Ive never done it before, and I wanted to do it for a while now. How do I get started? Do i just go do to the track, Englishtown most likely, or do I have to register and such? I was also told i needed to be an nhra member to do it to? Id appreciate a little help here, thanks alot -Dave

 

Just go to the track and start racing. You don't have to be a member of anything, just pay your money for the class you want to race and go. One piece of advice, if you've never raced brackets before I would suggest doing a search on bracket racing to get a good understanding of what it is you'll be doing. If you grasp the concept of bracket racing, but have just never done it much make sure you stay in the street class to start with. The reason for this is that generally the street class will have less experience racers than the Top or Mod classes and it will allow you to win rds and become more experienced yourself. Good Luck!

Randy

 

Thanks, I have a good idea on what Ill be doing. I'm definately going to stay in street classes for a while too. I guess ill just have to go race thanks alot -Dave

 

I assume you are near Englishtown NJ?

You can just show up at the track and enter to race anytime you want. If you want to be more competitive you can register for points in the regular points program there. I collect points at Atco. they have 20 races throught the year and you collect points based on your performance at each race. Just call them up and ask, they will be more than happy to help you get started.

BTW: street is not always the best place to get started. At Atco street is one of the most difficult classes... because there are alot of guys there who have been running it for years and are just that good. The competition is tough.

 

im not that close to englishtown but theres nowhere else for me to go. if you wouldnt reccomend street for starting what would you reccomend?

 

Dave, E-town has a lot of special events like street wars, efi shootouts, BOP day, SLP day etc. Check out their schedule. The competition in these races is a bit easier than their points races. It's best that you hang with an experienced racer. Usually a bunch of people go the the events. Check for postings in the NorhEastern F-bodies Section. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The most important thing is to be safe. Warning drag racing is addictive. Very addictive.

Maple Grove has an entry class called Trophy. Its a good class to start out in.

I'm usually at the Grove but will be at ATCO (just to keep ProjectZ28 honest) a few times. I don't hit RP to often and when I do it's either very early or very late in the season. If you shoot me a PM I'll be happy to pit next to ya if you want.

Here a good link to read. www.staginglight.com/guide/index.html

 

I think Jim hit it on the head. You may not want to start out for your first year running in a points program.

I started out with a couple of years just hitting all the specialty events. GMEFI, street wars, mustang vs. f-body, E-town trophy marathon's and stuff like that. Last year Jim finally convinced me to start running with a more competitive crowd and I signed up for points at Atco. Even though I did horribly and only made it to 7 races for the season I learned alot! Hopefully this year I will be a little more compettitive even if I miss a few races.

Where are you from? Go check out the North East section and you will quickly get to know alot of the locals. I am like Jim and only seem to hit E-town for the specialty events really late in the season.

But dont be afraid to ask questions. There are a ton of really experienced guys out there and 99% of them are always willing to give out some free advice and instructions. What I love about bracket racing is that you line up against someone and they are your worst enemy... if you break or loose, that same person will be the first to get out and push, or help you figure out where and why you lost.

 

thanks for your help guys, ill probly end up just going to random events for a while first. im from ny, but theres nothing here anymore.everything needs to be done on my car because its has 140k on it and im not going to risk anything breaking while im in nj. i should be done with it in the next few months though. if you guys are going to any events let me know and ill probly come by. you can give me tips thanks -Dave

 

My rookie racing year was 1997. In the fall of 1996 I went to the Friday night street legal races just to play around and get used to the tree. It was real late in the season so I think I only got one or 2 nights to play then had to wait all winter before the 1997 race season.

First race of the season I entered Sportsman class (NHRA version of street). 14 seconds and slower cars. I won the event by knocking out the previous years points winner in the final round. I didn't even know who he was when I lined up against him. I've been hooked ever since and have come a long way since then. Too bad I don't win many races any more. I haven't been in a final for about 3 years now but I still go and race.

 

When you end up goin to the track, dont be afraid to ask questions, there are no stupid questions, well actually yes yes there are but who cares better to be safe than sorry, so talk to people get to know the track how everything plays out, learn the things that you shouldnt do that would **** others off (speaking from personal experiences) but just get to know the people you'll run with and i'm sure they'd be glad to help ya out. Good luck



-Steve

 

Hey !

If ya make it down to ETown look for me there... either find the black Impala with "A100" on it or ask someone where Joe A. is.. I'll try to give you some help getting started. I'm pretty much always there. If I'm not there racing I'm working in the staging lanes.

Try to make it down for Saturday March 12th for the Trophy Marathon event... It's perfect for people just getting started since you can keep comming back for 4 rounds win or loose.

As far as registering & the NHRA number don't sweat it... The registration part is if your joining a points series (Real Street is not a bad class to start out in) & you'll only need the NHRA number if youre a pooints racer that has qualified to go to the Division 1 Bracket Finals.. However you will probably want to get your own perminant Raceway Park racing number... It's only two bucks a year

 

I'd also be careful about asking questions. A lot of the experienced guys like to know who the newbies are.

Bracket racing is a blast. I started last July. I didn't get to go to that track alot, but made it to many Friday Fun Nights at another. I eventually made it to the quarter finals one night and lost by .0009 of a second. Talk about intense. If you like challenges, then this is for you. That's what makes it addicting I think.

One thing I recommend is going to a bracket event but do NOT enter. Just go spectate. But do so at the finish line. You'll learn so much just sitting at the finish line. You may not realize it. But you'll see how some guys play the top end by tapping their brakes or getting on/off the gas a lot. It's all a challenge. Also, it's VERY addicting as someone else said. I hope to be more competitive this year. I felt I held back alot because I was on street tires the whole time. I was pretty afraid of losing traction at the line.

 

im not sure what im going to do at this point, ill probly go down there and just have some fun, see how i do. i should start going pretty soon, ill post in the ny forum or look for any other posts to see if anyones going down, maybee someone can help me out. thanks -dave