What Happens on Race Day

On race day, plan to be at the track by 7:15am.  You'll want to find a pit area for your car and get yourself set up for a full day of racing.  One of your pit crew should go to the registration table when it opens to fill out the registration form and the driver's history form.  (The announcer uses this form during the day to tell us all about you.)  Then you'll want to check your weight  (total and tail weight) at the scales.  The line at the scales usually starts forming at 7am!

 

After everyone has registered (usually around 8:30am), the drivers will be called by divisions to draw numbers for their race position and learn who they will be racing against.  Drivers will be given a car number to be placed on the left front of the nose of the car.  A driver's meeting will be held at about 8:45 by the starting ramps.  We will try to start the race by 9am.

 

When your car number is called, immediately take your car and get in line at the scales with your opponent.  After weighing, there will be a two-wheel swap. Then proceed to the starting line with your opponent.  The lowest numbered car always starts in Lane 1 on the first phase.  When your car is on the starting ramp, get in quickly and prepare to race.  (This is important to keep the race moving efficiently.)  The starter may ask you to lower your brake to test to see if it is working.  On the count of three, the cars will be released.

 

When the cars cross the finish line, a differential time will be recorded between the cars racing each other.  Both cars will be placed on a trailer for return to the topside.  Your car handler is responsible for unloading your car at topside.  Place your car on one of the platforms and exchange wheels with your opponent.  Then proceed again to the starting line for phase two of your race.  The lowest numbered car now goes in Lane 2.  After phase two of your race, the times of both phases will be tallied to determine the winner.  The losing car will be placed in the challengers bracket and have another chance to race.  It is possible for a driver in the challenger's bracket to come back and win the race.

 

If you lose two heats early, check with the scorekeepers to find out if you're eligible to race in the consolation race.  (Remember, a heat consists of two phases or trips down the hill!)  We will generally have consolation races for the Stock and Super Stock divisions, time permitting.  We want everyone to participate as much as possible!

 

Rain-outs:  Don't assume we aren't racing if it's raining early in the morning.  We will generally wait until noon to postpone or cancel a race.  A storm may delay the race, but we can generally resume a race within an hour or less after it stops raining.