Bracket Racing Rules

General

• Auto start will be on at all times in all bracket classes except Jr. Dragsters.

• If excessive braking causes loss of control, you will be given ONE (1) warning. The second time will be a disqualification. This call is made by track officials only! (If your tires smoke we will consider this excessive braking and you will be warned for the first instance and disqualified for the second).

• All bracket cars 5.99 and faster in the 8th mile must have diaper or belly pan.

Dial Ins

• Dial-ins must be on the car and visible from tower.

• Dial-ins may not be changed after crossing the line at the head of staging with the following exceptions: In the case of a track delay you may be able to change your dial-in with permission of track officials and notification of your opponent.

• It is the driver’s responsibility to check your dial in before you stage.

• If you stage, you have accepted the dial in on the scoreboard.

Staging

• COURTESY STAGING IS ENCOURAGED: Any car may light the prestage bulb first, please wait for your opponent to do the same. EITHER car may roll forward and light their stage bulb from that point. Sportsmanlike racing dictates that moving forward into the stage beam be done in a timely manner. After the first car rolls in and lights the stage light, the second car will have 10 SECONDS to do the same or receive red light. (this is the function of the Auto Start System and IS NOT controlled by any person of the ORP crew.)

• If you stage with both prestage and stage bulbs on before your opponent has a prestage bulb on (commonly called double bulbing) you may be asked by the starter to back out and prestage again following Courtesy Staging Procedures.

• Anytime any prestage bulb is lit, that race is in motion. If you back out of the prestage beam you will be disqualified. If you shut off your motor during staging process you will be disqualified. The official starter is the only person who can stop the staging procedure and motion you to back out of any prestage or stage beam without disqualification.

• If an opponent stages with a double bulb before you prestage and you do not wish to accept that race….PLEASE stop and get the attention of the starter. DO NOT PRESTAGE! The starter will back the offending car out of the beams and the race will resume using Courtesy Staging Procedures. If you prestage on a double bulb….YOU HAVE ACCEPTED THAT RACE!! Again, you then have 10 seconds to stage or receive a red light.

• Staging must be with the front tires of the vehicle only.

• There must be at least 3″ ground clearance for all parts of the race vehicle as it sets on the starting pad.

• If either of your stage bulbs is out when the tree activates, you will receive a red light.

• If your car dies and will not restart after you have completed your burnout you will be given 30 seconds to refire before your opponent is given a competition bye.

Dual Entry/Class

Any racer wanting to run in two (2) different classes at the same event may do so as long as they adhere to the rules in each class at the time of running for that given class. Example: Racing in TOP and MOD at the same race. You may use electronics that are allowed in TOP while racing TOP, however when you compete in MOD the car must abide by the MOD rules, any electronics allowed in TOP but prohibited in MOD MUST be removed while competing in MOD.

Break Out

On any run of a handicap eliminator if both cars breakout, the car breaking out the least will be declared the winner. If both cars breakout the same amount, the “first to finish” shall be declared the winner.

Break Rules

There is no break rule for bracket eliminations. You will receive points and/or money, if any, from the last round you completed. If you do not show up for the round and stage with the cars own power, you are considered forfeited from competition and do not receive money/points for that round.

Car and Driver

A single car may enter once in any class it is legal for. A driver may enter each class once (The exception to this rule would be a “dual tech card” race). You must run the same car during eliminations that you start eliminations with. If your car breaks during eliminations, you cannot substitute it with another car. (NOTE: If a car breaks before eliminations, the driver may substitute another “legal” car for that class. If the racer doesn’t make first round, he/she may buy back and begin in second round. If the racer wasn’t present for first round he/she may purchase a tech card and buy back and begin in second round) Points will be awarded just as if they were eliminated in first round and then bought back.

You may not enter your tow vehicle or daily driver in a class where it is not capable to run the minimum dial in.

Disqualification

Disqualifications are made on a first or worst basis. EXAMPLE: Crossing the centerline is considered worse than a red light. Since we cannot possibly cover all situations that may arise during eliminations, it is the Race Director’s responsibility to make a judgment on disputed calls. If it is necessary to settle a dispute, the race director will speak with the drivers involved ONLY. Not the crews, wives and/or husbands. Any race car touching any marker line during the measured race will be disqualified. In determining lane boundary crossing violations, it is considered a disqualification when any portion of a tire touches the painted surface. Contact with guard railing, barrier, or any other track fixture (Christmas tree, cones, and foam blocks) is ground for disqualification. Intentional crossing of boundary line to leave track or avoid depositing debris on strip is not ground for disqualification. (This rule does not apply on bye runs or competition bye runs).

Buy Backs

Buy backs may only be purchased for 1st or 2nd round, only one buy back allowed. In an effort to help the staging lane director, buy back racers will be mixed back into the regular field. Buy backs are purchased at the front gate.

TOP

1. This class is for all cars that run 8.99 or quicker running a 1/8 mile bracket format.

2. The class will be ran on a five tenths full tree with crosstalk in an all run format.

3. Deep staging will not be allowed.

4. All electronics will be allowed with the exception of timed ignition interruption devices (stutter boxes), All Davis Technologies traction control devises, MSD 7531, 7561 and 7761 ARC module.

5. Data recorders/electronic devices may only be used to record vehicle functions. They must be activated by a separate switch, and not activated by any other switches on the vehicle. Systems may only display data after a pass or run. Any device that assists in determining track location of any entry is prohibited. The use of ride height sensors and related accessories is prohibited from use in all categories. The transmission of data or information to the driver or any remote location during the run is prohibited.

6. Except those computers installed on stock vehicles by the new manufacturers for the proper operation of such vehicles, no vehicles may be equipped with computers which in any way effect the operation of the vehicle. Data recorders may be used to record functions of a vehicle so long as they do not activate any function on the vehicle.

7. No vehicle may be equipped with devices that are activated by the Christmas tree or by radio transmitters. If laptop computers or video equipment are utilized, they must be properly fastened at all times during competition. Devices may be removed at any time at the discretion of the track official.

8. Any devices which apply electronic timing keyed to the Christmas tree lighting system itself, are not connected by relay or otherwise, so as to automatically activate any devices on the car necessary to place car in motion at the start of a race, are prohibited.

9. Due to safety and allowing the racer to keep both hands on the steering wheel, electric or pneumatic shift is allowed.

No Box Class

No Box Class Removed 4/20/21

MOD

1. This class is for TRUE FOOTBRAKE cars that run 9.99 or quicker in an 1/8 mile bracket format.

2. The class will be ran on a five tenths full tree all run format.

3. Deep staging will not be allowed.

4. Use of a Delay Box is prohibited. Delay Boxes MUST be removed from the vehicle! Throttle stop controllers and automated throttle must be disabled. Any device that relays vehicles on track performance, other than OEM, is prohibited. Line locks on non-driven wheels only. Line locks may not be used as a launching device. All wiring to line lock must be visible and traceable. Transbrakes may not be used as a launching device.

5. Two or three step rev limiters are prohibited. Single stage rev limiter is acceptable but cannot be used as a launching device. Clutch launched, stick shift vehicles may use line lock on starting line to prevent vehicle from rolling.

6. Clutch launched, stick shift cars may use a 3 step rev limiter to control burnout rpm as well as starting line rpm.

7. All electronics will be allowed with the exception of timed ignition interruption devices (stutter boxes), All Davis Technologies traction control devices, MSD 7531, 7561 and 7761 ARC module.

8. You will be disqualified if observed using electronics or if caught using a transbrake for staging or launching the car or use of a delay box at anytime during eliminations. To be clear, a “Pro Brake” is allowed for backing up the car only!

9. Due to safety and allowing the racer to keep both hands on the steering wheel, electric or pneumatic shift is allowed.

Sportsman Class

1. 7.00 ET Limit

2. Dragsters, Altereds, or Roadsters are not allowed.

3. The class will be ran on a five tenths full tree all run format.

4. Deep staging will not be allowed.

5. Use of a Delay Box is prohibited. Delay Boxes MUST be removed from the vehicle! Throttle stop controllers, automated throttle stops or automated shifters (electric or pneumatic) must be disabled. Any device that relays vehicles on track performance, other than OEM, is prohibited. Line locks on non-driven wheels only. Line locks may not be used as a launching device. All wiring to line lock must be visible and traceable. Transbrakes may not be used as a launching device. Two or three step rev limiters are prohibited. Single stage rev limiter is acceptable but cannot be used as a launching device.

6. Clutch launched, stick shift cars may use a 3 step rev limiter to control burnout rpm as well as starting line rpm.

7. All electronics will be allowed with the exception of timed ignition interruption devices (stutter boxes), All Davis Technologies traction control devices, MSD 7531, 7561 and 7761 ARC module.

Jr. Dragster

1. This class is for Junior Dragsters running a 1/8 mile bracket format.

2. The class will be ran on a five tenths full tree all run format.

3. The crew may not touch the car while entering the staging beams. The Auto Start System is deactivated for Jr. Dragsters so, if they accidentally overstage and put the prestage bulb out, the timing system WILL NOT give an automatic red light. Jr. drivers must be prepared at that point to launch their car from a deep staged position. NO pullbacks allowed.

4. Pairings will be figured by drawing cards with the staging lane director.

5. No driver shall be older than 18 years old.

6. E.T. will be restricted to:
   Age 9 and under shall not exceed 11.90 1/8 mile.
   Age 10-17 shall not exceed 7.90 et or 85 mph 1/8 mile.
   * If a racer exceeds their “restricted” E.T. in eliminations then they shall have been deemed to have “broken out”, therefore “losing” that round. If any racer exceeds their “restricted” E.T. during time trials, they shall be given a warning. If they should exceed it again during the same day shall be disqualified for the remainder of the event.

Please also read the ORP General Rules which apply to all races.