Is there a group set up similar to the SCCA or NASA but for drag racing? I'd like to build a car and run fast but...rules and competitors make if more fun. So....what can I do? TIA

 

Bracket racing makes it possible to compete at almost any level. I prefer street class and modified class. Call your local track and ask for a rulebook. IHRA and NHRA are similiar (but not identical) in their entry classifications.

 

In bracket racing everyone is an amateur. Speed means nothing and every vehicle has an equal chance of winning. You increase your odds of winning by getting good reaction times and having a vehicle that runs consistant enough that you can figure out a dial in without running faster.

There's no descrimination for drag racers. A 16 year old can be just as competative as a 60 year old. Men and women are also equal. As for vehicles there are thousands of different combinations so no one vehicle is better than the other. We each chose what we want to drive.

The basic rules are strictly for safety unless you get into specific class type racing. As a bracket racer you can have a vehicle that runs from 7.50 - 20 seconds and are pretty well unrestricted as to what you want to do to run those speeds.

My rookie year was back in 1997. I've never been as good as I was back then so just because someone has been racing for a long time doesn't mean they can't be beat.

Although you race against a competator, in a bracket race you're really racing against the clock. You predict the ET you're going to run. If you get a good reaction time and run closer to your ET than your competator then you usually win.

 

Yea I know what bracket racing is...I'm not really into that. Are there any classes where there's set rules and you actually have to be faster than the other car? I noticed something called Cheap Street over on the east coast, in my hot rod mag, I'd like to get into somthing like that...just don't know how. Thanks for your help guys, and any other help...

 

Then you're asking about restriction classes. If you get restricted into what you can and can't do then once everyone reaches the highest level thay can with all the restriction then all the cars run the same. Hot Rod zine also mentions a $3000 claimer rule on the engine. That means if you become too successful, your engine could be bought for $3000 and you have no say in the matter.

If there's no restrictions then whoever spends the most money to go fast will win. No matter how much money you spend, someone will have spent more. There's little chance you can win or be competative unless you spend even more money.

NHRA and IHRA don't really have "entry level" classes like that. You're going to have to look to something like NMCA or some other organization like that. Chances are there isn't much available for vehicles slower than 10.0.

Check your local track for "street legal" racing. There's no real competition and whoever gets to the end of the track first wins. It's more grudge match racing than real drag racing.

Your "cheap street" stuff can be found at www.fasteststreetcar.com
It's not part of NHRA or IHRA