| Driver Limitation |
Page Number: 62 |
| Each driver who enters competition at a sanctioned event will be permitted to drive only one boat during eliminations, unless that boat is eliminated, declared broken, or voluntarily withdrawn from the racing program during eliminations. At that point, said driver will be eligible to drive one other boat, and one other boat only. If the driver is driving a second boat pursuant to this rule, and the second boat is either eliminated, declared broken, or voluntarily withdrawn from the racing program, that driver would not be eligible to drive any other boat whatsoever at that event.
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| Drivers Meeting |
Page Number: 62 |
| A drivers meeting may be held whenever necessary. Attendance at such meetings is
mandatory. Roll call may or may not be taken. If a roll call is made, any driver who is absent will automatically be eliminated from the racing program. |
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| Order of Eliminations / Pairing |
Page Number: 62 |
| The order in which the classes will be called for competition as well as the pairings for the first round of eliminations shall be posted at the timing tower (or other designated location) prior to the commencement of eliminations.
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| Lane Selection |
Page Number: 62 |
| The slower boat in all classes shall be run in the inside (spectator) lane when practical. |
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| Warm-Up Time |
Page Number: 62 |
| Time permitting, each class will be given one half hour notice to warm engines prior to
their ramp call for the first round of eliminations. Thereafter, as much notification will be given as the situation permits. All decisions regarding warm-up time will be made at the discretion of the Race Director. |
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| Installation and Removal of Rudders and Drain Plugs |
Page Number: 62 |
| Rudders and/or drain plugs may not be installed at the launch ramp, nor removed at the
out ramp. |
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| Starting of Motors |
Page Number: 62 |
| No driver may start or attempt to start his boat’s engine while on the launch ramp unless so authorized or instructed by the Ramp Manager (or his assistant).
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| Ramp Call / Launch |
Page Number: 62 |
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When a class is called to the launch ramp for the first round of eliminations, all boats in the class, including the alternate boat(s), must report for launching (except the bye run boat if he is not going to run). If any boat(s) in the class, other than the bye run boat, fails to launch and proceed to the starting line holding rope when so instructed, the alternate boat(s) will be inserted into that slot by the Ramp Manager. No repairing will take place. Any capsuled boat which reports to the launch ramp for the purpose of making any valid elimination run, and is found to have the driver’s air tank not
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| Ramp Call / Launch |
Page Number: 63 |
| A bye run is awarded to the #1 qualifier in the first round of eliminations for each class containing an uneven number of competitors. Bye runs for all subsequent rounds of eliminations are predetermined within the standard ladder system. A bye run gives the driver the option of whether or not to run in that round of eliminations. If the driver chooses not to run, the Ramp Manager as well as the Timing Tower should be so informed. If the bye run boat does not run, it will automatically advance to the next round of eliminations, but will be considered the slowest boat in that round of eliminations. Thus, finishing position may be adversely affected if the race is stopped prior to its normal completion. If a bye run boat chooses to run its bye run, the E.T. recorded would count for finishing position if the race were not completed prior to the next round of eliminations. While making a bye run, the boat is still subject to disqualification for any infraction as described under “Grounds for Disqualification.”
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| Bye Run |
Page Number: 63 |
| A legal single run may be awarded to any boat already paired for eliminations if his competition fails to appear at the launch ramp after the final class call, if the competition cannot launch and proceed to the starting line holding rope when so instructed, or if the competition fails to start when called upon to make the actual elimination run. When awarded a legal single run, the run must be made. The boat must leave the starting line holding rope, under its own power, and cross the starting line.
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| Legal Sngle Run |
Page Number: 63 |
| A legal single run may be awarded to any boat already paired for eliminations
if his competition fails to appear at the launch ramp after the final class call, if the competition cannot launch and proceed to the starting line holding rope when so instructed, or if the competition fails to start when called upon to make the actual elimination run. When awarded a legal single run, the run must be made. The boat must leave the starting line holding rope, under its own power, and cross the starting line. |
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| Foul Start |
Page Number: 63 |
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A foul start occurs when a boat crosses the starting line prior to receiving a solid green light. A foul start on any side by side run during eliminations will eliminate the boat from further competition. If there is a double foul start, the automatic lane picker will illuminate the red light in the lane which fouled first, and give a solid green light to the other lane. As a backup to the automatic lane picker, reaction times may be used to determine which lane fouled first. A foul start on a bye run or legal single run has no effect on the run whatsoever.
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| Breakout |
Page Number: 64 |
| Breakouts apply to the Pro Modified class as well as all Sportsman and Bracket classes.
A breakout occurs when a boat runs an E.T. that is quicker than the index for the class in which that boat is competing. A breakout on any side by side run during eliminations will eliminate the boat from further competition. If a double breakout should occur, the boat which breaks out of its E.T. bracket by the least amount shall be declared the winner of that round. A breakout on a bye run or legal single run has no effect on the run whatsoever. |
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| Break Rule |
Page Number: 64 |
| The break rule will apply to the Professional and Sportsman classes in all rounds of eliminations,
and to the Bracket classes in only the final round of eliminations. All break boats must be capable of being at the launch ramp, ready to launch, within five (5) minutes of their first call. If any boat fails to make its final class call or fails to launch and proceed to the starting line holding rope when so instructed, the Ramp Manager may award a legal single run or invoke the break rule. Under the break rule, the boat which was eliminated by the broken boat in the most recently completed round of eliminations is reinstated into the racing program to replace the broken boat. If in the most recently completed round of eliminations, the broken boat was entitled to a bye run, regardless of whether the bye run was made or not, no boat is eligible to replace the broken boat, and the broken boat’s competition will be awarded a legal single run. Any boat reinserted into the racing program at any point pursuant to the break rule is racing for money only. The break boat will gain no further points by virtue of being reinstated into the racing program. If the break boat is reinserted into the racing program prior to the final round, and subsequently proceeds to win the race or finish as runner-up, the break boat will be paid the appropriate share of the class purse and awarded the corresponding trophy. If inserted into the racing program in the final round, the break boat will be racing for the difference in winner and runner-up money only. The broken boat is automatically the runner-up and will receive money and points accordingly, and the remaining boat in competition (the live boat) has earned no less than runner-up money and points. Thus, if the break boat is inserted in the final round and wins, the purse is split 60%-20%-20% (based on an original purse split of 80%-20%). In addition, the break boat would receive the winner’s trophy and the live boat would receive the runner-up trophy. If the break boat is inserted in the final round and loses, it receives no money as well as no trophy. In this case, the winner’s trophy would be awarded to the live boat and the runner-up trophy would be awarded to the broken boat. Points are awarded as described under “High Points Championship Points/Break Rule Points.” |
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| Identicals E.T.s |
Page Number: 64 |
| If two E.T. class boats were to record identical E.T.s on a side by side run during
eliminations, and both boats were also to break out, the boat which crosses the finish line first shall be declared the winner of that round. If two or more boats in the same class record identical E.T.s on separate runs during eliminations, the boat registering the higher M.P.H. shall be considered the quicker for |
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| Identicals E.T.s |
Page Number: 65 |
| the purposes of lane selection during eliminations or selecting a race winner should the
race be stopped prior to the normal conclusion of eliminations. If the boats were to have both identical E.T.s and M.P.H., then the boat which first recorded the E.T. would be considered the quicker. |
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| Stopping on Course |
Page Number: 65 |
| After completing an eliminations run, any driver that clears the course will be awarded 10
additional points. Any driver deploying a parachute will be allowed to stop, retrieve his parachute, restart the motor, and drive off the race course. Only boats with legitimate breakage will be towed off the race course, and the breakage will be verified by an official at the out ramp. At any race course where physical conditions so dictate, this rule may be waived with proper notification to all competitors. The rule does not apply to Top Fuel Hydro. |
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| Drainage of Oil and Water |
Page Number: 65 |
| Due to environmental concerns, no fuel, oil, water, or mixture thereof may be drained or
pumped from any boat at either the in or out ramp. Said liquids must be disposed of properly in designated areas. |
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| Class Win - Single Boat |
Page Number: 65 |
| In order to win a class when there is only one boat registered therein, the boat
must make a qualifying attempt during qualifying. During eliminations, the boat must make a legal single run. One boat classes will be run at the discretion of the sanctioning division or chapter. |
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| Class Winners |
Page Number: 65 |
| All final round class winners must have the appropriate official at the out ramp check their gasoline, alcohol, or nitromethane mixture as soon as the boat comes out of the water. If water injection is used, a water sample will also be taken. If requested, an engine oil sample may be taken. Cubic inch displacement is also subject to being checked. See also “Racing Fuels/Fuel Samples” for further information.
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| Grounds for Elimination |
Page Number: 65 |
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Elimination means that the boat is no longer in the competition program, unless reinstated pursuant to the break rule. Grounds for elimination are as follows:
1-Failure to report to the launch ramp.
2-Failure to launch or drive to the starting line holding rope.
3-Exiting the capsule once the ready signal is give and the starting sequence has begun.
4-Failure to start, leave the starting line holding rope. or cross the starting line. If one boat fails to start,leave the starting line holding rope, or cross the starting line, said boat shall be eliminated 5 seconds after the lead boat crosses the starting line. If the lead boat fouls, the trailing boat shall be eliminated 5 seconds after the green light comes on. On a legal single , bye run, or if both boats fail to start, leave the starting line holding rope, or cross the starting line, the time allowed shall be at the discretion of the starter.
5-Safety, such as, but not limited to, hooking the holding rope, crossing the center line or outer boundaries of the race |
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| Grounds for Disqualification |
Page Number: 66 |
| course, or hitting any course equipment while under acceleration.
6-Foul start.
7-Failure to cross finish line. If both boats fail to cross the finish line, and no other grounds for elimination are committed by either boat, then the boat which proceeded the further distance under its own power will be declared the winner of that round.
8-Breakout. In the event of a double breakout, the boat breaking out by the least amount will be the winner (Pro Modified, Sportsman and Bracket classes only).
9-Losing a valid elimination round.
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| Grounds for Disqualification |
Page Number: 66 |
| Disqualification means that the boat is no longer in the competition program and may not be allowed back into competition for any reason whatsoever for the remainder of the event at which the infraction occurred. Grounds for disqualification are as follows:
Violation of the Substance Abuse Policy as defined elsewhere in this rule book.
Failure to comply with the rules and/or regulations which are contained in this rule book, or failure to follow proper directions of race working officials.
Unsportsmanlike conduct, including, but not limited to, abusive language, gestures, threats, and physical assault.
Running down the race course when the solid red lights are illuminated (indicating that the course is closed).
Starting or attempting to start a boat’s engine while under tow on the water.
Approaching another boat or object at an unsafe speed or angle, or any other action or practice deemed unsafe by any official.
Disconnecting, overriding, substituting, or attempting to defeat any safety related rule or item required to pass the pre-race safety inspection.
No open boat is allowed to run quicker than 7.70. First offence during the year will be a warning. A warning from one division is valid in all divisions. Only one warning per year will be given. Each subsequent offense will result in disqualification from that event.
Demonstrative or “show-boating” actions by a driver (such as removing hands from the steering wheel and waving or gesturing to the crowd) while making a run on the race course.
Any action(s) which is disruptive or intended solely to impede the normal progress of the racing program, such as, but not limited to, blocking the tow vehicle traffic pattern, blocking the boat ramp(s), or any type of disruption at the timing tower, etc.
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| Grounds for Disqualification |
Page Number: 67 |
| Failure of the driver of a tow vehicle to remain with the tow vehicle while the boat is in the water and/or being towed to or from the boat ramps.
Allowing an unlicensed driver to operate any electric, gas or other fuel powered motorized vehicle at the event site unless authorized by an official of the sanctioning division or chapter. Vehicle to include, but not limited to, golf carts, ATV’s, motorcycles, mini bikes, scooters and skateboards. Unlicensed vehicles may not be operated after dark under any circumstances except by race officials on official business.
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| First or Worst |
Page Number: 67 |
| The primary objective of each race is to have one winner and one loser. Should a double
rules infraction occur on the same run, the driver committing the major (or more serious) infraction shall be eliminated; the driver committing the lesser offense shall be reinstated as the winner of that round of eliminations. Items appearing above under “Grounds For Elimination” and “Grounds For Disqualification” are listed in the order of their seriousness, with the most serious listed first, and the least serious listed last. All items under “Grounds For Disqualification” are considered more serious than those found under “Grounds For Elimination.” |
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| Incomplete Race |
Page Number: 68 |
| In any class that does not complete eliminations due to any circumstances, such as inclement weather, winners will be determined as follows:
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| Canceled Before First Round |
Page Number: 68 |
| If the race is canceled before the first round of eliminations is started, the winner of each class will be chosen using the lowest legitimate elapsed time (E.T.) recorded in qualifying.
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| Canceled During First Round |
Page Number: 68 |
| If any class of boats is unable to complete the first round of eliminations (due to round scheduling) although other classes did, the winner of said class will be determined by the lowest legitimate elapsed time (E.T.) recorded in qualifying.
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| Canceled After First Round |
Page Number: 68 |
| If the race is canceled before the final round but after the first round of eliminations of a particular class has been completed, the winner of said class will be determined by the lowest legitimate elapsed time (E.T.) recorded during the most recent fully completed round of eliminations for the class.
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| Starting / Timing System Malfunction |
Page Number: 68 |
| If during eliminations, a serious malfunction of the starting and/or timing system were to occur, and it obviously could not be corrected or repaired in a timely fashion so as to complete the eliminations program, the following guidelines (subject to any deviations mandated by local conditions and approved by the Sanction Supervisor) will be used to conclude the racing program:
The winner and runner-up in each class will be determined as outlined above for cancelation due to inclement weather.
The original purse will be reduced based upon the point to which the racing program has progressed.
The balance of the original purse will be used to create a secondary purse (for distribution to the winner and runner-up of the secondary race).
The racing program will then continue with side by side elimination runs (the secondary race).
If a failure of the starting system makes it impossible to electronically determine foul starts, officials will visually observe the starting line for foul starts. Open boats may not leave the starting line holding rope until the green light is illuminated; capsule boats may not close the capsule lid and subsequently leave the starting line holding rope until the green light is illuminated.
If a failure of the timing system makes it impossible to electronically pick each race winner, officials will visually observe the finish line, and they will declare the winner of each run.
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| Starting / Timing System Malfunction |
Page Number: 69 |
| In order for the winner and runner-up (item 1 above) to be paid their share of the reduced original purse (item 2 above), they must continue to participate in the racing program until such time as they have either been eliminated or proceeded to win the secondary race.
The secondary purse (item 3 above) will be divided between the winner and runner-up of the secondary race (NOTE: The winner and/or runner-up as selected in item 1 above may also be a winner or runner-up in the secondary race, and if so, they shall receive both cash distributions).
The trophies in each class will be awarded to the winner and runner-up as determined in item 1 above.
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National Drag Boat Association (NDBA)
American Drag Boat Association (ADBA Div 1)
Central States Drag Boat Association (CSDBA Div 2)
Southern Drag Boat Association (SDBA Div 3)
St Louis Drag Boat Association (SLDBA Div 4)
Columbia Drag Boat Association (CDBA)
Delaware Drag Boat Association (DVDRC)
International Hot Boat Association (IHBA)
Kentuckey Drag Boat Association (KDBA)
National Jet Boat Association (NJBA)
Outboard Drag Boat Association (ODBA)
Victorian Drag Boat Club (VDBC) |