. Then it's a heads up race. Heads up racing does the exact same thing as ET racing except they don't dial in and whoever gets to the end first wins. They prestage and stage the same. They can red light the same. It just comes down to whoever has spent the most money to get to the end first wins. Different heads up classes have different rules so you need to know what kind of heads up race you're watching. The rules are to prevent anyone from dominating a class by doing something extreme like using a V8 in a class full of V6 cars.

Try explaining class racing (Super Gas/Comp/Street) using throttle stops and delay boxes. Even better, try explaining Comp Eliminator racing to someone who doesn't understand drag racing basics.

Since you'll be watching the Pro cars at the IHRA national race, there's not much to explain. After they're staged, light turns green and they race to the end of the 1/4 mile. First one across wins.

Even better, try explaining Comp Eliminator racing to someone who doesn't understand drag racing basics.



I like to call it Complicated Eliminator.

At least 90% of all drag racing will be ET racing. Even Stock/SuperStock is ET racing unless 2 cars in the same class are against each other. Then it's a heads up race. Heads up racing does the exact same thing as ET racing except they don't dial in and whoever gets to the end first wins. They prestage and stage the same. They can red light the same. It just comes down to whoever has spent the most money to get to the end first wins. Different heads up classes have different rules so you need to know what kind of heads up race you're watching. The rules are to prevent anyone from dominating a class by doing something extreme like using a V8 in a class full of V6 cars.

Try explaining class racing (Super Gas/Comp/Street) using throttle stops and delay boxes. Even better, try explaining Comp Eliminator racing to someone who doesn't understand drag racing basics.

Since you'll be watching the Pro cars at the IHRA national race, there's not much to explain. After they're staged, light turns green and they race to the end of the 1/4 mile. First one across wins.

I know all that myself, but it's too much for someone who knows nothing about the sport. See bold type. But don't worry about it. I've got it covered ;)

For someone who knows nothing about drag racing, is there a good site that explains things in simple terms and has some actual pictures of what the christmas tree looks like, what the various lights are for on it and other track equipment and shows a basic run procedure from burnout to finish line, etc.?

I have a couple business associates that I'm taking to the upcoming IHRA World Finals at Rockingham Dragway and they know nothing about it and I just don't have the time to explain it all to them and I would like them to have SOME idea of what they are going to. Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

These might help

Site 1 (http://www.nhra.com/streetlegal/whatisadragrace.html)


site 2 (http://www.autosalon.org/dc-ct.asp)

if you go al the way to the bottom on the 2nd page it has a picture if a tree and a time slip explaining what everything means.