Bret Kepner

Saturday, May 16th: The 2009 Outlaw All Stars Series at Gateway International Raceway

On Saturday, May 16th, 2009, true heads-up racing finally comes to Gateway International Raceway! With spectator admission only $10 and a class for almost every car, the new Outlaw All Stars Series makes its debut at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois. The OAS, designed to offer affordable non-handicapped drag racing on a local level, will include five Index-based Eliminators and three Heads-Up categories.

As promised, the OAS will offer very low entry fees for equally modest purses but will accommodate virtually any vehicle. The program and its rules were created with a goal of offering nearly all competitors a class in which to compete without the expense of adding new equipment. All purses will be based on the number of entries in each competition division and, initially, will be presented to the winner and runner-up in each class. Purse money will be accrued from all competitors above the basic $20 GIR entry fee for all contestants. Payout to the finalists will be 70% of the total accrued awarded to the winner and 30% of the total accrued awarded to the runner-up in each eliminator category.

All vehicles entered for competition must pass a basic NHRA technical inspection and must comply with all rules for the eliminator category entered as well as the NHRA-mandated regulations for advanced performance including additional safety equipment, chassis construction and driver licensing requirements.


SPECTATORS

Spectator admission: $10 with children under 12 years admitted free.


GENERAL OUTLAW ALL STAR SERIES REGULATIONS

1. All vehicles in all categories must utilize a body produced by a recognized production automobile manufacturer. Any modifications to bodies are permitted within the parameters of NHRA General Regulations. Hoods are optional.

2. Maximum wheelbase for any vehicle is 130 inches measured from front axle centerline to rear axle centerline. Street roadsters, (left-hand drive), and altered roadsters, (center drive), are permitted in Index categories only.

3. Burnouts under power past the starting line are permitted, (and strongly encouraged), in all heads-up categories. Burnouts under power past the starting line are prohibited in all Index categories.

4. All eliminator categories will be started utilizing a Pro Start system set at four-tenths of a second. Deep staging is permitted.

5. All Index Categories will allow all cars entered to compete. All Heads-Up categories will include only the eight quickest qualifiers based on elapsed times recorded during the official qualifying sessions. Alternates may be inserted into the field and will assume the position of any qualifier unable to compete in eliminations. Non-qualifiers in the Heads-Up categories may compete in the Index category of their choice at no additional charge.

6. All pneumatic, electronic and hydraulic throttle stop devices are prohibited in all categories.

7. All electronic ignition interruption devices are prohibited in all categories.

8. All electronic throttle delay driving aides, (i.e., “delay boxes”), are prohibited in all categories.

9. All categories will compete in quarter-mile competition with the exception of Outlaw Eliminator which will compete in eighth-mile competition.


INDEX ELIMINATOR CATEGORIES

Fourteen-Second Eliminator: Designation “14.0”
Entry fee: $20
Purse: Trophies to winner and runner-up

All vehicles compete in non-handicapped eliminations on 14.00-second Index using a four-tenths Pro Start system. An elapsed time quicker than the 14.00 Index during eliminations results in disqualification unless an opponent fouls. If both competitors record an elapsed time quicker than the 14.00 Index during an elimination round with no foul starts, the winner will be the contestant recording an elapsed time closer to 14.00 seconds.


Thirteen-Second Eliminator: Designation “13.0”
Entry fee: $20
Purse: Trophies to winner and runner-up

All vehicles compete in non-handicapped eliminations on 13.00-second Index using a four-tenths Pro Start system. An elapsed time quicker than the 13.00 Index during eliminations results in disqualification unless an opponent fouls. If both competitors record an elapsed time quicker than the 13.00 Index during an elimination round with no foul starts, the winner will be the contestant recording an elapsed time closer to 13.00 seconds.


Twelve-Second Eliminator: Designation “12.0”
Entry fee: $25
Purse: Winner and runner-up receive trophies plus monetary awards determined at the rate of $5 per vehicle entered in the category. In example, sixteen entries at $5 per car would produce a purse of $80 paid of which 70% would be paid to the winner, ($56), and 30% would be paid to the runner-up, ($24).

All vehicles compete in non-handicapped eliminations on 12.00-second Index using a four-tenths Pro Start system. An elapsed time quicker than the 12.00 Index during eliminations results in disqualification unless an opponent fouls. If both competitors record an elapsed time quicker than the 12.00 Index during an elimination round with no foul starts, the winner will be the contestant recording an elapsed time closer to 12.00 seconds.


Eleven-Second Eliminator: Designation “11.0”
Entry fee: $30
Purse: Winner and runner-up receive trophies plus monetary awards determined at the rate of $10 per vehicle entered in the category. In example, sixteen entries at $10 per car would produce a purse of $160 paid of which 70% would be paid to the winner, ($112), and 30% would be paid to the runner-up, ($48).

All vehicles compete in non-handicapped eliminations on 11.00-second Index using a four-tenths Pro Start system. An elapsed time quicker than the 11.00 Index during eliminations results in disqualification unless an opponent fouls. If both competitors record an elapsed time quicker than the 11.00 Index during an elimination round with no foul starts, the winner will be the contestant recording an elapsed time closer to 11.00 seconds.


Ten-Second Eliminator: Designation “10.0”
Entry fee: $35
Purse: Winner and runner-up receive trophies plus monetary awards determined at the rate of $15 per vehicle entered in the category. In example, sixteen entries at $15 per car would produce a purse of $240 paid of which 70% would be paid to the winner, ($168), and 30% would be paid to the runner-up, ($72).

All vehicles compete in non-handicapped eliminations on 10.00-second Index using a four-tenths Pro Start system. An elapsed time quicker than the 10.00 Index during eliminations results in disqualification unless an opponent fouls. If both competitors record an elapsed time quicker than the 10.00 Index during an elimination round with no foul starts, the winner will be the contestant recording an elapsed time closer to 10.00 seconds.

Bret Kepner

HEADS-UP ELIMINATOR CATEGORIES

Super Street Eliminator: Designation “SS”
Entry fee: $35

Rules: Open to all vehicles utilizing untreaded, (“slick”), rear tires of no more than 10.5 inches in width. Any engine modification permitted including turbocharging, supercharging or nitrous oxide injection. No “wheelie bars” permitted. 10.5W tires are prohibited.

Purse: Winner and runner-up receive trophies plus monetary awards determined at the rate of $15 per vehicle entered in the category. In example, ten entries at $15 per car would produce a purse of $150 paid of which 70% would be paid to the winner, ($105), and 30% would be paid to the runner-up, ($45).

Qualifying rounds will determine the eight quickest qualifiers based on elapsed time. All vehicles compete in non-handicapped eliminations using a four-tenths Pro Start system. In any elimination round, the first vehicle to cross the finish line without committing a foul start or boundary infraction will be declared the winner.


Drag Radial Eliminator: Designation “DR”
Entry fee: $40

Rules: Open to all vehicles utilizing Department Of Transportation-approved treaded rear tires of no more than 13.0 inches in width. Rear tires must carry an official D.O.T. stamp on sidewalls. Any engine modification permitted including turbocharging, supercharging or nitrous oxide injection. No “wheelie bars” permitted.

Purse: Winner and runner-up receive trophies plus monetary awards determined at the rate of $20 per vehicle entered in the category. In example, ten entries at $20 per car would produce a purse of $200 paid of which 70% would be paid to the winner, ($140), and 30% would be paid to the runner-up, ($60).

Qualifying rounds will determine the eight quickest qualifiers based on elapsed time. All vehicles compete in non-handicapped eliminations using a four-tenths Pro Start system. In any elimination round, the first vehicle to cross the finish line without committing a foul start or boundary infraction will be declared the winner.


Outlaw Eliminator: Designation “Outlaw”
Entry fee: $45

Rules: Open to all vehicles with any engine or chassis modifications. “Wheelie bars” are permitted.

Purse: Winner and runner-up receive trophies plus monetary awards determined at the rate of $25 per vehicle entered in the category. In example, ten entries at $20 per car would produce a purse of $250 paid of which 70% would be paid to the winner, ($175), and 30% would be paid to the runner-up, ($75).

Qualifying rounds will determine the eight quickest qualifiers based on elapsed time. All vehicles compete in non-handicapped eliminations using a four-tenths Pro Start system. In any elimination round, the first vehicle to cross the finish line without committing a foul start or boundary infraction will be declared the winner.


AOS EVENT SCHEDULE:

Gates Open: 2:00 PM

Qualifying and Timed Trials Begin: 3:00 PM

Run Order:

Super Street Qualifying Session 1
Drag Radial Qualifying Session 1
Outlaw Qualifying Session 1
10.0 Timed Trial Session 1
11.0 Timed Trial Session 1
12.0 Timed Trial Session 1
13.0 Timed Trial Session 1
14.0 Timed Trial Session 1

Super Street Qualifying Session 2
Drag Radial Qualifying Session 2
Outlaw Qualifying Session 2
10.0 Timed Trial Session 2
11.0 Timed Trial Session 2
12.0 Timed Trial Session 2
13.0 Timed Trial Session 2
14.0 Timed Trial Session 2

Eliminations: 7:30 PM

Super Street Eliminations Round 1
Drag Radial Eliminations Round 1
Outlaw Eliminations Round 1
10.0 Eliminations Round 1
11.0 Eliminations Round 1
12.0 Eliminations Round 1
13.0 Eliminations Round 1
14.0 Eliminations Round 1

Heads-Up Semi-finals: 8:45 PM

Super Street Eliminations Round 2
Drag Radial Eliminations Round 2
Outlaw Eliminations Round 2

Final Rounds: 9:50 PM

14.0 Eliminations Final Round
13.0 Eliminations Final Round
12.0 Eliminations Final Round
11.0 Eliminations Final Round
10.0 Eliminations Final Round
Super Street Eliminations Final Round
Drag Radial Eliminations Final Round
Outlaw Eliminations Final Round

Secure Event: 10:00 PM

Bret Kepner

Here are a few late notes about this Saturday's Outlaw All-Stars event at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, IL.

Those racers who plan to compete in any of the three Heads Up categories, (Super Street, Drag Radial and Outlaw Eliminators), need to be aware that the first of two qualifying sessions for those fields is scheduled to begin promptly at 3 PM on Saturday, May 16th. The reasons these classes were scheduled first in the running order was to give those teams a pristine track on which to run right out of the box and also to give those teams the maximum amount of time between qualifying rounds.

Therefore, if you're going to enter Super Street, Drag Radial or Outlaw Eliminator, be sure to arrive early. Gates open at 2 PM.


Also, two different companies have posted bonus prizes for Drag Radial Eliminator. John Wellenkamp of Morrow Brothers Ford in Greenfield, IL, has posted $100 for the quickest elapsed time in Drag Radial Eliminator and Bill Silva of Silva Bullet Motorsports, (618-567-5748), has posted $100 for Top Speed in Drag Radial Eliminator. While these bonus prizes are posted by these individuals, (and not being distributed by Gateway International Raceway), it's still a tremendous gesture from two great heads-up racing competitors.

For complete rules and the schedule, see the original thread post above.

Bret Kepner

The following revisions and additions have been made to the GENERAL OUTLAW ALL STARS SERIES REGULATIONS in the original thread post above for the first OAS event on Saturday, May 16th, 2009.

8. All electronic throttle delay driving aides, (i.e., “delay boxes”), are prohibited in all categories. Transmission brakes and transmission brake button release systems are permitted.

9. All categories will compete in quarter-mile competition with the exception of Outlaw Eliminator which will compete in eighth-mile competition.

10. All heads-up categories, (Super Street, Drag Radial and Outlaw Eliminators), will be qualified eight-car fields and will utilize a sportsman pairing format in which the #1 qualifier races the #5 qualifier, #2 races #6, #3 races #7 and #4 races #8 in the first round of competition. Alternates, if needed, assume the qualified position of each non-appearing entry.

11. Eliminations in all Index Eliminators will utilize a random pairing format.

12. In all heads-up categories, (Super Street, Drag Radial and Outlaw Eliminators), lane choice during qualifying will be determined by staging lane position. (Odd-numbered staging lanes dictate a run in the left lane and even-numbered staging lanes dictate a number in the right lane). During eliminations, the lowest qualifier, (based on elapsed time and/or qualifying position), in each pair of the first round will have choice of lanes. After the first round of eliminations, lane choice will be decided on the basis of the lowest elapsed time of the previous round of competition. Identical elapsed times will be decided by top speed in the previous round of competition.

13. In all Index categories, lane choice during timed trials will be determined by staging lane position. (Odd-numbered staging lanes dictate a run in the left lane and even-numbered staging lanes dictate a run in the right lane). During eliminations, lane choice between two competitors choosing the same lane will be determined by a coin toss directed by the Staging Steward.

14. All nonqualifiers in the heads-up categories, (Super Street, Drag Radial and Outlaw Eliminators), are permitted to enter an Index Eliminator of choice at no extra charge prior to the first round of Index Eliminator competition.

15. All heads-up categories, (Super Street, Drag Radial and Outlaw Eliminators), will utilize a “Break Rule” during eliminations. If a winning competitor cannot return for the next round at any time during eliminations, the opponent of the non-returning entry will be reinstated for the next round of eliminations.

16. Disqualifications during eliminations, ranked in order of severity, are (1) crossing the racetrack centerline or making contact with a retaining wall before the finish line, (2) a redlight start or failing to stage within the allotted time and (3) recording an elapsed time quicker than the posted Index for any category.


Hope to see you all tomorrow! It looks like the forecast is now just about perfect!