2 0 1 2 A N D R A C H A M P I O N S H I P

D R A G R A C I N G G U I D E

WELCOME TO ANDRA DRAG RACING.

Drag racing features the quickest accelerating vehicles in the world, using exotic fuels like nitromethane or superchargers that force air into the engine in the quest for ever quicker times and higher speeds.

The safety standards are among the highest in motorsports. Some vehicles even use parachutes to slow down after a pass.

Professional teams race across the country in front of tens of thousands of loyal fans, all there to experience the thrill of drag racing.

Events enjoy a carnival atmosphere with spectators able to watch their heroes out on the track and then head to the pits to meet the drivers and watch the teams frantically work on their machines between rounds.

Nationally televised and with a growing sponsor base, the marketing power of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series and Rocket Allstars Racing Series matches the horsepower of its competitors.

CREDITSEditor: Luke Nieuwhof

Design: YBI CreativeImages: Dave Reid (www.dragphotos.com.au), Grant Stephens (www.cacklingpipes.com)

Sources: NHRA 2011 Fan Guide, ANDRA 2011 Rulebook

A drag race is simply a contest between two vehicles racing side by side in a straight line for a predetermined distance. In most drag racing categories, the first vehicle to the finish line wins.

A drag racing event is made up of a series of individual two-vehicle races called eliminations. Winners of each race advance until only one winner remains.

ANDRA offers four types of drag racing: heads up, index, dial your own and fixed index.

Heads up racing (Group One) is easiest to understand because both vehicles leave the starting line at the same time, and the first to cross the finish line usually wins. Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, Top Doorslammer, Top Bike, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle racers compete heads up.

In index racing (Group Two) vehicles are released at different times depending on national records and performances on the day. This includes Competition, Super Stock, Super Compact and Competition Bike.

In dial your own racing (Group Three) the competitor chooses their handicap but can not go under it. This includes Supercharged Outlaws, Modified, Super Sedan, Modified Bike, Super Street and Junior Dragster.

Fixed index racers (Group Four) use a set time they are not allowed to under. The only category using this system is Super Gas.

WHAT IS DRAG RACING

The Australian National Drag Racing Association Limited, or ANDRA for short, is the primary drag racing sanctioning body in Australia.

The organisation was created in 1973 from a drag racing-oriented faction of the Australian Hot Rod Federation.

Today ANDRA sanctions races throughout Australia and throughout the year at all levels, from Top Fuel to Junior Dragster and from regional temporary tracks to international standard facilities in capital cities. ANDRA and its members make drag racing a family friendly, safe sport.

ANDRA drag racing has been recognised as the best in the world outside of the United States. In 1994 ANDRA became a foundation member of the Drag Racing Commission of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and enjoys a healthy relationship with drag racing bodies around the world.

Over the past 15 years, ANDRA licence holder numbers have grown from less than 900 to over 3500 nationally, without counting the thousands of racers who take part in ANDRA off-street events using temporary licences.

Based on event attendances, ANDRA drag racing became one of the country’s most popular spectator motorsports in the late nineties.

On average, an ANDRA national championship event now represents an investment by the race teams alone of nearly $1.8 million.

ANDRA drag racing is a credible, popular form of motorsport. Maintaining and growing that is a great challenge and in view of successes to date, it’s one ANDRA is looking forward to.

Based on replacement value and the dollars put in by forward thinking state governments over the past five years, the Australian drag racing industry now boasts around $65 million worth of venues. A conservative estimate of the investment of ANDRA members in race vehicles and equipment produces a total value of over $410 million.

WHO IS ANDRA

The ANDRA Gold Christmas Tree is the most prestigious trophy in Australian drag racing.

Representing the iconic starting lights of the sport it is plated in real gold and is coveted by every racer from the up and comers to the experienced veterans.

American visitors have frequently remarked that the trophies are the best they have received.

Trophies are awarded at national-level events and for national championships.

It is believed Gary Phillips currently holds the most trees with a total of 34!

THE GOLDCHRISTMASTREE

THE GOLDCHRISTMASTREE

HOW IT WORKSANDRA Drag Racing Series teams are awarded points based on qualifying position and how far they progress through eliminations, with bonus points available for quickest time and highest speed of the event.

> QUALIFYING POINTS (BASED ON EIGHT CAR FIELD)

Position Points

1 8

2 7

3 6

4 5

5 4

6 3

7 2

8 1

DNQ or >8 0

RACING POINTS

Result Points

Win 100

Runner Up 80

Semis 60

Quarters 40

DNQ 20

BONUS POINTS

Low Elapsed Time 5

Top Speed 5

Rocket Allstars Racing Series points are awarded only based on round progression and are not awarded for qualifying.

Note: Further bonus points are available at some rounds where racers have to travel increased distances.

> QUALIFYINGIn the ANDRA Drag Racing Series, teams qualify over a number of sessions with order based on the quickest time.

Field sizes vary with most categories running an eight car field. Any team not running quick enough to make it into the top eight will not be able to contest eliminations. Drivers not in the field function as alternates if a team is not able to make it to the first round of eliminations.

In the Rocket Allstars Racing Series, Group Two fields are determined based on how far the racer is under or over their handicap.

Group Three qualifying is ordered by the quickest time.

Group Four orders are based on the closest racer to the set handicap (ie 9.90 in Super Gas).

> ELIMINATIONSFor the ANDRA Drag Racing Series it is simple – first to the finish line wins. The only disqualifications are for a foul start (known as a red light) or for a rules infraction such as crossing the centre line or coming in under weight.

Using a tournament format like tennis, the winner advances into the next round while the loser packs up and heads home. The final two competitors then race each other to decide the winner and runner up for the event.

Group Two racing is also “first to the finish wins”, but quick times can affect the handicap for later rounds.

In Group Three racing, teams must reach the finish line first but can not go under their nominated dial in. If this happens it is called a break out and the racer is disqualified. Should both racers go under their dial in, the one who “breaks out” by the least is the winner.

In Group Four racing, drivers must reach the finish line first and not go under the set index limit.

> RECORDSA national record can be set at any stage during an ANDRA Drag Racing Series event. Teams must complete both a run under the record and then a back-up run within 1%. For instance a 5.00sec time would require a 5.05sec back up.

Rocket Allstars Racing Series teams must set one part of the record in eliminations.

Teams will contest events on a variety of track lengths.

ANDRA’s safety team examine each track to determine what racing distance can safely be run. The longest races are over the traditional “quarter mile” (402.3 metres), where speeds of Top Fuel dragsters can reach over 500kmh. Keeping the engine alive for the entire race is critical for quick times. There are also 1000 feet races (304.8 metres) and the brutal eighth mile races (201.1 metres) where any mistake will be quickly pounced upon. Like short course swimming, these races demand intensity and perfection, with no time to make up for it later.

BURNOUT BOX – Cars and bikes warm their tyres here. Water is put down to allow tyres to break traction. Some vehicles will use a static burnout while others will roll forward.

STAGING BEAMS – These beams indicate where the start line is and activate the timing system.

INTERNAL TIMERS – Placed at 60 feet, 330 feet, 660 feet and 1000 feet, interval timers give racers important information about the acceleration of their vehicle.

FINISH LINE – The finish line can be at 1320 feet (402 metres) for facilities with large braking areas, while others will finish at 1000 feet or 660 feet. It includes a speed beam to calculate the terminal speed of a pass.

BRAKING AREA – The area where racers slow down their vehicle, sometimes with parachutes.

SAND TRAP – In the event of a runaway vehicle, the sand trap and catch nets can bring it to a rest quickly, but safely.

SHUT DOWN AREA – After leaving the braking area, racers will move to the side and wait for their teams to tow them back, though some vehicles can travel back under their own power.

RETURN ROAD – Racers come back along the return road to get back to the pits. For fans it is a chance to see the teams up close.

PRE STAGE – These lights warn racers that they are just a few centimetres away from the startline.

STAGE – These lights indicate to racers they are on the starting line and ready to go.

AMBERS – Once both racers are staged the ambers will come on. For Group One and Group Four categories it is all three in one flash.

For Group Two and Group Three it is in a sequence with 0.4 seconds between each and often races will be handicapped, meaning one side counts down before the other.

GREEN – The green light comes on 0.4 seconds after the ambers flash and means the racer is free to go.

RED – The red light comes on if a racer has foul started.

BURNOUT BOX

STAGING BEAMS

INCREMENTAL TIMERS - 60FT

INCREMENTAL TIMERS - 330FT

INCREMENTAL TIMERS - 660FT

INCREMENTAL TIMERS - 1000FT

FINISH LINE

BRAKING AREA

SANDTRAPTHE TRACK

CHRISTMAS TREEPRE STAGE

STAGE

AMBERS

AMBERS

AMBERS

GREEN

RED

SHUT

DOW

N AR

EARE

TURN

ROA

D

Top Fuel features the quickest and fastest vehicles competing in the ANDRA Drag Racing Series.

The dragsters of Top Fuel are the only car category to use nitro as a fuel (hence the origins of the name), producing spectacular flames from the exhaust and up to 8000 horsepower from the eight litre motors. The performance does come at a cost, with engine explosions more frequent than any other form of motorsport.

You can expect to see these cars cover the quarter mile in just over 4.5 seconds and reach speeds over 500kmh.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONDARREN MORGAN

Darren Morgan got his start in Top Fuel driving for the Lamattina family. When Phil Lamattina took over the reins of that car Morgan got his own operation happening.

Since then he has developed a team with a reputation for professionalism in all areas. Last season saw Morgan take out his first championship with young tuner Ben Patterson calling the shots.

Morgan’s off-track performance is as impressive as his 4sec runs, with a complete spare car that can be run as a simulator for promotional purposes.

TOPFUEL

FASTFACTS[Power: 8000 horsepower

0-100kph: 0.8sec

Wheelbase: 7.6 metres

Acceleration: Up to 5G

Top Alcohol is a category for methanol-fuelled dragsters, funny cars and altereds. Known for its close racing and nearly out of control passes, these drivers will travel a quarter mile in 5.4 seconds and top 400kmh.

Drivers in this category are often tuners as well and must harness around 3500 horsepower from the supercharger-equipped V8s.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONWAYNE NEWBY

Wayne Newby has been a stalwart in Top Alcohol since the nineties when he teamed up with father Dave to go racing.

Consistency has been a mainstay of this team and while the Funny Cars of the category may have more horsepower, it is dragsters like Newby’s that are able to get down the track when conditions are tough.

One of Newby’s few weaknesses is susceptibility to tyre shake, but he has devised a simple strategy to get around that – drive right through it!

TOPALCOHOL

FASTFACTS[Top Alcohol lets racers choose from several chassis types.

Dragsters are longer and more stable, allowing them to out power down more easily.

Funny cars are short and can be wild, but are allowed more supercharger overdrive and engine capacity, producing greater horsepower. The origins of the name “funny car” are mysterious, but believed to centre around a track announcer in the early days of drag racing describing the cars as funny looking. The name stuck.

Finally there are altereds, with all the wild handling of funny cars but less aerodynamic support. These rarely seen beasts are among the favourites of hardcore drag racing fans.

Australia’s quickest racing sedans use methanol-fuelled and supercharged V8 motors to accelerate to 400kmh in 5.7 seconds.

Big burnouts and wild runs are all part of the show for one of the most popular ANDRA Drag Racing Series categories.

Bodies are based on production sedans, from 1950s American muscle cars to late model Holden Monaros but underneath is a full race chassis.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONJOHN ZAPPIA

John Zappia is regarded as one of the legends of drag racing in Australia. He pioneered the stereotype of Top Doorslammers – long, smoky burnouts followed by quick but not always straight runs.

Zappia has practically always raced Monaros, though he has run a funny car in the past.

Since his return to Top Doorslammer in the early 2000s, Zappia has been near unstoppable, taking out four championships in a row.

As well as being a frequent winner, Zappia has also been on top with performances. He has been the first sedan into the seven, six and five second zones.

TOPDOORSLAMMER

FASTFACTS[The variety of Top Doorslammer is unparalleled, perhaps in all of motorsport.

This single category contains body styles including Holden Monaros old and new, Ford Falcons, Chevys, Camaros, Studebakers, Willys, Pontiacs, Mustangs and even station wagons.

Sleek and high tech, Pro Stock cars use 6.5 litres motors to pump out around 1000 horsepower – and all without any assistance from power adders.

The racing is the tightest in the ANDRA Drag Racing Series and races are often decided by thousandths of a second. Driver reaction time on the start line is critical, as are the many hours spent in the workshop developing engines to find any extra horsepower.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONAARON TREMAYNE

Aaron Tremayne, along with brother Tyronne, has been a fearsome force in Pro Stock.

A four times consecutive champion, Aaron has some of the best reaction times in drag racing and along with father Kerry has developed one of Australia’s most consistently quick Pro Stock teams.

Other teams might be able to outrun the Tremaynes on occasion, but when it comes to getting down the track time after time they are unbeatable.

PROSTOCK

FASTFACTS[After reaction times, gear shifts are the next most important skill for a driver. The driver must make four shifts in less than five seconds and each must be within 80-100rpm of the nominated shift point, else the motor risks dropping out of its peak horsepower area or worse, over revving and damaging the fragile internals.

The fastest accelerating motorcycles on the planet find a home in the ANDRA Drag Racing Series.

Like mad scientists, the riders use any means possible to make their machines faster including nitro fuel, superchargers, turbochargers and nitrous oxide.

Riders will reach 350kmh in 6.5 seconds and then comes the challenge of trying to stop!

NATIONAL CHAMPIONCHRIS MATHESON

When Chris Matheson purchased a motorcycle nicknamed “The Hulk”, it should have been some indication that Top Bike in Australia was in for some changes.

It has since become a machine capable of getting down the strip in six seconds on almost every pass, when for some of his competitors that would be a reason to celebrate.

Matheson’s only issue has been how to safely come to a stop. With the performance advantage he has he can sometimes afford to shut down early. When you are over 350kmh on two wheels, braking distance is all important.

Keep an eye out for big nitro flames out of this bike as Matheson looks to take his third straight championship.

TOPBIKE

FASTFACTS[Riding style varies in Top Bike and many riders seem quite animated in their movement. With the front wheel often being carried in the air, the only way to steer the motorcycle is through a shift in body weight.

Where Top Bike is all noise and fire, Pro Stock Motorcycle is all about finesse. With bodies based on production motorcycles, the Suzukis, Kawasakis and v-twins of this category are tuned precisely.

Like their Pro Stock car cousins, Pro Stock Motorcycles are naturally aspirated and are kept on a knife edge. Too much power off the line can see them shake the tyre or take a rider out to the wall, while too little will see them bog and watch an opponent run away.

Reaction times and getting four or five gear shifts done in five seconds are critical for success.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONMAURICE ALLEN

Maurice Allen has drag racing in his blood, following father Peter into the sport.

It is only recently they have joined forces to go racing but it has proved to be a master stroke with the Milwaukee Tools team stronger than ever.

Maurice has been competing in Pro Stock Motorcycle since 1991, making him one of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series veterans.

PROBIKE

FASTFACTS[Bigger is not always better in Pro Stock Motorcycle! Riders who are smaller have the advantage of being more aerodynamic and reducing the overall weight of motorcycle and rider, allowing teams to place ballast where it can benefit the chassis and traction.

Dragsters, funny cars, altered and sedans in naturally aspirated, supercharged, turbocharged and nitrous configurations come together to race in Competition. This category uses national record-based handicapping.

Champion: John McSweeney

Entry level dragsters and altered compete in Modified and produce some of the tightest racing of the Rocket Allstars Racing Series. While naturally aspirated V8s are the most common engine type, Modified has been home to unique vehicles such as motorcycle engine-powered dragsters. This category uses dial-in handicapping.

Champion: Tony Littlewood

Super Sedan brings together some of the nation’s fastest sedans and everything from street legal road cars to turbocharged track monsters. Consistency and reaction times are all important. This category uses dial-in handicapping.

Champion: Steve Fowler

You can ride off the street and on to the track in theory in Modified Bike, matching up against race bikes. However the handicapping system ensures it is all even and the well-practiced street bike riders are often champions. This category uses dial-in handicapping.

Champion: Daniel Sekli

It’s all about sedans in Super Stock where motors are designed with the finesse of Pro Stock but in a sportsman category. While mostly naturally aspirated V8s, some classes take advantage of rotary or six cylinder combinations. This category uses national record-based handicapping.

Champion: Jim Ioannidis

[The Rocket Allstars Racing Series (RARS) is a national, points based competition open to all permanent ANDRA Licence holders for participants in Groups Two, Three and Four. Referred to as Sportsman Classes.

As the name suggests, Super Street features cars that are representations of street-going machines and in many cases see frequent road use. That doesn’t make them any less competitive and with no assistance allowed from delay box or throttle stop mechanisms, it all comes down to the driver. This category uses dial-in handicapping.

Champion: Robert Harrington

From eight years old, kids are allowed to go racing in half scale, single cylinder dragsters. While performances are limited in these stages, by the time the drivers are 16 they can go as quick as 7.90sec for the eighth mile distance, quicker than V8 Commodores or Falcons. This category uses dial-in handicapping.

Champion: Jake Donnelly

As the only fixed index category in Australia, Super Gas sees sedans racing to be as close to 9.90sec as possible without going under. Racers often employ throttle stops to get this done, which see a vehicle slow down after launching and then charging to the finish line.

Champion: Joe Catanzariti

Rotaries, four cylinder and six cylinder combinations, frequently turbocharged, form the basis of Super Compact. This category is well known for its wild runs and uses national record-based handicapping.

Champion: Rod Harvey

From street bikes to purpose built supercharged four cylinders, Competition Bike is a melting pot of motorcycles. There is always a duel between the long, wheelie bar equipped race bikes and the wheelstanding streeters. This category uses national record-based handicapping.

Champion: Kevin Gummow

Loud and fast is the best way to describe Supercharged Outlaws. Dragsters, funny cars, altereds and sedans using supercharged V8s duke it out with big burnouts and a power to noise ratio that can’t be beaten. This category uses dial-in handicapping.

Champion: Matt Watts

Drag racing maintains some of the highest safety standards in motorsports. Above all else, safety is a first and foremost consideration in many rules and regulations.

Here are some of the ways racers are kept safe at speeds of 500kmh.

ROLL CAGES: Chrome moly steel tubing is used to form a protected area for the driver. This frame is designed to stand up to even the toughest of impacts.

PARACHUTES: Twin parachutes are used on all ANDRA Drag Racing Series cars, with some motorcycles using smaller, single parachute systems. Parachutes can slow a car as quickly as they accelerate, with up to four negative Gs experienced by drivers when they are released.

FIRE SYSTEMS: Onboard fire systems are used to keep the area around drivers safe should flames begin to come close. The driver is effectively doused in foam in order to keep them safe long enough to bring the car to a stop and get out.

CLOTHING: Multi-layer fire suits are worn by drivers and full leathers are worn by riders in the ANDRA Drag Racing Series. Suits are so effective that even in the worst of fires drivers will often only emerge with singed eyebrows.

SAFETY CREW: A team of specialists stand at the ready for every pass should something go wrong. Themselves equipped with fire suits and extinguisher equipment, they are ready to go at a moment’s notice to help drivers or riders in trouble.

SAFETYFEATURES

Drag racing is one of the most dramatic motorsports to watch live. Top Fuel dragsters literally shake the earth and the close finishes of Pro Stock will have you standing on your feet.

For those who can’t make it to the track however, they can follow the racers of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series throughout the year via several outlets.

TVA national broadcast package delivers the excitement of the ANDRA Drag Racing Series and Rocket Allstars Racing Series into homes around Australia and the world.

Each category gets its own special attention with dedicating programming and in-depth team interviews from ANDRA’s own production team.

Episodes are also available in online catch up form, giving fans the opportunity to keep up with the favourite drivers and riders and delivering a longer life for each event.

WWW.ANDRA.COM.AUWhen you need to catch up on the news between rounds and find out more about drag racing, ANDRA.com.au is where you need to go.

The website provides news, information on events and details on how you can go racing and become a part of the world’s quickest motorsport.

FACEBOOKJoin the Australian National Drag Racing Association on Facebook and take part in competitions and banter between events. Stay up to date with the latest news and gossip and meet other fans of drag racing.

DON’T MISSA THING

Braking Area – the area beyond the finish line where racers come to a stop.

Bump spot – the last position in a field, mostly eighth place.

Bumped – when a racer is “bumped” out of the top eight by a quicker time from another racer in qualifying.

Burnout – spinning tyres before a race in order to heat them up for increased traction.

Christmas Tree – the starting line lights between the lanes.

Chute – short for parachute, used to slow down cars.

Deep Stage – a risky move where a racer rolls further into the staging beams, turning off the pre-stage light. It puts them closer to the finish line but also at greater risk of red lighting.

DNQ – did not qualify.

Dropped Cylinder – when one or more cylinders in a car or bike fails to ignite, decreasing the horsepower of the motor.

Elapsed Time (ET) – the time is takes a vehicle to travel from the starting line to the finish line.

Eliminations – the racing part of the event, where a tournament format is used to decide the winner and runner up. Racers compete two at a time, with the winner advancing to the next round while the loser is finished for the day.

Groove – the section of the drag strip where vehicles mostly travel, creating an area where rubber builds up and traction is highest.

Holeshot – when a racer has a better reaction time than his/her opponent.

Interval Timers – sector timers 60 feet, 330 feet, 660 feet and 1000 feet from the start line used to measure incremental performance.

Loose – when a vehicle suffers a loss of traction.

Loud Pedal – the throttle.

Methanol – pure methyl alcohol produced by synthesis, used in Top Alcohol and Top Doorslammer categories.

Nitromethane – known as “nitro”. Primary fuel for Top Fuel and Top Bike. As well known as an explosive as a fuel.

Oildown – when liquid is deposited on to the racing surface, requiring a clean up.

On the Trailer – slang for a racer losing a race.

Pre-Staged – when a racer is just behind the starting line, illuminating the pre-stage lights.

Pro Tree – the starting light sequence consisting of a single flash of the amber lights, followed by the green, used in all ANDRA Drag Racing Series categories.

Rail – another term for a dragster.

Reaction Time – the time it takes for a vehicle to clear the staging beam after the green light comes on. A perfect reaction time is .000.

Red Light – when a vehicle leaves the starting line before the green light. Also known as a foul start.

Sand Trap – an area of sand or gravel at the end of the braking area to catch vehicles that can not slow down.

Sixty Foot Time – the time it takes a vehicle to cover the first sixty feet of the track. It is used to judge how effectively a vehicle has launched.

Smoked the Tyres – when a car loses traction.

Staged – when a vehicle is on the starting line and ready to race.

Stripe – slang term for the finish line.

Time Card – given to the racer after a run, displaying all their interval times and speeds.

Tyre Shake – a severe vibration of tyres the usually occurs at the beginning of a run.

GLOSSARYOF TERMS

W W W . A N D R A . C O M . A U

P 0 8 8271 5355 F 0 8 8271 69 88E i n f o @ a nd ra. com. au

P O Box 250 Kent Tow n 5071212 Gr een h i l l Road Eas t wo o d S A 50 63

PHOTOGRAPHY - Dave Reid and Grant Stephens.